Page 75 of Nuts

“That’s the one.” She smiled. “We got ice cream, and he took me on the rollercoaster. Scared me to death. I hated that thing so much we rode it until I liked it.”

“How old were you?”

“It was 1959. I was sixteen. You can see the beach from the top of it, you know.”

The park had been an attraction at Mission Beach for nearly a century, and the rollercoaster she spoke of was now a national monument. Restored, and still operational, the wooden coaster drew spectators and riders from all over the world.

Despite its popularity, I’d never ridden it.

“The sun sets on that beach. I watched it many a time from the top of that rollercoaster,” she said. “We lived in Point Loma. Our house wasn’t much bigger than this living room. We could get there in ten minutes.”

“Of all the places dad took you, which place was your favorite?” I asked.

She picked up one half of the sandwich. “For a date?”

“Yeah. On a date.”

She dipped the corner into her soup and held it in place. “The park.”

“Why?”

“There’s a little boy or girl within us all, Percy. Finding a way to release that child is the secret to living a life of happiness. That rollercoaster – and your father – were my secret.”

“How’d you know he was the one?”

“I just told you.”

She lifted the sandwich and took a bite. “Grilled cheese and tomato soup. My favorite.”

“I met someone,” I said.

“A girl?”

“She’s really nice.”

“Are you ready for that?” she asked. “To give it another try?”

“I think so.”

“I just hope that she--”

“It’ll be fine, ma.”

“You sure you’re ready?”

“There’s only one way to find out.”

She took another bite of the sandwich and then looked at me. “Take her to the rollercoaster. If she makes you feel young – and if she offers you a bite of her ice cream – I want to meet her.”

I smiled. “I’ll do that.”

“Now hush,” she said. “Lauren’s back on.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Joey

He pulled the motorcycle into the parking lot, circled it once, and then came to a stop in a spot designated for motorcycles.