To Rest, or Not To Rest - Chapter 8

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The music grew louder as we pushed deeper into the square; each step felt as if we’d been swept into the rivers of voices and laughter. My eyes darted everywhere; the caramel apples gleamed like jewels on sticks. The spinning wheels of fortune with their various painted colors. The baskets of sugared nuts whose scent alone nearly pulled me from Lance’s grasp. We stopped at a stall where a row of clay jugs sat in a line. Each one was set a little further back than the last. A lone, weathered man who donned a long red scarf leaned over the counter, clapping his hands together. His voice was loud, yet hoarse, as if he smoked a pack of cigars beforehand. “Come one, come all! Step right up, toss the wooden rings, win a prize of your choice!” His loud calls attracted some customers around his game stall, us included. “We have many prizes available, from toys, to a ribbon. Even this specially carved whistle, by yours truly!”

His words enticed the crowd as they’d begun to form a crowd around the game. Many of the children and some teens played the game, cheering with each wooden ring that clattered into place, and sighing when they’d miss. I’d focused on the man, seeing his game was prime for success at an event like this. I mean, who wouldn’t want to give it a try? It’s good to see the great business minds of this world are progressing nicely. Before I knew it, Lance had puffed out his chest once more. Immediately pulling a coin from his personal pouch. “I’ll do it. Watch closely, Chloe. I’ll show you firsthand how good I am at this game.” His confidence grew with each step he took, getting closer to the stall. It was amusing. I held my book closely to my chest calling out to him. “Is that so? You better not mess up, Leo!”

He stopped in his tracks, nearly dropping his coin in the process. “It’s LANCE!” he huffed, slapping the coin onto the man’s palm before I could let out a small giggle. “You’ll see.” The man then handed him three rings, Lance twirled the first in his hand confidently, narrowing his eyes at the farthest jug. His focus was intense, letting out a grunt as he threw the ring. It was a solid and sharp throw, though the ring bounced clean off of the rim of the clay jug. Much to the disappointment of the crowd. Watching it clatter along on the ground.

I bit my lip, holding in my laughter, he looked back at me quickly. “That was…a warm up.” he muttered, flicking the second ring. It spun wide, missing the jug entirely. By now, I couldn’t hold it in. I giggled, the sound bursting out against my will. “I thought you were good at this game!” I called out, before giggling some more behind my book. Lance’s ears turned red. He gripped the third ring as if it was his last hope. “Okay, this one’s serious…” He threw the ring with a faint hope as the crowd surrounding watched. But this time, the ring clattered neatly around the neck of the nearest jug. He spun around triumphantly as the crowd of children cheered, hyping up Lance in the process. He suddenly pointed at me proudly. “See, I told you.” his grin widened as I widened my eyes, thoroughly surprised that he actually got it. I could do nothing but give him props for his attempts. The stall keeper chuckled and handed him a small woven charm, shaped like a star with a bit of colored glass at its center. “A prize for the lad, you’ve earned it kid.”

Lance hesitated, then shoved it awkwardly towards me. Startling me with the sudden reaction. “Here. You uh…you should keep it.” I blinked at him. Confused as to why he’d do such a thing when it was a prize that he won. “...Because you missed twice?”

“No!” His voice cracked, his face burning under the lamplights. “Because…it’s because—I won! Just—take it, alright?” He held out the charm by the string that looped around the top of it. It seemed to be something you could wear as a necklace. His face was flushed with a bright red. I couldn’t help but smile. He did go through the trouble of trying to show off for me; might as well indulge. I reached out to grab the charm, then held it within my palm. The glass caught the lanternlight, scattering little rays across my dress. Something about it made my chest tighten. It was as if the old Chloe’s heart had leapt, too.

I looked at him directly, making sure to give him my undivided attention. “...Thank you, Lance,” I said softly. He relaxed a little at that; his grin grew sheepish. “You’re welcome. And don’t forget my name this time.” I smiled, tucking the charm safely into my book. The fair roared around us, brighter and louder with every moment. But for some reason, this small, silly victory felt like the true start of the night. After doing so, I turned, expecting to see Luisa’s blue dress somewhere amongst the crowd, or Gil’s broad figure. I spotted them, noticing that they’d been seen a few stalls away, framed by the glow of a lantern strung overhead. Though, I think they didn’t notice me watching from afar.

Gil was leaning slightly, just enough that Luisa didn’t have to lift her neck to speak to him. His hands were already full, one holding a skewer of roasted fish, the other passing her a small paper pouch of the sugared nuts from before. She laughed, just barely covering her mouth with her hand, as if she’d been embarrassed by how delighted she looked. Luisa rarely laughed that loud at home. For a moment, she wasn’t the dauntingly cautious sister who watched over my every move for being careless. She was…well, just a girl in a beautiful dress. She’d stood at the fair with the boy who made her feel all sorts of feelings. Lance followed my gaze beside me, squinting his eyes at the sight.

‘Ugh…gross.”

“What’s so gross about it?”

“I mean, look at how he’s looking at her. The way she’s—blegh.”

He gagged, waving his hand dramatically. “It’s all mushy, you’ll understand it when you’re older, I guess.” I tilted my head, still keeping my eyes watching as Gil brushed something from Luisa’s shoulder, his touch careful, as if he’d made sure to be careful in the process. My sister’s laugh slipped out once more; it was soft and nervous. But from what I could tell, it was genuine. Thoughts of the past circled in my mind instantly. Seeing many couples walking around during special holiday occasions in the city brought back memories of Margaret playing in my head, and sensing he small urges for people to pay attention to me, at least to some degree. I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of jealousy coming from within.

I pressed my book closer to my chest. “...Maybe it’s not so gross…”

Lance gave me a look like I’d sprouted mushrooms on my head. “Oh no. Not you too.” I couldn’t help but laugh, fully unable to help it, the sound bright against the bustle of the fair. “Don’t worry, Lance. I promise you’re safe.” He blinked, confused, and I turned away before I had to explain what I meant. The fair stretched out before us, dazzling and endless. For the first time, it felt like I wasn’t just watching from afar, I was living in the moment.