“Please, Mr. C,” Steve pleaded. “We’ve heard so many stories about how good you are. Every time we ask you to show us something, you always say no.”
Several unreadable emotions passed over his face. Finally, he said, “Only a single. And only once. The harness won’t work for us. Neither of the other coaches here has ever tried using the harness with a pairs element. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think now is the best time for them to try experimenting.”
“No, definitely not,” Frankie agreed.
He removed his jacket. “I need a minute.” He sat down on the bench, rolled up his pant legs, and tightened the laces on his skating boots.
Frankie felt somewhat guilty she’d put him in this position. But if he wanted his students to learn, this was the best way.This is the ultimate test of trust. If Charlie’s students can see that I can trust him to toss me up and safely catch me, they should see they can do it too.
Kaylee and Steve clapped their hands together gleefully and started chanting, “Mister C. Mister C. Mister C.”
The other skaters and coaches turned their heads to see what the commotion was. As Charlie stepped onto the ice, he slowly peeled off two more layers of clothing. He was down to a long-sleeved compression shirt. Frankie did the same, taking off her vest and jacket. All action on the rink ceased. Skaters and coaches huddled together, watching the scene unfold with amusement.
Charlie’s face was pale. Frankie watched as he took several deep breaths. “I need us to walk through this first,” he said.
This was a bad idea. Why was I dumb enough to even suggest it?
“Let’s forget it. You don’t look like you’re in the right frame of mind for it.”
“No.” He straightened his posture. “I can do this. I have to.”
“I prefer a Lutz entry too, if you don’t mind,” she said carefully.
“Noted.”
She turned her back to him. He tentatively placed his hands on her hips, and they slowly glided backward. Feeling his arms and knees bend, she relaxed her body and let him lift her, then place her back down.
They faced one another again. “I’ve only ever done a split twist with my old partner.” Charlie removed his beanie and scratched his head.
“You’re in luck. I used to perform a split double twist with Dreams on Ice daily with different partners. As long as you push me up into the air, I can do the rest. I’ve got the experience to get us through this.”
“That’s good because we’re going to need all that experience.” In a serious tone, he said, “We’ll take a lap around the ice forward, then change to a slow set of back crossovers for a second lap. When you’re comfortable, give me the word. We’ll cut across the center and set for a long entry edge into the skill.”
Frankie bobbed her head. “Got it.”
Letting her take the lead, Charlie matched her speed. They skated side by side. Reaching the corner, his hands locked onto hers. His grip was firm and confident. Despite the reservations he’d voiced a few moments earlier, there was no trace of any uncertainty in his hold.
“Change,” she directed.
Their bodies were now gliding backward. She gripped his wrist. The only sound she heard was their blades pushing against the ice. The world blurred as they picked up speed. She extended her left leg.
“Change,” she repeated.
As if they’d been doing this longer than thirty seconds, they both got into position, his hands on her hips.
“My count,” she said. “In three, two, one, go.”
Her knees bent. She tapped her foot into the ice, and Charlie pushed her up and overhead. Holding her arms over her head, she hoped it would help delay her rotation. She had so much more air time than she’d expected.
Squeezing her glutes and keeping her back upright as she came down, she let Charlie catch her and assist her on the landing. She heard a deep sigh of relief and the sound of catcalls and clapping as her blade touched the ice.
So that’s what it’s like to skate with a man who was one of the best in the world at what he does.She found it hard to believe this was the first time he’d done any skating in five years. With that much height, they probably could’ve done a triple.
“Not bad . . . for a retired guy,” Frankie joked.
“Thatwaspretty good. The only bad thing is that my arms are going to pay for it later.” He shook them out. “I’m so much weaker than I was back in the day.”
They stopped in front of Kaylee and Steve.
