Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

another: jugglers, magicians, tumblers.

A drumroll introduced the trapeze artists, and

two handsome men and a beautiful woman ran to the

center of the tent to take their bows and begin their

climb up the ropes. My heart pounded in anticipation.

There was something to see everywhere I looked.

When I turned to Luke, I saw that he had been staring

at me, a small, warm smile on his face, his eyes bright

with appreciation.

"It's exciting, isn't it?" he said. "See why I love

it?"

"Oh yes. I never realized . . . it's a wonderful

show."

"This is only the beginning," he said. "We'll see

it all."

Even in my excitement, I realized he had

entwined his fingers around mine to hold my hand softly, but I didn't mind it; I welcomed it. The music and the laughter, the spectacular performances and constant banter about the various acts, the applause and air of excitement, turned hours into minutes and minutes into seconds. I lost track of time and place. While I was in the circus, I didn't even think about my situation, about my running away from home. It was

as if the world had stopped turning.

We had more to eat, hamburgers and bags of

French fries. Luke started to order another beer, but

when he saw my face, he stopped and bought himself

a soda pop, too. Then we had ice cream cones with

candy sparkles. Luke paid for everything eagerly,

even though I offered to use some of my money. "Your money is all magic money," he said. "It's

not fair. As soon as you give it to the vendors, it will

disappear in their hands."

"Luke, I can't let you pay for everything. You

work so hard for your money."

"I don't mind. I don't have much to spend it on,

and never do I get a chance to spend it on someone as