#andrew013

Generally, the weekend of the summer festival is one of Rowan’s favourites --- it ranks right up there with Christmas, which is a big deal if you ask her. The festival is something she has a lot of good memories about --- she remembers when she was six and her dad won her a goldfish at the ring toss, how it had died not even twelve hours later and her parents had scrambled to find a replacement before she noticed. Aspen had let that one slip a few years later. She remembers being a teenager and making Andy ride the Ferris wheel with her so many times the guy operating it had stopped taking their tickets. She thinks, maybe, that might have something to do with why she feels so, well, like herself today. It’s hard to get swept up into the depression that has been dragging her down these days when she’s here --- a place she doesn’t have any bad memories at all. There’s a general happy atmosphere around them -- the lights flashing off the rides giving everything an almost magical appearance, the smell of popcorn bringing back a million and one memories and the sound of people shrieking happily has a contagious effect. So, despite any apprehension she’d been feeling when they got ready that morning --- it had been a good day. 

Admittedly, the drinks she’s had certainly aren’t hurting any either. After spending most of the day at the carnival with the kids, the family had retreated home to eat something that wasn’t deep fried and/or coated in sugar for dinner. Benny and Maddie had both worn themselves out through all the excitement and had been in deep sleeps when Becky had showed up to babysit so that Rowan and Andy could go back out. Initially, she hadn’t been sure if they’d come to the dance at all --- it’s a silly little tradition, something she remembers sneaking into with Teagan using bad fake ID’s when they were seventeen and getting hammered and making fools out of themselves. Something they attend pretty regularly and for the most part, Rowan really enjoys --- but the fact is, she doesn’t seem to enjoy much at all these days. However, after how well the afternoon had gone she’d nodded when Andy asked if they were going out again, figuring it was better to ride out the high while it lasted. And maybe this was a step in the right direction. It’s their first time out as a family and now just the two of them since everything had seemed to crash down on them. Maybe this is what she needs --- to go out and keep living their lives, rather than letting the weight of could have been’s crush her day in and day out.

It’s easier said than done, she knows. But for tonight, at least, she’s doing it. A hand runs through her hair as she finishes off her drink at the bar, having been trapped by a coworker and caught up in small talk for the better part of the last fifteen minutes until she’d found a reason to escape, excusing herself under the guise of her phone ringing and claiming it to be the babysitter. Out of the corner of her eye she finds Andy, distracted and looking at his phone and takes the chance to slide up behind him. “Hi handsome.” Arms moving around his waist and she stands on her tip toes to rest her chin on his shoulder --- and honestly, her husband is jumpy and paranoid enough that she’s lucky he doesn’t turn around and stab her right then and there -- and letting out a hum. “How many more of these you gotta finish before you ask your wife to dance?” She asks, a hand moving to tap against the side of his beer. “I’m feelin’ very neglected tonight, you know.” 

I think there’s a difference between beating and spanking. Spanking by a parent is alright- but there’s a line that can’t be crossed.

What with college starting up soon, I know I’ve been busy getting stuff together and sorting out the last plans of the summer (and Peter probably has too) — but never fear, evil conservatives never sleep and neither shall we! Thanks for the definitely-needed kick in the butt, and don’t forget you can always submit to us!

-Ianthe