Revised Take A Bow 1

It was January 1, 2021. The frozen pond in Evergreen Town hosts a celebration called the Greenlight Festival. It lasts for two weeks. The festival opens at 6 pm and lasts till midnight. The Greenlight frozen pond is surrounded by green lights that give it a glowing appearance, reminiscent of the Northern Lights. It was a magical fortnight. The Greenlight frozen pond is situated at the edge of the town, near Farmer Wubbels' Barn. Farmer Wubbels has a great big, beautiful, modern barn where the townsfolk sell their homemade items during the festival, from Homemade jellies and jams to homemade knitted winter hats and gloves. They have portable heaters inside, which folks use to get warm after ice skating on the frozen pond. The music is blasted from the Barn by local DJs who volunteer their service to the festival. Nothing is going to stop this festival; people have been cooped up indoors for far too long. The fireworks and the drone shows with music are the highlights of each night.

My friend Melinda had invited me to come with her to watch our hometown's star, male figure skater Chad Antonio, who had made it to the Olympics. I've always had a crush on him. Chad's family is from Spain, originally a line of Bullfighters. Chad had no bullfighting experience; he skated like one on ice. That night, Chad had performed a humorous ice skating skit with a plastic electronic bull on ice skates to entertain our townsfolk and visitors. The show was terrific, and Chad was just so handsome in an exotic kind of way. He looked so sexy in the gold and white Matador costume. Melinda's boyfriend, Jake, was Chad's best friend. Melinda told me that Chad will be retiring from skating at the age of 35 to manage their family business. I hope he will still perform in our town's Greenlight Festival. Chad is coming out of the barn in his regular clothes - snow boots, black jeans, and a green winter coat with his family Bull Cattle company logo, a Bull with Green Horns. His ice skates are hanging from one of his shoulders.

Chad takes a bow while we clap our hands, making his way out of the Barn. "Thank you," Chad says to us. Melinda and her boyfriend are holding hands. Melinda introduces me to Chad, "This is my best friend, Melonie." I said hi to Chad shyly. Chad smiles at me and makes a joke to ease my shyness. Everyone can't help but laugh at how funny Chad is. Chad puts his arm around my shoulder like we've been friends for a long time. We head to the frozen pond nearby and sit on the bench to put on our skates. The pop song is blasting on the sound system near the frozen pond. Most of the people in town are skating, including the children. Everyone started clapping when Chad began to skate on the frozen pond. Chad takes a gracious bow.

When Chad is on the ice, he seems like a different person - until I almost fell down and have to hold on to something nearby, which is Chad. Chad holds me close until I feel comfortable skating on ice. One of Madonna's slow songs starts playing. Chad keeps on holding me and moving to the rhythm of the song. It feels like Chad and I are the only people on the frozen pond. Melinda and Jake sit this song out, watching from the bench. When skating with Chad, it was like I was a professional ice skater myself. I've never ice-skated like this before. Everyone stopped skating and watched Chad and me skate together. I feel like I'm flying on the ice. The song has ended, and everyone is clapping their hands. Chad does not bow this time, but waves at everyone we pass on our way to the bench, where Melinda and her boyfriend are seated. We talk for a while and then skate again until midnight. Chad offers me a ride home. Melinda is happy for me and rides home with Jake.

Chad asked if I was planning on going to the festival tomorrow night, and I told him, "Maybe." He asks for my number. I gave him my cell phone number. Chad walks me to the door of my apartment and gives my right hand a kiss. He bows to me and says, "Goodbye; I hope we see each other tomorrow." He's surprised me: I never expected someone to kiss my hand in this day and age.