The Penalty Box

 

            It was obvious that she just couldn’t skate, but she continued to try and fumbled against the boards of the ice rink. He watched her and, as she fell, he made the decision that he would come to her rescue. He helped her off the ice and placed her into the penalty box. It was just a few days after Christmas 1958, and they could not have known that chance had brought them together. The moment could have easily passed, but they trusted ice cold providence and skated away from the spot where she had fallen, now together. Neither one knew it at the time, but in trying to save her they had both been saved by love. The nursing school she attended restricted her social contacts so she started sneaking down the hill after work and leaving the Wingham Hospital behind her. They would meet downtown and steal away to a movie or dinner. Regardless of whether it was love at first sight, soon enough they both had been taken. They knew it. Their unique histories brought with them much sorrow and pain, but now they had found each other in this small Ontario town, as the snow fell and serendipity loomed.

             When love is instant and the fall quick, you cannot be sure that you have something that will last, ground that you can stand firm on. When you take the time to discover love, the treasure is soon revealed. Once they understood they were no longer alone, the future held hope and love held them. They mingled like smoke and dust in a crowded room, relentless, and soon began a life together.

             When love called out to them they listened. Not necessarily supported by some of their respective families, they seized kismet and risked everything. They left the tiny little town where they had met and relocated. For more than 25 years, they called Toronto home. Their wedding day was small but pretty. She wore her blue nurse’s uniform with white gloves and a dainty corsage. Her hair was full and dark, with a simple veil piece placed to the left. Her bouquet was crafted by hand and was demure yet refined, her full red lips courting a constant smile for this new life to which she had just vowed herself. He stood tall and he stood proud but it was his smile that spoke, more than anything, of his truest nature. His tan jacket and dark trousers layered a white dress shirt and slim striped necktie. His white handkerchief and silver tie clip polished his look. His hair was short and his face smooth and shiny. He had hoped for this day and it had finally come. It was his family that stood witness to the beginning of a 50 year marriage. Together they cut the small cake, accented with real flowers and two white candles symbolic of their union. As they left the Willowdale United Church, on that fateful day, a journey began. That journey would see the birth of 5 children, the eventual relocation from the big city and the passing of parents and siblings. The vows they took that day stood strong against the winds of change and struggles of life. In the end, after over 50 years together, the only thing that would end up keeping them from each other was death itself.

             She died on the floor having fallen again, but this time he could not come to her rescue. It was silent and it was quick, so she passed away without goodbye or until we meet again. She missed the date of her 50th wedding anniversary by a mere three months. The documents on the hallway wall of their home have congratulations from the Queen and the Prime Minister for those 50 years, but they remind one that she was taken before it was good on paper.

            For more than 12 years he stumbled in the dark. For him, life became a challenge, each day was just like swimming in gravy. He carried on as best he could. He did not abandon his post even though he now stood there alone. Life went on without her but he never did. Every day he looked for a reason. More than a decade passed but his love never failed. If you caught him in a moment you could see that lasting pain. It was written all over his face.

             His passing was not a quick as hers. He said his goodbyes as best as he could and he ended in a quiet way. It all happened in the blink of an eye. He left this place like she did, like we all do.

            She sat there patiently waiting for him in the penalty box. It seemed like she had been waiting for him forever. She saw him coming from a mile away. He looked exactly the same. He saw her. She looked exactly the same.  They both moved towards each other and then stood face to face.

Suddenly, she pushed him.

“Where the hell have you been?” she yelped.