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“You’ve really never been ice skating?” Mark asked Elizabeth with disbelief as they approached the outdoor rink.
“No! I thought I told you that when you first asked me to come. Did you really think I was lying?”
“Of course not, but ice skating is the quintessential winter activity, especially on an outdoor rink. It just feels so much more romantic and, I don’t know, winter-like I guess. And with the Christmas tree up, it’s like something out of a movie. The only thing I want to do more is go skating at Rockefeller Center.
“Anyway, I find it hard to believe that England apparently has no ice skating rinks.”
“Well, we do, but not really too many. We’re not a big skating or hockey country; football—or excuse me, soccer—” she said, “reigns supreme, along with other outdoor sports like golf or cricket, which I never really cared for. I did enjoy a football match occasionally, though.
“That said, I’m excited to try ice skating. I just hope I’m good at it.”
“You will be. I played hockey recreationally when I was in college. So I’m not as good on skates as I used to be, but I’m good enough that I was able to take Susan a few years ago and help her out. You remember me telling you about her, right?”
“Oh yes, your old friend from your residency,” Elizabeth replied. “Well, if you’re that good, I’ll trust you.”
They arrived at the rink and rented out their skates, and Elizabeth started to lace hers, but seemed puzzled. “Aren’t these a little tight?” she asked Mark.
“They’re supposed to be. I mean, if they’re cutting off your circulation or something you could ask for the next size up. But you need a lot of support in your skates, so they run smaller than regular shoes. Do you need help tying them?”
“No, I think I’ll be fine.” She looked out at the crowd of skaters going around and felt more at ease when she saw what appeared to be beginner skaters. They were holding on to the wall and moving slowly, but she noticed they all seemed to be enjoying themselves, laughing and talking with friends and partners.
“Well, if they’re having fun, I’m excited to get going,” she said to Mark. “Whenever you’re ready.”
“Great.” He took her hand and led her out to the ice, and she already felt her legs wobble as she tried to get her balance.
“Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed. “I mean, obviously it’s slippery, but I thought I’d just put these on and glide along immediately. This is not as easy as it looks in the movies.”
“Never is. Here, I’ll help. Just hold on to the railing and go slow. We’ll stay on the side here. The faster skaters tend to go further away from the boards and towards center ice, so you don’t want to run into them right now. I’ll hold your other hand. Just let me know if you want to take a break.”
Elizabeth pushed herself along and felt the cold air on her face. She was thankful she had at least dressed appropriately for the activity and was wearing fleece pants with a hooded sweatshirt, topped off with a scarf and hat, as well as her winter coat. She’d luckily also remembered gloves to better cushion her hands if she fell.
“I’m glad you took my clothing advice,” Mark said. “You can skate fine in jeans; it’s just that if you fall, they absorb more water and take longer to dry.”
“Yes, well I normally don’t dress this casually, but I decided to take your word for it. And I’m keeping warm if nothing else.
“Oh dear.” She stopped for a minute to catch her breath, still holding on to the side. “Even though I’m just skating slowly, this is quite a workout.”
“It really is. You’re obviously using your legs to push yourself along, but the balancing requires your entire body. And if you ever want to learn to play hockey, you’ll improve your coordination when you learn how to handle the stick and control the puck.”
“That doesn’t sound very fun,” she laughed. “I heard hockey can be pretty physical, and I don’t really want to get hurt and be unable to work. Besides, there are probably not many women on those teams.”
“You’d be surprised. But yeah, you’re probably right. It’s not the safest sport for doctors. I don’t know why Malucci plays. I guess to him an injury is a great reason to take time off work, so he’s probably cool with the risks. If you really want to play a sport, I suggest something like bowling or golf. Hey, maybe bowling could be our next activity date.”
“That I can deal with. It’s indoors and we can wear shoes.” She laughed. “Oh look, you think I’m getting the hang of this now?" She tried to let go of the railing a little and managed baby ice skating steps.
“Good job!” Mark gave her a high-five. “Now we’re talking.”
“Excellent. I’d rather we stay here on the side a little longer. Maybe after one more lap we can sit down since I’m still kind of tired. But despite that, I’m really having fun. Yes, it’s pretty cold, but there’s never anything wrong with pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.”
“You’ve already defined that by coming here,” Mark said with a smile. “I mean, to uproot your life from another country and come to Chicago, learn all new cultural terms and try to fit in with the American hospital system…I’d say you’re already pretty good at that. You’ve even survived Romano and Dale so far.”
“Oh stop. I feel like I barely get through the days without wanting to kill one or both of them. That said, it is easier since I have friends like Shirley and Carol, and now I’m dating you.” They held hands a little tighter as Elizabeth started her last lap before her break.
“How about hot chocolate when we get off the ice?” he suggested. “With marshmallows.”
“That sounds lovely right about now.”
Since Mark had paid for the rink admission and skate rentals, Elizabeth took care of the hot chocolate. They sat down on a nearby bench, still wearing their skates.
“I can’t believe this is going to be our first Christmas together,” she said. “I don’t even know what to get you. Or tell you what to get me.”
“It doesn’t have to be anything fancy,” he replied. “Something like a nice watch or a meal out sounds great to me. I’m pretty used to things being low key the last few years since I only get Rachel for some of her Christmas break, and I was single for a while. And now this year, we’ll both likely have to work at least part of the holiday. I’m actually pretty worried about making you happy so this is a Christmas you don’t forget.”
“You’ve already accomplished part of that.” She shivered and took a sip of hot chocolate. “I feel like there’s a lot of emphasis on jewelry for women. But we haven’t even been together for a year, so I don’t want a diamond ring. If you really want to get jewelry, maybe earrings or a necklace. If you don’t go in that direction, then I’d like a new bottle of wine, or we could plan a summer vacation of some sort together.”
“A beach vacation does sound amazing when you’re sitting outside in 25-degree weather having hot chocolate. Or the prospect of going anywhere warm. What sounds fun to you?”
“Hmmm. I’ve heard good things about Texas barbecue. Or Florida. But I’m a bit nervous to go to Disney World in the summer.”
“It’s going to be way too crowded,” he agreed. “Let’s save that for an off-peak time. We could still find a beach resort or go camping, though.”
“I don’t know about that.” She laughed and shook her head. “Pitching a tent in the woods and risk running into bears? Or getting lost on a hike and worrying we’ll never find the way back?”
“You don’t have to do it that way, though. We could rent a cabin in the mountains. Or we could go to a campground or a national park where they have lodging. If camping appeals to you, we don’t have to rough it unless you have a change of heart and are feeling adventurous.”
“I’ll think about it. For now, wine or jewelry are your starting points, and I’ll let you know if I think of anything else.
“Until then, once we finish our drinks, do you mind if we go around the ice a couple more times? I think I’m pretty used to it now.”
“Anything to spend more time with you. I’m excited for our first Merry Christmas together.”
“Me too.” They put down their drinks to embrace and kiss, and they looked back out at the rink, the Christmas displays of downtown Chicago glistening in the background. They looked at each other in silent agreement that it didn’t get much more romantic than this.