“Not everyone is as world-weary as you are.”
He couldn’t argue with that. Yet most teens didn’t discover their father had been having a long-term affair and had fathered a child with his mistress. No teen should have to keep such a secret from his mother, and brothers and sister.
As they filed out of the theater with the rest of the crowd he asked, “So what do you want to do next?”
“Walk to Rockefeller Plaza to see the tree. It’ll be getting dark soon and we can really see the lights.”
“You get into this Christmas stuff like you do weddings, don’t you?” His hand went to her waist to direct her toward an exit.
“Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Since I’m not going to be able to be home for it, I want to soak up as much spirit as I can.” There was a sad note in her voice when she’d said she couldn’t go home.
“Your family couldn’t come up here to see you?”
“My brother and sister have small children. It’s more important that they be home with them. I plan to go down after the New Year and we’ll have Christmas again. Plus, I have to work on Christmas Day anyway. You know, low man on the totem pole has to work.”
“I’ll be right along with you.” He directed her around a group standing on the sidewalk.
“Why? I know you’ve been there long enough not to have to work on holidays.”
He headed them toward Rockefeller Plaza. “Christmas isn’t that big a deal to me, so I let those with families off.”
“Your family doesn’t get together?” She sounded appalled.
“They do but I don’t usually go.”
He was grateful they had reached the plaza and the conversation ended. He wasn’t interested in having her delve into his relationship with his family.
“I’d think that with the size family you have that you would have a huge Christmas get-together. Lots of noise, paper and presents.” Her eyes were lively with the idea. She must have no idea of the harshness of life.
“There is. I just don’t go.”
She gave him a quizzical look. “Why wouldn’t you go? Your parents surely would plan around you working?”
“I doubt it but I wouldn’t go then either.”
“Really.” She stopped and looked at him. “I admire you for working on Christmas to help others but to do it just so you don’t have to spend Christmas with your family doesn’t sound right.”
Elijah didn’t like her censuring tone. He sensed he had just dropped several points in her estimation. That idea didn’t sit well with him. “My family is complicated.”
“Aren’t they all.”
It was early evening and families filled the plaza.
She volunteered, “I couldn’t have survived without mine. I know they’re there if I need someone to run to, no matter what.”
If he really thought about it, he had that as well. But he’d never ask. In a strange way, his family was tight, had really been that way before his father’s betrayal. Even now, if he needed one of his siblings they would be there for him.
They moved further into the area between the skyscrapers, nearer the tree next to the ice skating rink.
“You know, for years I’ve watched the show where they light the tree. I’ve always thought I’d like to be there when it was done. I had to work on that night for the last two years. Next year I’m going to take the day off and come down here to see it.”
Was there no ended to her childlike outlook? “In all that crowd?”
She glanced at him. “Sure. That’s part of the fun.”
As a lifelong New Yorker he’d never been a big fan of crowds.
They stood at the rail of the ice rink and watched the people circling the ice.
“I’ve never ice skated.” There was a wistful sound to her voice. “Don’t get much ice in Alabama. Except on the roads occasionally.”
“Well, come on. What’re you waiting for?” Elijah looked around as if someone had said those words, knowing full well it had been him. Resigned, he took her hand and they walked to the entrance of the rink. Something strange was happening to him. He never did anything as spontaneous as going ice skating.
“I don’t know about this.” Helena balked at the gate.
“You never know how much you’ll enjoy it until you take a chance.” He wiggled his eyebrows, daring her. Was she thinking of their time together just as he was? “I’ll help you.”
“You know how to skate?” She sounded surprised.
“I do. I learned as a kid.” Suddenly he was glad his parents had seen to it that he had.
“I still don’t know. That ice doesn’t look too soft.” She tried to pull her hand out of his.
Elijah chuckled. “It’s not, but I won’t let you fall.”
She gave the rink a long look. He could see the moment her decision was made. “Okay. Why not? I can at least say I tried.”
From then on she was open to any suggestion or directions he offered. They rented their skates at the rink desk and Elijah helped her lace hers up. Half an hour later they were working their way slowly around the rink. On the second turn, she let go of the rail.
He turned and skated backwards, facing her. “You’re doing great, Helena.”
“I’m awful compared to you.” She slowly moved her feet back and forth, her hands out to her sides in her effort to maintain her balance.
“Give me your hands.” He offered both of his.
“No, I don’t want to make you fall.”
“You aren’t going to make me fall. Trust me.” When had he ever asked a woman to trust him?
Her eyes met his. She looked at him as if she was judging his trustworthiness. Her hands came forward and clasped his. He felt as if a new bond between them had been forged. For some reason having Helena’s trust mattered. They moved around the rink, hand in hand, for a couple of turns. “Now I’m going to move to your side. J
ust keep doing what you’re doing.”
As he began to turn around Helena lurched forward. Unbalanced, she grabbed him. They corkscrewed and went down in a tangle of arms and legs. Elijah lay on his back with Helena across his chest. He felt her bubble of laughter before he heard it. Seconds later it was a full-bodied sound surrounding him and rippling through him. He joined her. For a full minute they lay there gasping for breath on the ice.
“How’re we supposed to get up?” Helena asked between gulps.
When was the last time he’d shared this type of fun with anyone? He used to laugh with his brothers and sister like this but it had been a long time ago. It felt good. Cleansing. “You slowly move off me. Then I’ll stand and help you up.”
“I might pull you down again.” She was still giggling.
“If you do, then I’ll get up and we’ll try it again. We’ll make it work. Together.”
“Okay. Here goes.” Helena moved off, remaining on her hands and knees.
Elijah quickly stood and put a hand out to her. She took it. He helped her stand, though she made a few unsure steps before getting her balance.
“I think I’ve had enough for today. You’ve earned a hot chocolate by being my cushion. I’m buying.” Everything about Helena’s rosy cheeks, bright smile and glowing eyes said she was happy. He wished he could give her that all the time. But he wouldn’t be around forever. That wasn’t part of their deal.
“I’m glad I could be there for you. Hot chocolate sounds great after lying on ice.” Come to think of it, he was happy too, something he didn’t often recognize in himself.
They made it to the door to the rink without mishap. They soon had their skates off. Fifteen minutes later they were sitting at a table above the rink, sipping hot chocolate.
“I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in a long time.” Helena’s eyes twinkled with humor.
“I know I haven’t.” Elijah couldn’t remember a woman looking more appealing. Fresh-faced, healthy and intelligent. Some of the women he had dated had one or two of those qualities but none had possessed the entire combination. Helena, he was fast discovering, was special. That he noticed made him nervous.