“As long as I get a few bites.”
“Okay.”
I pass over a few dollars and get the sweet treat for the two of us to split.
“And maybe the teacups too.”
“One thing at a time, Max,” I say.
Finding an empty bench, I sit next to my son and start to pull off a bite for him. He ignores it and takes a huge chunk out of the fried dough.
“Hey.” I pull it away from him. “Smaller bites. I don’t want you to choke.”
“O-tay.”
Powdered sugar puffs out from his mouth. His cheeks make him look like a squirrel.
“Do you like it?” I ask, popping my own piece in my mouth.
He nods up and down. “It’s my favorite. My tummy loves it.”
“Good.”
A family walks by, the little girl holding a plastic bag with a goldfish.
“Mommy. Can I get one of those?”
“Why don’t we try for a stuffed animal or something? We don’t want them to get lonely when you’re at school all day.”
He shrugs a shoulder and takes another bite.
“Does that mean we get to play more games?”
“Only a few. Then how about some more rides?”
“Maybe we can win something.”
“We’ll see.” I laugh.
“Look who’s here,” a familiar voice says.
My eyes snap up to the man standing next to me. Holding a hand up to block the fading light, I see Sam towering over us.
“Sam. Hi.”
“Hey, Joey.” He looks at me before looking at Max. “Who’s this little guy?”
“This is Max.”
Cinnamon and sugar ring his lips as he finishes his bite. “Who are you?” Max eyes him with an air of curiosity.
“I’m Sam. I work with your mom and know your grandpa.”
“Can you win me a toy?” Max asks. “Mommy isn’t very good.”
“Hey! Way to call me out.”
“You need some help, Joey?” Sam asks, a playful tilt to his mouth.
