Skating Lesson
Varian loved winter. He didn't think there would ever be a time when he wasn't thrilled by snow and ice. The very process of freezing- of turning water from a liquid to a solid- fascinated him.
"Are we really going skating, Dad?" Varian asked excitedly.
"Yes. I think you're big enough." Quirin answered. "Now grab your cloak so you stay warm."
Varian put on the cloak. It was big on him and he had to roll up the sleeves, but Varian felt good just spending time with his dad.
They walked to the pond, Varian chattering happily. "I put my apple juice out last night with a stirring stick in it, and it froze, and it tasted really good, Dad! I can make you one tomorrow if you want." he offered.
"I think I'll just stick with regular apple juice." Quirin replied.
Varian frowned. Quirin never seemed to like any of his experiments, even the ones that didn't catch fire. But maybe he could still find a way to please his dad, if he just tried hard enough.
"Okay, Varian. We're here. Are you ready to learn?" Quirin asked, lacing up his skates.
Learning anything was Varian's favorite past time, so really Quirin needn't have asked. But Varian bobbed up and down excitedly, any way.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Varian replied. He tried to copy the way his dad had laced the skates, but he struggled to pull them tight enough, and Quirin had to help.
"Bend your knees and follow me." Quirin said, taking Varian's hand. "Don't let your arms swing around."
Varian bit his lip, concentrating. "G-got it Dad." he replied.
"March forward, right foot, then stop, left foot, stop again." Quirin instructed.
Varian obeyed. He was a little unsteady, but he hadn't fallen (yet) and he was having fun.
"Push your feet apart and use the flat of your blade to stop" Quirin told him.
Varian's toes pointed inward as he followed his dad's instructions. "I did it, Dad! I stopped!" he exclaimed.
"That's great, son. The last thing I'm going to teach you today is to do a dip. Squat down as far as you can, then stand up. Glide forward and practice squatting as you move." Quirin advised.
Varian squatted and glided several times, until his knees started to ache. Quirin noticed his son slowing down.
"You did really good today, Varian. Why don't we head home for some cocoa and we can do this again tomorrow." Quirin said.
"Okay, Dad." Varian agreed. He sat down and Quirin helped him take off his skates, before removing his own. It was one of the best days they'd had in a long time, and Varian couldn't stop smiling as he and Quirin walked home, hand in hand.
THE END
I haven't skated in years, and it probably shows. But I had fun writing this.