【热夏生活随笔】Let Winter be Summer

Chicago 

 

It was a January day of all days. I had the audacity to invite my new date to a winter walk on Chicago’s Lakefront of all places. That would impress her, I believed, if she knew how much I was eager to take on the notorious winter of her hometown --- for her and for her only.  She would give a serious guy a serious chance. 
 

Indeed, she was impressed, although a hint of doubt did make her brows knit for a few seconds: “Are you sure about that?” I nodded, smiling --- or rather, grinning.

 
In summer, it’s easy enough to cover the walking distance between Grant Park and the Navy Pier in a breeze.  On that snowy winter day, however, the temperature was free-falling.  I wasn’t sure I had bundled myself up against the biting cold.

 
No surrender to Chicago or North Pole.

 
Suddenly, my new date waved her hands.  A rolling Navy Pier trolley stopped for us. 

 
Snow drifted by when she pointed me to all the landmarks on our trolley trip around  the Windy City's Loop. I had never been so quiet, listening to a caressing voice. 

I'm still listening to that caressing voice, my wife’s voice.


Author: renqiulan

 

Hong Kong