A Happy Birthday?

Carnival Treats

'Joe, how many churros is it possible to eat?' Jill laughs. That carton was full three minutes ago!' she said.

He ran his tongue around his lips.

She felt her body react.

'Maybe you should ask these big guys behind me', he says, gesturing to Tony and Dave. I only had one, they left me carrying the empty carton though', he laughs and she looks behind him.

The guys are scanning the crowd, standing so close to Joe that they'd be able to extract him out of any situation in record time. But she knows the truth of Joe's story when she spies a telltale piece of chocolate on Tony's lip. She plucks the serviette from Joe's hand and holds it out to the agent. Their eyes meet and the agent grins and Jill is so pleased that they too can at least find some enjoyment from the fair.

She tucks her arm into Joe's and leans against his body. His puffa jacket is slippy but warm, the down lining making it an extra cozy space for her and she sighs as he wraps his arm around her and envelops her fully.

'You doin' ok?' he asks quietly.

'I am, Joe', she tells him.

The carnival is an assault on the senses.

There is noise and activity everywhere, the atmosphere is electric. Lights pulse on the rides in sync with the music that blares from the speakers, each ride seems to vie for dominance over the next. Shrieks of laughter float across the whole park, some of the sounds hold more terror than joy as teenagers insist they're ready for the adult rides, realizing mid-flight the folly of their decision.

Small children hold on tightly to their parents hands. Eyes wide in wonder, amazed at everything they can see, their little minds unable to comprehend the whole experience.

Smells waft past them from the concession stands. Carried on the light breeze from the ocean nearby the smell of hamburgers and sweet treats is held aloft by the every prevalent tang of the salt that hangs in the air.

'Can Pop do the ferris wheel?' Finn's voice emerges from behind, where the rides are in full swing.

'Does Pop want to do the ferris wheel?' Jill asks, looking behind to Finn and then back at Joe.

'Absolutely, and you're coming in my carriage', Joe tells her and Finn rushes back to tell the others that Nana and Pop are on the way. She's overtaken by part of the presidential detail delegated to secure the rides the president wishes to experience.

A rough plan was developed in advance but Joe told the grandkids the agents wouldn't allow him on anything much, just to tease them, and now they've no idea what he will and won't ride on.

Joe leans down to Jill. 'I'll take care of you, baby', he promises her as she looks at the huge wheel with some reluctance. 'Just imagine what the view will be like. And we can kiss at the top and the cameras won't even be able to see', he whispers.

'And how do you know that?' she asks.

'Oh, honey. While these guys were snatching my snack and you were fixing Beau's gloves I was scanning the rides to see where we can make out in secret', he tells her and her chuckles mix with Dave and Tony's and he grins like a teenager on a date with his girlfriend.

The swing boat was next. They all clambered into the huge interior and settled into their seats. Hunter placed Beau on his lap and held him securely while his namesake sat beside Nana, with Joe on the other side, cushioning her from any possibility of being buffeted about. They laughed and cheered and some groaned as snacks hastily eaten moved around uncomfortably in tummies, threatening to come back.