Only Three Months to Live
by Victor Thomas
Chapter 6
"Your father wants to speak with you," mom said when I arrived home after school.
"Dad's home?"
She nodded.
"He's in the kitchen."
I didn't think I had done anything to get myself in trouble. I had actually behaved a good deal better lately. Had dad not taken the news I was gay well? I had honestly forgotten that mom said she would talk to him, but that had been quite a while ago. Was he just getting around to letting me have it?
I walked into the kitchen where he was drinking a cup of coffee at the table. I saw him so rarely his face was almost unfamiliar to me.
"Have a seat," he said, indicating the chair next to me.
I did so and waited expectantly. I wasn't afraid. My father had never beat me or even hit me. He wasn't like that. I didn't think he'd have a problem with me being gay either, but something was up and I couldn't think of anything else.
He picked up a small piece of paper and gazed at it.
"This is the best report card you have ever received."
He smiled and i relaxed.
"Yeah," I said.
"Your mother tells me your new boyfriend has a lot to do with it."
I grinned.
"Yeah, he does. He's good at explaining things and he says I need to do as well as I can."
"I already like him.
"He's wonderful."
"I'm very happy for you, son. I'm also very proud of you."
"Thanks."
A lot of emotions were going through my head just then. I couldn't remember the last time dad was proud of me. I hadn't given him much reason to be proud. I was glad merely to see him, but sad because I had no idea when I'd see him again. I was also afraid that he and mom would divorce and I'd never see him again.
"Tell me about this boyfriend of yours," he said.
I began talking and talked and talked. I didn't mention Leif's illness, but I told him almost everything else, including that I loved Leif.
He smiled.
"I'm glad you found someone special. That's hard to find."
I bit my lip, then screwed up my courage.
"Are you and mom going to get a divorce?"
He took a deep breath.
"I hope not, but as I'm sure you know, things have been a little strained between us. It's not her fault. It's mine for not being able to properly provide for my family, but I am trying. That's why I work such long hours."
"You do a good job, dad."
He looked around the kitchen at the ancient refrigerator, at the stove with it's door held shut with duct tape, at the dingy linoleum floor with the big piece missing near the table, and all the rest.
"I wanted to do much better."
Dad looked tired. More than that, he looked heartsick, but then he looked at me and smiled.
"One thing I have that I treasure is my sons. I will always take care of you as best I can, no matter what it takes. If that means a divorce so your mom can find someone who can do better, then that's what I'll go."
"No, dad. We want you. We don't want stuff. We want you," I said.
He almost looked as if he might cry, but he didn't. I never realized how many problems my dad had until that moment. I was ashamed of myself for adding to them in the past and proud that I was doing a whole lot better. I vowed to myself right then and there to do better still.
"I love you, dad," I said, then stood up.
He stood too and hugged me. That almost made me cry. it had been a long time since he hugged me.
"I love you too, Owen."
We released each other and he looked down at me.
"Keep up the good work and maybe you can get a college scholarship."
"I will," I said.
"I'd like to meet Leif. He must be something."
"He sure is. I hope you can meet him soon."
I left the kitchen, smiling, and walked upstairs to my room. it was nice seeing dad for even a few minutes. I wished thing could be as they once were, but I was quickly learning that things chanced and not always for the better. I didn't understand that when I was younger. I thought my life would go on and on unchanged forever. In truth, life was nothing but change.
I did my homework and returned downstairs because I wanted to spend more time with dad. Chad was crawling all over him. Poor dad. I was content to be in the same room with him. Even Anthony stayed downstairs instead of hanging out in our room. I think he even skipped working out. Imagine that!
We had fried chicken for supper, which was unusual. We had mashed potatoes too. They were instant, but they tasted fine to me. What I liked most was that all of us were eating together. I wouldn't have thought much about that in the past, but things had changed and I was thinking about Leif. Soon, he would be gone and his family would never be complete again. There would always be an empty place at their table.
I wished we could be like one of those 1950's familied on TV where everyone comes home after school or work to a nice home and then everyone ate together. I wished dad didn't have to work so hard and mom didn't have to scrape by. I wished a lot of things, but then life was never perfect. Leif had made me see things in a whole new way. Things were rough in our home. We were poor and I was afraid my parents would divorce, but what was that compared to Leif's problems? He didn't have much time left while I potentially had years and years. Mom and dad might divorce, but Leif was going to die and his family had to deal with that. Someone else always had it worse.
I smiled as I looked around the table at Chad gnawing on a chicken leg, and Anthony stuffing most of a roll into his mouth at once. Mom and dad looked tired, but I could tell they were just as goad we were all together as me. I was actually very lucky. My family knew I was gay and they were cool with it. The big brother I thought was a jerk looked out for me. The little brother I thought was an annoyance… well Chad is an annoyance, but I love him anyway. Things could be a whole lot worse. I enjoyed this moment as best I could. That's what life is about, enjoying moments. I learned that from Leif too.
Dad had already left for work when I came down for breakfast the next morning. My dad was proud of me. That put me in such a good mood I almost didn't mind that I probably wouldn't see him again for days.
Leif looked like he hadn't slept when he met me at my locker. He was pale and there were dark areas under his eyes.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Here, let me take your books. I'll walk you to class," I said.
"Thanks."
"My dad wants to meet you," I said as we began walking.
"Should I be scared?"
"No. I got to see him yesterday evening. He was very pleased with my latest report care and I told him how you've helped me. He already thinks you're wonderful."
He smiled, but didn't comment. He was too quiet.
Kids followed him with their eyes as we passed. They noticed how he looked. How could they not? He looked like what he was, a sick boy. I hated to see him like this, but there was nothing I could do about it.
"I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to keep my secret," he said after a while.
He had obviously noticed the attention he was drawing too.
"Just remember, I'll be beside you. Taryn will be as well."
He smiled weakly.
"I appreciate that. What would I do without you?"
"You'd have another boyfriend who's much hotter than me."
"There is no one hotter."
"You need glasses, Leif."
I paled. What if his vision was going? I didn't know what was going to happen to him. Had I just said something horribly insensitive?
"My vision is fine, thank you, and I like what I see."
I smiled.
"I will be waiting outside the door when your class ends. Wait for me if I'm not."
"You don't have to do that."
"I want to. Have as much fun as possible in class."
"I always have fun."
I handed him his books and he entered his classroom. I hurried along to mine as I worried about my boyfriend.
As I promised, I was waiting for him outside his classroom when he exited at the end of the period. I had rushed through the hallways to be there. He smiled when he saw me, but he looked so tired I wished I could carry him instead of his books.
I escorted him from class to class all through the morning. He protested, but I insisted. When lunch rolled around, I told him to sit on a bench while I ran to my locker to put our books inside. I returned and then walked with him to the cafeteria.
"Why don't you go sit down? I'll get your lunch," I said.
"Thanks, Owen."
I was glad he didn't put up a fight, but the fact he didn't worried me.
He handed me his ticket. I waited in line and then picked up lunches for both of us. By the time I was back, David and Taryn were there.
"I didn't know waiter service was available. Why didn't you bring me my lunch?" David asked.
"Because you're not my boyfriend."
"Yeah, and you might not want to do what Leif does for Owen to get him to bring him lunch," Taryn said.
"Well, you never know. It might be worth it." Leif glared at David. "Then again, never mind."
Leif grinned.
Paula and Keaton arrived soon after with trays of chicken parmesan, garlic toast, and roasted potatoes. Paula eyed Leif as we all began to talk and eat. She kept observing him and I began to grow nervous. He looked edgy too, which only increased her suspicion.
She put her fork down, gazed at Leif with a mix of determination and compassion and asked, "Leif, what's wrong?"
Everyone grew quiet and waited for an answer. They all knew something was wrong. Leif tuned to me and I pleaded with him with my eyes to tell them. He needed to let our friends know. He was going to need all of us.
"Let's all meet after school and then I'll tell you," he said finally.
I nearly breathed a sigh of relief. Paula looked like she wanted to press for a more immediate answer, but didn't.
I escorted him to his afternoon classes. Taryn noticed me doing so at the end of sixth period and I would have worried about making him suspicious, but Leif was finally going to tell everyone about his illness. I was relieved because I was terrified I'd slip up and give away his secret and because dealing with it alone was getting to me. I talked to Anthony about it sure, but I needed the help of my own friends.
After school, everyone met at Leif's locker and we departed together. Leif and I followed the same route we did daily and stopped at the first bench where he always rested. No one spoke as he sat down. Everyone gathered around.
"As you've guessed, there is something wrong with me," he said. "Owen has known for quite a while now." I took his hand and held it. He took a deep breath. "I have a brain tumor. Nothing any doctor can do will help. I had three months to live when I found out about it. I'm down to less than a month now."
"No," Taryn said.
Paula began crying and everyone had tears in their eyes.
"I didn't tell you sooner because I wanted to enjoy having a normal life as long as I could. I didn't want to worry or upset you. I hope you aren't angry with me."
"Of course we aren't," David said.
"Don't be angry with Owen for evading your questions and lying about what was wrong with me. I made him promise not to tell."
"We understand," Paula said, wiping her eyes. "Is there nothing anyone can do?"
"No."
"This isn't fair. It should be someone like me, not someone like you," Taryn said.
He looked like he was on the verge of tears.
"Taryn, don't put yourself down like that. You are a truly wonderful person. This isn't fair or unfair. It simply is," Leif said.
"I want to trade places with you," Taryn said.
"I know you do, but even if you could, I wouldn't allow it."
"That's one of the many reasons this should not have happened to you."
"I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone else. I want to keep it just between us. I know it can't stay a secret from others for long because I've already had people ask me if I'm okay, but I don't want others to know until I absolutely can't hide it anymore. If possible, I want to hide it until I can no longer attend school. One day, I won't come back and then you can tell everyone why, but not before."
"We won't tell anyone," David said.
The rest nodded their agreement.
"What can we do?" Keaton asked.
"Be my friend."
"We are. What else can we do?"
"Maybe you can help Owen. He has been dealing with this all along. I know it hasn't been easy on him."
Everyone gazed at me with understanding and compassion. Leif was right. His illness had not been easy for me, but my difficulties were nothing compared to his. Nothing.
"We will do anything we can," Taryn said.
"Thank you. I'm sorry to lay this on you."
"We're your friends. You aren't laying anything on us. I wish you had told us sooner, but I understand," Keaton said.
"You haven't done anything to us. We appreciate you telling us now. This is a very private thing," Paula said.
"My question is, why the hell are you still going to school? If I only had a few weeks left, I'd spend it at Disney World ," David said. "Seriously, I'd say screw school and I wouldn't leave the freaking park."
Leif laughed.
"You might feel very differently if it happened to you. When I found out I didn't have much time left and that I wasn't going to get to do a lot of things I had planned, my life as it is became precious to me, my family, my friends, going to school, even homework. Everything became much more special than it ever was before. I know we haven't known each other all that long, but I love every minute I'm with you. I'm sorry I won't get to graduate with you all someday and see you at class reunions when we're all old and Owen has become a world-famous scientist and Paula has become the top vocalist in the world. I won't be here for all that. Now is what I have and I intend to make the most of it."
Paula began crying and hugged him. We all hugged him.
"Don't be so sad. I've had a great life and maybe that's because my life was destined to be short. There are a lot of good things about dying young. I'll never have to deal with all the things people do as they grow older. I'll never get wrinkled and gray. I'll never have to deal with losing my parents and my brothers. There is a lot of pain I will never have to experience. I'm not afraid to die. I never have been and knowing I will soon doesn't change that. Don't cry for me more than you must when I die. I won't be lonely. I won't be sad. Maybe I simply won't exist at all, or maybe I'll go on to some other existence. Either way, it's okay."
He smiled at all of us. It was almost as if he was happy, and he was in a way, although I didn't truly understand it.
"Let's all make the best of what time we have left with Leif then," David said.
"I do like being the center of attention," Leif said, grinning.
"Are you sure you're up to it?" I asked, amazed at what Leif had proposed.
"Yes, I will do what I cand and rest when I need to rest, but I want to do this. If I wait, I won't be strong enough. It's now or never."
I chewed on my lip.
"Okay, then. I'll see what I can do about earning some money. It's pretty expensive, isn't it?"
"You are not paying. My parents are paying for everyone. This is a trip for my friends and me."
"But…"
"No buts. It's rude to argue with the dying. Besides, my dad is a retired Navy Captain. Trust me when I say, he can afford it."
I frowned.
"You know that's truly not fair."
"Playing the 'I'm dying' card?"
"Yes."
"Deal with it. I'm playing that card for all it's worth."
I laughed. I felt bad about it for a moment, but then he grinned.
"Oh, your whole family is invited. Grayson wants Chad to come and we don't want to leave out Anthony. Do you think your parents can come?"
"I doubt dad can. Mom might, but I don't know."
"I hope she can. I want her to meet my mom."
"Chad will go nuts when he finds out."
"Good. Talk to your mom and see what she says."
I nodded, then leaned in close and kissed him. We made out until I nearly forgot about the trip.
"They're here!" Chad said on Saturday morning. "Come on! Come on! Let's go!"
"Calm down, Chad. Go out and tell them we are on our way," mom said. "How do I look?" she asked, turning to me.
"Beautiful."
She had dressed in her best and she did look pretty.
A few minutes later, after all the introductions had been made, we were on our way. Leif's dad had actually rented a small bus for the trip.
Leif and I sat together with Taryn, David, Keaton, and Paula nearby. Chad sat with Grayson and Anthony with Ryland. None of the other parents could make it so I imagined Leif's parents were glad mom had come. My mom was talking to them like they were old friends.
"I have never been to Halloween World ," Taryn said. "This is like a dream come true."
"It's incredible," Paula said. "They have an awesome haunted house and this old-fashioned train ride that goes through tunnels with animatronic figures in them. I won't say more because it's amazing and you need to see it to believe it."
Halloween World was way down by Branson, so we had quite a long ride. That's why we had started early in the morning.
"Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" Grayson kept repeating.
"Don't make me come back there," his dad said, but he was kidding.
"Ask again and I will give you a wedgie you will never be able to pull out of your crack," Ryland threatened.
Grayson immediately closed his mouth. He obviously knew his big brother wasn't bluffing.
Leif was soon asleep with his head on my shoulder. I was so comfortable with him beside me that I soon fell asleep as well. As a result, the two-hour ride seemed to take only minutes.
"We're here!" Leif's dad announced, awakening me.
"Well, duh, dad!" Grayson said.
"Already? We just left," I said.
"You snored all the way," Chad said.
"I did not."
"I thought you were going to inhale me!"
I was pretty sure I didn't snore. I sure hope not.
"Wow, look at that," Leif said, pointing to the bright blue locomotive chugging over a trestle that was right over the entrance to the park.
"I want to ride that!" Grayson said.
"Okay, everyone under twenty-one remain in the van until I pick up our tickets," Leif's dad said.
He returned so soon I knew he must have arranged everything in advance. We joined the adults outside the van.
"Everyone gets one envelope. Do not lose it. Inside is your ticket to get into the park as well as vouchers for food," he said.
"Everyone who has a phone make sure it is on and don't ignore it. I'll send a text when the time is nearing to depart," Leif's mom said.
"Grayson…" Leif's dad began.
"I know. Don't leave the park and don't wander around alone. Chad and I will stick together."
"Yes, and don't eat so much you hurl."
"Ah, let him dad," Ryland said.
Grayson stuck out his tongue at his big brother.
We entered the park and split into groups. Ryland and Anthony tool off together, as did Chad and Grayson. The adults formed another group. That left Leif, Taryn, David, Keaton, Paula, and me.
"What should we do first?" Leif asked.
"Well, the lines will get long for the roller coasters, so if anyone wants to ride those, we should do that first," Paula said.
"We have to ride the Poltergeist!" David said.
"Let's head there then," Leif said.
"I think I'll just watch. I'm terrified of heights," Keaton said.
"I'll watch with you. I don't mind heights, but roller coasters make me nauseous," Paula said.
"I can't wait to ride it," Taryn said.
"Are you going to ride?" Leif asked me.
"I want to ride it, but part of me is terrified."
"I'll hold your hand," he said, smiling.
"You'll hold his hand anyway," David said.
"True!"
"I think I want to try it, but no laughing at me if I scream like a little girl."
"Hey!" Paula said.
"I said little girl, like six."
"I'll be too busy screaming myself to laugh. I love roller coasters but they scare the crap out of me."
"Not literally I hope," Taryn said.
I swallowed hard as we drew nearer. The coaster was close to the entrance and seemed to grow as we walked toward it. The rush of the cars was loud as were the screams of those riding it. I was having second thoughts, but I was determined to ride.
The line was not long, but I was determined to ride.
"I am really scared," I said as the attendant locked the harness down over me.
"Me too, but this is something on my bucket list."
I paled for a moment. I didn't like to be reminded that he didn't have much time left, but I knew he wanted to be open about it with me and among our friends.
"I'll try not to throw up on you," I said.
"You're a great boyfriend."
He leaned over and kissed me and, for a moment, I forgot I was even on a roller coaster.
The coaster began to move. Soon, we slowly ascended a steep incline. The click-click-click of the coaster was loud and somehow ominous.
"It will be okay. They check this thing every morning. There is no way to fall out and no way for the cars to come off the track. You're safer now than you were on the drive here," he said.
Cars come off the track? Fall out? His words did not put me at ease.
We topped the incline and I screamed my head off. I felt like we were going a couple hundred miles an hour. I raised up as we topped a rise and felt like I was going to come out of my seat, but the harness held me in place. We rocketed down again, went through a loop and were temporarily upside down. I heard a scream that sounded like a little girl, but I think it was Taryn. I grinned.
We rocketed up, down, and sideways. I screamed as we entered a tunnel, but then laughed as we shot out the other end. We zoomed out over a lake and for a moment, I could see our reflection in the water.
The ride was over far too soon.
"That was amazing!" I said.
"Yeah, but I know what Paula meant about nauseous," David said, looking a little green.
"I thought the top of that tunnel was going to take my head off," I said.
"That's why it's called a head chopper," David said.
"That was sweet, but I'm afraid I was the one who screamed like a little girl," Taryn said, laughing.
"I thought I heard you," I said.
We exited the coaster and rejoined Paula and Keaton.
"Well, they survived," Keaton said. "Personally, I think you're all crazy."
"You know we are," Leif said. "I think Paula and Keaton should pick what we do next since they didn't ride the coaster."
" Bumper Boats . They're close," Keaton said.
We actually walked under the Poltergeist as we headed for the Bumper Boats . The cars roared overhead, temporarily drowning out the music that played from hidden speakers.
We climbed into the bumper boats, which were confined to one area of the lake. They were already running so all we had to do was take off.
I had never been in a bumper boat, before. I had never experienced most amusement park rides. I did get to ride a tilt-a-whirl and a merry-go-round once at the county fair, but that was it.
A boat plowed into me from behind. I looked back to see Taryn laughing. I shook my fist at him and turned to go after him, but Paula plowed into me from the side.
It was hard to build up speed because everyone kept hitting me, including my boyfriend, a little boy, and I little girl. I was knocked about so much I thought I might get whiplash.
I loved rushing through the water and I loved the scent of the lake. I didn't get to run into too many others. I never got my revenge on Taryn, but I did manage to ram David.
All too soon we were called back to the dock, but other rides awaited us.
"Let's see the haunted house next," Keaton said.
"That works for me," Paula said.
We headed in that direction, pausing at a few food booths along the way. Leif and I got some blue cotton candy, Taryn bought a corndog, Paula and Keaton purchased raspberry snow cones, and David got funnel cake with strawberry icing. The food was very reasonably priced and even on the cheap side. We all stopped at one of the many drink islands, where there were all kinds of soft drinks, tea, lemonade, and flavored waters.
The music began to get creepier as we neared the mansion. It was located on a hill with a decrepit graveyard surrounding it.
We walked right through the graveyard and it was creepy even in the light of day. Moans, screams, and the sound of thunder issued from the mansion, growing louder as we neared.
The doors creaked open on their own as we neared. We waked into a huge lobby where everything was covered in cobwebs and dust. The doors slammed shut behind us.
"Move forward quickly and get into a car if you want to escape alive," said a ride attendant.
Only the attendant wasn't a real person. He looked so at first, but then he grew transparent and I could see his skull. He laughed wickedly.
The cars didn't stop, but moved slowly enough it was easy to slip in. They were shaped like a tilt-a-whirl I had once ridden in, with a half dome overhead so that Leif and I felt enclosed. We could not see others as the car moved into the darkness of the house.
An echoing scream made me jump. Leif grabbed me. We both laughed. We passed down a long hallway where the eyes of every painting followed us, and I dog in a painting growled at us. The interior was dim and eerily lit with bluish, greenish, and reddish lights. It was freaky and scary, but not terrifying. We held hands.
We entered an enormous dining room with an impossibly long table filled with ghostly food. Spirits sat around the table eating or hovering in the air. Almost everything was transparent and there was something to look at everywhere, such as the coffin leaning in one corner with a gentleman in a top hat slowly climbing out to join the feast. The cars moved at a leisurely pace, but even so, there wasn't time to get a good look at everything before we passed on.
Him and I both gasped as we entered a large natatorium that looked like it had been abandoned for a hundred years. The trees in the pots were dead, and the vines had grown over the statues and then died. The glass overhead was cracked and rain fell into the pool far below.
Ghostly swimmers, dressed in funny old fashioned swimwear dove into the pool and swam, while others relaxed on the lounges. A thunder storm raged outside, illuminating the natatorium with flashes of light. Thunder rumbled, making me feel as if there actually was a storm outside.
We moved on past a suit of armor that drew it's sword and attacked. It seemed so real I jerked back into Leif's arms, but he didn't seem to mind. Next, we descended down and down until we traveled through the center of an ancient crypt below the mansion. There were burials in all the walls, with corpses climbing out of most of them. The lid of a large sarcophagus began to slide to the side as we passed and the sound of stone on stone was so convincing we screamed in fright as a hand emerged. I wasn't expecting the ride to be quite so scary, but I loved it.
Next, we entered an unbelievably long hallway with doors on either side. The ghost of a teen boy raced past us, followed moments later by a madman with an axe. The boy dashed into a room and slammed the door, but the madman followed and soon we heard horrible screams coming from the room. Just as we drew near enough to see inside, the door slammed shut once more.
Our car moved down the hallway, leaving the grisly murder behind us, but then a horrible laugh came from behind us. We looked back to see the madman begin to come after us.
"Hurry! If you wish to escape, follow me," a young boy's voice said.
I looked around and spotted a young, maybe thirteen-year-old boy, motioning at us.
He turned and floated quickly down a side hallway. The cars turned to follow him. The madman with the axe gained on us until the cars increased their speed. My heart raced. I felt like I was actually in danger.
Our route twisted and turned, taking us through a massive ruined greenhouse filled with mostly dead plants and vines that reached out as if to grab us.
"Beware, they're carnivorous," the boy ghost said, glancing back for a moment.
I heard someone scream in another car. I think it was Paula. Leif and I jerked back as yet another vine dove into the car itself. I could see right through it, but it seemed so very real.
We dashed through more hallways, a massive kitchen with ghost cooks preparing a ghost meal, an enormous library where books flew off the shelves. Some of the ancient volumes seemed to pass right before us.
The ride waws almost like a roller coaster now. There were no large drops and we weren't going all that fast, but we twisted and turned and raced through room after room. There was something to see in every direction, but it was all gone so quickly it was hard to make anything out clearly. I'd have to ride it a hundred times to begin to see everything.
"Hurry! He's gaining on us."
We looked back and the madman was closer. He wore a top hat and coat and grinned maniacally as he welded his axe. I swallowed hard. He seemed so real.
"Almost there!" the ghost boy called out as enormous wooden doors parted for him.
He raced through and our car followed. We heard the doors slam shut behind us and an axe thudding against them.
"That was close. You need to be more careful when exploring old houses," the ghost boy said as he hovered over us.
He disappeared. We passed through another hallway where not only the paintings, but the statues followed our progress, and then we were back in the lobby. An attendant guided us out of our cars. We all walked outside and were surprised to find bright sunshine.
"That was so cool!" Taryn said.
"It was convincingly real," Keaton said.
We talked about the ride as we walked in the bright autumn sunlight. We passed the scrambler, souvenir booths, and a booth where donuts were fried.
"Hey, let's ride the Splashing Specter and Phantom Falls ," Taryn said.
"It's a little chilly to get wet," Paula said.
"Come on. You'll dry off," David said.
"I suppose."
"I think I'll sit and watch," Leif said.
"We can do something else," Taryn said.
"No, you all go ahead. I'm kind of tired. I just want to sit down for a while."
"I'll stay with him," I said.
"Oh! So, you guys want to make out," Keaton said, winking.
Leif laughed.
"You can go too, Owen. You don't have to sit with me."
"Sitting with you is more fun than any ride," I said and meant.
"Yeah, they are definitely going to make out," Taryn said.
"Be gone!" Leif said and our friends departed.
Him and I walked to a nearby bench and sat down.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just tire more easily than I did. Besides, isn't it cool just sitting here surrounded by all these rides and people having fun? Listen and you can hear the calliope of the merry-go-round, the boats splashing on Phantom Falls , and the roar of the Poltergeist cars. Mmm, the air smells like corndogs and cotton candy, too."
"You want something to drink? There's a drink island right up there."
"Yeah, a coke would be nice."
"I'll be right back."
I didn't let myself think about him growing weaker. I refused to be sad around him today. We were here to have fun and we were having fun. I knew I would remember this day forever.
I returned with our drinks and sat dawn beside him. I breathed in the autumn air and all the scents that surrounded us.
"You know, it is a little on the chilly side to get wet and sitting here is really nice."
"One thing that has always made me feel very lucky is that I notice little things that a lot of others don't."
"Like the cotton candy scent in the air? I could smell it, but I didn't pay much attention until you pointed it out."
"Yeah, like that. I have always been able to enjoy little things like that. Most people would think that sitting on a bench wouldn't be much fun when there as so many rides and attractions to explore, but it is. I'm glad you're here with me, but I could sit here by myself and have a good time. Listen to the sounds of the park around us. That's as much a part of the experience as riding the rides. I seriously think I could sit right here the rest of the day and have a great time."
"I think you really could."
"Don't worry. I plan to ride more rides with you. I'm also beginning to get hungry. I'm catching the distant scent of a taco and it's calling out to me."
I sniffed the air and I could smell it too.
"You're truly aware of things. I couldn't smell taco until you mentioned it."
"That's because you are distracted by everything else."
"Yeah, including you," I said.
I leaned in close and we briefly kissed.
"I love kissing you."
"I love kissing you too."
I put my arm around him and we sat for quite a while talking quietly and enjoying the amusement park. I grinned when girls checked out my boyfriend. A couple of boys did too; one our age and one who was about eight years old. Was the young boy aware of his sexual orientation already? He certainly looked interested in my boyfriend. Leif smiled at him and the boy blushed. Two different older ladies walked past us too. Both noticed my arm around Leif and both smiled.
"Well, they must have finished making out," David said as our friends approached.
"We never finish," Leif said.
He turned to me, pulled me to him, and kissed me deeply. His tongue in my mouth turned me on instantly. It was a good thing he didn't kiss me for long or I couldn't have stood up.
"Okay, you two. Break it up," Keaton said.
"I think they're jealous because we've had more fun than they have," I said.
"Are you guys hungry?" Paula asked.
"Yes!" Leif said. "Let's go eat."
There were food booths all over, but there was a main outdoor food court that offered all kinds of food. It didn't take us long to arrive. We split up. I offered to get Leif's lunch for him, but he insisted on getting his own.
I had planned on a taco, but the scent of the burgers was so heavenly I changed my mind. I ordered myself a double barbeque cheeseburger and fries, while Leif went after his taco.
In only minutes we were all seated at a large table overlooking the old-time car ride.
"The food is inexpensive here. I don't know if I can even use all my food vouchers," Taryn said.
"Then get some to go before we leave," Leif said.
"This burger is great. This is better than fast food," I said.
We sat there talking and laughing as we finished our lunch. We finally finished and stood up to head back out into the park.
"Hey, who wants to ride the Twister ?" David asked.
"Oh, me!" Taryn said.
"Not me," Leif said.
We ended up splitting up again. I was hoping we would. I loved my friends, but I liked being alone with Leif.
"Let's ride the Carousel, " he said.
"Sounds good to me."
The Carousel was back near the entrance to the park, but we enjoyed the stroll. It was fun just being here. I never failed to learn something new from Leif.
The merry-go-round was as old as it was beautiful. He chose to ride a green dragon, so I took the white wolf next to it. The ride soon began and we moved slowly up and down as well as around and around. The old-fashioned calliope music was somewhat loud and so close, but it was wonderful. We both laughed like little kids, gazed at each other and smiled. I wished I could make this moment last forever.
We didn't know it until a few days later, but Paula snapped some photos of us on the Carousel . She took photos of everyone throughout the day and gave us all copies. I was so excited to have pictures of Leif and me.
Him and I rode the Halloween World Railroad and it was as amazing as Paula had said. We also rode the Ferris Wheel , the bumper cars, and the old-time cars. I let him drive our Model T. it looked just like an antique car only smaller.
We also spent a lot of time just sitting and enjoying the park around us. He leaned his head on my shoulder and I was content. I think our day in Halloween World was the best day of my life.
He slept during the entire ride back to Chouteau. This time, I did not. My mind was too full of the events, sights, sounds, and scents of the day. I swore I could still smell the funnel cake, but then I realized Taryn was taking some home with him. He looked like he could walk on air. It was almost impossible to believe he had once been a bully I feared.
Leif awakened when his dad stopped the van to let mom, Anthony, Chad, and me out. He gave me a kiss goodbye. We all thanked his family for a great day.
"Is Leif okay? He looks pale," mom asked as we walked toward the house.
"Oh, well… he was excited about the trip and stayed up late last night. He also got a little nauseous from the rides," I said.
"I didn't! I rode everything except the Poltergeist . I wasn't tall enough. Stupid rules," Chad complained.
"Don't worry, Chad. You won't always be a little shrimp," Anthony said.
Chad growled. Anthony ran from him as if he was afraid and Chad tore out after him. Mom gazed at me as if she didn't quite believe my story. I hated lying to her, but Leif's secret was not mine to divulge. I wondered how long we could keep his illness hidden.
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