Chapter 6
"That was.."
"Incredible" Vi says as she dangles her small bag of change.
"I didn't know you were allowed to bet on pig racing." Caitlyn says, as she watches the big smile upon Vi's face, as she counts her winnings.
"You're not, well not technically anyway. But it's been a tradition here for a while."
"How did you know which pig to choose?"
"I don't know." Vi said as she shrugged her shoulders. "He just looked the feistiest.
Caitlyn giggled as they made their way towards the food vendors.
"I still owe you something for your birthday but first let's get some real food I'm starving." Vi said as she led Caitlyn towards a couple booths in towards the back. "I really like the corndogs from Sams, but we can get whatever you want, Birthday girl."
"Corndogs sound great." Caitlyn said as she followed Vi to the back of the line.
Caitlyn looked around and marveled at the event. She couldn't believe she was finally here. And of all people to be with Vi. She almost forgot that she was supposed to be here with her parents. Figuring by now, her mother would be ready to go, disgusted by the smells, and lack of healthy options to eat from. Caitlyn couldn't be more grateful for how her birthday was turning out. Definelty one of the best she thought, just as Vi was saying her name, interrupting her thought process.
"Cait…Hey you want mustered?"
"Uh, No mustered please."
"That will be just the two corndogs, one with mustered, one without, and two lemonades." Vi said to the man behind the counter. She then handed him some change, before taking the food and drinks, and handing Caitlyn's to her.
"You didn't have to buy my food." Caitlyn said, feeling a little guilty.
"Its your birthday, least I could do is pick up the tab."
"Well thank you." Caitlyn said, as her and Vi found a table to sit at while they ate. "So, what do you do over the summer for fun?"
"Well mostly work." Vi said as she took a giant bite of her corndog. "But if I'm not working, me and my siblings either guy for a swim at Millers Pond, or to the drive-in movies."
"I've never been to a drive-in movie." Caitlyn says, as she watches Vi eat her corndog in 3 bites.
"You have never been to a drive-in movie, well that's going to change this summer."
Caitlyn smiles at the thought of spending more time with Vi, while getting a chance to actually be a real teenager.
"I'm serious cupcake, they have a double showing on Tuesdays, half price, you in?"
"I will have to check with my parents, but yes, I would love that."
"So, what do you want for your dessert? Elephant ear, Caramel apple, or funnel cake?"
"Mmm, lets do a funnel cake."
"Be right back." Vi says as she stands up to run and grab them a funnel cake to share. When she returns, she is holding a large plate, with fried dough, covered in strawberries and powdered sugar. "I figured we could share, that way we can get something later too." She says as she sets the plate down next to Caitlyn before sliding in close next to her to sit down.
"Perfect" Caitlyn says as she watches Vi tear a piece off. She can barely focus on the food, as she feels Vi's leg brush up against hers under the table. Vis left arm almost touching her, as it's resting at her side.
"Here," Vi says, breaking Caitlyn out of her thoughts once again, as she hands her a piece of the funnel Cake.
"Wow that's really good… what's so funny." Caitlyn asks as she watches Vi laugh, while staring at her.
"You have powdered sugar all over your face, you look like you have a mustache." Vi says as she grabs a napkin and brushes off the powdered sugar.
Caitlyn's cheeks turn bright pink, before she grabs another napkin, and wipes her face a second time to make sure nothing is on her face. "Thanks."
"So, what now?" Vi asks, just as Caitlyn finishes the last bite of funnel cake.
"Whatever you think is best, you're the one who comes here every year."
"Let's go check out some of the other vendors while our food digests, then we can check out some rides later, before the fireworks."
The two set off towards the rows of vendors, each selling something unique. Caitlyn had already walked through most of the stalls, but had no problem going back with Vi, especially because Vi gave great commentary on most of the items. From whom sold them, to whom she thought put in the real time, to whom she thought was over pricing their goods.
They walked through each stall, talking about the items, and what they might use them for. "Not sure I'm a fancy soap kind of person." Vi said as she picked up a bar of homemade soap, that was wrapped in a special wrapping.
"Mmm, but they smell amazing." Caitlyn said, as she sniffed the fragrant bars through their wrappings.
They then entered the next booth where Vi tried on various hats, each making her look more and more goofy in their own way. They both laughed as they continued down the line until they got to the jewelry booth. "I think I might get these earrings." Caitlyn said, as she held up a looped earring to her ear. "My father gave me some birthday money before he dropped me off."
"I think they would look good on you" Vi said as she was looking at a leather cuff that had some sort of Viking design along it. She tried it on her wrist and admired it. It was a perfect fit, until looking at the price tag and immediately taking it off to put it back.
Caitlyn watched as Vis eyes went from want to never mind very fast. Vi walked to the other side as Caitlyn grabbed her earrings box, and quickly grabbed the leather cuff without Vi noticing, before heading up to pay the older lady at the front. Once paid for she shoved both small boxes in her bag, before motioning for Vi, that she was ready to head to the next booth.
"Got your fancy earrings?"
"Yes," Caitlyn said as they left to the next stand that held homemade honey.
The next hour was filled with idle chit chat, as they made their way back to the center of the fair. The smell of fried dough once again filled their noses as they walked through to the opposite side of the grounds where you could either go on rides or go check out farm animals.
"You want to go check out some of the animals?" Vi asked. "I told my boss I would come say hi. He has a bunch of milk cows out for display."
"Sounds great."
They made their way towards the barns, as the distinct smell of farm animals filled the air. They walked through the large doors, as Cows lined one side, and goats lined the other. Small children were seen trying to feed the animals straw as they lined the small barriers. Caitlyn and Vi walked through, as Caitlyn tried to take small breaths, to avoid breathing the smell too deeply. Vi watched and tried not to laugh as she watched Caitlyn's discomfort. Once they made it to the back of the barn, Vi looked over one of the stalls, at a young man that was shoveling up some of the manure. "Hey Jake, Tony around?"
"Sorry Vi you just missed him. He had to take a cow back to the farm."
"Well, tell him I stopped bye." Vi said as she leaned back off the fence.
"You want to go see the bunnies; there's babies?" Vi said looking at Caitlyn, who at this point looked like she was about to pass out from lack of oxygen.
"Are they inside of a barn?"
"No." Vi laughed as she quickly led Caitlyn to fresh air. "They are outside under a shade roof."
Vi led Caitlyn to the other side, where many children were entering a small gate. Once inside they made their way under the patio type roof, where several bunnies were laying in tall grass.
"Oh, my goodness." Caitlyn said as she made her way forward to the tall grass, where several baby bunnies were huddled together. "Can we touch them?"
"Of course," Vi said as she scooped up 3 of the babies in her one large hand, before handing them to Caitlyn.
Caitlyn took the babies, and gently held them against her chest, as she gently pet them. Vi watched her nervously hold them, unsure if Caitlyn or the bunnies looked more frightened at the moment.
"You ever hold a bunny before?" Vi asked as she kneeled down next to Caitlyn and began petting the bunnies that Caitlyn was holding.
"Not exactly." Caitlyn said nervously.
"Well just hold them close, but not to tight." Vi said as she reached out and took one of the bunnies that was trying to escape Caitlyn's arms.
"They are so tiny." Caitlyn said, as she held back a squeal of excitement.
"Only a few weeks old." An older woman who was holding a much larger rabbit said as she came near Vi and Caitlyn. "You looking to buy one?"
"My mother would never allow me a pet." Caitlyn said, as she held the babies close.
"That's a shame dear." The old woman said as she went to go check on some other children that were playing with the larger rabbits.
"Your mom not a fan of animals?" Vi asked as she sat more comfortably in the grass, while putting the bunny on her lap.
"She's not a fan of anything that would make a mess. Do you have animals?"
"My sister takes care of a few stray cats, but no real animal. Vander is allergic to cats and dogs, plus our place isn't very big."
"Would you want animals?" Caitlyn asks not taking her eyes off the two bunnies she was holding.
"I hope to one day have my own place away from the city. Hopefully get a dog and a cat, maybe some farm animals like chickens. What about you?"
"I think having any pet would be nice. Just something to keep me company."
Vi looked at Caitlyn suddenly very aware of how alone this young woman probably feels in this world. "Well ill keep you company until then."
Caitlyn immediately looks up, caught off guard by the statement. "You really want to be friends with me?"
"Why not cupcake?"
"I don't know." Caitlyn says nervously, just as a loud squealing could be heard, breaking their moment.
"I knew I would find you here". Jinx says, as she plops down next to Vi, before taking the bunny off Vi's lap, and holding it tightly to her chest.
"Jinx be careful, it's just a baby".
"I'm always careful" Jinx says, before glaring at Vi. "I know how to handle animals."
"How long you guys been here?" Mylo asks as he sits down next to Vi, holding a large rabbit.
"Not very long." Vi says as she pets the large rabbit on Mylo's lap.
"You and your friend want to come do some rides with us?"
"Her name is Caitlyn, and you can ask her too you know." Vi says as she looks over at Caitlyn.
"Sounds great." Caitlyn says a bit awkwardly, as she remembers their earlier encounter.
"Great, Vander, Claggor and Lisa are going to meet us by the Ferris wheel in 30 minutes.
"Ugh," Jinx grunts at the sound of Lisas name.
"You need to be nicer to her." Vi says as the nudges Jinx.
"No way, that girl is so annoying, and the way she walks around with her boobs practically hanging out of her shirts is gross.
Caitlyn chuckles, as she tries to turn away and hide her face from the group.
"She's not that bad." Vi says, trying to sound convincing.
"Bullshit, you said you hated her too." Jinx quickly says.
"Well, I didn't think she was going to stick around this long. So, we need to try and be nicer, for Claggor." Vi says as she stands up and brushes the grass off her pants.
The others follow suit, as they pet the rabbits one last time, before releasing them back into the grass. Vi reaches forward, offering Caitlyn a hand that she takes, as she pulls her to her feet.
"Thank you."
The four of them begin to leave, as they head towards the rides, Jinx and Mylo jumping ahead of them.
"We don't have to meet up with my family if you don't want to."
"I don't mind." Caitlyn says, even though the idea of being around more strangers makes her more nervous.
"Well, if at any point you want to leave, just say so, my family can be a handful at times." Vi says as they get closer to the rides.
They both keep walking when a hand on Caitlyn's shoulder stops them both immediately.
"Caitlyn," An all to familiar, unwelcoming voice calls out.
"Jayce". Caitlyn says, as she awkwardly looks between Vi and him.
"I've been looking for you. Your mother called my mother this morning when she found out your dad was going to be dropping you off alone. She asked if I could accompany you today."
"She's already found better company." Vi says as she steps closer.
"Well, I think her mother would disagree." Jayce says with a smirk.
"Thank you, Jayce, but I really am okay."
"I promised your mother that if I found you, I would make sure you had a good time on your birthday."
"Did you not hear her?" Vi says as she raises her voice a little. "She doesn't want to hang out with you."
Jayce turns his attention to Vi. "If she knew what kind of reputation she was going to have by hanging out with you, I think she would change her mind."
"Jayce, please." Caitlyn says. "That's not very kind, especially when it happened so long ago."
"So long ago?" Jayce says as he looks at Vi. "We both know I'm not talking about what happened with you and Viktor."
"Get out of here Jayce." Vi demands.
"Why don't you tell her what your real reputation is?"
"Because that was bullshit and you know it."
"Brian may be a lot of things, but he has never lied to me, and he told me what he saw that day."
"Shut the fuck up." Vi said, before stepping closer to Jayce, who didn't budge.
"She deserved to know, but more than that, her mother should know who you are too." Jayce says as he looks at Caitlyn, who's face looks terrified.
"Vi is". But before Jayce can finish that sentence, Vi grabs him by his shirt. "Vis a" Jayce says even louder, but they are both interrupted, when an even larger hand is places over Vi's.
"Is there a problem here?" A very large man with a raspy voice asks as he pulls Vi's hand off Jayce's shirt.
Jayce looks at Vander, who stands in front of him, just as a large Claggor stands next to Vander, and places a large hand on Jayce's shoulder.
"My father asked you a question" Claggor says proudly.
"I just..I came to take Caitlyn home." Jayce says nervously.
"Do you want to go with this young man?" Vander asks without taking his eyes off Jayce.
"She said she didn't" Vi quickly says.
Vander turns to look at them both. "I need to hear it from her."
"Ugh, no sir." Caitlyn barely chokes out.
"Well, you heard her." Vander says. "So, time for you to leave."
Jayce gales at Vi, before turning to take off.
"Thanks" Vi quickly says.
"Claggor, take Vi's friend to meet up with Jinx and Mylo, we will meet up with you in a minute." Vander says, as he looks at Vi.
"Yes sir," Claggor says as she motions Caitlyn to follow him, who now looks even more scared and confused.
Once the two are out of ear shot, Vander looks at Vi. "What were you thinking?"
"He was running his mouth; he was going to spread more lies."
"You can't be putting your hands on people, especially a Tallis." Vander says the frustration in his voice noticeable.
"I Know, it just."
"Vi, we are already on their bad side with what happened with Brian, we can't risk bringing more negative attention to ourselves, not when his father is the police commissioner."
"You're right, I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
They both head to the Ferris wheel, where Jinx and Mylo are chasing each other, Claggor is standing with his arms around Lisa, and Caitlyn is waiting looking confused as ever.
"You all, ready for some rides?" Vander asks.
Vi walks up to Caitlyn, "Let's not let Jayce ruin your birthday".
"Okay" Caitlyn says, hoping Vi was going to give her an explanation, but not wanting to push what is clearly a very sensitive topic.
Caitlyn and Vi sit close on the Ferris-Wheel. The ride begins to take off, when Caitlyn looks at Vi. "Vi, can I tell you something?"
