My Hockey Love

New Skates

"You need some new skates. These skates are kind of shot. They won't support your ankles like they are supposed to," the salesman, Jimmy told me. "Ankle support is important, without it'll be harder to learn to skate." He set the skates down at my foot again.  

"Okay. So what do you recommend?" 

"I am a personal fan of Bauer. They make a quality skate. Vapors are good, that's what I skate on. You could try CCM but I don't think you have the right foot shape for that." 

"Let's try the Vapors and will you bring a CCM out, just so I can try it?" 

"Sure. Give me a second." Jimmy disappeared into the back to find some skates. "Alright here you are. These are Vapor 5.0. These are CCM." We started with the Vapors. He slipped them on my foot and laced them up tightly. 

"I think that I will buy these." I said lifting up the amazing skates. I slipped back into my shoes and helped Jimmy repackage the million of skates that I tried on. One of his coworkers took my skates to the sharpener while I picked out some blade guards. 

"Would you like them molded. It'll help break them in,"

"Yes! Thank you"

After about 20 minutes, the salesman came to the counter with the skates.

"Alright your total is 220." I handed him 250 dollars and waited for my change. I took the skates and walked down to the ice arena to put my skates on. I made sure they were tight so the mold would shape to the way I wanted it. I paced around until my skates were cold and finally the employees opened up the doors.  I raced onto the ice gliding across the new smooth surface. I tried all the things that I had learned in my old skates. Sure enough, Jimmy was right. My ankle did feel better supported, I felt more stable and confident. Eventually, I noticed the time. 5 minutes till public skate was over.  Everyone was herded off the ice once the clock struck 3. 

 I hobbled over to where my stuff  was stashed and began unlacing my skates. Once my shoes were on, my skates dried, I weaved my way to the exit absent minded. I was so lost in my thoughts about how to skate backwards that I didn't notice the person in front of me. I went down on top of him and rolled off immediately. My cheeks turned bright red.

"Oh my gosh! Are you okay?"

"Yeah I am fine. What about you?" He said. I continued picking up my skates and the towel. I fetched the blade guards that fell off. "Here let me help you."

"Thanks. I am sorry again."  As I was about to leave, he said something else.

"Whats your name?"

"Jenna."

"I'm Andrew." I smiled and walked away.