The continuing saga of three generations of ranching family. Below the story you’ll find links to other flash fictions.
Chapter 98
It didn’t take long before the four of them headed down the midway. After having camped at the fairground for the better part of a week, they knew everythings location, from food to thrill rides. Danny, who was always hungry, had forced everyone to stop at his favorite food vender. The three boys ate their fill while Samantha stood and rolled her eyes.
When they walked past the Tilt-a-Whirl Levi’s lips formed a hard line and turned a little pale. Rob pulled Danny close and whispered. “He’s not going to get lucky if he doesn’t stop doing that shit.”
Danny chuckled. “I know. Right? What’s in his head?”
“He’s thinking he’d rather be right than get some.”
Danny grinned even larger and swatted Rob on his Wrangler wrapped ass. Rob yelped a little and then winked at Danny. The two of them were horsing around when they heard Samantha call to them.
“Hey, get your ass over here and let’s win Mama some bling.”
Danny rolled his eyes but moved beside Samantha, along with Levi. Rob had followed too, but seemed less interested in keeping Samantha happy. Danny grinned. Rob had more interested in keeping Danny happy. He could tell Rob wanted a little horizontal mambo, which Danny was fine with.
A happy squeal erupted from Samantha, and Danny brought his focus back to the arcade. Levi tossed huge plastic hoops at teddy bears too large for the hoop to fit around. Levi was already out several bucks and hadn’t got close to winning. They stood watching for a few moments before Levi scowled and turned to the others.
“This one’s rigged. It’s not even possible.”
The operator of the arcade took a hoop, stepped outside, and tossed the hoop. With no problem the hoop settled over the bear and landed on its wooden base. He smirked at the group and moved back into his booth.
Levi clenched his teeth and stomped off down the midway. They spent the next hour working a variety of games and got nothing more than a cheap plastic whistle that Levi could have bought for less than he spent trying to win it.
While they’d been at this, Rob had been curling around Danny. Now they enjoyed the opportunity to cuddle with each other in the less well-lit areas of the midway. They left yet another game and wandered into a dark part of the fairgrounds. In a lapse in judgment, Danny gave Rob a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Faggots! Get out of here. Your kind should rot in hell!”
Danny glanced up and saw four of five huge rednecks coming at them. None of them looked happy, and he thought most of them were drunk… or something. They turned to confront the thugs, but Danny wasn’t sure what they could do. Each man easily weighed twice as much as any two of them.
“Knock it off and get out of here.”
Danny jumped and looked behind them. Two of the carnival workers closed the distance between them, and each of them carried a shortened baseball bat. Danny’s stomach knotted as he wondered who the two were threatening. But as they got closer, it was obvious they were talking to the others.
“Get home. You’re drunk and ain’t got no business messing with these kids.” The expression on the carnie’s face would sour milk. He lunged at the others and yelled. “Get outta here!”
The gang of five stumbled over each other as they ran to escape. The slight action of their rescuers seemed enough to send them packing. Danny stepped forward with his hand extended.
“Thanks. We appreciate the help.”
The man stared at Danny’s hand for a second and then frowned.
“Get back where there’s light. Don’t be stupid.”
Danny let his hand drop and watched the two men turn and walk back into the midway.
The links listed below go directly to the individual stories.
Jon L Keys 