My speed skating skills were rusty. I was surprised I didn’t hear squeaks from my knees like those of an old door hinge when I swept around the big curves on the oval. Fortunately, even though I was slow, the racing felt right. It was like I met an old friend, and we decided to pick up where we left off years before. I needed to practice to build back up to my former cruising speed.

Without saying anything to my family or other friends and acquaintances, I contacted one of my former skating buddies and asked what he knew about the facility in Milwaukee. He shared positive news and perceptions. He said, “American Olympic champions trained there, Lucas. Get your ass up there and get out on the ice. Welcome back, buddy! You’re not an old man yet.”

I asked, “Will you keep this all quiet for me for now? I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, including my own, and then crash and burn out on the ice.”

He said, “Don’t worry, Lucas. I’m silent for now, but I’ll be waiting for your triumphant return to Amsterdam. We need your talent and your upbeat attitude. Good luck in America! They’re lucky to have you.”

I purchased a new skin suit online in orange and blue, and I gathered all of my personal courage and determination to step onto a skating oval again. I didn’t know a single person in the building in Milwaukee, but they welcomed me anyway. After I skated a few laps and settled into something similar to my old stride, total strangers came up to me and asked me about my personal story.

I explained that I was a competitive skater back home, and then I took a couple of years off to pursue my art career. I received a lot of slaps on the back and invitations to practice together. It felt good to be back on the skating oval among others who recognized my talent.

Milwaukee became my weekend home away from home. Sophie was ecstatic when she found out I was slipping away on the weekends to skate again. She placed her hands on either cheek and stared into my eyes. “I knew you would go back eventually! You’re so good at skating. I can’t wait until you start winning races again. Please let Jerry and me know when you’re racing so we can come and cheer you on.”

She was less enthusiastic about my breakup with James. I said, “He threw me out of the hospital room, and then I didn’t hear anything else. I think he’s being stupid, and it’s all a bunch of fear clouding his brain.”

Sophie held a hand to an ear and said, “Do I hear an echo? I think somebody was in a similar place not too long ago.”

I smirked. “It was pride, not fear.”

Sophie shrugged. “Do you want to know what I think it is?”

I said, “Honestly, I don’t think so. Why don’t you keep that to yourself, and maybe a few months from now, you can share that particular nugget of wisdom. Then we’ll all laugh and be happy that it’s over.”

Sophie smiled at me and pantomimed zipping her lips up tight. “I’ll keep it to myself.”

I said, “I’m looking forward to you and Jerry coming up to Milwaukee for a weekend away sometime so you can watch me skate. That should only be one part of your weekend. You could come up to watch practice, or I can let you know the dates of our races. Then you can spend the rest of the weekend exploring the city. It would be wonderful to have you both there. We could do our exploration together.”

Sophie beamed from ear to ear. She said, “That sounds like a perfect idea. I’ll talk to Jerry.”

I knew one more person that I needed to call about my decision to return to the ice. The telephone rang five times before Anna answered and exclaimed, “Lucas! Oh! I can’t believe it’s you! How are you? I hope everything is okay, and you aren’t calling with bad news.”

“I think I’m calling with excellent news. Are you sitting down, Anna?”

She giggled into the phone. “I am now. A few other friends you know are sitting with me. It’s a nice, quiet evening at the pub.”

I said, “Listen closely. I’ve returned to long track speed skating.”

She paused for a moment before saying, “No, are you sure?”

“I’ve got photos to prove it. I’ll send them to you later as text messages.”

I heard some murmuring in the background over the phone. It was followed by a round of cheering. Anna said, “That’s what the table thinks about your news, Lucas!”

I felt a tear roll down my cheek. “I wish I was there with all of you. I’d buy a round of beers.”

“Have you raced yet?” asked Anna. “Or are you just practicing so far?”

I said, “I haven’t entered a formal race, and I’ve got a question for you.”

“A question for me?”

“When are you coming to America to see me? I want to show you Chicago and my studio. Then we can take the train to Milwaukee, and you can see me skate again.”

“That sounds so lovely, Lucas. I’ve been trying to save money. Let’s say within six months. Can you wait that long?”

“I can wait, and I’ll be counting down the days.”

Anna said, “I’ve got to go now before I get drafted for karaoke. They will drag me into it when I’m not paying attention, and I don’t have Marvin to my Tami.”

I laughed and said, “Oh, I miss that! Give everyone my love, Anna, and thank you. I couldn’t do any of this without your support. I can’t wait to see you again in person.”