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I cringe, now staring at my fairy floss with revulsion. "Don't say dripping."
He lathers his lips and purrs, "Dripping."
"Ugh." Walking to the nearest bin, I dispose of my sugar-wrapped stick. "He's very professional. And kind. It was his idea to pick you up."
Toni rolls his eyes. "Nice to know someone thinks about me."
Ignoring his pity party, I say, "I need to talk to you. Serious-like."
He stops. Facing me, he folds his arms across his chest. "As serious as a heart attack?"
Breathing the warm spring air into my lungs - it's a floral aroma blending with butter and salt from the popcorn stand beside me - I nod. "As serious as pregnancy."
"No way. . ." His voice trails off and his arms drop to his sides. "You're pregnant!"
Glancing nervously around the crowd, I mutter, "Please tell all of Stormy River."
"You're pregnant!" Toni's eyes leave mine and dart around desperately. "I really need to find The House of Mirrors, like, right now."
I study his tight expression. "Are you mad?"
"Fuck." He grumbles, still searching the area with strange intent. "Yes, I think I am. That careless prick."
"No." I reach for his arm, trying to draw his attention back to me. "It isn't like that. This is on both of us."
He scoffs. "What about ballet?"
My breathing gets a little shallow. "I don't know. I'm still processing."
"Well, I'm your processing partner. Oh look" –he gestures over my shoulder– "The House of Horrors. That's fitting. Let's go."
The house has cracked glass windows set into steep black walls. A tiny door acts as the entrance, opening for each rail cart. Theatrical -eye rolling- groans and howls echo from within its depths. Before we can approach the ticket clerk, someone touches my shoulder. I spin to see Carter, up close and personal. I crane my neck to meet his shaded eyes.
A light grin adorns his rough features. "Sorry, Miss Slater, I can't let you go onthatride. Another ride, maybe?"
Toni's eyes widen. "The House of Mirrors okay with you, Carter?"
I stifle a giggle. "Why not this ride?"
Carter takes a few steps away from me. "Any other ride? One less dark, perhaps."
I contemplate arguing with him, but it probably won't get me anywhere. "Okay." I wrap my hand around Toni's arm. "Let's go find the tea pots. Will you come on them with us?" I beam at Carter. Seeing him in his black suit and men-in-black sunglasses, spinning in a pink teacup would literally make my day - maybe my month.
He nods. "If you want me to, then I will."
Toni and I grin at Carter's expression, a stoic mask covering an amused and maybe light-hearted glimmer.
Toni laughs. "Ha. He almost said that with a straight face. Don’t worry, big guy, we wouldn't do that to you."
Pulling me alongside him, Toni leads us away from The House of Horrors and towards the main oval. We sit down on the grass mound circling it just in time to see the start of some sheep dogs herding their flock through an array of obstacles.
Toni stretches his long, denim-covered legs out in front of him. He begins to rip at the grass beside him, a sure sign he's a little anxious. The topic of my pregnancy sits heavily between us. "How the hell are you so calm? 'Cause you're gonna getsofat."
"I don't know," I admit, ignoring his last sentence. It's as if I've just heard life-altering news about a stranger. Not about me. Me: pregnant. With a Butcher baby. Maybe, with a Butcher boy-
"Oh my giddy aunt, are you smiling?"
Lifting my fingers to my lips, I stroke the curve they now form. Yep, I'm smiling. "I have no idea why. Usually, it'syourmouth and brain that aren't connected." I laugh.
