Carried on the shrieks of
carnival-ride goers, the fragrance of funnel cakes and cotton candy wafted
through the air. It was a smell Judy usually associated with fun times with
friends and family. Now, the odors were making her nauseous. The festive lights
felt like spotlights following her walk of shame. She was sure everyone knew
why she was at the carnival alone.
She was a loser and needed
magic to find true-love.
Shazahm’s Magic Love
Machine promises to lead you to your true-love. The magical machine traveled
with the carnival and was usually set up behind the Ferris wheel. Tonight was
the last night the carnival would be in town.
This is silly. Judy shook
her head and turned to leave. How could a machine built in a factory help you
find true-love?
Magic.
The Smiths met because of
Shazahm’s Love Machine. The owners of Uptown Bakery said that’s how they met
too. She turned back toward the Ferris wheel.
Magic was her last hope.
Her brother’s best
friend, George, was back in town as the new offensive football coach at the
University after an injury ended his NFL career. She’d had a crush on him since
she was sixteen. She hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind since a group
of their friends went to that baseball game last week. Her brother Jason
wouldn’t tolerate his little sister having feelings for his best friend. And
George would probably laugh at her if he knew. She had to find her true love to
get George out of her heart.
There it is.
She searched the crowd for
familiar faces. Clear.
Shazahm’s machine looked like
an old shopping mall photo booth. The floor was sticky from spilled soda. She
sat and pulled the heavy curtain shut. A ratty animatronic puppet wearing a
gold turban greeted her. “Welcome. Judy.”
Hair prickled on the back of
her neck. How did the machine know her name?
The puppet continued. “For seventy-five
cents, the amazing Shazahm will guide you to your true-love.” She deposited
three quarters. The puppet’s gaze became startlingly human and direct. “Judy.
Tonight is a magical night for you. Your true-love is near.” A purple ticket
popped out of a slot.
It read, “Go to the churros
trailer. Show this ticket to receive a free churro. Your true-love will be
there wearing a purple shirt.”
“A guy in a purple shirt at the
churro stand?” Her shoulders sagged. She held the purple ticket up to
Shazahm. “I can’t believe I fell for this.”
The booth shook with a metallic
screech. Shazahm’s eyes glowed red. “Do not hesitate! Do not doubt Shazahm’s
magic!”
Her heart thundering, Judy fled
the booth.
If nothing else, she would get
a churro for only seventy-five cents.
At the churro stand was a
man in a purple polo shirt. He had his back to her. She recognized that
head, that hairline, those deliciously broad shoulders. George. She froze. He
turned around, holding a yellow ticket, scanning the crowd. His eyes fixed on
her yellow shirt. Then to her face. He smiled. She turned and ran. No. Her true
love couldn’t be George.
“Judy! Wait!”
She dodged through the crowds.
Did she really think she could outrun a former professional football player?
No, but she had a good head start. This is so embarrassing. Now he knows.
“Judy. Stop.”
Already losing her breath, she stopped but didn’t turn around. She clenched her
fists. Standing behind her, George wasn’t even breathing hard. “You have a purple
ticket. I have a purple shirt. I have a yellow ticket. You have a yellow—”
“Jason would disown me.”
“What does Jason have to do
with this?”
She spun around. “Jason has
everything to do with this!”
“Why? I don’t see him here.
This is between us.” He took a step closer. “Judy, I’ve liked you ever
since…Remember that trip our families took to that lake house?”
“Yes.” Warmth crept into her
cheeks as she recalled laying on her back on the dock with the kids from both
families staring up into the night sky. The moon was just a sliver of light.
The sky was clear, and the milky way was visible overhead. The water slap
slapped against the boats. She was so close to George that she could’ve touched
him if she stretched out her fingers. There was a shooting star they all wished
on. She had wished he’d kiss her.
“That night, we were all laying
on the dock, and that shooting star passed over, I wished I could kiss you.”
Her eyes met his. “You
did?”
He stepped closer. “I did.”
He smelled of good memories.
“You could have any woman you want. Why would you—”
“I went to Shazahm because the
only woman I’ve wanted was my best friend’s sister. I thought she was
off-limits, out of reach. I couldn’t get you out of my mind.” He swept a wisp
of her hair behind her ear. “You’re so beautiful.”
“You think I’m
beautiful?” She thought herself too heavy, too tall, too big to be beautiful.
“Your beauty isn’t just on the
outside. It glows like a magical force from within. You’ve had me under your
spell for a long time.” He held up the yellow ticket. “Shazahm knows what I’ve
always known. You and I belong together. Is there any chance that you’d give us
a chance?”
“I…I want to, but….” She looked
at her purple ticket. George was right. Jason had nothing to do with this. Let
him fuss. “If we did this, there would be no going back. It’d change
everything.”
“If I had you, I’d only want to
go forward.”
She straightened her shoulders
and looked George square in the eye. “Same.”
He smiled and cupped his hand
under her chin. “Judy, I’m going to kiss you.”
She leaned into the warmth of
his hand and smiled. “As you wish.”
