White Skates

Small boy holds on to his mother’s hand, as they navigate the store, looking for the right place. Soon, they are in sporting goods, and the two of them join the small group of boys and girls and harried parents getting new skates.

“I want white skates, momma.” The small boy practically whispers.

“White skates are for girls.” She says, and sits him down so the salesclerk can measure his feet. Soon they are stuffed into black skates, and the mother says “Now you’ll be able to play hockey.”

“Don’t want to play hockey. Want to skate.” the boy whispers.

“That kind of skating is for girls.” his mother says, and takes the black skates off to the counter to pay for them.

Years go by, a decade, then nearly two, and then one day, a figure in a thrift store dress hovers near the sporting goods department, waiting for the crowd to thin out. Finally, the figure seems to take a deep breath, and approaches the clerk.

“I would like a pair of white skates, please.” She says softly.

“Certainly, miss. Let me measure your feet.” the clerk says professionally.

The young woman glows at the word “miss” and takes off her shoes, revealing the inexpertly painted toes visible in knee high stockings.

The sales clerk measures her feet, and soon she is wobbling on a pair of white skates. A careful test under the watchful eye of the clerk later, she takes them off, and takes them to the counter to pay.

Later, she walks down the street from the store, her skates in a box in a bag on her shoulder. She heads to a community center, and goes inside, and looks at the indoor rink. Its beginner’s skate time, so she finds a chair, pulls off her shoes, and works her feet into the skates.

At first, she is wobbly, but years of practice in black skates come back to her, and she is soon gliding across the ice.

She looks over at a young girl in a figure skating costume and for a moment, allows envy to rise in her mind. “Never will be a figure skater now, far too late.” she thought.

Then she shook her head, and thought, “No. Today isn't a day for negative thoughts.”

Eventually, she tires, and comes off the ice and takes off the skates. She puts them carefully back in their box, and walks home.

When she gets to her room, she goes to a large piece of paper, once folded and hidden, now left out in the open. She picks up a pen, and looks for an item on a list on the paper.

She finds the one that says “Go Skating - in white skates.” and checks it off with satisfaction, sighs with contentment, and puts the skates away for another day.