THE FIRST SKATE OF the Rest of Their Lives

Denver, CO

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BRENDAN WAS ABSURDLY proud of this program. It wasn’t the only one he’d crafted for this tour, though he’d had help and input from their own former choreographer and the choreographer from their past tours for some of the numbers. But it was the first one he’d dreamed of doing back when he’d first let himself imagine the possibility of skating with Katie again. It was his gift to her. More than the engagement ring she wasn’t wearing tonight because she hated wearing sparkly jewelry when she skated; more than all the time and energy he still gave the farm and the cows whenever they stayed with her family. They’d spent their competitive lives playing characters from other people’s stories. Now, the only roles they had to play was those of themselves. There was no drama, no filter, no bullshit, no narrative to hide in or behind. Just them. Together. Always.

Without the strict requirements of competitive pair skating, they could have more fun with the lifts. Yes, hoisting Katie above his head while he covered the entire length of the rink and she moved from a curve to a split to a full Biellmann position was impressive and a skill he was glad to show off. But Katie jumping into his arms while he spun lazily across the ice, her legs wrapped around his waist, her head tucked into his shoulder was a self-indulgent sweetness the audience loved.

But as lovely as quiet moments with Katie were, both on and off the ice, they weren’t here just to enjoy touching each other. They were here to push each other, to keep learning, to keep improving, to keep trusting each other. As they reached the corner of the rink, Katie slid back to the ice, her head ducked but her eyes fastened on Brendan’s face. They circled each other, the desire between them sparking and as palpable as ever. Brendan took her by the waist, spun her so that her back was pressed against his chest and counted the beats while they both skated backwards, picking up speed.

At precisely the right moment Brendan tightened his hands around Katie’s waist and felt her body tense as she prepared for the jump. He lifted her and threw her, every muscle in his body straining and satisfied at the work. Katie spun through the air and landed perfectly, arms raised above her head in victory, while the crowd went wild.

In seconds, Brendan had closed the distance to get to her so that they could fold into each other for the last pair spin, their bodies twining against each other. The speed and force of the spin and its position changes meant it was impossible for them to focus on each other in any way that made sense to anyone else. But, more than any other element, this was the one that required them each to be part of a greater whole. Which they were and which they had always been.

They pulled out of the spin and hit their final marks. The music ended, and Brendan looked over Katie. As the audience went to its feet, she was the only thing he cared about. He watched as she broke the pose and put her hands to her face in shock. This was, he hoped and suspected, the moment he’d been trying to give her his entire life.

“I’m so proud of you,” he said as he scooped her up in his arms and twirled her around the ice.

For a moment, he thought she was going to protest, but he felt her straighten in his arms. He watched as she looked out at the crowd, full of wonder and pride. Reluctantly, he set her down. They needed to do their bows, but more than that Brendan wanted to get her alone. There was a celebration to be had here, with the audience, but they also needed a moment alone while the other skaters who had joined them in this venture took the ice.

Brendan led Katie through their bows, sure he was waving and blowing kisses to the audience as much as she was by the end. Finally, when the lights dimmed and it was time to skate away, Katie stopped him with a squeeze to his hand.

“What?” he asked, puzzled in the dark and worried something was somehow wrong.

Katie smiled at him. “With me?” she whispered.

“Always,” he said. He’d always be happy to follow Katie wherever she led.

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