Holding Hands

Is it ever this perfect, when we step into that place that is only ours. A moment at a roller rink. Roller skating! The definition of innocent times; you can't be jaded in a place like that.
That is for sure.
Breathe deeply. Take the sweetness of the contained beauty into me.
The strobe lights flashing and he swished over and a warmth went coursing through me, flooded me with unbearable joy from head to roller wheel.
Oh. What is this I feel? So warm, like love but thicker, slower and so much more innocent than such a complicated thing.
Neither of us is too cute but deeply precious in our lack of pretence with our hearts laid bare, open and pure. I saw him from over there and my heart, oh my heart began a special beat and my throat went dry.
The lights were dimmed and the beat slowed down and a sappy love song came on and I wanted to be on the rink.
Always my eyes give me away. Like a candle in a darkened room, my eyes come to life when they land on him and I hoped so deep and prayed so unabashedly,
"Please let him ask me to dance"
Please.
The purest joy, my prayer was answered. I could see him push off on his skates with a determined look on his face and his innate sweetness with nowhere to hide.
Oh. My heart became his in that moment of unbearable grace.
He came to a stop in front of me and in his cracking adolscent voice asked me "Do you want to dance?"
None of that male bravado that begins to set in early, only fear and hope that I would say yes.
I said yes and he took my hand.
He took my hand.
And helped me onto the rink.
He held my hand as we skated in circles to a long forgotten love song.
He held my hand through the entire song and multiple laps around the roller rink.
My hand in his felt accepted and loveable and wanted. Cherished.
Wanted.
Seen.
Something so beautiful could never last.
The song ended, the lights were turned up to a glaring white, with the strobe pumping and returned me to where he found me and he said thanks.
He said 'thanks'.
But his voice shook a little and I felt as though he were mine.
He turned and skated away and I stood rooted in my spot and promised I would never forget.
My prayer was answered.
He asked me to dance and he held my hand.