by C. Fennessy
Chapter 4: Fun at the Rink
After breakfast, the girls rode in the hotel van to the village of River Bend. It had a colorful Main Street, all decorated for Christmas. They found themselves standing on the snow-covered walk of a quaint New England town. Most of the older buildings were red brick with black shutters layered in snow. The newer houses were white shingled cottages with colorful shutters sporting bright, shiny garlands and wreaths. Most had been converted to stores or offices.
Snowflakes drifted down gently and somewhere a brass band played, "The First Noel". A twenty-five foot Christmas tree with lights and decorations stood in the square at the end of Main Street with a small Nativity scene next to the tree. Each lamp post was decorated with green holly garlands and large red bows. A red-suited Santa stood in front of the local bank ringing a bell and calling out, “Merry Christmas!” to passers-by.
The first store they went into was a gift shop, gaily decorated in red bows and silver garlands. Christmas carols played softly and the girls looked eagerly through the unique gifts and jewelry. They next went into a clothing boutique where they each tried on some new outfits and bought them. After shopping next at a kitchen and cookware where Cindy browsed through cookbooks, they visited a ski shop, and then decided to find a restaurant for lunch.
From across the street Cindy spotted a large bow window with rows of frosted panes. A large sign in the shape of a cup and saucer hung over the door with “The Literary Café” painted across the cup
"There's a place! Let's try it!" Cindy said enthusiastically. They waited for traffic to go by and then hurried across the road toting their bundles. A sudden gust of wind sent snow spraying into their faces. They hurried inside and found a table against the wall.
It was warm and comforting diner with a long lunch counter along one wall. Dark wood tables and chairs filled the center of the room and racks of magazines, books, and newspapers filled the back wall. The small diner had the atmosphere of an old town library, with menus resembling books. Patrons helped themselves to newspapers as they sat and drank coffee or had lunch.
After the girls ordered soup and sandwiches, the waitress brought hot tea and cocoa in two large pots to the table. All three chose to drink the cocoa.
"That seems to be our most popular drink today," the smiling waitress remarked.
“I love that gift shop that we went to first,” Kelly remarked, “I could really spend a lot of money there if that store were in Westfield.”
“Me, too!” Cindy agreed, “Except then I’d have to work more hours to pay for all my stuff. You, on the other hand, don’t have that problem.”
“What do you mean?” Kelly asked, “I work. I do all the housework and laundry at home and take care of our pets. For that, I get paid. Dad is grateful for the help because I’m cheaper than a maid, and I’m grateful for a steady job that I can do at home at my own pace. It works out perfectly for both of us!”
“You’re lucky!” Cindy whined, “I have to stand on my feet all day and cook.”
Jan interjected, “I thought you liked being a chef at your Aunt’s restaurant!”
“I do!” Cindy replied, “But it’s still hard work! When I get home from work, I’m pooped!”
“Well, it can’t be any worse than working at your father’s car dealership trying to sell used cars!” Jan retorted, making a face.
Kelly said, “But it’s only temporary until you finish your degree in criminal justice, Jan. After you graduate, you’ll be working as a police officer, and someday a detective! That should be exciting!”
Jan shrugged and admitted that her present circumstances wouldn’t last forever. Like Kelly, she wanted to further her education so she could have a great career.
After lunch, the girls had just enough time to make it back to the spot where the hotel van would pick them up. Within ten minutes, the hotel van appeared to drive them back.
First, the girls changed clothes, and then went down to the lobby carrying their skates. At the front desk, Kelly inquired if there were a piano that she could use for practicing. The manager came out to speak to her and told her she could use the one in the lounge of the Whitewater Restaurant if she practiced before eleven a.m. when it opened. Kelly made arrangements to meet the hotel security guard in front of the restaurant at seven-thirty the next morning.
The girls walked to the indoor ice rink. They were surprised to find the rink was very large. Christmas music played and skaters glided around happily. Soon all three girls were on the ice. Jan was the most accomplished skater. She liked to twirl and do jumps like professional skaters. Kelly was not as accomplished, but she followed Jan’s advice and tried to improve. Cindy was a little unsteady on skates, but tried her best to keep up.
"Once I get going, I'll be okay," Cindy assured her friends, “You two go skate together. I'll join you in a little while.”
Jan and Kelly asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, go ahead!” Cindy waved her hand and took a few steps, saying, “At the rate I skate, it'll take me an hour just to get once around this rink!”
The two girls nodded and waved to her as they left. Cindy skated a little farther ahead, holding her arms out for balance. She was just beginning to get some confidence when suddenly, someone skated fast past her. She was frightened and swerved, losing her balance. Down she went, landing on her knees.
Jan was busy showing Kelly how to get speed on a twirl and hadn't seen Cindy's fall. Kelly glanced over at Cindy and saw her friend sprawled on the ice.
Kelly and Jan hurried back toward Cindy. But before they reached her, a dark-haired young man skated over and helped Cindy to get back up on her feet.
"Oh, I'm really sorry, Miss! I didn't mean to scare you like that," he apologized.
At first, Cindy was mad that he had made her fall, but then she got a look at him and decided he was rather good-looking.
"Oh, that's okay," she assured him, "I'm just an inexperienced skater."
"Are you hurt?" he asked. His eyes showed genuine concern.
"Oh, no! Not really," she smiled, "I'm used to falling. I never get hurt. I have plenty of padding!” she laughed.
Kelly and Jan had arrived, asking, "Are you okay, Cindy?"
"I'm fine! Fortunately, this guy came along and helped me up."
The two girls looked at him and smiled.
"Hi, I'm Sam," he said, holding out his hand to Cindy.