Southern Hospitality

Chapter 8

The carnival was packed and there were so many booths with games and food. The most I've ever experienced was a birthday party with a clown and small games. Amusement parks were something my mother refused to deal with. She would say a trip to the beach would be way more fun than walking around a germ filled park but right now I was having the best time 

Landon found a game he wanted to play and we watched him with some other kids spray the water gun at the target. Luke hasn't spoke much to me which was pretty rude since he did yell at me this morning with no explanation 

"You know... I never got an apology" 

"What" he asked confused. I will not let him act as if he's words weren't cruel 

"From this morning. I didn't like how I was treated" I huffed crossing my arms 

"Ahhhh... I am sorry about that Evelyn" he rubbed the back of his neck and looked shameful. I couldn't help but laugh at him. Nana had already explained that his past was a touchy subject so I was over it. I was only playing around but his reaction was funny to watch

"Evelyn! Come play with me" Landon yelled turning around. I smiled and went to take a seat next to him, Luke gave the guy a $10 bill and the water started to spray. I had no idea what I was doing and was struggling to aim at the target 

"Have you never played this?" Landon joked. I nervously laughed not knowing how to answer... this was my first time 

Luke came behind me and placed his hands over mine. "Hold it like this and aim for that dot darling" He leaned down to my ear and whispered. Following his directions I was finally hitting the target and saw my numbers go up

"Omg! This is so fun" I screamed as Landon giggled beside me. We didn't end up winning and I was a little sad... I wanted to win one of those big plusies but it was a fun game nonetheless

"Can we do another one" I begged swinging Landons hand in mine 

"Yea! My dad is good at the ring toss" he boosted looking at Luke. I turned to him wanting to see that 

"I'm not that great" he said trying to brush off 

"Dad you're lying!" Landon shouted giving his a look

"Landon it sounds like your father is nervous" I smirked 

"Well one don't call your father a liar and two I'll play the game just to prove too Evelyn I'm not shy" he said dragging us to another booth. There were a bunch of open bottles lined up and Luke took a couple rings. He gave some to Landon and they both started throwing them trying to hit the bottles 

"Ouuu! Almost Landon" I said as he threw a ring at the bottle. It almost made it but fell off the rim he threw his last one but sadly didn't make it

"I wanted to win you a toy" he mumbled in my side. My heart warmed at his words and I ran my hands through his hair "it's ok, babe"

Luke was still going throwing the rings. He already made two and needed one more to win. With the last ring he aimed and hit the bottle. Landon and I cheered with excitement as the man asked what toy he wanted 

"Evelyn pick one" he said nervously avoiding eye contact . My eyes widen... did he play to get me a plushie? 

I walked up and looked around, "Mmmm, the pink turtle" I said pointed at the big plushie to the right. The worker brought it down and handed it to me. We thanked him and left to find some food. I was having the most fun and felt like I was a child again 

"Thank you for winning this" I cheesed squeezing the turtle. Luke smiled looking down at me "no problem" 

We walked around looking for something to eat. Landon really wanted a burger so we stopped to get that but there were so many options I had no idea what to eat. I sat at one of the local tables with Landon as he ate his burger and fries. Luke said he had an idea of what I would like and went to grab it

He came back with a stick of meat wrapped in aluminum. "What is that?" I asked eyeing the food as he sat besides me

"Turkey leg. Southern classic darling" Luke started unwrapping the foil and I instantly smelled the fresh smoked turkey. He pilled off a piece and placed it on a plate "try some"

I picked it up and tasted it. I felt like I was having a tongue orgasam this was the best piece of turkey I've ever had. Luke watched waiting for my response but I pulled another part from his hand 

"I'll assume you like it" he laughed as I ate more. I never knew carnival food was this good! 

"I love it! Can we get another one before we leave" I turned as he ate some of the leg. We sat for a moment finishing the meal before heading in line for the fairs wheel. Landon ended up falling asleep after eating his burger I forgot he had school earlier so was probably warn out.

 Luke carried him as we walked to get on our last ride. "This place is so nice" I commented as we stood in line 

"Have you never been to a state fair?" Luke asked me. I was expecting this question seeing as I didn't know how to play any games and was in awe about everything. 

"Surprisingly... yes. My mom isn't a fan of this stuff so she didn't allow it" I admitted 

"Wow... must have been an interesting childhood" he joked. I laughed with him my childhood wasn't exactly normal. My mom was cautious and controlling about everything. 

"Yes, you could say that. My mother wanted me to be and act a certain way. It's one of the reasons I left. I love her so much but I had to get out of her shadow. All my friends moms were friends with my mom she knew everything I did and it was becoming old" I ended up explaining. Luke just listened as I ranted 

"I never got to visit nana much because of her. They had a bad fall out when I was around 15 and after that we stopped coming. My dad argued with my mom over it but she had already made up her mind" 

"I'm sorry to hear that. Abigail would talk about you a lot.  She'd always say 'I have another grand-baby up north' and would tell stories about Amber and you" he said. Hearing that nana talked about me made was nice. 

We made it top the front and on cue Landon woke up from his nap "is it fairs wheel time?" 

"Yes, we're getting on right now babe" I said smiling at him in Lukes arm

The worker helped us inside closing the door. The wheel started to move and Landon looked out the window in awe. "Dad we're going up!" he screamed with excitement 

"Is this your first time riding?" I asked 

He shook her head sitting next to me I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and pulled him closer to my side, "well that makes two of us" I giggled 

"You've never been on one either Evelyn?"" he said looking up. I shook my head and we both started to talk about how this was my first carnival. Luke took his phone out and started snapping pictures of us

"Mr. Carson I didn't give consent to photos?" I snickered  

"No but its for Abigail so start posing" he laughed as Landon hugged my waist sticking his tongue out. I copied him and we made more funny faces as Luke kept taking pictures 

"You should be in these two daddy" Landon demanded. I agreed and put him on my lap so Luke could sit next to me and take a selfie. He got carefully and got close to my side we were at the top of the wheel and started taking some pictures in front of the sunset

"Come closer dad" Landon pulled Lukes jacket causing him to fall onto my shoulder. We made eye contact for a brief second I swear butterflies started to attack my stomach when I stared into his green eyes

"Dad" Luke straighten himself up and finished taking the pictures. He moved back to the opposite seat and we didn't speak much after that. Landon was looking out the window as we landed back on the ground and stepped out 

"I enjoyed tonight guys" I annouced holding Landons hand as Luke took his other leaving the kid in-between us as we walked towards the exit 

"Evelyn?" a mans voice yelled in front of us and I froze

"Walter..."