A Night at the Roller Rink

Our neighborhood roller rink, open since 1959, does an adult skate on Wednesday nights. My best friend Kiara dared me to go. I hadn't skated since sixth grade.

It was magnificent. Disco ball. Neon lights. A DJ who looks about eighty, playing Donna Summer and the Commodores. Couples skating backward holding hands. A man in his seventies doing spins in the center like a figure skater. Me, clinging to the wall for the first twenty minutes.

By the end of the night, I'd made it around the whole rink without holding on. Kiara and I skated together during the slow song, laughing so hard we nearly took out a group of nurses celebrating a birthday.

We go every Wednesday now. My shins hurt. My heart is very happy.