Summer's Magic - Concluding Part

Continued from Part I

Left confused, Jake followed the group to the rickety amusement park rides. He would have given anything to ride the Ferris wheel with Lori, but as they approached, she barked, "Not a chance! I'm afraid of heights."

Sal laughed and jumped on the next car that swung down. "I'm goin' alone," he chuckled and quickly shot into the air. Jake was already seated in the next car before realizing Emma was sitting right beside him. With a smile, she cradled the plush turtle tightly in her arms.

They slowly ascended to the top of the world where Jake shared the incredible view with a girl who smelled as sweet as cotton candy. Before long, their Ferris-wheel car rocked to the laughter of newfound friends. He couldn't get over it. Emma was so easy to talk to and even easier to listen to. And she was pretty too! In fact, with their matching hair and eyes, she and Lori could have passed for sisters. Jake shook off the thought. He'd already picked his target and wasn't changing up mid-step. Instead, he thought about asking her to put in a good word for him with Lori, but decided it could wait. The night was just being born.

The Tilt-a-whirl made their stomachs turn and the drifting smells of vomit made them fear they'd do the same. Jake and Emma dared all the rides together, while Sal remained content to ride alone. Lori wouldn't budge. She merely pouted in waiting. The whole day, Jake couldn't take his eyes off her. As dusk approached, however, he noticed something he'd missed. It was her nose. Lori's nose was actually turned upward. Perhaps not physically, but it was clear: She was beautiful and knew it. How disappointing!

Jake guided his friends toward the open tent of the carnival's fortuneteller. A sign reading: Palms $1, Tarot Cards $2 made him put out his hand.

The gypsy woman was a wrinkled, scary-looking soul, dressed in layers of colorful scarves and a kerchief that covered a mop of jet-black hair. Pushing her phony crystal ball aside, she grabbed Jake's hand. She stared hard at his flesh and smiled. "You will find love tonight," she predicted with a wink. Jake could feel his face burn red. When he finally drummed up the courage to look at Lori, he caught her gorgeous blue eyes roll to the back of her head. Instantly, his stomach flopped, nearly kicking up the greasy drippings of his supper. For that one horrid moment, every drop of blood drained from his heart, while the cruelty of gravity carried it to his feet. He couldn't recall ever feeling more rejected or embarrassed.

Kicking through the litter that covered the midway, the silent four walked past the souvenir stands until arriving at a stage that hosted local talent. They stayed for nearly fifteen minutes before discovering there was no local talent. People sang off-key, children danced until tripping over their own feet and through it all, the audience struggled to hold back the laughter. Even if he wanted to, Jake couldn't laugh. He was broke. He felt ill. He just wanted to go home.

The sun had finally gone to bed. Only for the sake of Sal's pleas did Jake decide to stay for the fireworks. It wasn't easy. While Lori and Emma led them toward the Bay, the four walked through South Kennedy Park where young lovers cuddled on blankets and parents yelled for their kids to sit still. There was a sea of people; most lying on their backs, watching the fireflies blend in with the stars above. On the Bay, anchored boats drifted in circles waiting for the show to begin, while the burnt smell of sparklers filled the air. Even the distant sounds from the carnival wafted over on warm breezes. To his dismay, Jake decided it was the type of night that was wasted on anyone but lovers.

Lori staked a piece of lawn and made sure she sat on the opposite end of Jake. He felt even more ill. To think, the day had been nearly perfect. Even the fortuneteller predicted it. Life could be so unfair, the way it built up a man's hopes only to pull the carpet out from under his quivering legs.

As each moment passed, the darkness crept in closer. Suddenly, Jake noticed that Emma was doing the same. While a fire engine waited at the base of the giant hill, a man dressed in an overstuffed jumpsuit set up his fireworks. It was going to be a while yet. Shrugging, Jake leaned his head on one elbow and began a conversation of whispers. Emma's eyes sparkled at every word.

Jake learned Emma was 16, one year younger than he, and had just graduated from Westport High School. She loved Elvis and sappy movies, her favorite food was pizza, her dream was to live on the beach with her twelve children and she absolutely hated blind dates. An hour whipped by and to his surprise; he learned only a fraction of what he wanted to know. When she asked him about himself, he almost felt it a waste of time. She pleaded, playfully, so he rambled on and it was wonderful. No one had ever been that interested in his past, or his dreams for the future. While they spoke, Jake realized he was actually seeing Emma for the first time, and she was beautiful! She had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes just like Lori, but there was something more he just couldn't place. Unashamed, he searched her face longer than he'd ever looked for anything.

BOOM!

The first set of fireworks illuminated the dark skies. "Oooh," the crowd moaned. Jake and Emma placed their backs to the ground and watched.

BOOM!

The next was a mixture of red and green, like the giant petals of a flower blooming before their wide eyes. "Aaah," the crowd responded in glee.

Jake couldn't help it any longer. He turned to steal a peek at Emma, but found he was too late. She was already staring at him and the fireworks reflected in her loving eyes made him swallow hard. He smiled. She giggled innocently, and then folded her hand into his.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Jake and Emma watched the rest of the show in each other's eyes. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Suddenly, the truth hit him and nearly melted his heart. Although Emma was as pretty as the next girl, only when he peered into her eyes did he discover the truth:

Emma Duff's real beauty was found on the inside!

"The fireworks are over, Jake," she whispered, "and Sal and Lori… well, everyone's left."

"Who?" Jake asked with a smile, but he never left her gaze. To him, the show had just gotten started.