Again (Brandy Jeffus)

EMTs showed up along with the fire truck. The Jaws of Life were brought out to cut the car away. Miss Cindy was nervous and Eli asked if he could stay and hold her hand.
    After what seemed like forever the EMTs had Cindy on the stretcher. Her clothes were bloodied and shredded. It looked as if she had numerous broken bones and a bad gash on her head.
    “Come with me please, son,” Miss Cindy begged.
    “Of course.”
    He looked to the EMT who nodded. He climbed in alongside the stretcher. Cindy smiled at him then closed her eyes. Her lips moved silently and Eli realized she was praying. That’s a good idea right about now, he thought. Eli kept his eyes open but silently prayed to God to keep Miss Cindy alive. And he said a word of thanks for being able to be there for Miss Cindy.
    She held out her hand and he took it.
    Oh Bonnie, I wish you were here, he thought as the ambulance started down the road.
    Chapter Ten
    Eli looks like a model wearing khaki shorts, a blue tank top and running shoes. His curls fall over his forehead. He’s come to pick me up for a date.
    “Hey good-looking, are you ready to get scared on the Ferris wheel?”
    “I don’t think I’ll be going on that ride, or many rides really. I just want to go so you can blow $20 for some little stuffed animal. And then blow $40 more for a big one.” I smile tiptoeing to kiss him.
    “I’m so hurt, B. You think I’m going to waste $60 on something I can buy at the store for $10? You must think I’m super stupid.” Eli puts his hand dramatically over his eyes and pretends to cry. I laugh a little too loudly. This is our first real outing since the shooting and it makes me so giddy to see Eli back to his old self.
    The fair is like a blast from the past. The smell of cotton candy, fried corn and turkey legs fills the air as we enter the gates of the Fair. This fair was a staple of our youth. Every year we went, riding the same rides, playing the same games. It was usually me and Eli, Tatum and one of her friends and a couple of mutual friends of ours.
    I realize how much I’ve missed the fair. This was the first time since the fall of our senior year that I’ve went.
    We were standing in line for the Ferris wheel when I heard someone call out, “Bonnie, Eli! Hey!” I turn around and see Elizabeth Snow, a girl that I knew from kindergarten, off to the side. I wave at her and she came and walks up to us. She hugs my neck enthusiastically.
    “Hey! How have you been? It’s been way too long!” Elizabeth says. She’s pushing a stroller carrying a doe eyed black-haired infant.
    “Oh goodness, is that your baby? Congratulations, she’s beautiful! And you’re right, it has been too long.”
    “Well, I’ve heard all sorts of rumors that you were with some rock band and Eli you went to the Marines...” Elizabeth falters and looks embarrassed.
    “No rumors, they were true, but we’re both back now,” I answer feeling a little awkward. This was going to take some time to get used to.
    “That’s good, I’m glad to see you together. Y’all have fun.” She hugs us both this time and walks off.
    Eli holds onto my hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of it. “When you were still gone, so many people asked about you. Asked where you were, what had happened to us. It was hard trying to explain it so many times; eventually word spread and people just quit asking. You know we depressed a lot of people by breaking up. Well I guess I depressed them since it was my fault. But still, we were voted most likely to get married. Nobody thought we would ever break up.”
    “I know, Eli. I can only imagine how weird that was. But I’m here now, with you. Letting you take me on this horrid Ferris wheel,” I shudder. My fear of heights has always been bad, but Eli loves any and all rides so I would suck it up and ride them with him, regardless if they were scary or not. He always made me feel safe anyway.
    “I’ll hold onto you, baby.” He leans down and whispers in my ear. His breath is warm and gives me goose bumps.
    “Promise?” My breathing quickens, this man doesn’t even have to touch me in order to turn me on.
    “I’ll never let you go. You know that. Or at least you should. You're stuck with me forever now.”
    “Ha-ha well you better put a ring on it mister…again,” I smile big to let him know I’m joking.
    A look of seriousness washes over his face and he says, “Maybe soon.”
    We really haven’t discussed any future things