Breathless (9 page)

Lainey gently elbowed him as Rachel came clomping down the stairs in her sneakers.

“Are you ready to go?” Rachel asked. “I want to get there and have some funnel cake. It’s my favorite of the cake variety.”

“Ironically it’s the one you can’t make.” Lainey stuck her tongue out at Rachel as she did the same.

“We better go then,” Jon said.

Lainey gave a soft smile to Jon. There was still something mysterious about Jon, but she was very comfortable with him.

Peter and Mom had already left, wanting to go to dinner first. But they’d left one of the cars for Lainey to drive the three of them to the fair. It was all the way across town and quite a long walk for them. Jon was talkative in the car, asking Rachel questions about the fair and acting like a little boy learning about Christmas.

As they neared the fair, Lainey pulled onto the field where hundreds of cars were already parked. Jon’s face lit up at the sight of the Ferris wheel and the other rides protruding into the air. She laughed at him as she locked the car.

“I think Jon is more excited than I am,” Rachel teased.

He didn’t answer, but Lainey could tell it was true by the look on his face.

“Come on.” Lainey grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the gate. “It’s better from the inside.”

Lainey couldn’t help smiling as Jon tried to take in all of the sights and smells. Her thoughts wandered, desperate to know why he’d never played Monopoly or been to a fair before tonight. His childhood was still a mystery to her. Jon pulled her towards a cotton candy stand, watching as the wispy pink strands wrapped around a plastic stick. Rachel quickly appeared beside him.

“What is it?” Jon watched as it spun.

“It’s cotton candy, silly! It’s delicious!”

Lainey laughed, buying three of them with the money from Peter. She waited as Jon held the stick in his hands and pressed his face into the cotton candy, taking a bite and getting it all over his face.

“What?” He finished chewing and pulled a small bit off his nose.

She reached up and gently pulled a piece from his eyebrow. Jon leaned in for a quick kiss. The sticky sugar on his lips enhanced the flavor. Before Lainey could get carried away, Jon laughed and pulled back. He pulled off a chunk of cotton candy and stuck it in her mouth.

“It has to be one of the sweetest treats I’ve ever tasted.”

Lainey blushed, looking away. “I’m glad you like it.”

Rachel giggled. Lainey managed to compose herself as her cell went off. Peter was calling.

“That was some kiss.”

She could hear the sounds of the fair in the background and her mom’s laughter. Her cheeks felt warm. “You aren’t mad?” Lainey asked. 

“No, we’re not mad. We’ll be over in a minute.”

Lainey looked around until she saw them standing near the apple pie stand. They walked over, holding hands. Rachel quickly ran over to tell her mom about the wonderful cotton candy and beating Jon at monopoly, though he still technically won since she dumped the board. Jon leaned over and whispered in her ear.

“I would have let her win, you know.” 

Lainey smiled as he put his arm around her shoulders.

“Would you two like to go hang out by yourselves for a while?” Peter asked. “Your mom and I can take Rachel around.” 

“I’d like that,” Lainey said.

“Okay, that settles it.” Mom motioned for Rachel to share a bit of her cotton candy. “We’ll call you later to check up on you.” 

Lainey watched her family walk into the crowd and get lost somewhere behind the “shoot the water in the clown mouth” game. Jon squeezed her hand, making her jump a bit, and laugh at how ridiculous her reactions to this boy were.

He smiled, pink sugar sparkles still covering his lips as he said, “Can we
please
go on one of those rides now?”

“Such a little kid at heart,” Lainey teased, leaning in for another kiss to remove the rest of the sugar from his lips. “I guess we can go on some of the rides.”

“How do you feel about that one?” Jon gestured toward the big wheel.

Lainey shrugged. “I’m ambivalent about the Ferris wheel. I don’t really like it, but I don’t hate it.”

“I’d love to go on it with you.” His words were simple, and they made her want to do anything for him just to hear that soft tone of voice again.

Jon held her hand and pulled her toward the Ferris wheel. The line wasn’t very long, but Jon bounced the entire time. When they finally got on, he scooted closer to her and put his arm around her waist.

“Close your eyes,” he whispered.

“Why?”

“Why not? You aren’t afraid of heights, are you?” He gently tickled her side.

“No, I’m not afraid of heights. I just don’t know why I have to close my eyes.”

The wheel slowly started to move up higher into the sky. Lainey smiled as she closed her eyes and Jon leaned in closer to her. His warm breath tickled her ear.

“Forget everything else but this moment. Just be with me.”

Jon kissed her hard, and in that moment, Lainey felt free from everything.

Lainey couldn’t stop laughing when they reached the top of the Ferris wheel as Jon pretended to be terrified of heights. He kept his arms tight around her as the basket moved in the breeze. She wondered why he couldn’t hear how loud her heart was beating.

“I’ve never been up this high.”

“It was your idea!” Lainey put her head on his shoulder.

He lessened his hold a little, looking down at the fair. Lainey smiled at the people milling around and playing the games. Everyone looked so happy, except maybe for a little girl throwing a tantrum by the ice cream stand. Jon kissed Lainey’s forehead. The sights of the fair blended with the scent of popcorn and other sugary delights, but up this high, the salty smell of the ocean mixed in too. Lainey looked outward. The water lay on the horizon, gleaming with the last of the sunlight.

“It all looks so beautiful from here.” She sighed.

“Yep, it does. I think I have the most beautiful view right now.”

She locked eyes with Jon. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink. Jon lifted a hand and ran his fingers through her hair.

“I’ve never met someone so beautiful, inside and out,” he whispered.

Lainey tried to elbow him and pretend he was joking around.

“I mean it, Lainey. You are truly a sight in this world no one can compare to.”

“And you are too kind, but I love that about you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, initiating the kiss. It didn’t last long as the Ferris wheel started to move again, startling them and ending the moment. They both laughed until they almost cried. The ride came to an end to their disappointment. Jon wanted to go again, but Lainey convinced him to see the rest of the fair first and to go on some other rides. She really loved going on the swings. A couple with the guy carrying a large stuffed bear walked past, getting a confused look from Jon.

“Why are some guys carrying those around?” he asked.

“It’s dumb. Some boyfriends try to win those bears for their girlfriends. It’s an ego thing for most of them to have their girlfriend have the biggest bear. Really, it’s ridiculous.” Lainey watched another couple walk past with an oversized bunny. “You have to play a lot of games to win one of those, and it’s not worth the money.”

Jon seemed to agree. He paused in front of the duck game, giving Lainey a big grin as he watched the yellow ducks float around the small stream and under the bridge before coming back out again. An old man with a billed hat smiled at them. Jon pulled Lainey over.

“How do you play this one?” He stared at the floating yellow ducks.

“Well, you pick how many ducks you pay for, flip the ducks over, and see if you win a prize on the bottom. It’s a kid’s game.” Lainey leaned against the edge of the booth.

“I want to play.”

She gently ribbed him as she took the money from her wallet and paid the old man. He told them to each pick four ducks. Lainey watched as two ducks bumped into each other and stuck her hand into the chilly water. Jon stared at the ducks with a serious look on his face. Lainey laughed at him as he hesitated a few times before pulling out four ducks. She flipped hers over and found that none of them had any of the winning colors.
Oh well.
Jon turned over two of his ducks. Nothing. He flipped over the other two and smiled. One of them had a winning color.

“Congratulations,” the old man said. He plucked a rubber duck from the shelf behind him and passed it to Jon. “You are now the proud owner of a rubber duck. You two have a good night.”

Lainey laughed as Jon kissed the duck’s beak and turned to her.

“I’ve never won a rubber duck before.” His voice was full of amusement.

He gave her a big grin as he pulled up her hand and put the duck on her palm, closing her fingers around the body.

“I’m sorry it isn’t a big bear, but I want you to have my duck. It would mean a lot to me.”

Lainey leaned in for a kiss, holding the duck in her hand. Jon pulled her tight against his body. Her free hand pressed against his stomach, feeling his muscles tighten beneath her fingers. She pulled his bottom lip into her mouth before quickly releasing it and ending the kiss. She couldn’t get carried away. They were standing in front of a kid’s game and it wasn’t exactly private here. Jon let out a shaky breath when she stopped.

“I will treasure this duck forever.” Lainey gave him a quick peck on the cheek before moving away from the game.

Jon followed close behind her. The evening continued with a powdery funnel cake, two corn dogs, and a ride on the swings. In retrospect Lainey should have warned Jon about the spinning before he finished his corndog. She felt awful when he puked after riding it.

“I’m so sorry!” Lainey rubbed his back as he leaned over the trashcan.

Jon stood up and took the napkin she offered him to wipe his mouth. He still had a smile on his face. “It’s okay. It’s partly my fault, but I still have to say the swings are fun.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at him. “Jon, I’ve never met anyone as optimistic as you. You puke after a ride and still love it.”

“When you’ve been given another chance, you see things differently.”

Lainey cocked an eyebrow, but when Jon didn’t say anything more she shrugged and tugged him to a stand with free mints. Jon graciously accepted one.

Peter and Mom called to check in with them a few minutes later, saying they were heading home since it was almost dark. They said it was okay if Lainey and Jon stayed out a little longer before coming back. Jon seemed a bit distracted when Lainey passed on the message, but blew it off. She wanted to go on the Ferris wheel again.

Her world crumbled when they got off the ride. Jon stood next to her, laughing at the small spot of ketchup he’d noticed on her shirt before the last of the sun dipped below the horizon. He suddenly gasped, holding his sides. It took her a second to realize he wasn’t joking around anymore. He reached for her shoulder to brace himself as a violent shudder went through him.

“Jon! What’s wrong?” Lainey put a hand on him.

He sank to the ground, holding his side and trying to focus on breathing. Lainey knelt beside him, grabbing his free hand.

“Jon!”

“I’m so sorry.” He took in a shaky breath. “Oh, Lainey. I’m sorry.”

“What’s wrong?”

No one seemed to notice them as the crowds milled around. A few people glanced in their direction, but kept moving on. Jon gasped before moaning in pain.

“Please talk to me.” Lainey pressed the back of her hand to his forehead, unsure of what to do.

His words were so soft she could barely hear him. “Please, Lainey. Take me to the water. I need to get to the beach!”

By the tortured expression on his face, there was no time to ask. Lainey let Jon put his arm around her shoulders as she helped him stand up. It was difficult trying to do it by herself. For once, Lainey was grateful to see Oliver walking in the crowds. She called out his name. Hearing the desperation in her voice, Oliver rushed over.

“What’s happening?” Ollie took Jon’s other arm over his shoulder.

Lainey tried not to cry. “I don’t know. Please just help me get him to my car.”

“Okay.”

Neither spoke as they stumbled out of the fair. Lainey desperately wished she’d parked closer. Her heart contracted painfully as Jon let out another low moan of pain. When they reached her car, Lainey quickly unlocked the door. Oliver assisted Jon into the backseat, helping him lie down.

“Is there anything else I can do?” Oliver stood awkwardly.

Lainey shook her head. “No, but thank you. Really, thank you.”

She didn’t say another word as she got into the car and drove off, leaving Oliver standing in the parking lot. She’d thank him better later. Jon was the only thing she was concerned about. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as his breaths came out shallow and strained. His eyes were closed, but she knew he was still conscious. He kept repeating the same words over and over.

“I’m so sorry.”

Lainey drove as fast as she legally could, grateful for little traffic. Most of the town was still at the fair, with the exception of a few cars. She parked the car in the small lot near her house. It didn’t cross her mind how she was going to get him to the water by herself. Jon opened his eyes when she opened his door and did his best to assist her. His legs shook as they moved down the slight incline and onto the sand. He kicked off his sandals, focused on getting to the water. Lainey could feel the heat from his body through his thin shirt. She didn’t bother to remove her shoes as they approached the water. Jon gasped once more. His feet stepped into the ocean and a yellow glow appeared around them. She didn’t have time to process it as they moved deeper into the water. Jon gently pushed her arm away as he dove beneath the dark blue surface. The glow intensified and Lainey almost had to look away. Suddenly, it was gone.