Duncan wants to hear a story and so Lochlan always starts with the music.
Aldo Nova was playing through my speakers and there was a group smoking in one of the cars-
It was Triumph. I interrupt. Dude. I know this one, I think to myself. I'm IN this story.
Lochlan pauses. I think you're right, Princess. It was Triumph. Lay it on The-
Moonchild, I correct again. Sorry, but if you're trying to set the stage-
It was Moonchild, he laughs. So a cigarette butt lands at my feet and I look up and this group of kids is coming around with lit cigarettes and they're smiling at me like they're daring me to call them out for smoking on the ride and there are two carts full of them and they're all early twenties so I ignore it and just pretend I didn't see it, but then Bridget comes back from getting a hotdog and she brings me one and she hands me the food and marches right out in front of me at the control box and when they come over she yells, HEY! NO SMOKING ON THE WHEEL, ASSHOLES!
Duncan covers his face. Oh my god. This is so easy to picture.
Right? And they all look at me and keep right on smoking as they go around again and when they come down again Bridget puts her hands on her hips and yells I SAID, NO SMOKING!
What are you going to do about it, kid? The prettiest girl flicks her hair and smiles at Bridget.
I'M TURNING OFF THE RIDE. GET LOST.
They all look surprised. Like they wasted their tickets and I shrug even though I'm not even seventeen yet because the lady gets what the lady wants and technically Bridget's right, I just didn't want to deal with people trying to intimidate me. She turns to me and points backwards and says Turn it off, Locket.
I did as I was told and the group slunk off while Bridget glared at them. It was hilarious. The boss ended up giving her an official title and a weekly stipend because he said she was making sure to keep everyone on their toes.
Wow that was generous of him. Dalton laughs.
Not really. He took it out of my cheque.
I turn around with my mouth open. Wait, what? You said I could spend it any way I wanted.
And I meant that.
But that was your money!
And I clearly didn't do enough to earn it.
Why didn't you tell me, so I could have bought dinner sometimes?
Like I said, it was yours because you wanted a job like the rest of us and you were so happy to have it. I didn't want to burst that bubble. Things were hard enough after...everything.
The black cloud moves back in over the point, blocking out the sunny warmth of a memory just remembered and enveloping us in a memory that will never ever be forgotten.
After what? Duncan asks, forgetting it all.
After everything changed, I say softly and Lochlan nods, his eyes black with regret.