Page 38 of Melt His Heart

Ispent the day with my parents, my dad eventually coming out to eat. The water runs warm across my hands as I help my mom clean up the dishes. She always says it’s ok, but I like to help her anyway. When I was younger, I never did, but now I realize time is always running.

The older I get, the older they get.

It doesn’t really stop for anyone, and I want to spend as much of it as I can with her, with both of them. Because of my skating schedule, I’m never really home with my parents. I grab the dish she hands to me to towel off.

“Take these tomatoes back with you. I picked them fresh yesterday.” My dad says, walking over to the dining room table.

“Dad, where am I going to put tomatoes in my suitcase?” I sigh.

“I’ll pack it for you.” My mom chuckles, “Mom, you put enough stuff in there already.”

My dad grabs the plastic bag and hands it to me. Sure enough, it’s filled with my favorite cherry tomatoes, from his garden, no doubt. I used to get in so much trouble for eating them too early.

“Fine, thank you, Dad.” I laugh, shaking my head.

“What’s funny?” He says.

“Nothing, I’ll take them, ok?” I giggle even more at his confused face.

“Good.”

* * *

The TV plays softly in the background as my mom and I chat about how the training is going back in America while we wash vegetables. My phone rings, breaking our conversation.

“Be back, Mom,” I say, drying off my hands. She nods.

It’s Coach Peters.

Which is a bit odd, it’s a pretty early morning call for him, so it must be important. I answer, holding the phone between my ear and shoulder while I close the door to my room.

“Hey, Coach. How are you?”

“I’m doing great? How’s your dad?” He asks.

“He’s doing good now. Just got finished with the last of his doctor’s visits, and he’s all clear.”

“That’s amazing, Julian! I’m glad he’s doing well.”

“Thank you.”

“So, I’m sorry to be asking this during this time, but we’re in a little jam with an event we’ve got coming up, and I need to ask you if it’s possible for you to return a bit early.” He says, sounding unsure.

“An event?”

“Yeah, so we host a big volunteering event where we teach the youth in the community to skate, and the only free figure skater broke their ankle, poor thing.”

“Ah, I see.” I frown. That’s literally the worst thing that can happen to a skater.

I hope they get better soon.

“I was wondering if you’re interested. If not, it’s absolutely fine!” He chuckles.

“No its ok. I could do that. I think my dad will blow a fuse if I stay another week because of him.” I chuckle. It’s really true, though my dad hasn’t been the happiest, that I’ve been missing this much training in his name. He tells me to return every day.

“Oh, thank god! Thank you so much, Julian.” He sighs in relief, “I’m sorry for asking this again, but we like to at least have two professional athletes volunteer to keep the kids engaged; they love it.” He chuckles.

“No, it’s no problem!” I smile.