Economy sized dreams of hope.
Monday, November 16th - late afternoon/early eveningWhat a beautiful day it has been! The sun has been shining brilliantly all day, even though it's decidedly cool. The sun is low in the sky now, but I think there will be a lovely sunset. I have been humming to myself all day, because it is a good thing to be alive and healthy when it's a bright
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I get a little pang thinking about Jenna, but I'm too happy today to really mind it.
"I'm glad you can avoid Lord Hughes," I say with a sniff. "Though where he's a lord of I do not know. The man has the most ridiculous airs and graces."
"How's your Monday bin?"
"Oh, very nice," I say. "I took Lady out for a longer ride than usual - you know, we should go riding together," I add as an afterthought, and it's a pleasant idea, riding with Tess through fields dappled red-gold with fall. "And I finished this," I say, holding up the parcel. "It's so nice to have two days off a week. I don't know how I managed with only Sundays for so long."
We reach the gate.
"What shall we see first?" I say. I peer at a poster. "Not the Eggman, I don't think," I say. "I'm not sure I want to know what he does. A lot of the sideshows are a bit sad, really. I've never seen much fun in staring at people because they look odd," I say, wrinkling my forehead. "But there are lots of games, and the carousel is so pretty! And I like the wheel," I smile. "I'm glad we're here together," I add after a moment. "Everything - everything looks brighter to me, when you're here," I say, and I feel myself go red.
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I can see the wheel risin' up from the tents as we approach. It's dirty, 'a course, and it's got a half-finished look, like the whole place is just waitin' t'pick up 'n leave. I guess that'd be fine, but after a couple months it's lookin' a lot more run-down that it would otherwise. "I took Lady out for a longer ride than usual - you know, we should go riding together," she adds, and I nod 'cause it'd be nice ridin' off out 'a town a ways, and 'cause Delilah's not bin gettin' much exercise 'a late.
Kate takes the lead a bit as we get t'the gates, lookin' at the posters. They're real nice, or were, and I can see the skill in the faded colour 'n lines.
"What shall we see first? Not the Eggman, I don't think. I'm not sure I want to know what he does. A lot of the sideshows are a bit sad, really. I've never seen much fun in staring at people because they look odd." It warms me, hearin' her, 'cause she's always so kind. "But there are lots of games, and the carousel is so pretty! And I like the wheel. I'm glad we're here together. Everything - everything looks brighter to me, when you're here."
She blushes and I smile, heart achin' a bit again. I want t'kiss her, but it's still public and so I give her a friendly peck on the cheek. "Even with the trees near t'bare, it's like summer bein' out with you," I tell her. "You pick somethin' first - I ain't ever bin here, so I dunt know what t'visit." 'Cept I think I won't go visitin' Syl here, and I hope Kate dunt either. I'm fair t'sure I dunt want t'be 'round 'em both at once.
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"You pick somethin' first - I ain't ever bin here, so I dunt know what t'visit."
"There's the ring toss," I say. "I think it was over there - Yes, there it is," I say. "How's your aim?" I smile at her and squeeze her arm as we walk over. There are some awful bears in garish colours - who would want a turquoise teddy bear? - but also some prettier prizes - a jewellery box and a watch and a vase. Those are set furthest back, of course.
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I look at the booth, a shifty-lookin' man standin' behind the countertop. There're stuffed animals and other prizes set back on shelves, too. A set 'a stakes are on stands goin' t'the back 'a the tent, and there's rings set out on the counter. "I'm not too bad a thrower," I say. Pa and the older boys play plenty 'a horseshoes, and this can't be all that different from me playin' with them from time t'time.
I step up and pay the carny. He grins at me and set three rings in front 'a me. My first toss hits a stake near the back with the outer edge. My next throw bounces off, and I narrow my eyes some, 'cause I think the rings might be just a bit too small t'land right. And so 'afore my last throw I pluck a loose thread off 'a my sweater, makin' like I'm gaugin' the throw while I twist the thread into a circle. And as I toss the ring I stretch the thread, pushin' at it with my witch-blood, whisperin' quiet as the ring sets right over a stake.
The carny looks sour, but I grin at him.
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"Oh, the vase!" I say. It's quite a small thing but the china is pretty. "Well done," I say, putting an arm around her waist and giving her a squeeze. "I suppose I should have a try," I say, giving the man my coin. I think I've a reasonable arm, but all the rings bounce off.
"Better luck next time, miss," says the carnie, giving Tess a sour look as we leave.
"Well, he was a sourpuss," I say with a laugh as we move on. "But a prize rightaway, I think that is a good omen for the night."
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She dunt have much luck with her tosses, and I ain't surprised. "Well, he was a sourpuss," she says laughin', and I shoot him a look over my shoulder. "But a prize rightaway, I think that is a good omen for the night."
I smile at her. "It is. Come on," I say, lookin' 'round at all the tents and the few rides, "let's take a walk down the main way."
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Speaking of goin' into town, I round the corner and head up the midway and see Ms. Kate here with a friend. They're at the ring toss booth so I stand back, leaning against the post of a nearby booth and watch the girl have her turn. Wish I had spotted them beforehand though, Ms. Kate's no mark and I wouldda warned them off the game, hate to see them lose money..... Well I'll be damned, her friend did it!
They're both smilin' as I walk up to them, clapping my hands and grinning at them both, "Nice throw, Miss," I say to Ms. Kates friend. "Not many win that game." I chuckle, shakin' my head a bit then look at Ms. Kate, "Its good to see you again, Ms. Kate, How've you been?" I smile, glad she came. Would have dressed a little better than oil stained jeans and a flannel had I known. Cleaner jeans at least, but been workin' all day so understandable, I guess.
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"Let's," I agree, and we start walking down the midway. "There are candy apples there, and cotton candy," I note. "Oh look, and funnel cake."
Then a familiar face comes over.
"Its good to see you again, Ms. Kate, How've you been?"
"Oh Mr Moreton," I say, "it's nice to see you again. I've been quite well. Tess, this is Will Moreton, who is head of the - rousties?" I say, glancing at Will to check it's the right word. "I was just suggesting to Tess that we might buy a snack, if you would like to join us. How have you been?"
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A man comes up t'us as we're walkin'. "Nice throw, Miss," he says t'me grinnin'. "Not many win that game." He seems pleasant 'nough but I'm wonderin' if he saw how I did it. But then he turns t'Kate 'n says "Its good to see you again, Ms. Kate, How've you been?"
"Oh Mr Moreton," she replies, "it's nice to see you again. I've been quite well. Tess, this is Will Moreton, who is head of the - rousties?" I guess they know each other then, and I relax some 'cause Kate seems t'have a good sense 'a folks. "I was just suggesting to Tess that we might buy a snack," she continues, "if you would like to join us. How have you been?"
"Pleased t'meet you, Mr. Moreton," I say, not wantin' t'interrupt him 'n Kate.
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"Pleased t'meet you, Mr. Moreton," "Good to meet you, Ms. Tess, an please, call me, Will," I smile and turn back to Ms. Kate, "I've been well, Ms. Kate, thanks for askin', and sure," I say runnin' a hand through my hair, hopin' I'm not interruptin girl time. Been around the twins, Genny, and Zann enough to know better, "I could do with a snack. You two have a hankerin' for anything in particular?" I ask, smilin' at them both. "Also have a seat on Colossus with your name on it," I grin. If they have even half as much fun as little Neko did, it'll be a good night.
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"Colossus," I say, "is that the wheel? I definitely want to go on it - I haven't had a chance yet. And I'd like to go on the carousel again," I say cheerfully.
We approach a snack stall. There are candy apples there, and also caramel apples that have a crust of crushed peanuts. And there is also a hot grill of roasted chestnuts, which the seller pops into paper bags. They smell delicious.
"I do like fall foods," I say, looking over the selection, and pick an apple covered in caramel, its bright green skin peeking out at the top. "How's business, Will?" The carnival is quite quiet, but there are a few people wandering around. I suppose Excolo has few enough amusements that some people will come out to the carnival a few times.
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"I was thinking about a candy apple," Kate tells him. "I like the sweet outside with a sharp green taste inside," and I nod. "Maybe I'll have a bit 'a the spun sugar. It's not somethin' we get t'have really."
Mr. Moreton, who I ain't sure I'd be comfortable callin' 'Will' grins at us. "Also have a seat on Colossus with your name on it." I furrow my brows at that but Kate knows what he's talkin' 'bout. "Colossus, is that the wheel? I definitely want to go on it - I haven't had a chance yet. And I'd like to go on the carousel again."
I follow Kate over t'the stalls, catchin' her arm in my as we walk, just 'till we get there. "I do like fall foods," she says, and I nod in agreement, changin' my mind and gettin' some chestnuts. We have 'em at home, but I like 'em more 'n sugar and they'll warm me up some.
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"Colossus, is that the wheel? I definitely want to go on it - I haven't had a chance yet. And I'd like to go on the carousel again,"
"Yep, she's the tallest one of her kind," I grin, glancing over at the wheel with some pride. "Won't see another like her, either." Think she's the only one of her kind left, actually. Thank fuck for Zann or we'd have lost her years back. "Of all the rides, she's my favorite," I grin, nodding to the vendor, lettin' him know I got the cost, as he hands the girls their selections and I ask for some funnel cake. We'll take the tab off my pay for the week, makes it easier."How's business, Will?" I shrug, "With the colder weather comin' on, its slowed some," I say looking around, seeing more people going into the shows than anything else, "Especially the rides," I say looking back to Miss Kate, "If you need any odd jobs done around the store, just let me know." I have some money stored up, but thats gonna run out fast this winter.
"How's your pop?" I ask Kate and grin, "I heard he's got a church now."I got a cane I carved for him sittin' in my trailer, was a sorta half gift half joke. Been meanin' to check out his church and say Hi. I'm not really on board with the whole manjesus religion, but Laurence was a good man and besides, it would make Ma happy that I went. Wonder if I can drag Bodens' arse with me. Boden's easygoing enough, I think him and Laurence would get along well.
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I eat my apple as carefully as I can as we walk.
"Of all the rides, she's my favorite," says Will proudly about the wheel, and I look up at it, the lights coming on as the sun sets.
"Then we'll definitely go on her next," I say. "If that's alright with you, Tess," I add, because what if she's scared of heights? It's hard to imagine Tess being scared of anything really, but I don't want to assume anything.
"If you need any odd jobs done around the store, just let me know."
There isn't a great deal I need doing, but I hate to think of Will short of money in the winter, so I say:
"I've been thinking of revarnishing the windowpanes so they don't crack over the winter - if you had an afternoon to do that it would be helpful." And really, an extra coat of varnish against rain and snow would be a good idea.
"How's your pop?"
I feel my face go bright red, remembering how embarrassed I was that day.
"Oh, Laurence is quite well," I say, hoping my blush goes down soon. "He's been very busy with his new church. It's a lovely place," I say. I haven't seen much of Laurence lately - except for the exorcism, and that was hardly a social call. I do miss him, but things are still awkward between us. "I'll tell him you asked after him next time I see him," I say as we walk towards the wheel.
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"Then we'll definitely go on her next," Kate tells him. "If that's alright with you, Tess." I nod. "That sounds nice," I say, lookin' up at it. I dunt go up high like that much, 'cept sometimes in a way durin' a workin', but I think it'll be alright.
The two 'a them talk 'bout money with Mr. Moreton lookin' out fer work, and I try not t'listen since it ain't polite. But I wonder how many 'a them are goin' t'be comin' in t'town lookin' fer work, honest 'r otherwise, come the snows. My attention gets pulled back when Mr. Moreton asks after Kate's Pa. "I heard he's got a church now." I'm confused 'cause I know Kate's folks are dead, and the only new church is the one Father Laur - oh. Kate's blushin' and I give Mr. Moreton a bit 'v a look, 'cause he's clearly mistaken 'bout some stuff. "I'll tell him you asked after him next time I see him," she tells him, and I give a bit 'v a sniff at that. Kate's never really told me much 'bout why they split, but it must 'v bin his fault.
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I laugh, "Now, wouldn't be fittin' to have friends pay to come visit me at my home now, would it?" I wink, smilin' back. Hell it was me that suggested she come out and we can spare it anyway. My smile gets bigger when they both agree to go on Colossus. Though Tess don't look so sure about it. "Its a beautiful view from up there and peaceful, you'll like it," I smile at them both.
"I've been thinking of revarnishing the windowpanes so they don't crack over the winter - if you had an afternoon to do that it would be helpful."
Fuck, I'd do that for free. Wouldn't feel right takin' money for a job as easy as that. Still smilin', I nod, "I'd be happy to, and I have plenty of time," I say. And its true too, we got most of the winterizing done here, so not much else to do really. Kates face turn real red when I mention Laurence, Oh, fuck me here I go again and just meant the pops thing as a joke this time. Swear to sweet and sunny Jesus, I could fuck up wet dream some days. Tess shoots me a look and I can feel my own face burnin' as I run both hands through my hair again. "I'll tell him you asked after him next time I see him," "I'm glad him and his place are doin' well and thanks," I smile, kickin' a small stone out of the way, "I'm hopin' to visit him soon anyway." Would say sorry but I think that just might make it worse. "And here we are," I say as we get to Colossus, more than a little relieved at the change of subject. They walked up with me so Billy don't even bother to ask them for tickets. Hopping up on to the ramp, I open the safety bar and smile, "M'Ladies,Your Chariot to the clouds awaits," I grin, gesturing towards the seat with an overly dramatic bow at the waist and swooping move of my arm and hand. What the fuck, what funs the show without these types of things. No fucking fun, that's what.
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