Easier to Hate: Part 9

The wheel operator lifted the metal bar, grinning from ear to ear, his short cigarette hanging loosely at his mouth. The sweat beaded on his forehead, chest and arms, making his dirty white tank top stick to his body. “Ladies, climb aboard.” He rasped, making both women shudder in disgust.

Tina flashed the operator an excited grin as she hopped into the carriage, Bette just nodded nervously, apprehensive as she slowly made her way inside. She sat next to Tina, giving her the bravest smile she could muster.

The operator secured the girls, walked over to his panel and started it up. Metal clanged and squealed as the carriage rose higher and higher into the night sky. Tina looked out and down, laughing in awe at the sight before her. The carnival was beautiful at night. The lights, the music, the hoards of peopleit was breath-taking. Satisfied and ready to share her observation, Tina looked to Bette and nearly burst into hysterics. Bette was holding on to the metal bar so tightly, her knuckles were turning white.

“My, my, my! Do my eyes deceive me? Mighty Bette Porter, afraid?”

“I’m not afraid.” Bette countered, exhaling loudly. “I’mwary.”

“Wary.” Tina echoed flatly.

“It doesn’t look structurally sound, the ‘safety’ bar is too loose, and is it me, or has the wind picked up?”

Tina laughed. “Okay, so are you afraid of heights, or just Ferris Wheels?”

“I told you I’m not afraiiiiiddd!” Bette yelled, shutting her eyes as the wheel came to a dead halt, leaving the two women at the very, very top.

“Oh no?” Tina challenged with a giggle. “So, what would you do if I started to rock it–?”

Bette’s eyes shot open. “I wish you wouldn’t.”

“Just a little bit”

“That’s against the rules. The sign at the entrance clearly states–”

“Like this!” Tina exclaimed, moving her body back and forth, making the car rock ever so slightly.

“TINA!” Bette yelled shutting her eyes again.

“My, he is taking an awfully long time to get this thing running.” Tina thought out loud, casting a sideways glance at Bette, who still had her eyes clenched tightly shut. “I hope we aren’t stuck.”

“Don’t say that.” Bette begged, opening her eyes and turning to Tina.