"Where's your umbrella?" Patrick asked as Angela jumped in a puddle, splashing him in the process.
"Where's the fun in that?" She laughed jumping again. Patrick and Angela had become inseparable during the last few weeks. When he and his father joined the carnival, Angela was quick to befriend him, showing him around and introducing him to everyone. Unlike him, she was born here and it was all she knew. "Come on, what's a little rain going to do to you?"
Patrick dropped his umbrella and joined Angela in the puddle. Her face spread into an even bigger smile and she laughed as water splashed her. For a while the two children ran around the empty carnival, laughing and splashing in every puddle they could find.
Eventually they found themselves on a picnic table under a tent. For a few minutes they sat there, listening to the rain falling over their heads.
"Hey Annie?" He said, finally. "I've been wondering something since I met you."
"Oh really?" She looked at him with the same bright smile she usually had.
"You have this honest look in your eyes." He began, "One that no one else here has. What makes you so different?"
"I think I know what you're talking about." She smiled. "Everyone else here is so concerned with marks and scams. I've never liked that." She gazed out at the rain and the fair grounds. "One day, I'm leaving this all behind."
They sat in silence for a few moments. He thought about what she meant; this was all she knew, her entire family was here, and she wanted to walk away from all of it. With the passing time he was beginning to realize that he felt the same way. Maybe there was a normal life out there for a couple of carnie kids.
His thoughts were interrupted by Angela sneezing. He turned his head to see snot running from her red nose. She wiped it away looking embarrassed. He smiled at her and they both broke out into laughter.