Page 37 of Ask Me To Stay

Chapter 15

Summer 2001

Willow

When we pulled up to the parking area at the pier, it was completely full. Cars were lined up on both sides of the street. There were a few residents who were allowing people to park in their driveways, but they were charging an exorbitant amount of money for it.

“This is crazy. When did it get so crowded around here?” Russ turned down another street. We’d been circling the area for at least ten minutes.

“There isn’t much summer break left. Maybe it’s all the last-minute vacationers.”

“I’m just going to park here.” Russ squeezed in an on-street spot, and cut the engine. He came around to help me out, and sighed when he saw the sign. In bright red letters on the post next to where we were parked it read “No Parking”. “You think they’re writing tickets tonight?” He motioned to the sign.

“It’s evening. Usually those don’t apply after dark.” I shrugged as I secretly wondered if I was right.

“Guess I’m taking my chance then.” He held out his hand for me to take, and we walked hand in hand to the gate at the pier. There was a small line, but after paying the fee to get in, Russ led us over to the ticket booth.

“I’m not getting on that thing.” I motioned to the roller coaster that curled around the end of the pier.

“That’s the best attraction here.” Russ seemed surprised.

“The last time I came, I rode that thing with my brother, Jack. He puked on me. I don’t care to relive that memory.” I shuddered as I thought about it.

“I won’t puke on you.” Russ grinned as he purchased two tickets, and began walking us that way. “You said you wanted to be nostalgic tonight. What better way to do that than to ride the coaster together?”

“Way to throw my words back in my face.” My lips twisted into a frown as I stared up at the steel curling in different directions. “Just so you know,” I wagged my finger at him, “I get to pick next.” I grinned.

“I’ll take my chances.” He laughed. I think he was forgetting the last time I chose our activity. The wait wasn’t long, and when we reached the front of the line, Russ held out his hand for me to go first. I stepped across the first seat, and settled into the second one. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as the shoulder harness lowered over me. “You’ll be fine.” Russ grinned at me. It was hard to see his face due to the padding on the harness, but I felt him pat my thigh. I placed my palm over his, and squeezed his fingers with mine.

When the coaster was loaded, it rose and the bottom lowered. Did I mention this was one of those inverted ones where your feet dangle? No? And did I mention that when it shoots out at the end of the pier, there’s nothing but water below us? No? “Breathe.” Russ chuckled beside me as the clicking of the belt began pulling us up that initial hill.

“Easy for you to say,” I grumbled. I swung my feet to keep my mind occupied as we climbed higher and higher. When we reached the top, I tightened my grip on Russ. The coaster curled over the top of the hill, and then we plunged straight down. I was going face first right at the water. Just when it feels like you’re going to get wet, the car twists, sending you into a spiral, feet in the air and all. “I’m going to die!!!” I shrieked as my body jolted around, banging into the padded harness. All I could hear from Russ was laughter. It seemed to take forever, but in reality, the ride only lasted about a minute.

When we pulled back into the station, it felt as if my heart was going to beat out of my chest, and my stomach was in my throat. The shoulder harness lifted, and Russ helped me out. “Tell me you had fun.” He nudged me as I wobbled on my feet to get my bearings.

“If seeing your life flash before your eyes is fun, then yeah, I had fun.” I rolled my eyes as I began walking us in the direction of the Ferris wheel. It was my turn to pick, and I was cashing in.

“Don’t be so dramatic. It was not that bad.” He flung his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side.

“Un huh,” I mumbled against the soft cotton of his tee. We made one more turn, and I stopped by the giant wheel. “My turn.” I pointed up.

“Are you serious? You know I don’t do heights.” He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest.

“My turn to pick. I rode that thing for you, now you do this for me.” I handed the guy running the ride my ticket. He was holding one of the carts still so we could get in. I grinned as I turned and seated myself. I flung my arms in the air as I stared at Russ, who was looking a little green. “You coming or what?”

I watched as his head dropped between his shoulders in defeat. “I guess so,” he murmured. He came up and sat down. The guy clicked the lap bar in place and then our cart swayed slightly as the wheel turned, lifting us in the air. “This is so not fair. You know I’m only doing this because I love you,” he muttered.

We continued to rise, and when we reached the top, it was a beautiful sight. You could see for miles, and the ocean was crashing in the distance. “You have to admit this is amazing.” I stared at the view like a child. “Look!” I nudged Russ to get him to open his eyes. “You can see everything.”

“I don’t need to see it to know it’s there.” He slowly opened one eye.

“Are you really this scared of heights still?” I nudged his shoulder slightly.

“Yes,” he snapped. “Too many things can go wrong up here.”

“Like they can’t on a piece of steel that’s going sixty miles an hour, flipping you upside down?” I laughed because his logic didn’t make sense.

“You wouldn’t see it coming like that. This is slow, and you’d know the whole time that it was the end,” he huffed.

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