Fourth of July

Since there were so many Chronicle suggestions that were very similar, I went with the carnival idea of my own. I will be picking a winer from FB and here for signed books and announcing the winner on Sunday.

The content in this Chronicle and on this website is intended for adults, 18 years and older.

Fourth of July

An R.L. Mathewson Chronicle

“But-”

“No,” Jason said absently as he watched the kids play while Haley sat there, unable to help but sigh wistfully as she looked over her shoulder at the most beautiful sight that she’d ever seen in her life.

“It’s not happening,” Jason said as she took in the signs for cotton candy and fried dough with a wistful sigh.

“Just one game?” she said with a hopeful smile as she reached up and pushed her glasses back up only to catch the murderous glare now being sent her way.

“No,” the bully that she’d married bit out with a pointed look at her stomach.

“But-”

“No,” he said with a glare that had her shoulders slumping and reluctantly looking away from the dream that was never meant to be.

“You can pout all you want. It’s not fucking happening,” Jason drawled as he reached into the large blue cooler they’d brought with them and grabbed an ice-cold Coke for himself before grabbing a bottle of water for her and an apple and placing it on the blanket in front of her.

A plain, boring apple that would taste so much better dipped in caramel and coated with peanuts, she thought with another wistful glance at the large carnival behind her. God, she loved carnivals, she thought with a wistful sigh. She loved the rides, the sounds, the smells, the sights, and she especially loved the games. She should be there right now, she thought with a sad shake of her head as she shifted her focus back to the large field where they were currently waiting the fireworks show to start.

“When is the show going to start?” Sebastian asked as he sat down on her right while his twin sat down on her left, squeezing his way in between her and Jason.

“Soon,” Jason said, chuckling as Joshua shoved his way onto the blanket and onto his lap with Elizabeth right behind him.

“Can we get ice cream afterwards?” Jonathan asked as he picked up her apple, frowned only to follow that up with a sympathetic look in her direction as he handed it to her.

“If you’re good,” Jason said wrapping his arms around Elizabeth and Joshua as they settled in against him as she found herself once again looking over her shoulder, unable to resist the call of overpriced games, questionable fried food, and all her hopes and-

“I need to use the bathroom,” Mikey said with an apologetic smile as she joined them.

“No worries, sweetheart,” Jason said, moving to shift the kids off his lap. “I’ll take you.”

“Umm, that’s okay. I can find it,” Mikey said, looking embarrassed as she stood there, shifting nervously.

“You’re not going alone,” Jason said, shaking his head as he set Elizabeth aside.

Shoulders slumping, Mikey mumbled, “I can wait.”

“I can go with you,” Sebastian offered, moving to stand up, which caused Mikey to frantically shake her head and her cheeks to turn a bright red as she took a step back. “No, that’s really okay. I can-.”

“I’ll take you,” Haley said, throwing Jason a pointed look when Jason opened his mouth to argue.

With a nod of understanding, Jason grabbed Elizabeth and pulled her back onto his lap as Haley stood up and-

“Leave your money,” Jason said, holding out his hand. She opened her mouth to argue only to end up sighing heavily as she reluctantly handed over the money she’d brought with her.

“Thank you, Aunt Haley,” Mikey said with a warm smile as they headed towards the porta-potties the city had set up near the parking lot.

“You’re welcome, sweetie,” she said as she wrapped her arm around Mikey’s small shoulders.

“Do you think he bought it?” Mikey asked as they walked past the parking lot and kept on walking.

“Only one way to find out,” Haley said with a smile as they headed towards the games as Mikey pulled the money that she’d given her earlier out of her pocket and handed it to her right around the time that Haley spotted the throwing games and decided to see just how good Mikey’s arm really was.

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