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And she dated A LOT of guys.
Phae hadn’t dated hardly anyone the past few years, and she hadn’t been out with anyone more than twice. It seemed the more independent and outspoken she became, the more time she spent without the company of the opposite sex.
Now here she was with the hottest man she’d ever known, and she’d been drawn into a contest that could ruin everything. Her old friend from high school would have never let this happen.
As Phae, Neesa, Kent and James moved from game to game, Phae discovered that Kent was as competitive as she was. He was determined to beat her, and no matter how hard she tried to squelch the feelings, she wanted to beat him every bit as badly.
A large crowd, filled mostly with members of the Jones family, began to follow them around. They were a boisterous cheering section, and a distraction, but at least they helped carry all of the competitors’ loot.
The scene at each booth grew increasingly rowdy as the spectators took sides and placed bets on the outcomes. Phae watched Kent as he teased and joked with everyone, but she could see how seriously he concentrated whenever it was his turn to play.
This man was used to winning, and he hated to lose.
By the time they completed seven rounds, full dark had fallen.
Bright lights flashed colorfully while the delicious smells of popcorn and cotton candy wafted on the night-cooled breeze. A cacophony of music from the amusement rides couldn’t completely overpower the shrieks and squeals of the thrill-seeking riders. Farther away, one could hear the muffled applause of the audience attending the judging in the fair barns.
But on the midway, few people noticed these other sights, smells and sounds. On the midway, everyone’s attention was firmly on two large piles of stuffed animals, plastic trinkets and cheap appliances.
The crowd circled the piles. tightly packed adults jostled for a view while children crawled around, under and over their elders to catch their own glimpses of the tantalizing goodies.
Phae stood aside while the adults argued over which pile was largest.
Sylvie sidled up and shouted, “Our pile is bigger than theirs!”
“I don’t know. They look pretty even to me. And what do you mean ‘ours?’”
“Hey, I contributed at the duck pond. We kicked their asses there.”
Phae had to admit it was true. Sylvie had told Phae and Neesa which ducks to pick, and they’d actually been good ones. They got lucky, she told herself. Sylvie would be crowing about her psychic ability for weeks, though, and Phae had to ask herself if the win was worth it.
Nearby, James argued hotly with his mother. Kent stood relaxed in the midst of the pandemonium, his thumbs tucked loosely into the pockets of his trousers, an amused expression on his handsome face.
Phae began to fear they’d never finish the challenge when Uncle Leon and Aunt Meg pushed their way into the center of the circle, calling for everyone to quiet down. They were both forceful, strong-minded people, and Phae was confident they could bring some order to the situation.
“I said simmer down,” Uncle Leon shouted.
Aunt Meg pointed at James. “Especially you, young man. You’re the sheriff, now get yourself together, apologize to your mother and act respectable.”
Phae and several others in the crowd chuckled when James immediately snapped to attention and asked his mother to forgive him.
He somewhat spoiled the effect, however, when he mumbled, “My own mother and she’s siding with the enemy.”
Most of the Jones clan was split on gender lines in this contest.
Uncle Leon and Aunt Meg declared they’d be referees in the final round and everyone agreed to obey their verdicts. They surveyed the two piles of cheap prizes, murmuring to one another and looking dutifully official.
After several minutes of contemplation, Meg turned to Phae and asked, “What’s the next game?”
“The basketball booth,” Neesa answered before Phae had a chance.
Phae frowned. She hated that game. And it was rigged. “No, not that one.”
“Yeah, yeah, everyone knows that one’s rigged.” Neesa looked out over the crowd and raised her voice so everyone could hear. “We all know the basketball game is extra hard to win, right? Because of all the stuff they do. The ball is smaller than regulation and the rim is barely big enough for it. And the backboard is tilted wonky. And sometimes they have hidden springs where the rim attaches to the backboard so the ball won’t bounce into the basket like normal.”
Phae was impressed. “Did you know about all that?” she asked Kent and James.
They agreed they had.
“Basketball it is, then,” Neesa said.
So be it, thought Phae.
Uncle Leon and Aunt Meg whispered to each other then Leon raised his hands for silence.
“We’ve made our decision,” Meg said. “These two piles are equal.”
The crowd erupted in dissent.
Leon plucked a whistle from a prize pile and blew hard, the shrill sound quickly quelling the mayhem.
“The decision is final,” he said in his booming voice. “And if any of you yay-hoos want to argue about it, then do it somewhere else. Now listen to my wife.”
Meg smiled at her husband. “Okay, so how many shots do you get for your money at the basketball booth?”
“Three,” several people called.
“Okay, then each of the four competitors will take their three shots. Whichever team makes the most shots, wins.”
The crowd burst into chatter and surged to the basketball booth, dragging Phae, Neesa, Kent and James, and their piles of prizes, along with it.
Phae paid the man behind the counter since it was her turn. He handed a basketball to James.
Several men called out encouragement while several women did a decent bit of smack talk.
“I hate basketball,” James muttered as he squinted in concentration.
He shot. He missed.
Phae glanced at Kent. He stood near James, calmly reassuring his friend.
James missed his second shot but made his third.
Neesa stepped up to the counter. Phae had a pretty good idea how this one would go.
Taking her time, Neesa aimed carefully. Everyone cheered heartily as Neesa sunk all three balls, one after the other.
She sauntered over to James and tossed her prize to him, a large plush basketball. “I still got it. Didn’t win a state championship for nothing, old man.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he said. “But have you noticed how tall Kent is? I’m thinking he may have played some b-ball back in his school years, too.”
The smug expression dropped from Neesa’s face as she turned to watch Kent belly up to the counter.
“Give me three balls,” Kent said to the attendant.
“Oh no,” Neesa groaned.
Phae could only shake her head and smile.
In a gracefully fluid motion, Kent launched the balls into the air. One, two, three. Nothing but net.
The crowd roared its appreciation. Kent threw his prize to them like he was a golfer who’d won the U.S. Open.
Phae clapped loudly as she walked up beside him. “Impressive jump shot you’ve got.”
He looked down at her, his eyes and expression unreadable. “Thanks. It’s all up to you now.”
Phae turned and took the ball that the booth attendant held out to her.
Neesa slipped up next to her. “You can do it, Phae. Just two baskets and we win!”
“Yeah, I know. By the way, great job of distracting James so Kent and I could slip away quietly.”
“I’ll concede my plan may have gotten a little out of hand. Beat their asses anyway. Come on now.”
Uncle Leon’s voice rang out from behind. “I’m rubbin’ my rabbit’s foot, Phae-girl, so you can’t miss. You can do it! I’ve got five bucks riding on you.”
James peered out into the crowd. “Hey! What are you doing rubbing your rabbit’s foot for the women! We men have to
stick together. And you’re my uncle too. And the judge!”
“Sorry, my boy,” Leon said, “but your Aunt Meg stole my wallet and made the decision without me.”
Some people in the crowd hooted and hollered.
“Damn, thanks for the support, Uncle Leon,” Phae called without turning around.
“Ow!” Leon cried. “Don’t go beatin’ on me, wife. Phae’ll do fine.”
Phae mentally upgraded Meg to most-favored aunt status.
She blocked out the rowdy crowd. It’s a stupid game, she told herself. Then she shot the ball.
It fell through the hoop.
Phae nodded in relief. Only one more, she chanted silently.
