Two Second Thrill

“Two-second Thrill”
 By
Bob Conder

 It had been a perfect Christmas day; 4” of fresh snow covered the ground, and the stillness of the air was comforting and peaceful. At eight years old, there was still some magic in the season.
 

After the usual clutter of opening and sharing, I had bathed and dressed, waiting for the big dinner, complete with turkey homemade rolls and aunts who kissed you on the forehead. They all came every year, nine aunts, their spouses and cousins, and younger kids who just wanted to go home and sleep or play with their new toys.

 

Santa always knew when I needed shoes, and this year he had come through again. Black dress shoes, not loafers or even wing-tips, these were Sunday's best shoes for church and other special occasions. I was proud of their shine and put them on that morning.

 Outside, I walked around the yard and examined the now melting icicles, which at times could be three feet long, hanging from the back of our home. I wandered over to the lot next to us, it had been a tomato farm, but in the spring, a new church was going up there. A wooden building had already been delivered and placed at the far end, a combination office and tool shed from what I could tell.

As I climb on top of the shed, I looked forward to the view of the neighborhood; you could see two or three streets away. Further then, I usually needed to go. I stood for a moment on the crest and observed my kingdom. Then I noticed the snow on the north slope. Fresh snow slightly melting and stark white in contrast to the dull green shingles.

 

 stepped with the new shoes into the snow and felt like I was shot out of a cannon as I flew forward. Somehow my feet were parallel, and my waving arms kept me upright. The roof ended before I could react, and then I was really flying. Arms still waving, I hit with a soft thump. All the tumbleweeds had gathered against the building and softened by the snow, held me safe. Some snow had fallen down my collar, but I didn’t notice.
 

When I got home, the aunts were just starting to arrive, and I smiled as they kissed me, glad to be able to walk after my two-second thrill.