I'm The Secret

Chapter 15: Dates Can Be Deadly

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Something about this town was familiar. I couldn't place it for the life of me, but I knew I had seen this town before. I tried to think about it as Jasper and I walked along the oddly busy street. We passed a barber shop, and I was amazed with myself when I anticipated an upcoming movie theater. What was going on? I knew I had seen this town, but I hadn't seen much of it. Besides the theater and few other choice shops, I hardly knew any part of this town other than the fact that it was familiar. I bit my lip, deep in my contemplation, just as I heard Jasper call me to attention. "Aye. Look over there, Love." I looked to where he was pointing a slender finger, and lo-and-behold, in the distance sat a plethora of amusement park rides in what must have been an amusement park. Somehow, even this looked familiar. I looked up at Jasper as he said, "Would you like to go with me, love? I can't miss the chance to tackle that Ferris wheel with you." He winked at me, and I loved how stereotypical he could be sometimes. I didn't mention the odd sense of familiarity, nor did I mention my insane fear of heights and that there was no way in Hell he was getting me on a Ferris wheel, but I just smiled up at him happily and said, "Let's go."

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Half an hour later, Jasper and I where inside the fair grounds and were already munching on cotton candy. The little shitstain kept trying to shove more of the infernal candy into my mouth even as I had my mouth full. Needless to say, it was a bucketful of laughs; for him. As much as the eerie feeling of familiarity was ragging on me, I was having an immense amount of fun here with Jasper. (I just hoped he would forget about that pesky Ferris wheel.) Now, as we made our way past multiple hot dog vendors and other little shopping booths, we passed a game booth that caught both of our attention. We watched as a little boy of probably seven or eight years of age stepped up to the edge of the booth holding two darts. The wall opposite him was filled to the brim with small balloons and we watched as the man running the booth instructed the boy with a cigarette dangling from him lips, "Hold the dart like a feather- throw it like a football." The little boy, who looked exceedingly excited, looked back to the wall of balloons with a determined face. i thought about how he was a cute child just as he threw his first dart, without even really aiming, and popped two balloons at once. Claps were heard all around from onlookers like Jasper and I. The boy threw the second dart without a lick of effort and popped yet another balloon. The man, having been satisfied with the boy's work, offered him an assortment of plush animal prizes of which he picked a stuffed pink crayon. I was slightly astounded by the easiness of the game, but I wasn't THAT astounded. With that, I picked up my foot to continue walking just as Jasper grabbed my arm and laughed, "Not so fast, love." Not so fast? I gazed up at the look on his face and he was grinning- dragging me over to the booth ever so slowly. That's when I realized he wanted us to PLAY the game and I almost busted out laughing. "Are you serious?" I giggled up at him, hoping he would tell me he wasn't. Oh but the look on his face told me otherwise. He threw me a wink and told the game manager, "The two of us would like a try at it, sir." His accent stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the crowd of people shouting I reckon's and ya'll come back now, ya hear's. I knew I was about to embarrass myself at this game as Jasper took the four darts that the man handed to him and passed me my two. I never was too good at carnival games like this, but I guess I had no choice now. Jasper stepped back as if to give me room and motioned me forward in a silent ladies' first gesture. It was times like these that that old way of tradition had its drawbacks. I wasn't even entirely sure why Jasper felt the urge to drag me into this game but, oh well. I tried not to think about it as I stepped up to the booth and, trying to take aim, threw the dart. I watched in utter mortification as it got within an foot of a balloon before it plummeted to the ground, missing the target. Of course, a kid can play this better than me. I looked back at Jasper, my cheeks heating, and the dick just nodded to my second dart with a hardly suppressed smile. I ignored the little shit and just decided to get the deed over with. I grabbed the dart and threw, watching it as it traveled. To my surprise, this time it actually hit something; but it wasn't the balloon I had aimed for. We all watched in awe as the dart flew up and hit a stuff monkey right in the chest. The first thing I heard was a few people gasp; the next thing I heard was the sound of Jasper cackling like a hyena. "Christ, love, I didn't know you were such a bad shot." He laughed as he came up beside me, pulling me in for a hug that I was too mad to accept. I shoved him away to turn and pout. How could he embarrass me like this!? Especially by laughing, he started a whole chorus of laughter. Jasper, noticing my somewhat dramatic foul demeanor, attempted something sly to make it up to me. He put his hands on my hips, slowly turning me back to the game. Damn him and his such accurate knowledge of my weaknesses. The fox brought his mouth right by my ear as he placed one of his darts in my hand and whispered, "Let me help you this time, love." He chuckled softly by my ear, his warm breath sending chills down my spine. He kept one hand on my waist and used the other to bring my arm up and aim at the balloons across from us. I hadn't exactly realized what we were doing until I heard a chorus of "awwwwww"s coming from the surrounding crowd. Damn Jasper and his totally adorable public display of affection. The little shit had me wrapped around his finger. Next thing I knew, he brought my hand back and I threw the dart, popping two balloons at once. We repeated this with the second dart and popped two more balloons. The onlookers behind us were clapping a little as I looked up at Jasper and he winked at me. Asshole. One thing after another, the game manager pointed to the wall of plush toys and said, "Choose your prize, sir." My eyes roamed over all the toys and I wondered what in the hell Jasper would do with a stuff crayon. My gaze fell upon a Bob Marley-looking banana and then I was hooked. That damn banana was cute. Jasper, to my utter surprise, then pointed to the banana with its dreads and smiled down at me. What was he doing? He took the toy and thrust it in my hands, "And here you go, love. Now don't ever say I don't pay attention." He laughed. So wait. He's gotten this for me? I grinned up at him, shoving his shoulder with the toy playfully and saying, "You're corny as hell, you little shit." He just laughed at me and placed a kiss on my temple, "And you've loved every second of it."

As it began to get dark, the air started to chill and the park got even more crowded. As I started to shiver a bit, Jasper put his flannel over my shoulders like and gentleman and suggested, "We should be heading back now, love. I'll take you back to the bus and we'll watch a movie or something." The idea of cuddling with Jasper during a movie was irresistible and I hurriedly agreed. All night the feeling of familiarity stuck with me, and for some reason it just wouldn't leave. So as Jasper and I made our way to the exit, I finally asked, "Hey, Jas? What town are we in?" He looked over at me and laughed, pointing over to the sign above the fairground entrance. Sure enough, there sat a banner that read, TODD COUNTY, KENTUCKY FAIR. When I read those words I almost dropped my banana. Todd County. That's where I lived. With my dad. Before. I was in the same town. I was back. Immediately I felt paranoid. Was he watching me? Could he see me? Was he following me? I had to leave. I had to go now. "Jasper. Get me out of here. Now." I pleaded, my breathing becoming labored and my heart starting to race. I couldn't let him see me. Where would he be? The entire town was here tonight! I kept looking over my shoulder, trying to catch my breath. "Kathleen? What's going on?" Jasper asked, clearly noticing my growing panic. I had to leave. We had to leave. We had to leave. We had to leave. "Jasper, please. Let's go." I grabbed his hand, pulling towards the exit, but he wouldn't budge. "Kathleen, I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on." But I couldn't! Not without explaining everything. I was desperate to leave. I was struck to the core with fear. If my father was here, if he saw me, I'm not sure what I would do. I wanted to scream. I started hyperventilating and tears sprung to my eyes as I looked up at Jasper and begged in my smallest voice, "Please, Jasper. Please. We have to go. Now." He noticed the tears threatening to spill from my eyes and, though he thought better of it, took my hand and began to lead me out of the park. Jasper started ranting. "I don't know what's going on, Kathleen. You're worrying me to death. What's wrong with you? I can't help you if you won't tell me what the hell is-" I tuned out, roaming my eyes over every last person in our path. The faces started to blur together and they all started looking like my father. Every man was my dad. Everyone was my dad. I let out a small whimper and tears started to fall from my eyes. It was sad how just being in my home town scared the hell out of me. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I thought it was Jasper trying to comfort me, but his words would do no good. Suddenly Jasper stopped moving and I looked up to find him still holding my hand and his other hand dangling by his side. But who was touching my shoulder? No. No. No. I dared to turn around and see who it was, ever so slowly. No no no. No. No. No. Please please please. I noticed the familiar blue eyes and the same blond hair as mine in time to finally recognize the calluses feel of his hand on my shoulder.

My father, with a worried look on his face, widened his eyes and said,

"Dear God, Kathleen. I've been worried sick."

I screamed.

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