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Chapter NINETEEN ~ Fair
The day’s beautiful, bright and sunny. Vibrant colors shine off the glistening sunlight that lights up the fair. Little fingers squeeze my hand as her warm skin melts my heart and makes me smile. Her laughter fills the air with the swirling musical beat from the rides. I looked down to see her brunette hair all pulled back in a ponytail, and it bounced with her skipping feet. She wore a bright blue dress with white sandals and her hazel eyes sparkled with excitement.
“This is so yummy, Gemma.” Hope beamed with happiness as she peered up at me and smiled. Candy floss stained her cute mouth with the color purple and it made me giggle. She held the purple, blue and green candy floss up towards me. “Here, do you want to try some?”
“No, sweetheart it’s all for you.” I replied and shook my head happily.
Hope shrugged her shoulders and took a huge bite. Ripping off a piece of candy floss with it hanging out of her mouth until it disappears. She let go of my hand and ran ahead with joy. Skipping as fast as her legs will take her and I take in the magical sight. The fair had come to the city, and I knew it would be just the place to take her for a fun filled day.
What kid didn’t like the fair?
“Gemma, Gemma look!” Hope bounced with excitement as she pointed and smiled towards a tall Ferris wheel. “Can we go on it, please?”
“Yes, we absolutely can!” I exclaimed with excitement, clapped my hands together and loved the sparkle in her eyes. “Come on, let’s get in line.”
I reached out for her hand, and she gripped it. Eating her cotton candy at a record rate and tossing the garbage in the trash just before entering the ride. Her smile was so bright that it made the ride operator smile back at her with delight. Closing the door and making sure it’s secure before he gets behind the machine and makes it move. Hope squealed with excitement and gazed out the side. Watching the ground growing smaller as we got higher and more people got on the ride. Feeling it jerk to a stop and Hope laughs at each one. Causing me to smile at her magnetizing presence and look out at the world spread out before me. The sight’s breathtaking and one I could watch all day. The sun shines over the fair, watching the tiny images of people strolling by, rides in operation and people enjoying the carnival games.
“Thank you for bringing me here. I’m having so much fun, Gemma.” Hope said as she snuggled in beside me and gazed up at me.
“You are very welcome, Hope.” I smiled and stroked her head lovingly.
Her smile was intoxicating as the Ferris wheel moves faster and Hope snuggles in closer. Squealing and giggling as the wheel no longer stops. Enjoying the breeze as it sweeps through my hair and I laugh with delight. Whipping it about before my eyes and watching the world fly by as we spin around in a giant circle. Reaching for the sky and coming back down to earth again. The ride slowed down and Hope let go of me with a scrunched face.
“What’s going on?” She pouted as she peered out the side and looked down at the ground.
“I think it’s the end of the ride.” I responded and shrugged my shoulders.
“Oh, but I was having so much fun!” Hope exclaimed with disappointment and crossed her arms. “Can we go again?”
“Maybe later because we have to give others a turn.” I giggled and headed towards the door to exit. “Come on, Hope, it’s our turn to get off.”
“Oh, okay...” Hope frowned as she stomped her little feet and showed disapproval.
I couldn’t blame her for feeling disappointed because I felt just the same, but I knew there’s so much more fun to be had. Tapping her shoulder and smiling brightly down towards her. “Look up ahead, there’s tons of games to play.”
Hope peered in the direction I pointed and the joy inside her body exploded once again. She bounced up and down as she took my hand in hers. Smiling as we skip towards the flashing lights and people playing the games. Watching customers play balloon pop, gone fishing, pick a duck, spin the wheel, bean bag toss and basketball toss. Hearing the operators of each game announcing winners, the rules and when the games begin. Hope’s eyes grew enormous at the sight of the prizes to be won and couldn’t wait to get her hands on them.
“Do you want to play, sweetheart?” I asked as I looked down at her and smiled.
“I want to play; I want to play!” Hope demanded happily, and she jumped with her ponytail bouncing from side to side.
“Okay, we just need to get some tickets first.” I giggled and pecked the top of her head.
Hope froze on the spot and dropped my hand. Her bright smile faded, and she slowed her pace. Her hazel eyes were unreadable, and I frowned at her with concern. “What’s wrong, Hope?”
“N-nothing, Gemma...” Hope answered with a slight smile.
My eyebrows knitted together and I’m unsure if I believed her. Reaching into my purse for my wallet to purchase the tickets and knowing playing games will put a smile back on her beautiful face. Turning towards the ticket booth and asking to buy twenty tickets. Turning my money into bright red game tickets in an instant. Smiling as I count the rows of them and looking back up in Hope’s direction.
“I got them and now...” I breathed with excitement in my voice and it faded to worry. My heart plummeted towards the ground and my smile faded. “Hope?”
My entire being froze, with Hope nowhere in sight. Whipping my head from side to side as my eyes desperately search for her, but it’s no use. Her beautiful smile never came, her bright blue dress vanished, and her hazel stare was gone. Hope has disappeared and Drake was going to be livid. She’s missing, and I had no one to blame but myself.
