“Hi, Ms. Daniels.”
“Hi, Troy,” she says, but Troy doesn’t stop.
“Can’t talk, Ms. Daniels. I gotta get a stuffed unicorn.”
“Stuffed unicorn?” I mouth.
Claire shrugs, and we turn and watch him step up to High Striker. He hands the carnie a dollar bill, takes the mallet from her hands, and swings with all his might. The rubber end connects with the base, sending a puck into the air, but it falls short of hitting the bell at the top.
“Oooh, so close,” Claire whispers.
Troy tries three more times and fails.
“Here, hold this,” I say.
Claire takes the cotton candy. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to show this kid how it’s done.”
“Step on up,” the carnie goads. “Do you think you have the strength to ring the bell?”
I dig out my wallet, hand her the money, and take the mallet from Troy. He frowns and takes a step back. With my feet shoulder-width apart, I lift the mallet and bring it down as hard as I can. The small puck launches up the track and slams against the bell at the top.
Bells and whistles sound and lights flash. Claire jumps up and down, cheering for me as I swing the mallet two more times, each time hitting the bell.
“Congratulations,” the carnie says, motioning toward the prize tank. “You can choose any of the prizes in this barrel.”
I sift through the barrel until I come across a stuffed unicorn. It’s purple with lots of glitter and a braided mane. No idea why the kid wants it, but whatever.
“Wow, that was so cool,” Troy says, approaching me. “I wish I could do that. Hey, you’re the firefighter who came to my school the other day, aren’t you?”
“I am.” I bend down until we’re at eye level, and then I hand him the unicorn. “Is this what you were trying to get?”
“Yeah, cool. You’re giving this to me? Don’t you want to give it to Ms. Daniels? I saw you holding her hand earlier.”
I look over my shoulder. Claire is smiling down at us. “Nah,” I say, turning back toward Troy. “I think she’s good. You should keep it.”
“Well,” he says sheepishly, “I was actually going to give it to Maria.”
“Who’s Maria?”
“A girl in my class. She loves unicorns.”
“Then give it to her.”
Troy smiles. “Can I tell her I won it?”
“Sure, buddy.” I stand up and ruffle his hair.
“Thanks.” Troy runs off, and Claire wraps her arms around my shoulders.
“That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Really?” I say, spinning around in her arms.
“Oh yeah. Super sexy.”
“You’re not upset that some chick named Maria is going to get the unicorn I won? Come on, Claire, a little jealousy would be nice,” I tease.