learning
new tricks is hard.
especially when it's been
a while since i skated here.
Oliver (as i remember is the boy's name)
and i talked for a little bit.
he told me about his girlfriend Jade.
i told him that i lost a friend.
then he grabbed his board.
we showed each other
what we could do
and now he is helping me
with my kick flip.
my hands are scraped up
from falling
and my knees are numb
but i can't stop.
i try once more,
flicking the board as i jump,
but i end up
on the ground
again.
i sit there for a second,
catching my breath
and feeling
defeated
when his hand
comes into view.
without thinking too much,
i take it,
leaning on him as
i stand up.
i think back to riding my bike,
but this,
this is different.
his hands
are not hardened
or rough with age,
a showcase of life's struggles,
they are soft and new.
this is different.
this is not my mother,
this is simply
a boy,
and possibly,
a
friend.
