A&W. She thought it was quaint with its orange-shingled roof and canopied drive-in. It brought back memories of her youth.
Molly couldn't understand how anyone could enjoy burgers and fries that were served on a tray that hooked to the car window. The whole concept was so ... nineteen fifties.
Then, the inside of the Suburban was quiet and Jim caught a glimpse of his children's faces in the rear view mirror. They were smiling at each other. For the first time in a long time, he saw happiness sparkle in their eyes. They were getting along. They were all getting along.
Molly scooted forward and rested her arms on the top of the front seat. “Mom, Dad, I have something to say."
Jim and Diane looked at each other. Jim raised an eyebrow.
"Just don't tell us you're pregnant.” Jim laughed. The statement was a joke, but back in Ventura, Molly had spent a lot of time with a sixteen-year-old boy named Cruz. Both Jim and Diane had been concerned about the boy's intentions, and even though Molly assured them they were just friends, there was still that innocent doubt parents had once their daughters got old enough to really know the difference between boys and girls. At least the move to Prairie Rest had gotten her away from Cruz.
Molly scrunched her face together. “Gross, Dad!” She turned her attention to her mother. “What I want to say is I'm sorry I've been such a brat about things. I think I really will like it here.” Molly leaned forward and kissed her parents on the cheeks. “I love you guys."
Jim's eyes teared. This is what it was like to be a family. No bickering; no arguments. He reached over and squeezed Diane's knee. A spark of electricity passed between them and for a moment, Jim was back in the bedroom with his wife. Never in his life had he been so amorous.
They looked at each other. A wicked glint sparkled in their eyes. If the children weren't in the back, he'd pull the Suburban over and have her right here and now. Maybe tonight, after the celebration...
Diane shifted in her seat. She'd felt the exchange, too and the memory of the bedroom romp sent shivers up the inside of her thighs.
Jim pulled into the parking lot behind the department store and gave his wife another squeeze. “Everybody out. We're here."
* * * *
The black and white banner hung across Main Street read: Welcome to Prairie Rest- ful Days of Summer.
A small midway was set up in the municipal parking lot. The Tilt-a-Whirl, Scrambler, and Octopus, powered by gasoline engines, belched choking, blue-black exhaust into the night. Sometimes, the exhaust clouds were so thick, they momentarily blotted out the colored lights of the rides.
Games of chance and skill were along one side of the midway. Prizes, dangling from hooks on the front of brightly painted booths, tempted carnival visitors to spend their money here.
A dunk tank was situated near the east corner, and a row of muscle-bound men lined up, anxious to sink the scantily clad girl. The water must've been cold, because her nipples protruded through her wet top like a pair of bullets.
Main Street was lined with food stands, and the air was saturated with the sweet aroma of cotton candy and grease.
Across the street, a beer truck idled in a vacant parking lot. Six chrome spigots poked from the truck's side, and a row of tables were set up in front of them. Behind the tables, volunteers busily filled pitchers with beer. The sign taped above the spigots read: Must be 21 to purchase beer. Have ID ready.
"Awesome,” Travis said. He was mesmerized by the lights and noises and sounds of the carnival. At this very moment, there was nowhere else he'd rather be.
Jim reached in his pocket, took out his wallet, and handed Molly twenty dollars. “You share this with your brother. Now, go have fun."
Molly snatched the money out of her father's hand and the two ran off toward the chaos of the midway. “Thanks, Dad,” Molly hollered as they disappeared into the crowd.
* * * *
"Do you
Molly couldn't understand how anyone could enjoy burgers and fries that were served on a tray that hooked to the car window. The whole concept was so ... nineteen fifties.
Then, the inside of the Suburban was quiet and Jim caught a glimpse of his children's faces in the rear view mirror. They were smiling at each other. For the first time in a long time, he saw happiness sparkle in their eyes. They were getting along. They were all getting along.
Molly scooted forward and rested her arms on the top of the front seat. “Mom, Dad, I have something to say."
Jim and Diane looked at each other. Jim raised an eyebrow.
"Just don't tell us you're pregnant.” Jim laughed. The statement was a joke, but back in Ventura, Molly had spent a lot of time with a sixteen-year-old boy named Cruz. Both Jim and Diane had been concerned about the boy's intentions, and even though Molly assured them they were just friends, there was still that innocent doubt parents had once their daughters got old enough to really know the difference between boys and girls. At least the move to Prairie Rest had gotten her away from Cruz.
Molly scrunched her face together. “Gross, Dad!” She turned her attention to her mother. “What I want to say is I'm sorry I've been such a brat about things. I think I really will like it here.” Molly leaned forward and kissed her parents on the cheeks. “I love you guys."
Jim's eyes teared. This is what it was like to be a family. No bickering; no arguments. He reached over and squeezed Diane's knee. A spark of electricity passed between them and for a moment, Jim was back in the bedroom with his wife. Never in his life had he been so amorous.
They looked at each other. A wicked glint sparkled in their eyes. If the children weren't in the back, he'd pull the Suburban over and have her right here and now. Maybe tonight, after the celebration...
Diane shifted in her seat. She'd felt the exchange, too and the memory of the bedroom romp sent shivers up the inside of her thighs.
Jim pulled into the parking lot behind the department store and gave his wife another squeeze. “Everybody out. We're here."
* * * *
The black and white banner hung across Main Street read: Welcome to Prairie Rest- ful Days of Summer.
A small midway was set up in the municipal parking lot. The Tilt-a-Whirl, Scrambler, and Octopus, powered by gasoline engines, belched choking, blue-black exhaust into the night. Sometimes, the exhaust clouds were so thick, they momentarily blotted out the colored lights of the rides.
Games of chance and skill were along one side of the midway. Prizes, dangling from hooks on the front of brightly painted booths, tempted carnival visitors to spend their money here.
A dunk tank was situated near the east corner, and a row of muscle-bound men lined up, anxious to sink the scantily clad girl. The water must've been cold, because her nipples protruded through her wet top like a pair of bullets.
Main Street was lined with food stands, and the air was saturated with the sweet aroma of cotton candy and grease.
Across the street, a beer truck idled in a vacant parking lot. Six chrome spigots poked from the truck's side, and a row of tables were set up in front of them. Behind the tables, volunteers busily filled pitchers with beer. The sign taped above the spigots read: Must be 21 to purchase beer. Have ID ready.
"Awesome,” Travis said. He was mesmerized by the lights and noises and sounds of the carnival. At this very moment, there was nowhere else he'd rather be.
Jim reached in his pocket, took out his wallet, and handed Molly twenty dollars. “You share this with your brother. Now, go have fun."
Molly snatched the money out of her father's hand and the two ran off toward the chaos of the midway. “Thanks, Dad,” Molly hollered as they disappeared into the crowd.
* * * *
"Do you
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