Marcus had been counting down to Christmas Winter Wonderland since November, which in Marcus time meant forever. Now it was finally here. Lights twinkled like spilled stars, music jingled from every direction, and the air smelled of sugar, pine needles, and hot chocolate bravery.
Perched proudly in Marcus’s left eye socket was Nelson Haddoc Popeye Harris the XXIV, who was already vibrating with excitement. Ice skating, he whispered. Or rather, he shouted. Ice skating is basically falling with ambition.
Lucy met them by the rink, bundled in a red scarf and woolly hat. She waved, nearly knocking over a plastic reindeer. In her pocket sat Iris, her glass eye, peeking out like a curious marble.
Iris 500 had seen many things in her life. Ice rinks were not high on her wish list.
The rink glowed pale blue, smooth as a frozen lake from a storybook. Marcus laced up his skates carefully. Nelson, however, had other plans.
I wonder, Nelson muttered, what would happen if I skated solo.
Before Marcus could blink, Nelson popped free and plinked onto the ice, spinning gently like a shiny coin. Iris rolled out of Lucy’s pocket with a soft clack and followed, clearly offended at being left behind.
Oi, Lucy said. Iris. Come back here.
Too late.
Nelson slid first, wobbling but proud. Iris followed with surprising grace, gliding like she had been practicing in secret. The two glass eyes circled each other, reflections of fairy lights flickering across their surfaces.
Marcus stepped onto the ice, arms windmilling, legs questioning every life choice. Lucy joined him, laughing, her skates carving neat lines while Marcus carved chaos.
Nelson picked up speed.
This is incredible, he yelled, skimming past a snowman decoration. I am unstoppable.
That was when a group of toddlers shaped like bundled marshmallows crossed his path.
Nelson swerved. Iris swerved. The result was a spectacular spin, a gentle bump into Marcus’s skate, and a slow-motion wobble that ended with Marcus landing on his bottom like a dropped present.
The crowd gasped.
Then laughed.
Marcus laughed too, cheeks glowing, cold nose sniffing, heart thumping with joy.
Nelson rolled to a stop beside him. Iris settled neatly next to Nelson, pretending she had planned it all.
You all right? Lucy asked, offering a hand.
Best fall ever, Marcus said.
They skated until their legs ached and their laughter fogged the air. Later, wrapped in blankets with hot chocolate crowned in cream, Nelson rested safely back where he belonged.
Iris peeked from Lucy’s pocket, content and smug.
Winter Wonderland sparkled around them, and Marcus decided that ice skating with friends, glass eyes included, was exactly what Christmas was supposed to feel like.