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I was about to lean over and selfishly indulge myself when I saw a billboard.
“The State Fair!?” I exclaimed. “I haven’t been to one since I was a kid.” I sighed, remembering how everything seemed so magical then, and how the atmosphere could stimulate all the senses.
The click of the blinker came on and Jake eased off the highway. “Then we must go. To tell you the truth, I haven’t been in ages either. Sounds fun.”
Within minutes, the Ferris Wheel stood as a landmark, surrounded by various rides and booths. I was absolutely giddy.
We parked and made our way inside, getting our hands stamped with an invisible ink.
“So, what’s your poison?” Jake inquired, looking around, getting his bearings. “Roller coaster, the wheel, darts…ring toss?”
I too, looked around deciding what would be the best. We had all day and could go on the rides and partake in the games several times over if we chose. My eyes landed on a sign in the distance and I knew.
“Follow me,” I bossed, taking his hand in mine.
A minute later we were in line and Jake chuckled. “Bumper cars?”
“Yes sir,” I beamed confidently. “Where else can you drive like a maniac and not get a ticket or get yelled at by someone with road rage and have it not matter? Fun masquerades as vindictiveness. It’s the best combo!”
Jake scratched at his chin. “Well, I’ve never thought of it that way,” he admitted. “I guess we’ll just have to see who is the better driver…you sure you’re up for the challenge?” There was a mischievous glint in his eyes and for good measure, he wiggled his brows.
“I was born for this.”
The attendant took our tickets and we each found a car. Jake took the closest one and I chose mine based on color—red.
With an obnoxious blare, the buzzer sounded and we were off. Immediately I was bumped from a neighboring car, but I found the pedal and began to make my way out and around a glittery green one.
I had one destination in mind: Jake and his shiny orange car. The color would be hard to miss, but just as I was getting over to the corner he was hugging, I was rammed from the side.
The driver—a young girl—shrugged at me and took off. I was fair game, even to a kid.
A second later, I was hit head-on. “Ooof!” I cried, totally not expecting that hit since I was looking off to my right.
“Sorry,” chortled a little granny. Homegirl had beenbookingit—my neck might feel that in the morning. Jesus, I was getting hit from all angles and by all ages. Ageism held no place in the bumper car arena.
If I could just get myself to the perimeter, I could get a better hold on my execution. Jake was weaving in and out like he was playing a game of Mario Kart and was on level nine-thousand. From time to time, I’d hear him laugh when he’d get bumped.
Finally, there was a small opening and I floored it. My car took off at a disappointing rate, but regardless, I made it to the outer edge.
“You can’t catch me!” Jake taunted, whizzing by me effortlessly. How could his car go so much faster than mine?
“Oh yeah?!” I screamed, determination painting my face.
I began to move and suddenly I hit the person in front of me. I hadn’t meant to, but the driver turned around and didn’t seem too pleased.Rules of the road, buddy. Just then, a car came up behind me, pushing me into the front one, while another came up to my side, pinning me against the wall.
I was completely stuck. Blocked in. Between a wall and fortification of carnival cars. Now I was never going to get Jake!
The buzzer went off, signaling our time had ended. A second attendant came out, making sure we all filed out in a timely fashion.
Jake sauntered over, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
“I believe you might have lost,” he pointed out.
“Nonsense,” I quipped. “There are no winners or losers. It’s bumper cars.” I swiveled my neck like an owl, trying to figure out how to get out of my entanglement.
The attendant was helping the granny (who two minutes ago was a psycho driver but suddenly needed assistance walking to the exit gate), so he was unable to move the cars for me.
“Looks like I’m two-steppin’ my way out of here,” I decided out loud. I stood and hopscotched my way over the seats until I was firmly back on the ground. Or the rink. Or whatever it was called.
