getting dark when the family headed back across the bay to their home. It was a quiet ride as they all watched the city lights grow brighter while the sun sank, leaving the sky orange, then pink until it finally faded to lavender. The radio played softly and this time Julio did not change the station when the Christmas songs came on.
The boys were going home with cookies and candy canes that their grandfather had snuck them. Kazu would have liked a candy cane now, but he knew better than to ask if he could have one. Gustavo clutched the bag of origami balloons that he and Kazu had made with their grandma. He wondered if he could make an origami angel for his mother.
When they entered the city, Julio took an exit towards downtown rather than driving further on the freeway toward their home. Dina looked to him, but said nothing. The boys didn’t seem to notice, that is, until Julio pulled into the underground parking lot near the fancy department stores.
“Where are we going, Dad?” Kazu asked.
“It’s a surprise,” Julio answered.
Dina looked again to her husband, but he simply parked the car with an amused expression. They all got out and pulled on their jackets, Julio leading the way to the courtyard above. The elevator doors opened to reveal a makeshift winter scene (with the exception of the palm trees, green grass and flowers around the square) and the boys gasped with delight.
The ice rink was set up every year even though temperatures in the city rarely fell below 45. All around, the square was festooned with white lights mimicking icicles, the trees and planters brightened with red bows. This year, the ice rink featured a snow shower machine that blew flurries at regular intervals. And, of course, Christmas tunes blared from a loud speaker.
As the boys whooped with joy, Dina watched the snow shower for a moment then turned to Julio, raising an eyebrow. He shrugged and clamped his lips tightly shut.
“Are we going ice skating, Daddy?” Gustavo asked.
“You want to?” Julio asked.
Both boys jumped up, shouting, “Yes!”
“Ok, but no one better trip me,” Julio yelled back.
Julio took his wife by the hand as the boys ran ahead to the ticket counter.
“Julio…” Dina spoke softly so the boys wouldn’t hear. “Ice skating for all of us is kind of a lot.” With so many expenses during the holidays, they tried to save as much as possible on extras. They rarely ate out or went to the movies during December.
Julio put his arm around her as they caught up with the boys. “I’ve always wanted to take the boys ice skating, and Gus is old enough now. Good thing, because he’s on his own”
“You don’t know how to ice skate?”
“No, do you?”
Dina laughed as they got in line. “No.”
“Should be fun,” Julio said, hugging her.
To be continued December 7...
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It was already