October
from "Used to You" (Jenn Weber)
Icy wind tore at Lacey's face and fingers but the sun on her back was warm and the smoothness of the ice beneath her skates was like glass. She tucked her arms behind her back and leaned into the wind. It carried the scent of pine in its bite. Thirty-seven days until Christmas. Laughter from the far side of the pond echoed just above the sharp swish of her skates. Thirty-three days until Jake's visit for the holidays. Missing him threatened to steal away her joy of the first skate of the season.
Stretching she let herself slow slightly before pulling down into a spin. Then jumped into another...and another and another until she was too dizzy to skate straight but the ache in her happiness remained. It would be better if he was here.
"Lacey!" Her sister Dana called between giggles, "We need another hand here."
Dana was skating backwards and supporting their cousin Becca who didn't know how to skate. The pair wobbled over the ice. Soaking wet patches on their jeans testified to a number of spills.
Lacey waited for them. "You're looking really good, Becca."
"Ha, funny." Becca grabbed hold of Lacey's arm, "I don't know how I let you talk me into this. It's so cold and the hot chocolate is gone and the ice will probably melt any moment, we're gonna die."
"A horrible chocolate-less drowning death!" Dana said with mock severity.
Both girls laughed but Becca didn't loosen her white knuckled grip on Lacey's arm.
"We're not going to die." Lacey shifted so that she could balance her cousin better. "Keep your eyes up and bend your knees a little."
With encouragement, Becca relaxed and gradually gained the confidence to take a few strides on her own.
"Say!" Dana said in an exaggerated theatrical tone, "I wonder who that could be?"
Lacey looked to where her sister pointed and froze.
Jake was skating toward them. Curly hair whipped back. Ridiculous grin on his face.
She couldn't move, could hardly breathe, but her heart leapt the distance between them a moment before he caught her in his arms and swung her in a wild circle.
Warmth and old spice and sweet brown eyes. This is real.
"Surprise," he said.
Something soft and red landed on Lacey's nose. She turned and Becca snapped a picture as Dana tore open another bag of rose petals. "What-?"
Jake dropped to one knee. One hand still squeezed hers as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a familiar little box. "Lacey Marie, I love you and I will love you forever. Will you marry me?"
December
from "I'll Wait" (Pursuits DTS)
Once upon a happening, I walked in the strange ways and lingered at doorways to places unknown.
I don’t know when that changed. I haven’t grown old. My skin is still as smooth and soft as an infant’s. No grey streaks my hair. My arms and legs are strong as they ever were.
But my mind has dimmed. I can’t remember the last time I felt curious or afraid or awestruck.The colours that used to be vibrant are garish. Music is only noise to me.
Is there a way back? May I return to what I once knew? Can I?
I lay my guitar in my lap and rest my hands on the strings.
I’ll wait.
