I huff out a laugh.Caught before I could even begin.
“Uhm.” I flex my fingers in my lap. “I’ve been better. But I’ve also been worse,” I reply honestly. She nodsher head at me tersely, like I passed a test I didn’t know I was taking.
“Good.” She pulls out a flyer from a desk drawer and slides it across the desk at me. “’Cause you’re gonna be pissed here in a minute.” I look down at the paper.
ABRAMS PROFESSIONAL SKATING CLUB PRESENTS: YOUTH SKATING CLINIC
4-Week Skating Clinic
Where: Abrams Skating Center, Main Rink
Ages: 5–11 (grouped by skill level)
Registration: abramsskatingcenter.com/youthskateclinic/
Lace up your skates and hit the ice!
What to Expect:
Fundamental skating techniques (balance, edges, turns)
Jumps, spins & artistry development
Small group instruction & individual feedback
Fun on-ice games & confidence-building drills
A final performance showcase for family & friends!
Ready to skate? Spots are limited—register today!
For more details & sign-ups: Contact Elsie Patton in the front office.
I stare at the sheet. The rink did clinics like this a few times a year, some for figure skating, some for hockey, sometimes combined. It just depended on the level of skaters. Usually one of the Wolverines ran the hockey clinic, and one of the Nationals team girls ran figure skating. I had run clinics like this myself half a dozen times. I actually really used to enjoy it.
“Why am I reading this, Elsie?” I shoot her a sharp look.
“You know why,” she says, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms.
“No.”
“I want you to run the clinic for me.” She is serious, all business.
“Find someone else,” I snap. “I haven’t been on the ice in over a year. Find. Someone. Else.” Each word is punctuated as I stand up, nearly knocking over my chair in the process.
“Sit down, Monroe.” Suddenly, I’m twelve years old again and I’m getting in trouble for stealing concession snacks to share with all my friends.
I sit.
“It’s a tandem clinic. The hockey kids are splitting the ice time. You won’t be all by yourself, and it’s only twice a week instead of every day. None of the other girls even come close to how you used to run those clinics. I need you back.”
I stare at her. There is no way I’m going from zero to teaching a clinic again. I chucked my skates into the back of my closet the day they told me I wouldn’t skate at an Olympic level ever again, and I haven’t dug them out since.
“Hey, Elsie,” a deep voice sounds from behind me.Rhodes.“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“No, go ahead and come in, McKnight. Maybe you can talk some sense into Monroe here.” She gestures toward me. He saunters into the room and takes the seat next to mine, interlocking his fingers behind his head and shooting me a grin.
“From what I hear, Monroe doesn’t usually do anything she doesn’t want to do,” he remarks in response. I side-eye him.