Summer Carousel
The last ride on the carousel, on the last day of summer, was the most anticipated for the four Bender children – Anson, the eldest and his brother Phillip, along with their two younger sisters, Anya and Phoebe. Anson paid the carousel operator the usual four dollars for each of them. And with the money they saved all summer, the ride was all their own.
Around and around, the multi-colored lights streaked in a three dimensional circle. They laughed and laughed on mythical creatures – up and down, up and down. The carousel spun faster and faster until the lights disappeared into a fourth dimensional sphere.
When the ride was over, their laughter faded but something fantastic altered their glee. The carousel operator was gone. He was replaced by someone else with a big, bushy mustache. They turned to see the Opening Day banner at the main entrance of the carnival. It was the beginning of summer – just like they had planned. They could relive all their summer dreams. But as they walked through the crowds, everyone was finely dressed. Phoebe said they all looked like they were going to a wedding. The finely dressed people looked at the children’s strange attire. Several commented that Phillip was in his undergarments. When they reached the parking lot, all the cars were gone – the parking lot was gone. Instead, the street was lined with horses and buggies.
Phillip, Anya and Phoebe all gaped at Anson for an answer.
“Where are we?” Anya asked as her deep, dark eyes widen.
Anson thought for a moment. A deep, dark moment as if he fell into one of the carousel mirrors that became a pool of water only to be pulled out by the carousel operator. It was a moment that felt like all summer. Finally, after a nudge from his brother, he stated as he exited his trance-like state, “Not where?”
Phillip and Anya focused on their older brother with a voltage-like shock.
Phoebe tugged at his cargo shorts and asked with her soft, brown eyes, “When do we eat?”
