Page 71 of Pretty Please Me
* * *
“Sam, is this really necessary?” Maggie adjusts the silk eye mask I made her wear five minutes before we got here. I didn’t want to risk the chance of her seeing something and it ruining the surprise.
It’s not that kind of surprise but seeing her wearing it is bringing back all kinds of naughty memories plus a whole slew of new fantasies that I’ll never have time to fulfill.
I push the thought to the back of my mind, today is not about sex but maybe we can squeeze that in tonight…
“Yes, it’s necessary if I want you to be surprised. Now stop arguing with me and just walk. We’re almost there,” I say as I usher her forward, my hands firmly on her arms.
She blows out a frustrated sigh. “I look ridiculous and people are laughing at me.”
I tighten my grip on her shoulders as I guide her around a large pothole. “How could you possibly know people are laughing at you? You can’t see them.”
“Because I canhearthem, Sam! There was a kid back there that asked her parents if there was a piñata nearby that she missed out on.”
I stifle a laugh. I did hear that little girl and it was cute as fuck when she thought her parents were holding out on her.
“What’s that smell? It’s almost like waffles but not…” Maggie asks as we finally make it to the gate.
“You’ll see. Are you ready to see your surprise?” I unclasp the eye mask and watch as Maggie’s eyes go wide taking in the large carousel front and center of the small amusement park. Families and groups of teenagers rush around carrying giant bags of cotton candy and light-up toys as the sounds of laughter and chatter surround us.
Her nose scrunches and then she breaks out into the biggest smile and it’s not hard for me to picture her as a tiny freckled little girl full of whimsy and wonder before the world robbed it from her. Her hands cover her face as she squeals in excitement. “You brought me to an amusement park? I’ve never been to one before–”
“I know.” I pull her into a hug and brush her hair out of her face, my eyes trying to memorize her in this moment. “You told me. Obviously, that was unacceptable and needed to be remedied immediately.” I take her hand and lead her closer to the carousel. “Every little kid should ride the carousel. How about we start there and then we’ll work our way up to the bigger rides?”
She bites her lip, wiping the tears from her eyes, “This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me, Sam. Thank you.”
I snap a picture of her with my phone and pocket it. “You can thank me later. Let’s get moving, we’ve got a whole childhood to make up for.” I take her hand in mine and lead her to the carousel.
* * *
Two hours later we’re sitting on a curve stuffing our faces with cotton candy. Maggie’s eaten over half the bag washing it down with fresh lemonade wearing a smile that seems to be permanently attached to her face.
We knocked out all the kiddie rides and I don’t know if it’s the sugar overload but she hasn’t stopped talking to take a breath for over five minutes. “You can have a little more but then I’m taking the sugar away from you.” I say as I swipe the lemonade and steal a sip.
She pouts out her lip and looks at me with pleading puppy dog eyes. “I thought you wanted me to have the full experience?”
“You’re going to be puking if you don’t slow down. I’m doing you a favor.”
“Fine.” She passes me the bag and I spin it around sealing it for later.
I hear the loud dinging bells as a group of kids go wild in celebration. “Step right up and see if you have what it takes to beat the record! Five dollars gives you one minute.” The park member calls from his booth.
Maggie’s eyes dart to the source of the noise and she looks back at me, “Do you have five dollars?” She asks as she bats her eyes.
I stand and offer her my hand. “My pockets are loaded down and ready. You just lead the way, baby.”
“Yess!” She pumps her hand in victory and jumps up and down. It’s equally cute and heartwarming seeing her have so much fun. Her reaction has me wanting to buy her this whole fucking amusement park. Hell, if I’d known how happy it would make her I would’ve started with this to begin with.
We make our way over to the games and she points out the one she wants to try first. It’s a basketball shooting game, the kind with the warped rim, a whole line of giant stuffed animals stretch across the top of the booth which I now realize is what attracted her in the first place.
“Give me my panda bear, bitch!”
A group of about eight teenage boys gather around the booth all whooping and cheering as a kid in the middle pounds his chest like King Kong.
They can’t be older than fourteen and seem to be giving the park member a hard time, as they pull at random stuffed animals making them fall before he can stop them.
“Hey, guys, chill out would you?” I say as I walk up to the booth and the man dabs a handkerchief to his forehead.
