It was supposed to be. I asked you guys if you thought you could play the part of older girls. It's just play acting, you know. It's not as if it's re...l or anything. But I guess maybe it's a little too grown up for you..." knowing he was goading them."No. No, it's not that! I mean, it's just that... well, I guess we could try it... " As Trey was trying to talk herself into it, Kat was again, a little more uncertain this time, nodding her head in agreement."Well, if you think you'd like to at. "Well, ma chère. You know what they say, do you not? Once branded, twice shy..." No, Erik. That is most definitely not what they say. The saying is ... once burned, twice shy. And, mon amour, thou best not tempt me or thou shall knowest the pain of true love's burn."Her eye narrowed in mock haughtiness and she arched an eyebrow at him as she gazed at his reflection in the mirror."He seems so devilish, so cocky. Erik is normally so reserved, so proper. I wonder just what has gotten into him this. "That kind of skating is for girls," his mother says, and takes the blackskates off to the counter to pay for them.Years go by, a decade, then nearly two, and then one day, a figure in athrift store dress hovers near the sporting goods department, waiting forthe crowd to thin out. Finally, the figure seems to take a deep breath, andapproaches the clerk."I would like a pair of white skates, please," she says softly."Certainly, miss. Let me measure your feet." If the clerk sees any trace ofa boy. .. exercise, which shows, unfortunately.”I began to open my mouth in response, but decided against it, as she was right, and platitudes were not going to help her.“Thanks, Beth, for not arguing, as we all know I’m right.” She looked around the table quickly, then continued with, “I’m...” She inhaled a deep breath, released it, and said, “I’m interested.”Both Rhee and Heather patted her on the back.The gods conspired, apparently, to get Mom and me at the house with no one else home this.