One night he’s at the rink alone. The ice is almost empty of skaters. The music is good, and soon he’s skating freely, large circles on the ice, completely caught up in the insistent, joyful beat of the music.
He is completely absorbed in the sacrament of the present moment, timelessly unaware of anything but the music, the ice, the swish of skates and the flexing of muscle.
The music changes and the absorption ends.
He hasn’t felt so clean, so free, so alive, for a very long time.
He realises that he has so rarely entered her world. She is extrovert and outgoing, he introvert and private.
So they start to go to night clubs together, just as ‘sort-of-friends’. He enjoys the music but hates the environment. He notices that all the dancing is making him fitter. He starts to go to the gym, where he’s part of the chaplaincy team, much more regularly. His physique and stamina improve, and he feels better about himself.
She seems not to notice.
She has always wanted to ice skate. So they go to the rink together and book regular lessons. He is very nervous. After a while he is confident and skates well. She is losing interest.
She stops going altogether. He carries on…
Pilgrim Traveller 