literature

A Little Story: Part 1

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Life isn't bad for me. Maybe I don't have a computer, a TV, or a working house phone. But I have a floor to sleep on and ramen to eat.

If I didn't focus on the good things in life, I wouldn't be alive right now. I wouldn't be on my way to the fair, and I wouldn't be anxiously waiting for a college acceptance letter in the mail that will surely come any day now. I'm so happy to be alive, though at times my existence is one of miserable extents. I never complain to anyone, I never break down or show anyone weakness. I have to stay strong for my mom and dad, though only one of them is still with me.

Speaking of staying strong; despite what everyone thought I've made it to my senior year. But it's summer right now, so I'm not worried about school, asides from some pre-ap homework.

I don't have a boyfriend as of yet; because I'm too focused on school and financial issues to let something like that get in my way.

One of the things I do have is a cellphone. I also have a crappy but working cellphone -- and in just a moment I'll have a ticket for what's left of the fair. I meant to get it earlier, I meant to go when the fair first started, but mum's been sick and I've been working late hours to cover the bills…

"Scarlet. We're here. Scarlet?"
I snapped out of the thought like trance I'd been in during the car ride, an automatic smile crossing my face.

"Thank you for the ride, I have one to the fair."
"You sure? I don't mind--"
"Yeah, I'm sure. Thanks Sarah."
She looked a little worried and unconvinced, but once I began to walk towards the red brick building she drove away. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate her offer, it's just that I got rides from her all the time, everywhere. Work, the store, the hospital…

"One pass please." I murmured softly, flashing a kind smile at the woman behind the counter. There were only a few people behind me, and not many bustling around like they had at the beginning of the month when the fair first started.

She gave me a look, one that questioned "Are you nuts? The fair ends in two weeks and you are just now buying a pass?"

To dismiss her gaze I shrugged, smiling softly and shoving my hands into my pockets, waiting patiently as she typed my name in and stamped the pass. It allowed me to get in free every day and night, and it allowed me to access the rides without charge as well.

Whenever my mom was conscious and not sleepy on medication, she would ask me about school and -- when it came around -- the fair. She couldn't fathom why I bought a pass if I only ever rode the Ferris Wheel.

How could I tell her that it brought me back to my child hood, when she didn't have cancer and dad wasn't always out at bars cheating on her?

To spare her and sound grateful, I'd always just smile and tell her that I didn't like any of the other rides; that they went too fast for my taste.

"Ma'am? You are twenty dollars short, I can't give you this pass unless you have all the money." the woman stated, frowning and leaning to the side to glance at the people behind me.

I was unsure what to do; apparently the price of the passes had raised since last year because of all the tourists and publicity. I didn't see the point of going from one hundred thirty to one hundred fifty -- but either way, I didn't have the money to buy the pass.

Clenching my hands and taking them out of my pockets, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. This can't be happening. I told myself, images of the fair flashing through my head like crazy.

"You are mistaken, she dropped this one the floor when she took her hands out of her pockets!"

Startled by an unfamiliar masculine voice, I turned around, nearly fainting.

I'd seen this guy before, last year at the fair. He'd been drunk, and I could clearly remember helping him to his friend's car to get him home safely.

I knew that the twenty dollar bill in his hand now was not mine, nor had it been in my pocket, but I quickly grabbed it and mouthed a thank you to him before handing it to the woman at the counter.

There was another look in her eyes, one that was almost disapproval and concern once more as she handed me the pass and called for the next person in line.

Quickly walking back in the opposite direction, I stopped when I heard his voice again: "Need a ride?"
Well, you see what I've got, what do I need to explain?
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