In a perfect world, there are proper lanes to use when skating. Space must be allowed for those less proficient at the sport, after all. In my world, there was no such thing as space. Swinging elbows were crowding in on each side, and my path forward was blocked by a man.
In an instant, things went from bad to worse. The man fell hard, and I was powerless to do anything. My skates were rolling forward without my permission, and with no lane to swerve into without causing more casualties, I was left with one terrible choice.
Fall.
In the time it took for me to realize the fall was imminent, the man in front of me had somehow made it back to his wheeled feet. But it was this poor man’s most unlucky day because I was simultaneously heading toward him and the ground.
Instinct took over, trying desperately to save me from my fateful fall. The only thing my instincts found, though, was this man’s shoulders. In the end it was not a saving grace, but a graceless fall. One in which I pulled him down right along with me.
Needless to say, this was not my finest day.
Thanks for reading and being here at Claire’s Short Stories! Today’s story is brought to you by one of lovely sisters and a real life story. I wrote this because she needed to tell an embarrassing story, but make it more fun/interesting.
If any of my fellow writers ever want a fun little writing prompt, take an embarrassing moment and retell it with a little flourish.
See you next Thursday!
Ah, bringing back memories of my 1970s roller rink days. 🤓
Nice wordplay, Claire: “not a saving grace, but a graceless fall”