It was the last night of the annual Albemarle County fair. Bored and tired of the TV, Harper had asked Matt if he wanted to go. Surprisingly it didn't take a lot of convincing. He had joined her without protest and the two had made comfortable small talk all the way to the fairgrounds. The weather was perfect and it felt nice being tucked away in the small college town that housed many small families and couples that were just starting out. While Matt had excused himself to the restroom, Harper leaned against one of the railings, huge smile on her face as she listened to the squeals and sounds of laughter of children nearby.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
She turned and grinned up at Matt, who was holding a foot long chili dog.
"Dude, you know I can't eat all that."
"You never could, hot dogs give you indigestion. I know, I know. That's why we split it like always."
That had been one of many little traditions the two old friends shared. At fairs and carnivals, games, and movies…even backstage at wrestling events. Matt would aways buy a foot long hot dog and she would always say that she couldn't eat it by herself because too much gave her heartburn. Together they would split it.
"Mustard, chili, ketchup and onions?" she asked hopefully.
"Mustard, chilid, ketchup and onions, no relish," he remembered. "You ever stop to think that's why you get indigestion?"
"You're the man but shut up," she took a big bite out of her half. "Oh my God, this is so delicious."
"Yeah, that's why half of it is still all over your face," Matt teased, taking his napking and wiping away at the mustard on the corner of her lip.
He touched her and she felt a chill but chalked it up to a cool night breeze.
"Thanks."
"You're weclome. You know, Harp, you never could do anything without making a mess," he laughed. "Now while I was away did you decide what we're going to ride?"
Harper rolled her eyes.
"We both know I don't come to fairs for the rides, I come for the junk food. Tonight I fully intend to indulge. I've already had the hot dog. Next is cotton candy, followed by a candied caramel apple, a funnel cake with extra powdered sugar, popcorn, ice cream…"
"Slow down, Killer. If you're going to be sitting next to me on the Tornado, that sounds like a recipe for a hurl fest."
"First of all, I don't throw up and second of all, who said anything about me riding the Tornado?"
"Come on, it'll be fun," he prodded. "Fun, you do remember what that is, don't you?"
"Matt…"
"On a serious note, Harp, the past few months have kind of sucked. They for sure sucked for me but I know I'm not the only one. For everything I went through, you went through it with me."
"Yeah but things are better now."
"Much but that doesn't take away from the fact that your days are spent taking care of me. You still do all the cooking and the cleaning and the laundry. You're like the personal accountant, chauffer, maid, cook, babysitter, and nurse all rolled into one. I know that's not what you wanted or expected for your life but you're here and I'm happy you're here and I appreciate it. For one night, I just want you to let loose and have fun and not have to think about anything else."
His voice was soft and sincere.
"Thank you for thinking of me and for saying that. I may play all those roles but I play them willingly and my most important one, you failed to mention. I'm the best friend and that's more than enough for me."
"You're the best. You're my best girl."
"Okay," she said quickly as she felt herself tearing up. "This is starting to get way too heavy. We're supposed to be having fun, right?"
"We are."
"Alright, so quit being a sap and let's talk about something fun."
"You riding the Tornado with me?" he asked with mischief in his eyes.
"Did someone say Tornado?"
Matt and Harper stopped and looked to see Jack Edwards standing beside them. He was accompanied by a tall and pretty blonde.
"Jack, what are you doing here, man?" Matt slapped hands with him.
"Ah, the Ablemarle County fair that comes once a year. It's about the most happening thing in this town."
"Where are my manners, man?" Matt asked. "I'm sorry. This is my friend, Harper Reynolds. Harp, this is the counselor I've been seeing, Jack Edwards."
Jack and Harper shook hands.
"It's so nice to meet you, Harper. I have heard wonderful things about you. I would like to introduce you to my wife, Janet."
"Nice meeting you both," Janet smiled.
Jack shoved his hands in his pockets.
"It's good seeing you out and about, Matt. I mean that. Glad to see you're out, enjoying life."
"It feels pretty good," Matt grinned.
"I see you even ditched your cane for the night," Jack noticed.
"It's in the car," Harper said. "I told him to bring it. I mean, I'm glad he can walk without it but anything could happen. Just in case he gets tired…"
Matt put Harper in a modified headlock, causing everyone to laugh.
"I don't know whether to call you Mom or Motor Mouth," he teased her all in good fun.
"Okay you two," Jack warned. "It's getting kind of intense. Why don't we lighten things up with a ride on the Tornado?"
"Now you're talking," Matt clapped his hands.
"Matt, is it even a good idea for you to ride something like that?" Harper questioned. "All that spinning and turning…are you sure it's even safe?"
"I'm good, Harp. My latest MRI shows my neck is completely healed, all the fusion worked perfectly."
"Well, what about the rest of you?" she asked with worry, still not convinced.
"I'll be fine."
"Jack?" Harper turned to him.
"I'm not a medical doctor but if the MRI shows a healed neck and Matt thinks he can handle the ride, I don't see why not."
"Then it's all settled," Matt grinned. "Let's get four tickets."
"Maybe you should just get three," Harper suggested.
"Come on, Harp, don't be a stick in the mud," Matt complained. "We're supposed to be having fun tonight."
"And why is torturing me fun for you?"
"Because you never ride."
"Yes, I do!"
"When, Harp?"
She thought for a moment.
"Six Flags, 2000, our senior skip day."
He laughed out loud.
"I cannot believe you had the nerve to even bring that one up."
"What? We had fun that day. And I even rode the Ninja."
"Correction, you got in line, talked a big and bad game, sat in the front row with me, waited until we were locked in that thing, then proceeded to scream and cry and try to jump out of the ride and ruin it for everyone on board in the process."
"So not true," she pouted.
"True. Harp, the guy running the thing let us all go again after you got off just so we could enjoy it."
She frowned and blushed at the memory, embarrassed that she had no comeback. Harper knew she was cold busted and Matt couldn't stop laughing at her. Even Jack and Janet were sharing in the fun.
"How about this?" Janet spoke up. "I'm not exactly crazy about the thrill rides myself. Why don't we let the boys have their so called fun? Harper, you and I will stay here and eat funnel cakes with our feet planted firmly on the ground."
"Sounds like a real plan," Harper readily agreed.
"Suit yourself," Jack gave his wife a kiss. "Come on, Matt. We'll get up with these two scaredy cats later."
The two men went off in the direction of the Tornado ticket line, leaving the women alone.
"Harper, I can't tell you how glad I am that Jack and I ran into you and Matt tonight. I don't think my stomach could take the Tornado."
Harper smiled.
"That makes two of us."
"How long have you two lived in Charlottesville?"
"Oh we don't live here permanently. We're actually renting a cottage not far from the campus for the time being. It's a temporary stay. Matt is in rehab. He was injured in a fall."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"He's much better now."
"I know it was a long and difficult road."
"It was."
"Are you two married?"
"Who? Matt and me?" Harper laughed nervously. "No, we're not."
"How long had you been together before he got hurt?"
"Oh we're not together."
"You're not?" Janet frowned.
"No. We're just friends, best friends actually. Matt and I are from the same hometown. We grew up in St. Louis together. We met in first grade and have been hanging out ever since. Through high school and college and even after."
"Wow. That's a long time."
"Tell me about it."
"I apologize for being so intrusive…"
"It's okay."
"I just thought…well, you two look so cute together. You just have this glow, this banter like a couple. I'm sorry…"
"It's okay. I'm used to it. We get that a lot actually but we're just really, really good friends."
Janet nodded and changed the subject. The two women migrated over to the funnel cake stand amidst chatter about the town. Minutes later they were rejoined by their estatic boys.
"Harp! That felt great. You don't know what you missed," Matt threw a playful arm over her shoulder.
"You too, babe," Jack reached for Janet's hand.
"We were just getting to know each other," Janet explained. "Harper was telling me, Matt, that you two grew up together and have been friends since elementary school. That's so amazing."
Matt looked over lovingly at his best friend.
"Yeah, she's been there with me through thick and thin. When I told everybody I wanted to pursue professional wrestling, they thought I was crazy. Not Harp. She supported my dreams even when I gave up a really good marketing job after college. And when I got hurt recently…well, she never left my side even during times when she probably should have."
"It's hard watching someone you love recover from a life changing injury," Janet looked over at her husband.
Jack nodded.
"I haven't discussed this with you in our sessions yet, Matt but I can empathize with your ordeal and not just in the professional sense."
"What do you mean, Jack?"
"Well, I mean that what happened to you happened to me. I was in a terrible car accident that left me paralyzed from the waist down a few years ago."
"You were?" Matt asked, shocked.
Jack nodded.
"Yeah. Like you, one day everything was good, normal…the next day my, our, lives were turned upside down. I didn't know if I was ever going to even walk again. I had to go through a lot of rehab, a lot of PT. It was actually Dr. Johnson who helped me. He turned my life around. It was a rough time so I know what you're going through."
"And so do I," Janet chimed in. "It was rough for Jack but it was hard on me as well. It hurt me to see him so helpless and in pain all the time but as the recovery process began, Jack became a different person. His frustrations definetly got the best of him. At times he was distant, then at other times he was so angry and depressed that it was absolutely unbearable. I was there so he took it out on me."
"It was a struggle," Jack remembered."I made it through the physical part which was difficult in itself but after all that was over, I had a marriage to save as well. The emotional toll was something else. I had to deal with my own issues as well as the issues Jan and I had together."
"I know that it has been tough, Harper. I'm glad things are better now but if you ever need to talk or to hang out…"
"I appreciate that."
Harper pulled out her phone and the two women exchanged numbers on the spot.
"Well, it's getting late," Jack said. "Me and the missus have an early day tomorrow…"
"For sure, man," Matt nodded. "It was good seeing you and thanks for ride."
"Anytime. I'll see you in my office on Friday."
The four exchanged good byes leaving Matt and Harper all alone again.
"Wow," Harper took a deep breath. "Did you have any idea?"
Matt shook his head.
"None. I mean, Jack is a great guy and he's very understanding but I never thought it was because he went through something similar."
"They're a nice couple," Harper noted. "That was sweet of Janet to reach out like that. I like hanging out with you but it gets kind of lonely around here at times. I think I'll definitely take her up on her offer."
"Good. You should have more friends, Harp."
"So," she said. "I still owe you a ride, you know."
He grinned at her.
"The Avalanche? The Cliffhanger? The Scrambler? The Zipper?"
"Nope. None of the above."
"Come on, Harp, you're killing me. At least do The Haunted Mansion."
"I'll have nightmares," she countered.
"Fine. What's the ride?"
She motioned upwards and minutes later they were on top of the world, or at least it seemed. That's how it always was when one sat atop a Ferris Wheel.
"The view is amazing," she looked out.
"It's beautiful," Matt agreed. "You know, when you go through something like I have, it makes you start appreciating the little things more. The feel of the sun…the rain, a magnificent view like this."
"Yeah…"
"I had fun tonight, Harp. Thanks for hanging out. I'm glad we saw Jack and Janet, too."
"They're nice," Harper took a pause. "You know, Janet actually thought you and I were together, like a couple."
Matt frowned.
"Get out! For real?"
"Yeah," Harper swallowed hard.
"That's so ridiculous," he laughed. "Funny."
Harper looked out at the star filled sky. It was the perfect moment, or at least almost. She was feeling the cool night air stopped on top of a ride that was built for the first kiss of lovers. She was cozied up next to her best friend, the man she loved. All that was missing was him loving her back.
"Yeah…funny."