It wasn't that long ago when the idea of spending a week meeting dancing animals, traveling through underground caves and being pushed into a giant funnel got me excited. Maybe it was the back to back trips; maybe it was just a sign of me getting older. Either way, Oakdale Grove just didn't have the same appeal.
Don't get me wrong, I was having a good time. The bright yellows and hot pinks of a billion girls in bathing suits, the smell of hot, salty popcorn filling the air, the dizzied look of teenagers who had just gone screaming through the first corkscrew of Shattered Falls, all of these things made the trip worth it. However, after almost ten years, there wasn't much left to be excited about.
My friends were having a bit more fun than I was, but I wasn't really surprised. Trixie and Alister were having a blast because this was their first time going to the park as a couple. Alister and I used to be best friends growing up, even though we're totally different in every way. He is short and thin with dirty blonde hair that he used to always wear down to his shoulders. He also used to be a jock, as much as small people can be jocks. He participated in track and field and was actually pretty good at soccer; at least they made him captain in high school.
You may have noticed that I keep saying "used to." The phrase "used to" refers to a wonderful time before Alister and Trixie fell in love. Trixie came into the picture last fall bumping into Alister on our way to the gym. She was sexy for Alister's credit. She was tall, with beautiful long legs, and reddish-blonde hair that went down to her shoulders. She was wearing a sweater at the time, but even that ugly looking outfit couldn't hide her curves and a beautiful pair of 34Cs.
Also along was my friend Parker who was riding Shattered Falls for the eighth billion time today. Somehow, after he hadn't shown up to meet us at the bridge into Dusty Trails, I knew what the other two were going to say.
"Um, Scott," said Trixie flicking her brown locks behind her shoulders, "can you wait for Parker? Alister and I are going to go wait at the arcade." She turned and smiled at Alister.
The arcade. Right. Like I'm a fucking idiot. "Oh totally, Trix," I said. "You two go have fun. Parker and I will meet up with you in a little while."
"Cool," said Alister. "See ya later." He grabbed Trixie's hand and pulled her across the bridge. Before he had even cleared it, his hand had snaked its way down to her ass, smacking it in front of the oblivious parents and their sugar-high kids.
"Great," I mumbled to myself. "I guess I'll just wait an hour til Parker gets bored." I spotted a small bench with peeling, red paint next to a giant animatronic lion wearing an apron. Leo's Burger Grill said the faded letters of an old sign. I decided to wait here because it had a good view of the exit to Shattered Falls. Not that I would see Parker soon, he'd hop the exit line and just waltz back into the entrance. The park wasn't that crowded today, nobody would notice.
So here I was again, a tall, built, blonde-haired 21 year old sitting by himself next to a talking mechanical lion. I was a little sick of waiting for Parker, a little sick of Trixie and Alister, and a little pissed that I was once again alone in Oakdale Grove.
That is when I saw her. She was beautiful. She had long, chestnut hair that fell gracefully on the shoulders of her park uniform. She was curvy, with legs that seemed to stretch out forever. I couldn't take my eyes off her, her swaying hips, her bouncing breasts. Just her smile was intoxicating.
She didn't notice me at first; she was too busy smiling and waving to customers as she passed, a huge, theme-park friendly grin etched across her face. However, when she turned around, I caught her eyes and she smiled at me. Not the big grin, not the "how may I help you without interfering with my day" smile. She flashed a soft, gentle smile.
I smiled back at her and she started to walk over to me, greeting people as she walked. Finally, she reached my table and said, "Good afternoon, sir. Is there anything I help you with?"
"Oh," I said a bit embarrassed. It was just a little park hospitality. Leave it to my bored imagination to think it was anything else. "Nah, I'm fine," I said trying not to sound too disappointed.
"Are you sure?" she said. "I don't want to see any unhappy customers."
Wow, now my little fantasies were making me feel stupid. "No, I'm fine," I managed to say. "Really, it's not something you could easily fix."
"Mhmm," she whispered. She looked around briefly and then placed a hand on my shoulder. "I think I have something that might cheer you up."
"Oh," I said. I figured my first instincts were right after all and stood up.
"Okay, sir," she chuckled. She pulled out an Oakdale Grove pad and paper and scribbled something quickly before handing it to me. "Have a good day now."
My eyes watched her as she happily bounced away, her beautiful ass bouncing as she literally skipped down the cobblestone path. I guess I was wrong, I thought. Then, as I turned around, I noticed another park employee and a family of four coming down the street.
"As smart as she is pretty," I said to myself. I opened up the slip of paper. It read: David's Cave, South Entrance.
My feet could not carry me there fast enough.
I walked around the entrance of David's Cave for nearly three minutes. Was it just a joke, I thought. Is she just playing games? I could just report her but what point would that be? I sat down on the cold, waterfall soaked stone and sighed.
