Pond Reflections and New Beginnings

She met Gary at the frozen pond where families went to skate on the weekends. It was bitter cold, but the sun was out. With warm gloves, scarf, and hat in place, Janet got out of her 1959 Ford Fairlane and closed the door. The snow crackled under her rubber boots as she wandered closer. She owned ice skates but had never really learned to skate. At best, she would put them on, step onto the ice, and immediately fall. But he was worth it. Sitting down on a nearby bench, she took another look around.

Gary was her lab partner in science, and he’d invited her to the pond that day. She was hoping he’d seen her arrive because there were so many people on the ice. As she laced her second skate, Gary slid up and plopped on the bench beside her.

“I was hoping you’d be brave and come!” He leaned over and nudged her arm playfully.

“It sounded like fun,” she lied, “and since you invited me, I couldn’t pass it up!” That was true. Janet adjusted her wool jacket and carefully stood, wobbling slightly. Gary grabbed her elbow.

“Steady there. You don’t want to crash before you begin.” His grip was comforting. She followed him around the outer edge where beginners were learning to glide. He was skating backwards, making it look too easy.

“You’re doing great, Janet,” he complimented stretching out his hands to grab hers. “It’s all about taking your time. Just bend your knees a little more, and look at me, not your feet.” She grabbed his hands and followed directions. As she peered into his baby blues, she felt like nothing could go wrong. They slid a little faster, and before long, she was learning to glide next to him leading by the hand.

Their meetings at the pond continued each Saturday morning from that moment on until the weather warmed and the “DANGER, THIN ICE” signs were posted by city workers. It was late February then, but there was always something happening at that pond.

Janet and Gary were falling in love. She knew it, and so did he. He’d asked her to go steady January 1st on the same bench where she’d tied her skates next to the pond. Now she wanted Gary to meet her parents on Friday evening, after the season’s final basketball game.

Janet sat in the bleachers with her parents, proudly watching his every move. She wore her white cashmere sweater with a pendant necklace and her plaid skirt. It was the outfit Gary always complimented when she wore it. He was probably one of the kindest guys she’d ever met.

They won 53-46. Gary made sure to nod her way before heading to the locker room. Janet’s family waited in the foyer for the team to return. Coming from the lockers, Gary maneuvered towards them dodging celebrations in the hallway. Janet felt herself perspiring. Either her cashmere sweater was making her overheat, or she was nervous. Introductions were made, and that led to an invitation for Sunday dinner. Thank goodness all those butterflies were unnecessary.

Janet’s dad said, “My wife fixes up a fine roast beef. We eat at 5:00 if you can come. It’s nice to finally meet the boy my daughter won’t stop talking about!” Shaking Gary’s hand, he left Janet to wait there for an after-game bonfire put on by the rally squad. “She’s to be home by ten,” her father warned.

“Yes Daddy, we won’t forget.” Janet was glad she could go.

They arrived at the pond where a giant bonfire was burning in a clearing. The city had approved it and provided large, seasoned wood to burn from a nearby logging company. They roasted marshmallows, sang the school fight song with the varsity team, and laughed with friends until their stomachs hurt.

Early the next morning, Janet joined her cat, Misty, on the porch swing. Curling up under a blanket, she stroked the cat’s soft fur. She was thinking about Gary and last night’s bonfire. She loved being with him. As they had walked back to the car, he’d put his lettermans jacket over her shoulders and said, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I hope we can spend the rest of our lives together.” Then he took off his senior class ring and placed it on her finger. Since it was too big, she slid it onto the chain necklace she was wearing.

Smiling to herself, she wished he were sitting next to her on the swing. Sounds of barking dogs and Saturday morning newspapers being thrown onto porches were interrupted when the phone rang inside. Janet jumped up to answer it. The only phone in their house was attached to the kitchen wall. She reached it just as her father was coming out of his bedroom with robe and slippers on.

“Hello?” she answered quietly.

“Is this Janet?” the familiar masculine voice sent her heart racing.

Janet motioned to her father that the call was for her. He scowled and grumbled it’s too early to call on a Saturday morning. She turned away from him stretching the curly phone cord around the corner of the wall for privacy.

“Yes, Gary? How are you doing today?” she said in her most charming voice.

“Kinda tired! I couldn’t sleep very well last night. Hey, I know it’s early, but do you want to go fishing?” He hoped she did.

“Uh, fishing? Well, yes, I’ve been fishing before but not for years.” She looked around the corner to see if her father was eves-dropping. He wasn’t. He was busy scooping coffee into the percolator.

“Well, I can swing by soon if you want to go with me to the pond. It’s one of the only places around here that you don’t need a license. I hear the bass are biting really well this time of the morning.” Gary put his jacket on waiting for a response. He’d go, even if she wasn’t joining him.

“I’ll ask my dad.” She muffled the mouthpiece while explaining the proposition to her father. He didn’t mind. “I’ll be ready soon!” Hanging up, she strolled to her bedroom to get warm clothes on. “Dad, can I borrow a fishing pole from the garage?” she said walking back into the kitchen.

Her dad was waiting for coffee to finish dripping into the carafe. “There’s one hanging up on the wall. And there’s lures and other gear in my tackle box. Just take the whole thing and Gary can help with your setup. Remember the last time we fished down at the pond?” She thought about it. “You were only about ten and didn’t have the patience.”

“I’ve matured a little since then Dad. I’ll be fine,” she kissed him on the cheek and headed out for the items. “I’m not sure how long we’ll be gone, but I’ll keep in touch.”

They arrived at the pond around 7:00, just as the sun had risen over the hills. It was still brisk outside, but the sun’s warmth caused steam to rise from the ground at the pond’s banks. Janet spotted other fishermen wearing hip-waders down the shoreline, casting their poles with flies on the line. Back and forth swinging their poles in a gentle rhythm.

Gary noticed her interest in them. “They’re fishing for trout, not bass.” I’ll set your line up so you can get started.” He grabbed her pole and attached a fancy lure that was supposed to attract bass. It looked like a small frog with some fringe around it that looked like vegetation. “There you go, all set up to catch a nice one today!” He handed the pole to her as she waited for him.

Once he’d joined her, he demonstrated how to drag the line through the water by stopping and starting the reel, and other fishing tips she should know. He hugged her before walking far enough away so their lines wouldn’t tangle. She made her first cast. Forgetting to let go in time, the lure splashed just in front of her. Trying again, by the third cast, it was out far enough to reel in like Gary had instructed. Reel, pause, reel, pause. A fish bit hard flipping itself above the water with a splash. She yanked and began carefully reeling in, working with its movements, to land it safely on shore.

Gary set down his pole to come watch.

“Wow! That’s a nice one,” he beamed at her. “I knew we’d have good luck this time of the morning.”

“I can’t believe it! He bit on so quickly.” Janet let Gary unhook the lure from the ten-inch bass’s mouth.

“Let’s have a nice fish-fry for lunch. You should come to the house so my mother can meet you!” Gary exclaimed. Janet wanted to meet his mom also. The only things Gary had shared about her was that she was a great cook and a receptionist at the Power Company. She was also still grieving, because three years ago, Gary’s dad had been killed in a car accident. Gary didn’t like talking about it, but he’d shared enough to inform Janet of why his mother hadn’t remarried.

“Well, it’s your turn next.” Janet replied. “Mine was just beginner’s luck!”

They caught a few more fish before driving up the mountain to Gary’s house. They would probably return next weekend to try again. Janet would call her dad to update him on this morning’s events.

Meeting Gary’s mother was delightful. She was petite and friendly. Her straight brown hair was cut into a short bob, and her bangs were held to the side with bobby pins. Welcoming them in, she showed Janet all around the house and pointed out cute baby pictures of Gary displayed on her dresser. Gary went outside to clean and cook the fish while the gals made a salad. Once the food was ready, Janet announced, “Gary caught the most fish today, but I caught the first one.”

Gary said, “That’s because I gave you my best lure!” They all laughed.

“There’s so many things we used to do at the pond.” Anne reminisced. “I miss going there.”

Gary added, “That’s why I spend so much time there. I’ll have to take you fishing with us next time!”

As they sat down to eat the fish, Janet listened to many stories of fond memories at the pond. It was mid-afternoon before she was ready to go home. She would make sure and ask her father to share his best memories of the pond with them tomorrow night during supper.

As they drove down the hill from Gary’s house, she caught a glimpse of the pond sparkling in the valley. That pond was woven into everyone’s soul, like threads in a beautiful tapestry. For Janet and Gary, it had become the place where everything was peaceful and fulfilling in the world. A place for not only reflection, but also of new beginnings.