Constant

Chapter 2

I stared at the bulletin board, wondering if it I was worth bothering to join an after- school activity. Not to make friends, but to have something to do. My eyes wandered the board, seeing a notice about an upcoming dance. Another high school experience I always missed out on. I had never been to a dance, simply because I didn't know anyone to go with and I didn't want to go and stand there alone. Having friends was a vital part of the whole dance-and-party-experience. There was another notice about an upcoming game, and... the fall fair. Mom had already sold the concept to me, and I was reluctantly looking forward to it. Eating some cotton candy, getting on some cheap rides. I had saved a little money, not much, and spending it at a fair was a good enough choice. I didn't need to spend it all, but just enough to have a good time. Going with my mom cemented my loser status, but that was fine. We'd be gone in no time, anyway. Besides, Mom was my best (and only) friend. Good for her—and me—that I actually enjoyed her company. She was a good person—even if she was a little naïve and had no sense of the consequences of her actions.

"The corn maze is pretty impressive," a voice said. "You'd think it sucks, but it's actually our pride and joy. You going?" I turned my head, noticing Bethany.

"Thinking about it," I replied, warily.

"It'll be fun. We can roam the maze together." The bell rang. "Shoot. See you around!" She sounded so chipper and happy, as if me turning her down meant nothing. I didn't know whether to take it as a compliment or an insult.

Everyone in town seemed to be there. People were throwing away their money at rigged games, overpriced food, and too much cotton candy. Kids were running wild, and screams came from the rides. The air was heavy with the smell of fried food, sugar, and smoke.

"Let's go into the business fair first," Mom said, pointing at a small building at the end of the main street. A large sign outside the opened double doors, saying "Business fair - Your opportunity starts here". I nodded and followed Mom toward the building while trying to avoid bumping into people, which was an impossible task. People had no respect for other people's personal space. It seemed like they enjoyed being packed as sardines—if we were lucky, the business fair would be less crowded. We stepped inside, and there were maybe ten or twelve stalls spread in the large room. My eyes wandered, reading the signs. Insurance. Workout clothes. Knives and kitchen wear. Oils and candles. My stomach dropped. This wasn't what I had been expecting. I had pictured actual companies recruiting, assistant positions, programmers, even managers' positions, not home sales. How were any of these business opportunities? I followed Mom, humoring her. I didn't expect any miracles, and I didn't expect Mom to stop anywhere, either.

But she did.

"Insurance - the easiest way to keep your family safe!" Mom stopped, heard the speech, and got a pamphlet, before moving on. Insurance was legit, right? Everyone needed insurance.

"The knife that is sharp enough to cut through bones, easy to sell, forty percent commission!" Same ritual again. Listen. Talk. Pamphlet. Moving on. Good thing Mom didn't seem sold on the knifes, as I wasn't either.

"The smell of a rose, or a touch of lime, makes you feel better all the time. Smell it," a woman dressed in gray pants and a white long-sleeved top offered a small vial with essential oil. Mom stopped. She took the vial and smelled it.

"Wow," Mom said. "It smells amazing." She offered it for me to smell, and I nodded. It did smell amazing.

"It's a special blend we use for focus and clarity," the saleswoman explained. "You put a few drops on your pillow at night, and in the morning, you will be clear and ready to create miracles."