Page 74 of Pretty Please Me
When we reach the top of the loading station, Sam drops the teddy bear by the cubbies, where we store our shoes, sunglasses, and phones. “Come on. We’re riding on the front row for this one. The best seat in the house,” he tells me.
Nervous excitement swirls in my belly, but I follow him to the front. When it’s our turn, he lets me get in first and double-checks my restraint before buckling himself in. I know he’s not technically trained in rollercoaster safety, but he’s meticulous to a fault, and it makes me feel at ease, anyway. I think I’d try just about anything if Sam were by my side.
“Hey, Maggie, try not to scream so loud this time,” he says as the rollercoaster shoots us forward, sending me flying back against my seat.
Exhilaration and thrill flood my nervous system, and my heart feels like it skips a beat as the momentum of the ride suspends me in mid-air. I let out a piercing scream from the pit of my stomach, feeling so alive. Sam squeezes my hand, and even though I can’t see his face, I know he’s smiling.
We go through a series of loops and upside-down spins, and I feel the skin on my face slide back from the speed. My stomach drops when the ride dips down, and my head sinks into the harness as the momentum throws us from side to side.
I don’t know whether to laugh or scream, so I do a little of both, and it’s so much fun. Our cart makes one final drop before coming back up to a flat, slow speed.
“Oh my God, that was amazing! I felt like an astronaut or something.” When the chest restraints lift, I unbuckle myself. Sam follows suit, but he’s moving a little slower.
We climb off the ride, and I throw my arms around his neck, burying my face in his chest. “Thank you so much for bringing me here! I’ve had the best time.” We stumble back a little, with Sam caught off-balance from the force of my hug.
When I release him, I see his usual golden skin turn as white as a sheet. “Sam? Are you feeling okay? You look a little pale–”
Just as the words leave my mouth, he stumbles back and almost falls over. I grab him around the waist and still him as I study his face.
“I’m fine. Sorry, I just got really dizzy,” he assures me as he walks toward the cubby area to collect our things. He bends down to grab the teddy bear and throws it over his back, stumbling as the weight falls to one side.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I grab his arm and lead him to the exit ramp, keeping my pace nice and slow, afraid that he'll fall if I let go of his arm.
“Yeah. I’m good. I just need to walk it off.”
We make our way off the ride, and I lead him to a bench. I catch sight of the little asshole kids from earlier and immediately panic when I accidentally make eye contact with the kid Sam threatened.
As if he knows Sam’s weak right now, he rushes over with his teenage posse in tow. “What’s wrong, old man? Do you have a bellyache?” he singsongs in a taunting baby voice.
“Okay, kid, that’s enough.” I try to turn Sam in the opposite direction and lead him away, but he stumbles again, side stepping his weight from foot to foot like a newborn baby giraffe.
“Holy shit. It’s better than I thought. What a pansy. Dude can’t even handle a roller coaster.” The kid laughs and shoves Sam with two of his fingers, making him stumble back again.
“That’s enough,” I warn. “Why are you so mean?” I huff a sigh as I tuck myself under Sam’s arm, holding up most of his weight to keep him upright. My muscles burn from the exertion. “Come on, Sam. Let’s go.”
Before I can make a move, Sam’s head sags to the side, and he falls out of my grip, landing on the hard pavement in front of the kid with a thud. He wrenches, spilling chili dogs and blue cotton candy all over the kid’s white high-top sneakers.
“What the fuck–” the kid yells and jumps back as Sam starts to dry heave. “That’s fucked up, dude. You owe me two hundred dollars! I just got these for my birthday!” His voice cracks.
Sam wretches again in response. Then very slowly, he raises his arm and holds up his middle finger. I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity.
The kid grits his teeth and balls his fists but eventually turns to leave, taking his crew of bullies right along with him.
Well, I guess that’s one way to get rid of them.
“Come on, Sam.” I try to help him stand, but he falls again, both him and the teddy bear rolling into the vomit pile.
I kneel down and push his hair back from his clammy forehead. “It’s okay. Let’s just sit here for a minute and see if you feel better.” I look around and realize we’re in the very back of the amusement park. There’s no way I can carry him all the way to the car by myself.
I know he’ll be furious later, but I don’t really have an option. I take his phone out of his pocket and hold it up to his face to unlock it, then call his dad. Thankfully, he picks up on the third ring.
* * *
Three hours later, I’m sitting on the sofa sandwiched between Drew and Jamie as Dr. Gregory, James, and Charlotte’s family doctor, explains vertigo to the family.
“I performed a simple technique called the Epely maneuver, and he responded well. He may be dizzy for a little while longer, so you should just let him rest as long as he’s comfortable. Here’s a prescription for some anti-nausea medicine.” He lays the prescription on the coffee table. “But I expect him to be feeling much better by tomorrow. These things can happen anytime the head is jostled and shaken, but rest assured, it’s very common.”
“Thank you, Dr. Gregory.” James stands and shakes his hand.
