THE RECORD

May 15, 1996

BACK TO THE EGG

Suzanne Trevis

We did the good parent thing this week and took the kids to The Fair. I don't think we had much of a choice. I mean, ALL of their friends went LAST NIGHT and they are now the most deprived children in town. So despite the looks of the weather, we bundled everyone up, raided the quarter jar and finally managed to scrape up twenty five dollars, after all it is a "once a year" thing, and got ourselves up to The Fair.

I did better this year. I don't feel obliged every time someone calls out, "Come on Lady, try your luck." I've got very good at sidetracking the kids so that they don't realize that That Guy is talking to Them. That would be fatal.

We watched the crowd, saying hello to the other parents being dragged around by their kids, and noticing the number of black eyes and split lips. We had heard there'd been a bit of a scuffle with the carny crowd in Hardy a few days ago.

"Thank God none of my kids are old enough to come down on their own", I thought. All of the attendants looked scruffy, the machinery rather old and worn, a fact my husband felt a need to keep pointing out. It did not make me feel any better.

We bought a book of tickets from an overweight woman in a too-tight T who was missing half her teeth, and we hadn't even made it to the first ride before the rain started. I counted out tickets while the kids argued over what rides they were big enough for and who couldn't ride on what at the same time as the other. They had fun. At least until they started feeling the cold.

I think we'd all had enough by then and my overactive imagination had started hearing odd noises in the wet and dripping machinery. I caught myself following the big thick electrical cords that ran all over the site, through any number of puddles before reaching a booth or junction box. "Get a grip", I thought, "Travelling 'round BC, two thirds of their season must consist of rain." I wasn't sure if this thought made me feel better, or worse.

Dad got talked into two bags of cotton candy on the way out. Another rip off. But the kids thought it was great. Until we got home and realised they'd broke into the bag. Wet sticky fingers into cotton candy, then wiped around the car, clothes, hair. You get the picture.

Anyway, after the yelling and crying had subsided and everyone was out of the bath and into bed, we got great big hugs and kisses and two very tired, excited kids dropped off to dream about what they'd do next time The Fair came through. And we decided that just maybe it had been worth it.

Dear Grandma, Last night Mom and Dad took me and Jenny to the fair. It was awesome, even though it rained. There was lots of music and rides with lights spinning around. Everybody was there and Dad said I was big enough to go on the Octopus by myself. Jenny cried 'cause she was too little but I told her next year I would go with her and she said okay.

I popped two balloons at the dart throw and the guy said I couldn't have a prize but Dad said something to him and he gave me this green pickle with a face. I gave it to Jenny, 'cause it made her laugh. It was so exciting.

We got some candy fluff to take home, but Jenny opened the bag and Dad got real mad at us. It was okay though 'cause we got to go in the bath. Maybe next year, you can come to the fair with us, Grandma. The people are really nice. I can't wait.

Heather