“You do!” Alice exclaimed. “I know you can do it!”
“Are you sure?” Eden asked her as they walked over to the bigger roller coaster. “Let’s see if you’re tall enough first.”
Maggie walked up to the sign and widened her eyes. “Am I?”
“Yes!” Alice exclaimed.
“Are you up for this?” Eden quietly asked Randi.
“Oh yeah,” Randi said. “It’s not that much bigger. If Maggie can do it, so can I!”
“Okay,” Eden said.
As the line moved closer to the coaster Randi kept asking Maggie if she was sure. She knew how it felt to want to do something, but to be scared, too. It was a lot like tonight. She wanted to tell Eden her true feelings, but she was scared to death.
Randi felt Eden’s hand rubbing circles on her back. The calming motion was appreciated, but she wanted to ride this roller coaster. For herself, for Eden, and for Maggie.
“Can we go to Looney Tunes Land after we ride this?” Maggie asked.
Randi looked at Alice and raised her brows.
“It’s okay with me,” Alice said.
“Yes, we can,” Randi replied.
“I want to ride with Maggie,” Alice said. “I’ll hold your hand so you don’t have to be scared.”
“Okay,” Randi replied. “Eden and I will be right behind you.”
They took their seats in the car and Randi felt Eden’s fingers slip into her hand.
“I don’t want you to be scared either,” Eden whispered.
Randi smiled and the roller coaster took off. They sped away, turned this way and that, then flew up a hill. This was definitely faster and rougher than the smaller roller coaster they’d just ridden. Once up the hill they zoomed back down through several curves then back up into the station. The ride was over.
“That was so much fun!” Randi exclaimed.
“I did it!” Maggie yelled. “Can we do it again?”
They got out of the car and walked down the exit.
“Please, please, please,” Maggie begged. “One more time.”
“It’s okay with me,” Randi said, looking at Alice then Eden.
They got back in line, rode the bigger roller coaster again then went back to Looney Tunes Land. As the girls rode the smaller rides, Randi and Eden sat on a bench watching them. They would get off one ride and run over to get in line for the next then repeat this for each of the rides.
“They’ll sleep well tonight,” Eden said.
Randi chuckled. “There’s one more ride I want to do before we leave.”
“The carousel,” Eden said with a smile. “We always have to end with it.”
Afternoon turned into evening and the little group walked towards the big merry-go-round.
“Mommy!” Maggie screamed, running towards Paige. “I rode the big roller coaster two times!”
Everyone congratulated her show of bravery as they made their way onto the carousel.
