Believe It Or Not (An Eddie Munson Story)

Putt Putt

Eddie at least tried not to pout for the rest of the afternoon, but I can tell he still isn't really enthused about the idea of returning to O'Ralley's.

Eddie had his 6th birthday party at O'Ralley's. His uncle Wayne had enlisted the help of my mom to put together a small gathering for him and he was beyond excited. Eddie never really had birthday parties growing up. Typically, he would come to my house and my mom would make him a cake and we would do whatever he wanted. This was the year he met Gareth and Jeff though and he really wanted to do something with them as well.

We had pulled up to O'Ralley's and Eddie was practically bouncing with excitement. He had tumbled out of Wayne's truck and barreled inside, eager to kick off the festivities.

The day was going swimmingly until about lunch time. O'Ralley's is a circus themed mini golf course and there is an arcade that also has a food court. While we were sitting inside eating our lunch a performance was going on. Brightly clothed clowns jumped up on the stage and sang silly songs and did fun tricks. Everyone was clapping along and having a good time other than Eddie, who kept his eyes pointedly down and away from the stage as he ate.

One of the clowns got wind that it was Eddie's birthday and they circled around him, crowding our table. I remember Eddie noticeably paling and they yanked him from his seat and carried him up to the stage. They rode little unicycles around him and played funny pranks all while Eddie looked almost frantic with panic. He tried several times to leave the stage, but they kept pulling him back.

Wayne must have realized that his nephew was not having a good time because he got up to collect Eddie, but the clowns dragged him into the act as well, making it difficult for him to get to the small boy. I remember watching as Eddie's bottom lip trembled slightly before they started spinning him in the chair, running in circles around him. The whole thing became too much for Eddie and his face turned a sickly shade of green only a moment before he threw up everywhere. Tears streamed down his face as he looked on mortified as the entire arcade grew quiet. They pulled the curtains and I could hear Wayne loudly scolding the staff. It was the first time I had ever heard him lose his temper.

Eddie had cried the entire way home while I held his hand. He was so sure that Gareth and Jeff wouldn't want to be friends with him after that. But the following day, they corralled around him, telling him how awesome his projectile vomiting looked and laughing about the whole thing. It was the first time I had felt jealousy over having to share him with other people. Eddie started spending more time with the boys and it definitely was an adjustment, but they accepted that I came along with Eddie and we all became easy friends.

I feel a little guilty as I peek over at Eddie, his teeth biting nervously into his bottom lip. I know that this may be hard for him, but I think it would be really good for him to have a pleasant experience to help erase the negative feelings surrounding O'Ralley's. It's also the only place to play mini golf and there aren't many other date options in our small town. His hand is in mine as he drives and I give him a reassuring squeeze. I'm determined to make this a good day.

We pull up outside and it looks exactly the same as it did years ago. The entrance is through a gaping clown mouth and Eddie shudders at the vacant look in the structures' eyes. Steve and Chrissy are getting out of their car as we park and I wave at them before turning in my seat to face Eddie. He's got a reluctant glint in his eyes and his jaw is set. I lean over and cup his chin in my hand, pressing my forehead against his.

"Try to have fun, Eds," I whisper and he nods once, curtly. "If you are nervous at all, rely on me. It's my mission today to make sure you have a good time."

He smiles slightly at that and sighs before kissing my nose. He nods again and closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he reopens them, they are bright and determined.