A Wheel of a Time
//Write a story about a relationship. It can be your relationship or one you’ve observed.
//Written for my writing class. Names changed for privacy.
Christmas music fills the open air of the market. The sun has long since fallen asleep. Fairy lights crisscross above our heads, replacing the stars. Crowds of smiling people mill about, drinking the sights around them. A dusting of snow outlines thousands of footprints. We make it through to the back of the market when we both see the Farris wheel. Decorated in red and green lights, each spin generates joyful screams.
I grin at Christopher, “We should ride it.”
“We might die on that thing.” He stares at the wheel, looking almost impressed. The rusted metal looks about ready to fall apart.
I feel my face soften, “I think I’d be happy with that, just for tonight.”
He pauses when he gazes down at me, “I couldn’t agree more.”
“C’mon then, lets go.” I take his hand and we grab a spot in line.
I watch Chris’ breath intertwine with the space between us. As it starts to dissipate, a breath of my own follows. The air kisses my exposed cheeks and I burrow deeper into my scarf. We stand in each other’s company, inching closer to the front of the line. When we’re two spots away from the ride, Chris looks up.
“I didn’t realize it was this tall.” The corners of his mouth turn apprehensively.
I glance up to see what he means. The faded, colorful seats sway between the two halves of the wheel.
“I dunno, it seems a little small. I’ve ridden taller rides at Canada’s Wonderland. This isn’t so bad in comparison.” I shrug, distracted by the way his brown hair gleams orange under the Christmas lights.
“I’ve never actually been to Canada’s wonderland.”
“Makes sense, I don’t think you would travel all the way from Quebec just for that. Have you been on a roller-coaster before, though?”
“Uh… no I haven’t. There weren’t any amusement parks where I lived.”
“Dude, I’m so taking you to Wonderland this summer. It’ll be fun!”
He chuckles and casts another weary glance at the ride, “Sure, but I should probably tell you I’m afraid of heights.”
The confession takes me by surprise. My focus snaps to his eyes. There’s a hard twinge in my stomach. “We don’t have to ride it if you don’t feel comfortable.” The ride operator leads two people into the wheel. We’re now at the front of the line.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I wouldn’t have suggested riding it.”
The operator opens the gate for us and waits to beckon us in.
Chris smiles down at me, “You looked so cute and excited when you saw it. I couldn’t say no. Besides, we’ve been standing in line for a while. Kind of a waste if we leave now.” He shrugs, “I need to get over my fear eventually. C’mon.”
We follow the operator to the wheel.
My breath catches when I sit in the metal seat. It stains my back with cold and seeps the warmth from my legs. Once we’re belted in, Chris wraps an arm around me. The wheel turns one tick at a time as the operator allows the rest of the seats to be filled with new riders. The flimsy seat rocks slightly. I feel his body tense as we near the top. The noise is muted from the crowds below. Not even wind fills the silence.
The wheel slides another notch. Now we sit, suspended at the top of the earth. A glittery Christmas dream spreads out on our right. Underneath the fairy lights, the crowds shift as one murky being. When I look over to my left, a small chunk of Toronto skyline presents itself clearly.
“Are you doing ok?” I ask through the silence.
“I’ll admit, it’s a nice view.” He stares over my head at the tiny people and his mouth relaxes into a soft curve. I feel his body unwind beneath me.
His expression becomes cheeky as his eyes focus on mine. “But I think I have the best view right here.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
