One night at the outdoor rink

Willing William

I mostly went skating at night. Sure I had some day time skates. They were fun, fine, whatever. I remember the nights best of all. The lights. The people. Mists of breath from every playful mouth. I loved our local park.

Greenwood Park in Toronto has two outdoor ice surfaces. One is a hockey rink. with boards, glass, benches and a roof. The other is a meandering twisting path that loops around and went back to the changing area with the washrooms.

One night I watched someone learning to skate.

He was a thirty year old man from a warm place.

His name was William.

William looked strained.

William was stiff. Struggling. A fish out of water.

A child laughed. A parent scolded.

William laughed, invited the mocking from the child.

Of course I look funny. I’m old and I don’ know how to do this.

I must look ridiculous to you.

Did he have wisdom beyond his age or was this merely worn down hubris?

William was: Ambitious. Brave. Playful

He called himself crazy.

He called himself foolish.

Most of all?

William w…