One More Ride

“It’s a celebration in our honor…”

It took them a bit to decide, but the sisters settled on watching the fireworks from Kidney Road with everyone else. As the bright rockets rose above the Universe Theater and exploded into all the colors of the rainbow, they were both equally transfixed by the display.

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Frankie chuckled. “But they are pretty.”

Leaving behind shapes of raccoons, stars, and moons, they reminded them of their parents far away, and of the steady construction of an entire theme planet lightyears above them.

Frankie stared up at that once-lonely moon- a giant spot marking it that you could see even from down on planet Earth. Not being able to help it, Katie looked too. That’s the Genesis, they thought, no doubt about it. The park connoisseur just wondered when she’d get to ride it. Either way, that spot looked like hope to them. A symbol of just how far someone could go, if they only chose to believe.

Frankie smiled.

“Before we leave… just one more ride.” Katie interrupted her inspired peace under the pitch-black sky.

“Really…? Most of the stuff is shutting down around now…” She looked out at the shops, many closing up despite all the people right outside…

“That’s why we gotta do it. Remember the balloons, Frankie?”

“No…”

“Yes. Yes you do. You have to.”

“Oh. Well… yeah. I guess I kinda do.”

“So? What’re you waiting for, let’s go.”

She took her hand- a tad solemnly, in fact, running off aimlessly just like she had that unknown number of years ago.

Frankie was shocked at her big sister’s actions. As the strangers towered over her, she just didn’t know what to do.

“K-Katie!” The little girl struggled to let out. “We can’t leave mom and dad!”

“They said it was fine! Come on.” She looked so angry at her then.

“Come on, come on…” 

Waiting in line for the spinning attraction, there was no telling if they would even be let on. They were in the very back, and the park was to close in mere minutes. They’d already been on this one- three times that day, in fact, thanks to Katie’s insistence- but even after a satisfyingly full afternoon of exploring their neighboring park of Sherrytown, the girl wasn’t finished. 

As the ride kept going and going without them on it, she was almost about to cry. Like a child robbed of her birthday presents, it was like something guaranteed to her was slowly being taken. Frankie couldn’t understand that look she had on her face, and she wouldn’t until it was too late for the both of them.

Finally the gates were opened. Nobody noticed the girl in the back of the line, her cheeks reddening as those in front slowly walked in. Behind the two of them were even more people. There were just too many… She whimpered under the pressure of time.

But before she knew it, she was already past the gate, the giant teenage employee shutting it right behind her. As the very last ones allowed on the ride that day, they had hardly any time to pick a seat. Katie quickly ran to the plastic blue-and-purple balloon, dragging Frankie to it with her.

They sat down, the operator closing them in- Katie looked around, still a bit anxious, but excited- so, so thankful she made it in on time. Frankie just stared at her own hands as the pretend hot air balloons slowly began to rotate.

She’d already seen Katie smile so much that day, but now she was grinning like never before. She knew that right now, her sister was making a memory- and that she’d probably planned on it, too.

The older girl gasped.

Frankie looked out the side, listlessly at first. Now their parents were waving at them, Mom with both hands and Dad with just one as his other held the prizes they’d won hours earlier. Katie waved back, sticking her short arms well outside the ride in joy. It moved so slowly that it probably didn’t matter. Seeing their parents nearby, even Frankie was able to smile a little too.

Rides lasted longer, back then. Once they got off, the little sister was more than ready to go home. She looked at Katie, who she was still relying on to get her back to her parents who were just a few feet away, past the leaving families and other parkgoers. Holding her hand, Frankie could once again see her sister’s face…

And even then… a part of her still looked unsatisfied.

“This better be good, Kate.”

Now at eighteen and nineteen respectively, the girls climbed into yet another last-minute ride, Frankie pulled along by her sister as always.

It was the closest one- off the main path of Kidney Road, they found there were a few attractions they hadn’t yet seen. Katie had chosen one she knew she’d like- another spinning ride, Ron’s Gambit was a basic attraction that not many people were lined up for. It made her happy to get in so easily. 

They locked themselves into the cart this time, smiling at each other. Frankie for the week they’d had, Katie for the moment she was living in right then.

As the lone worker pulled a lever and the contraption quickly began, she repeated some things to herself.

This is the right ride.

I chose the right ride.

There is no better ride in the park other than this one.

It caught up to speed in seconds, the employee giving the few people riding what they wanted. Katie smiled from ear to ear. Her first of what were sure to be many trips to Kidneyland was now as complete as it could be, given all the time limitations. She was happy.

“Having fun?” Frankie asked through the tornado of carts.

Katie silently nodded. She enjoyed the whole thing, laughing all the way through the final minutes of the day- the last they’d see of that park, at least for now. It was perfect.

When it slowed to a halt, so did their time at Kidney’s first park. Frankie stepped off, this time being the one to hold her sister’s hand as she slowly got off the ride, led through the exit gate by her devoted travel partner.

She didn’t admit it to herself- she hardly recognized it- but when Katie left her final ride at Kidneyland behind, she was still left just a little unsatisfied.