Home Again

by Lisa Emme

  Allie looked at the schedule again in disgust. “What was she thinking? Who’s going to want to pay to kiss me?”

  “I’d pay for that,” answered Mike.

  “Oh! Mike!” Allie turned to find him standing behind her, a stepladder over his shoulder.

  “Look who I found in the parking lot, looking for something to do.” Her uncle said as he came to a stop in front of the booth, the last box from the truck in his arms. “He volunteered to hang the banner.”

  “Oh, that’s great. Thanks Mike.” Still flustered over his surprise arrival, she reached for a long, white, folded banner that she had painted the night before and shoved it at him. “Here you go,” she said, pointing to the front of the booth. “Can you hang it there, please?”

  ***

  By mid-morning, the crowd at the fair was picking up. Mike volunteered to stick around and help handle sales. He was a natural, with his warm smile, and all the ladies were lining up to buy from him. As predicted, the mini-cheesecake tarts were a big hit, and the ice cream cookies were doing well too. Allie felt practically run off her feet, trying to keep up with the demand and keep an eye on Dougie.

  Towards lunch, the crowd really picked up and for a brief moment of panic, Allie lost sight of her son. She finally spotted him off to the side of the booth sitting on a bench animatedly talking to someone. He had his truck collection on his lap and it looked like he was showing it off, explaining each vehicle as he went. Dougie loved cars and trucks and seemed to have a genius-like capacity to retain every little detail about them. He could rattle off tare weight and towing capacity, torque and horsepower and who knows what else, about every truck in his collection. Allie strained to see whom he was talking to, but the crowd was too thick.

  “Can you see who is with Dougie?” she asked her aunt, who was over on the far side of the booth, closer to where Dougie was sitting.

  Her aunt looked up, her eyes widening. “Well, I…”

  Concerned, Allie came over to stand beside her. “Oh my...Is that who I think it is?” She looked over again. Dougie was deep in conversation with Duncan MacAllister. “Unbelievable!” She stared speechless.

  Mike came over to see what all the fuss was about. “Well, he is his great-grandfather after all.”

  Allie looked incredulously at Mike, not really sure what to say. There had just been too much water under the bridge as far as she was concerned.

  Mike looked at her shocked face and shrugged. “Things do change with time. Maybe Duncan MacAllister is getting an idea of what he missed out on.”

  “Hmph!” Allie wrinkled her nose. “And pigs can fly.”

  ***

  The little boy held up the small replica of a fire truck. “And this one is called a quint or a quad depending on what all it can do. See? It has a big ladder that turns all around.” He demonstrated intently.

  Duncan listened to the lad ramble on so seriously about his trucks, completely charmed. He looked around again, wondering where the boy’s parents were. “Do you think your mom or dad might be looking for you?”

  “Nah. My dad’s dead and my Mommy’s right over there.”

  Duncan squinted in the vague direction the boy indicated. “Well, do you think she might be getting worried about you? Maybe we should go find her.”

  Dougie shrugged and began to put his trucks back into their case. “Okay. Do you like ice cream? Because we have cookies with ice cream in 'em. You could buy one if you wanted. We can’t have them for free though, because Mommy says they’re for the paying customers.” He hopped off the bench, grabbed Duncan’s hand and tugged him along. Duncan followed, bemused.

  Dougie towed Duncan back to the booth. “Mommy, Mommy!” He dropped Duncan’s hand and ran up to the table. “I’ve made a new friend and he wants to buy an ice cream cookie.”

  Allie looked up in shock to see Duncan MacAllister standing in front of her. “Oh, Mr. MacAllister. I’m sorry, has my son been bothering you?”

  Duncan’s eyes widened in surprise when he realized who the little boy belonged to. “Oh! Oh no. No bother. Charming wee lad, quite charming.” He smiled down at Dougie and then looked back at Allie sheepishly. This was a surprise. He had camped himself out on the bench near the Roberts Farm booth so he could surreptitiously watch Allison. He hadn’t realized the little boy was hers, although he guessed he should have.

  She had surprised him the other day, coming by the ranch. It had been a few years since he last saw her, and the rumours were true, she was almost the spitting image of her mother and yet, not. No, despite her uncanny resemblance to her mother, Allison had a spark that was never there in Grace. Still, when Duncan first saw her in the office, he had been shocked, momentarily thinking it was his long dead daughter. He had been so shocked in fact, that he had resorted to his usual cool aloofness, despite the guilt and regret that roiled inside him.

  Dougie looked up at Duncan curiously. “MacAllister? That’s my cousin Evan’s name. Are you his dad?”

  Duncan looked startled for a moment and Allie wondered where he had been, so lost in thought. “Uh, no…Dougie, isn’t it? I’m his grandfather.” Duncan coughed, clearing his throat.

  Allie cringed inwardly. She could practically see the wheels turning in Dougie’s head. They had spent weeks at school going over families and their connections. She wondered if Dougie would figure it out.

  “Well…if Evan’s my cousin, and you’re his grandfather, does that mean we’re family too?”

  Allie gasped. “Dougie. Why don’t you go tell Aunt Elaine that I said you could have your lunch now?”

  “Just a minute,” Duncan said, placing a hand on Dougie’s shoulder. “I’d like to answer the lad.”

  Allie’s eyes widened, but she shrugged her permission, curious to hear what Duncan had to say.

  Duncan looked down at Dougie, who was staring up at him expectantly. “Yes Dougie. Evan and your mother are cousins. They are both my grandchildren and so that makes you my great-grandson and I am your great-grandfather.”

  “If you’re my grandfather, my great-grandfather, how come I never met you before?”

  “Uh, well,” Duncan looked uncomfortable, “that’s a very good question. One I don’t really have a good answer for, but it is my fault.” He looked at Allie with regret. “My fault, indeed.” He cleared his throat again. “Maybe that’s a conversation best left for another time,” he said, patting Dougie on the shoulder awkwardly. “Now why don’t you run and get your lunch and then I’ll buy you an ice cream cookie for dessert?”

  “Oh boy!” Dougie ran off to find his lunch.

  Allie looked at Duncan, her eyes wide. She wasn’t sure what to make of the encounter. “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I know young…Allison. I want to.” Duncan replied.

  Allie looked over to her aunt who appeared equally stunned. Mike was no help at all either. He just grinned at her.

  ***

  Sometime later, after Dougie had enjoyed an ice cream cookie with his great-grandfather - would she get used to thinking of Duncan MacAllister that way? - Allie sent him off with Becky and her family to enjoy the kiddie rides, so that she could put in her dreaded hour at the Kissing Booth.

  “Thanks for the cookie, Mommy!” Dougie yelled over his shoulder, as he ran off after the other boys who were making a beeline for the midway.

  “I just hope he doesn’t toss his cookies,” Allie said with a grimace.

  Mike laughed and gave her a quick one-armed hug. “Come on, don’t worry. He’ll be fine. Becky looks like she’s got it all under control.”

  Allie snorted. “Oh yeah. That’s one thing you can count on Becky for. She likes to be in charge of everything.”

  ***

  On the way across the park to the Kissing Booth, Allie started to drag her heels. “Oh man. I can’t believe I have to do this.”

&nb
sp; “Come on, Kitten. It’s for a good cause after all,” replied Mike way too cheerfully.

  “What are you up to?” Allie eyed him suspiciously.

  “What? Can’t I just be walking you over? Why does there have to be an ulterior motive?” Mike shrugged and held up his empty hands in front of him.

  Allie frowned. Mike didn’t strike her as the kind of guy who would appreciate his girl, not that she really was his girl mind you, kissing other men. Maybe he was taking her up on the whole ‘let’s be friends’ speech she’d made the other day. She swallowed trying to squelch the overwhelming feeling of disappointment at the thought.

  “Are you okay?” Mike asked, peering at her in concern.

  “Sure. I’m fine.” She marched ahead. “Let’s just go so I can get this hour over with.”

  ***

  At the Kissing Booth, Mrs. Appleton was waiting. Allie went up to the booth reluctantly and pasted on a fake smile. “Hi Mrs. Appleton. How’s business?”

  “Oh we’re doing a brisk business. Brisk.” She patted Allie’s arm reassuringly. “I’m sure the young men will be lining up to kiss a pretty, young thing like you dear.” Allie didn’t feel so sure, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. Appleton,” said Mike.

  “Why good afternoon, Dr. Finn.” She tapped her clipboard. “Remember, I have you down for two o’clock.”

  Allie looked at Mike inquiringly. “I volunteered for the dunk tank,” he explained.

  “At least you don’t have to kiss a bunch of strangers,” Allie muttered.

  “What was that dear?” Mrs. Appleton asked.

  “Nothing. I’m good.”

  “I’m curious, Mrs. Appleton, how much money do you think you would raise in an hour?” Mike asked casually.

  “Oh, I guess it depends. Last hour we earned fifty-two dollars.” Mrs. Appleton smiled in satisfaction.

  “You don’t say.”

  Allie rolled her eyes. “Okay, let’s get this over with.” She stepped into the booth and stood with her arms crossed. Mike smiled cheekily at her and stepped up to the counter.

  “Why, would you look at that, Allie? You have your first customer.” Mrs Appleton smiled, looking smug.

  Mike pulled a wad of bills held by a money clip out of his pocket. He pulled out a couple one hundred dollar bills and slapped them down on the booth. “I don’t know, but I think that this would buy me an hour’s worth of kisses. Don’t you?” He winked at Allie mischievously.

  “What? What are you doing?” Allie asked.

  “I told you. I want to buy all your kisses for the next hour.” He looked at Mrs. Appleton.

  “Oh my. Well, this is highly irregular, but it’s all right with me if it’s all right with Allie.” She grabbed the money and stuffed it in her envelope.

  “Really? You’d do that for me?” Allie couldn’t believe it.

  “Oh, I think I’ll get something out of it too. Starting now, in fact.” He leaned close and pulled a very surprised Allie into a long, deep kiss. When they came up for air, they discovered that Mrs. Appleton was gone and there was a ‘Closed’ sign hanging on the booth.

  “You don’t really want to stand here and kiss for the next hour do you?” Allie asked.

  “Well, the idea has some appeal, but I thought we’d go explore the fair instead.”

  “Do you think we could catch up to Dougie? I’d like to see him on the rides.”

  “That sounds like a great idea to me.” Mike grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the Midway.

  ***

  They caught up to Dougie and the rest of the gang at the Carrousel. Dougie laughed and waved when he saw Allie and Mike.

  “Look at me Mommy! I picked a black horse,” he shouted happily.

  “Good for you Dougie. Now hang on with both hands.” Allie tried not to cringe when she saw him fly past waving frantically.

  For the next hour the group had lots of fun. The kids went on several rides and Dougie even talked Mike into going on a few with him. Allie managed to beg off, saying she had to keep the very pregnant Becky company.

  Becky was beside herself when she heard what Mike had done at the Kissing Booth. “You never did that for me!” she exclaimed, whacking her husband on the shoulder playfully.

  “Ow!” said Brian, feigning a grievous injury. “Not fair. Last time you worked the Kissing Booth, we were both seventeen and I was broke.”

  “Hmph!” snorted Becky unimpressed.

  “Hey, sorry man,” said Mike. “Didn’t mean to land you in the doghouse.” He had taken an immediate liking to the big, brawny cop.

  “No big deal,” replied Brian. “My folks have the kids tonight. I’ll make it up to her, won’t I honey?”

  “You better believe it Buster.” Becky wagged a finger at him with a laugh.

  “Mommy, Mommy. I want to go on the Ferris wheel,” said Dougie. “Will you come too? Please?” He tugged on Allie’s arm. “Dr. Mike can come too.”

  Allie laughed as he pulled her along. “Alright, alright, I’ll go. You coming Mike?”

  “Uh, sure,” he replied. Allie looked at him inquiringly, but before she could say anything Dougie pulled her away towards the Ferris wheel. Dougie already had an unlimited ride wristband, so Allie, after insisting it was her treat, bought tickets for just Mike and herself.

  The line was short so they got on quickly. Allie climbed aboard and put Dougie in the middle. Mike hesitated a moment then climbed on too.

  “Are you okay?” Allie asked as their seat started to move upwards.

  “I’m good,” Mike replied through clenched teeth.

  “You don’t look it,” said Allie, looking skeptical.

  Their chair came to a stop at the top of the wheel, swinging back and forth. Mike frowned and gripped the safety rail at the front of the chair. “Okay. So I may have a slight problem with heights.”

  “What? Why didn’t you say something?” Allie found it hard to believe that Mike was afraid of anything.

  “Well, I guess I didn’t want to admit it. Besides, I wanted to ride with you.” Mike shrugged. “Of course now I find myself in the position where I have to admit that I may squeal like a little girl if this chair starts rocking any more than it already is.”

  Allie burst out laughing then threw a hand up to cover her mouth. “Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh,” she said, her eyes dancing.

  Mike looked at her and smirked. “Yes, you did.”

  “No, really.” She put her arm out to stop Dougie from leaning too far forward. “Dougie, sit still. Quit making the chair rock.” She gave Mike a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. Really.”

  “Dr. Mike, why is your face so white?” asked Dougie.

  “Shhh, Dougie. Leave Dr. Mike alone. He’s not feeling so well.”

  “Did you eat too much?”

  “No, it’s nothing like that Dougie,” Allie answered. “Dr. Mike just doesn’t like being up too high, kind of like I don’t like spiders and Aunt Elaine doesn’t like mice and you don’t like needles.”

  Dougie looked at Mike pensively. “You’re very brave then Dr. Mike.” He smiled and patted Mike on the arm. Strangely enough, it made Mike feel better.

  ***

  When the ride was over and they were back on the ground, Mike managed to restrain himself from getting on his hands and knees and kissing the ground, just barely. In order to try and regain some of the manliness he obviously felt he lost, he suggested he try his hand at one of the midway games so that he could win Dougie a toy. Brian was in for a little friendly competition, and so it soon became a race to see who could win a stuffed toy first. At the baseball pitch, neither managed to knock all the milk bottles down. Brian went on to win a game of ‘Whack-a-Mole’ but since there were no prizes for that game, Mike didn’t consider it a true victory. Surprisingly, the big winner was Becky w
ho managed to rack up the most points at the shooting range. It was rather embarrassing for Brian, who after all, was a member of the police force.

  “My rifle was faulty,” Brian claimed. “I swear.”

  “Sorry I didn’t win you a stuffed toy,” Mike apologized to Dougie.

  “That’s okay. My Mommy will win me one,” he replied confidently. Mike looked at Allie inquisitively, but she just shrugged innocently.

  ***

  They arrived at the dunk tank just before two o’clock rolled around. Mike went to check in and change his clothes while the others gathered out front to watch. There were actually three tanks, and for five dollars, you received three chances to sink a ‘victim’ of your choice. You could use all your tries on the same tank or try and sink all three. If you managed to sink all three, you won a prize.

  When the three new volunteers were settled on their perches, Allie couldn’t believe her luck. In tank one, Rowdy sat confidently, expecting to stay dry. Evan was in tank two, already heckling the potential contestants. Mike sat in tank three, a big smile on his face when he saw Allie approach with three balls in her hand.

  “Do you think three tries will be enough?” he taunted playfully.

  “I guess you’re about to find out.” She looked at him coyly.

  Mike’s smile turned to surprise when Allie stepped up in front of Rowdy’s tank and not his. The surprise turned to shock as he watched Allie wind up and sink Rowdy on the first ball. The crowd cheered as Rowdy came up spluttering.

  Allie stepped over in front of Evan’s tank tossing a ball up and down confidently.

  “Aw, come on Allie. Not fair,” Evan complained. “Couldn’t you have waited a little bit longer into my shift before you got me all wet?”

  “Sorry Cuz, but I’ve got to win my boy a prize.” She winked at her cousin and wound up. The ball hit the target dead centre and Evan went down with a splash.