Unfading Memories
I look outside in the windy night. I can see the skeleton trees moving with the gusts and the tiny, endless white spots falling onto the sidewalk. I used to go skiing when the snow covered the roads. But now, I don't go skiing anymore. The last time I wore skis, I was seventeen, and it was the day before my high school Christmas dance.
"Oh Lee, you're in for it!" I laughed as I patted him on the back. "I mean- that was way over the line! Flitwick is gonna have your head!" We were walking down the hallway towards the student center.
"What can I say?" he asked as he gave a small shrug of the shoulder. "I'm a miracle kid!" I saw him wink at Angelina, his long-time crush.
Lee and I were best friends. We had grown up as neighbors. We went to the same preschool, and we played in the same hockey team. We did everything together. Lee the prankster was a curious fellow. He always wore faded blue jean overalls over his stained, long sleeved white shirts.
Lee's jokes started out pretty innocently. In first grade, it was a spilled bottle of ink or chewing gum stuck under the teacher's desk. In third grade, it was spitballs fired at the ceiling, and whoopee cushions on the teacher's chair (right before recess ended). Then came fifth grade; realizing that girls could be easily teased, he started pulling the ponytails to obtain a couple high pitched shrieks. In eighth grade, we joined the chaotic world of high school. Lee started being smart-ass towards the teachers mainly to impress Angelina. Now here we were; eleventh grade and the rulers of high school. Lee had aced his physics test, and as revenge on the teacher for announcing the results to the class, he had painted the chair at the front of the lab hot pink. His practical jokes were showier than ever.
We skied every weekend. That last time, I still remember Angelina's excitement. "Lee! Thank you for inviting me to come ski with you!" I heard Angelina giggle as she sat down in front of me, sharing a seat with Lee as the chair slowly started its ascent to the summit of Mt. Glenn. Girls. I sighed. Would he ever get over it and ask her out? I mean, it was obvious that she like him!
Once we reached the top, Lee yelled "Race you two to the bottom!" And he was off like a bullet, determined to win the course. Angelina and I followed quickly but lost sight of him (in the blur of snow) after a few seconds. My hair blinded me. The cold was reaching my neck, and the whistling sound of the wind was making me deaf. Then, halfway down the slope, I heard Lee yell. "Guys! Help!" he had fallen onto the ground, his body not moving at all. I looked at him, grinning.
"Think you can fool me with that?" I said as I started towards the bottom again, in hot pursuit of Angelina. "Get a move on or you'll lose!" I yelled over my shoulder.
And here I am now, a year later, looking out of my window, waiting for Lee who is coming over. He should be here any second. I hear a knock at the door. Right on time! I slowly get up from my rocking chair and make my way to the door. As I open my door, I feel the cold wind entering.
"Hey Lee!" I greet him as he comes in.
"Hey George. Help a man, will you?" I take his arm and help him to the sofa. As he moves towards the couch, I slowly take the wheelchair and fold it against the wall.