December 11 – Indi<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neil\u2019s words echoed in Molly\u2019s head as she watched the next person come up. \u201cSometimes, it\u2019s something you just stumble across that\u2019s what you need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That could be the motto for Carter\u2019s Cove,<\/em> Schrodinger said. I mean, just look around you. How many of us just managed to find our way here when we needed it? Even those of you who were born here.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can\u2019t deny that,\u201d Molly said out loud, and Drew looked over at her, puzzled. Schrodinger and she had a deeper bond than he and Drew had, and sometimes she forgot that he couldn\u2019t read her mind as the CrossCat could. \u201cTalking about the motto of Carter\u2019s Cove,\u201d she said, and explained the conversation to him. She didn\u2019t mention the seeing of the visions. That felt like it was something only she and Schrodinger were privy to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s not wrong,\u201d Drew admitted, and pulled her close to his side. \u201cAfter all, I had no idea I needed to be here until I came.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m glad you did, and that you didn\u2019t leave like you intended to,\u201d Molly said, grinning up at him. \u201cI\u2019d still be in my brownstone apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd I\u2019d be eating my own cooking, which while not terrible, is not as good as yours,\u201d he replied, grinning back at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get a room,<\/em> Schrodinger grumbled good-naturedly, including Drew in the mental conversation. Some of us are trying to listen to the stories.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Drew and Molly shared another smile, and then she put her head on his shoulder as they watched their friend Indi come up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indi and her family ran the skating rink that formed every year in a sheltered inlet of the Elizabeth River. In the summer, it was a good swimming hole: the faster current curved around the edge of the two spits of land that cradled the cove, leaving the water smooth and perfect for swimming in. But in the winter, it came alive in a wonderfully magical way. The calm waters became a glassy ice rink. Indi had strung white Christmas lights in the trees around the beach, and there were old sofas and chairs that had been donated over the years for tired skaters to rest and eat some of the burgers and other fair food that came from the small kitchen trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy family has lived on our land for seven generations now,\u201d Indi said proudly. \u201cWe\u2019re old Carter Cove stock – one of my ancestors came over with Captain Carter. And we\u2019ve always loved hosting people in our little cove.\u201d She held up her ornament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the grey cleared, Molly and Schrodinger were standing in the skating cove, but it was far different than they were used to. Instead of all the lights, the only light source was the full moon that hung overhead, giving a silver gleam to the ice and the snow drifts. There was a small fire in the rocky island in the middle of the cove, where in the present, there was a large bonfire that warmed all the skaters. There were no speakers, no Christmas music, and only one person was skating around the ice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was young, her long hair held back from her face in a single plait that fell to mid-back. The mittens on her hands matched both her scarf and the earwarmer that framed her face. She had on a short skirt over tights, and an oversized sweater, and it was apparent that she was in her own world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is that Indi? <\/em>Schrodinger asked, as the girl skated in graceful circles around the island, switching feet and direction as if she had been born skating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think so,\u201d Molly said. This Indi\u2019s hair wasn\u2019t shot with silvery strands, and the laugh lines on her face weren\u2019t there yet, but it was definitely the skating owner. \u201cI\u2019d heard that she competed as a child, but that she quit. I never knew why.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She\u2019s so good.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The sound of clapping from the beach shattered the quiet, and Past-Indi glided over to the man who had been watching her. \u201cYou\u2019re spying on me, Daniel.\u201d she chided him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGuilty as charged,\u201d Daniel said to her. \u201cAre you surprised?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, I guess not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re throwing away a career, you know,\u201d he said. \u201cYou could be on the national team. Don\u2019t you want that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Past-Indi shook her head. \u201cNo,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to stay here and enjoy my skating. I don\u2019t want it to be a job. Besides, it costs too much. Even with you donating your coaching time. There\u2019s costumes, and travel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou could get sponsors. You\u2019re good enough.\u201d Daniel stepped onto the ice and put his hands on her shoulders. \u201cYou\u2019re too good to moulder here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She pushed away from him, skating backwards as she shook her head. \u201cMy heart\u2019s here, Daniel. I\u2019m sorry. But I don\u2019t want it as much as you do.\u201d She spread her hands. \u201cI hope you find someone who does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scene faded and Molly watched Indi hang the gleaming white skate on the tree as the woman said, \u201cThe thing that I like best about this town is that they understand, on some deep level, that not everyone has to be a bright star in the middle of the solar system. Sometimes, stars need to remain in the darker part of the galaxy to share the light with the shadows.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" December 11 – Indi Neil\u2019s words echoed in Molly\u2019s head as she watched the next person come up. \u201cSometimes, it\u2019s something you just stumble across that\u2019s what you need.\u201d That could be the motto for Carter\u2019s Cove, Schrodinger said. I mean, just look around you. How many of us just managed to find our way …<\/p>\n