Chapter 5

We decided to go to the fair on a Sunday afternoon, because there was always less people on a Sunday versus a Saturday or a Friday. We also skipped church and went during the day. That meant lines would be way shorter, in fact some rides didn't have any lines. Dad's worked the fair more than once for his radio station, so we got a discount on tickets, and unlimited rides. After we passed the admission through the gate we were given special armbands.

All of ours were orange except for my sisters. They had on green armbands. According to the fair policy they still counted as children even though they were 12. Which meant they got a lower price on their ticket sale, but it was also possible they were still too short to ride some of the rides. Though I knew my sisters were going to push it and try to ride every ride I did.

"Okay...Bryan here's some money...take your sisters and stay close together. Daddy, Deanna and I will be in the pavilion center. When you all get hungry come find us."

"Okay mom."

"Harvey you be good. Listen to whatever Bryan tells you." Deanna told him.

"Me listen to him? Come on Mom I'm older...he should listen to me."

"Harvey we're guests...now you listen to Bryan."

"Yes mam."

"And Anna, Isa, Mira, you listen to your brother too. He's in charge of you okay?"

"Okay."

"Yes mam."

"Yes Momma."

"Isa...don't push yourself...try to have a good time but be careful. Keep each other safe. Okay, go ahead."

Harvey smiled at me then gently nudged my shoulder. He took off ahead of me in a run.

"Hey! Wait for us!"

"Careful don't run!" Mom shouted.

"They'll be fine babe." Dad said as he wrapped his arms around Mom.

My sisters and I ran to catch up with Harvey despite hearing mom call out to us. I bumped into Harvey as he stood watching a ride called 'The Twister'.

"I didn't think we'd ever get away from our parents dude."

"Yeah...The Twister huh? For a first ride?"

"Why not?"

We got in line, and as it turned out my sisters just met the height requirement. I piled in next to Harvey in one car. Anna and Mira got in the car behind us. Isa sat this one out and watched from the gate. The Twister suspended riders in spinning cars while we spun with a great force in a circle on a fixed axis.

You could really feel the wind as you spun, and you felt yourself being lifted out of your seat. It often felt like you were being thrown against the outside fences and pulled back in again at 50 mph. Your brain and stomach feel like they switched places afterwards. It's one of Harvey's favorite rides. It's such a rush and very thrilling. I hate being on the end outside of the car though, because whoever sits there always ends up smashed against the side by the other rider. Harvey always puts me on the outside. He finds my screams hilarious everytime he slams into me. We did ride it twice with each of us switching seats respectively. Once we got the most enjoyment out of that ride we left for the Ferris Wheel.

It was calming and Isa rode next to me. The cart only allowed for four riders at a time, so Anna stayed put on the ground. She doesn't like heights. As we went around I pointed to the animal tent.

"Hey Isa, we should go over there next. Mira, Harvey, you guys want go see the animals?"

"Yeah!"

"Sure!"

Once we reached the bottom again, we met with Anna.

"We're going to the animal tent." Harvey told her.

"Okay! I heard they got a kangaroo!"

"What?! No way?! Let's go!" Isa said in excitement. As we made our way over to the tent we ran into Lola and her friend Dani.

"Harvey!"

"Heyy Baby! I didn't expect to see you!"

"Well while you were having a boys night with Bryan, I invited Dani for a girls night, then she invited me to the fair with her family today."

"Same. Oh! Dani, you know Bryan. This is his sisters Mira, Isa, and Anna."

"Oh my gosh are you twins?"

"We're triplets." Anna replied. "I'm in the Jr. High choir."

"I'm a junior cheerleader." Isa said after.

"And any sport you can throw a ball in, I'm in." Mira told her.

"Awesome. I knew of you, I've just never actually talked to you all. I'm so glad to finally meet you."

"Hey Lola, why don't you and Dani join me, Bryan, and the girls?"

I nodded at Harvey's suggestion.

"Okay!"

Now with Lola and Dani we went to feed some of the animals. As we walked around feeding and interacting with: the small ponies, goats, cows, donkeys, and alpacas they had; we finally saw the kangaroo. Unfortunately he was asleep when we got there. He fashioned a nice little bed for himself among the hay and straw. He definitely wasn't a little joey.

"Awww he's so cute!" Anna exclaimed and gave some carrots to the goats next to him.

"Maybe he got tired of being so popular. Hey come on let's all go ride the scary house we can all do that. Harvey said with a smile.

"You mean the dark ride or the haunted house walkthrough?" Lola asked.

"Oh yeah the walkthrough! Let's do that!"

We quickly made our way over. The haunted house walkthrough was very simliar to what they had during the fall festival. It was the kond of attraction paid actors scare the living daylights out of people. The fair during the summer always has one to prepare vistors for spooky season. During that time they have multiple haunted walkthroughs. This one was neat. It was dark but it had blacklight on certain walls. I think the best part was the cold air on the inside. Harvey held Lola's hand and he led the way. My sisters and Dani were ahead of me, and I brought up the rear. As we passed a corner a man with several rows of teeth jumped out at us. The girls screamed the loudest. Lola practically jumped into Harvey's arms. I always loved watching the reactions of everyone else. We made it through the entire thing and laughed at how scared we all got. We then went around playing a few of the games. Harvey won Lola a giant teddy bear. I tried to win my sisters something, but I only won small prizes like a little sock monkey, a small stuffed dog, and a tiny stuffed purple lizard. That's went I felt it.

My sugar was low. I reached into my pocket and slipped a piece of candy into my mouth.

"Maybe we should head back for lunch." I suggested.

"Yeah...I'm pretty hungry." Harvey replied. "Lola, Dani come join us.

"Okay thanks!"

"Yeah thanks."

Back at the pavilion center we ate under an awning. Mom, Dad, and Deanna shared a pizza. Harvey and Lola shared a hot dog and nachos. Dani bought herself a cheese burger. Mira had s footlong corn dog, Isa decided on chili cheese tots, and Anna got a giant pretzel. For myself I got a mini pizza with side of deep fried Oreos. We all had lemonade to drink. We stayed and rode more rides until the firework show. They had one every night. That same night Harvey packed up his things and went on home. I had my bedroom to myself again. It was actually kinda nice to be on my own again. I was playing a video game when Mom entered.

"Hey baby...don't stay up too late."

"Okay mom." I kept my eyes on my game as I spoke to her.

"Goodnight sweetie."

"Mmhm...night mom."

"Bryan?"

I paused my game a looked at her.

"You miss her?"

"Rosie?"

"Who else?"

"Yeah...I missed her a lot today...it seems like because of our differences she and I really haven't got the chance to really date or spend time together. It's always something, and honestly if it weren't for the Lunai I wouldn't even know her."

Mom sat on my bed.

"You know your Dad and I had to suffer being apart for a little while."

"When you went to the Academy...I know mom."

"Well sure...but I worked a lot. He worked. We both had to go to school. We had fights, problems between him and his father. We were both by ourselves sometimes. The point is I understand what you're going through and I'm here if you want to talk.

"Thanks mom."

"Isa told me she's very lucky to have a brother like you to help her with the baby."

I smiled shyly.

"But if that makes too much for you too, you can talk to me about it. I told your sisters the same."

She smiled and came over to me. She bent down and kissed my cheek.

"I know your Mr. Macho man now...but I'm still your mom and you're still my kid. You're a great kid. Too great."

I stifled a laugh.

"But when you're not feeling so great...you know you can talk to me about anything. I'm here on this Earth for you."

She leaned into the side of my face.

"Okay?"

"Okay...and I know Momma I love you."

She kissed the side of my head and patted my shoulder before leaving.

"I love you too. Goodnight son."

"Night Mom."

She closed the door behind her. I smiled. I had the best family and friends in the world.