Complications - Part 6

Chapter 5   Complications

Part 6

Every ride glowed bright yellows, reds, pinks, and lime greens under the slumbering sky. Gleaming lights flickered around the Vass collection of games. Colorful tents occupied little spaces as far as she could see. And various rides she wouldn’t even consider getting on. The grass was dewy, wetting the bottom of her shoes. The smell of cheeseburgers, hotdogs, French fries, and the strong scent of funnel cake created a thick fog that was carried throughout. The sound of booming screams, shots, clinks and dings of people trying their luck at various game booths echoed off of every solid structure. Everywhere was the chaos of bright lights, roaring colors, moving objects, ticket lines, and competition of workers trying to get people to come to their booth. This place that screamed fun was tempting from the door, as you are unable concentrate on just one thing. The sound of little kids running around, rainbow colored slides and little turtles racing for ribbons.

“Hello sir. What can I do for…?” The young women at the ticket booth began before spotting Nicki slightly behind him. She was hoping too many people wouldn’t spot her. She purposely dressed down, wearing her natural hair in a messy bun, no makeup, a grey “I ♥ NY” graphic tee sheltered by a black vest, light wash skinny jeans and low key black stiletto boots.

“You’re Nicki Minaj” She squealed, but covered her mouth; realizing why she wasn’t dressed so theatrical. Some privacy. 

“Hi barb” She chimed at the girl. Though she didn’t make a scene, her big smile wouldn’t disappear. Nic wasn’t much of a rider and SB knew that so he only bought ten tickets so they could ride the Farris wheel.

“What you wanna do first?” SB asked. This little outing was about Nicki. He didn’t give a damn what they did, as long as he was with her. She pointed to the large food stand that called her name. He led the way, planning on making Nicki eat a corn dog. How can you go to carnivals and never have a corndog? He was sure she wouldn’t be for it, but it didn’t matter. As they walked by people would stop and stare, pretty sure of whom they were seeing but not completely sure due to her normal appearance. The hair defiantly threw people off.

“I’m getting us corn dogs” He informed casually. She shot him a “wtf” glare.

“No, you’re not”

“Yes I am; do you wanna enjoy the fair?” He knew she did. “Then you gotta have at least one. Then you never have to eat one again.”

“What are you talking about Safaree? I’m not eating no damn corn dog.” Next thing she knew they were at a table far from the rest in their own space with a corn dog in front of her. Holding it to her face, she scrunched her nose, making a disgusted face.

“Just one bite and I’ll get you what you want.” He said calmly eating his corn dogs. With a huff she bit down through the corny exterior and into the hot dog center.

“Swallow” He commanded. “Pauz” She shook her head refusing to let the food down. After a few minutes SB heard a loud gulp and looked up, to her sticking her tongue out.

“Wait” He got up and put a hand on her forehead, then on her cheeks. “Hmm your color is still there. No fever.” Then he shouted “She’s alive. It’s a miracle ladies and gents she’s alive!” A hard bop to the stomach shut him up. Groups of people watched from the corners of their eyes. Attempting to be subtle.

“Do you wanna have to leave?” She was annoyed.

“No”

“Then shut up”

“Sorry” He took her hand dragging her to the cluster of games nearby; seeking out one that he’d be good at, so that he could win her a big prize. Smashing bottles seemed perfect. She raised an eyebrow at him.

“What? You don’t think I can do it?” He asked offended.

“We'll see” She gestured to the booth. He stared through slitted eyes. Now he had to win, or he’d feel stupid.

“What’s up man? How many you want?” A young boy in black skinny’s and a band tee asked as SB approached. His nametag read Cosmo.

“Gimme five” He replied handing the boy a twenty, not waiting for his change; he launched the heavy ball at the wall of bottles knocking every one off the shelf. Nic smiled to herself nodding. Again he pulled back throwing the second ball at the next shelf, a smug smile lit his face as he watched every bottle tumble down. He looked over at Nicki wiggling his eyebrows up and down. Then finished off the last three tries he had knocking down every bottle, winning the grand prize. Nic had the biggest smile stretched across her face.

“Damn man, I been working this booth for three days, nobody won the big prize. That shit was intense man”

“Thanks Cosmo” SB was a little too enthusiastic. He gave the impressed boy a hand shake.

“Aight man, which one you want?” Cosmo pointed to the highest rack that held the biggest prizes. SB looked over at Nicki.

“Which one you want?”

“ummm…” She carefully examined the prizes waiting for one to jump out at her. Then she spotted a gigantic pink teddy bear that was hidden in the back and pointed “That one”

Walking away she snuggled the bear that was nearly as big as she was. She looked like a little girl, it was adorable. SB put his arm over her shoulder headed to the bright yellow ice cream stand. When eyes wondered in their direction she’d look down at the ground or hide behind the big bear that Safaree gave his name to. The line for the Farris wheel was ridiculously long, so he decided an ice cream break was appropriate.

“Safaree look at that line.” Nic pointed.

“I know. I saw it.” He said shaking his head.

“I’ll go get a spot in line, while you get ice cream” She suggested. It wasn’t the best idea but the Farris wheel was the best part of going to a carnival with your boyfriend or girlfriend. Her plan wasn’t really what he’d had in mind, and leaving her alone did not make him comfortable in the slightest. She sensed his sudden change.

“It’s okay. Just hurry up. In the mean time lil Faree will keep me company.” She smiled at the giant animal that straddled her and strode off to the back of the long serpent line. She looked around anxiously, hoping no one would notice her, though she was damn hard to miss. But SB was back after only five –seemingly long- minutes with her double scoop of cookies & cream ice cream. After about twenty minutes Nic was done, tired of standing. But not wanting to leave and ruin one of the main reasons they came she shifted her weight lounging idly against SB. He willingly held her up. There wasn’t much talking going on; Nicki was trying to enjoy her ice cream and keep a positive attitude, though she was beyond impatient. Her mood was apparent; whenever she would sigh he tightened his arm around her; encouraging to be patient. Another fifteen minutes went by before they were at the gate; waiting for the go around to be over. When the giant wheel came to a stop and the engineer began letting people off, Nic’s eyes got wide. Height wasn’t really her thing. The obese man running the ride opened the gate in front of them gesturing to the rounded off gondola. SB grabbed Nicki’s hand and led her to the passenger car, allowing her in first. She nervously stepped in using SB’s hand for comfort. But once they were in and he was next to her the panic subsided. Up they went slowly as the fat man let others on. Nic had her hand on his leg, the diamond on her finger glowed a muted pink under the moonlit sky. SB lifted her legs off the floor and let them fall over his; intertwining their hands. The ring was cold against his warm skin. She lifted their hands, kissed his and placed it over her heart; holding it there. He brushed runaway strands of hair out of her face. She blushed after everything simple things he did still gave her butterflies. Realizing the effect he had he pushed her chin up and whispered “I Love You” kissing her lightly. The stars shone brightly over them. Their hands never left her steady heartbeat; they just listened. The fair was winding down; games and stands closed one after the other. Now that the majority of pedestrians were gone, leaving was easier than coming in. They walked on a cloud out to the shiny lambo, the butterfly doors waved to people passing by. Nicki was extremely tired, the day was very eventful from start to finish, and now after ending it on a perfect note the bed was pleading for her. SB was in his own world, feeling god like in this moment like nobody could tell him anything. He sped down the LA streets as best he could, swerving through traffic; wanting to get home to put Nicki to bed. Sirens began to stalk the car, getting louder as the police car approached riding the bumper.

“What the…” This woke Nicki from her drowsy state. “I told you about speeding. Didn’t I?” The bass of her voice flooded the car.

“Dammit” He spat pulling over.

“Oh my god. You gotta be kidding me” Nicki shook her head angrily as the police woman strode up to the driver window. SB rolled it down glaring.

“Sir you were speeding.”

“Look lady you gonna give me a ticket or not?” He interrupted. Nicki’s death glare pierced the side of his face, he could feel it. The woman was beastly. She was large, and had a face similar to a primate. An awful looking female, who didn’t seem to be in any mood for bullshit.

“I wasn’t. Now I am since you want to run your mouth, trying to empress your little girlfriend over there.” The ape wrote up a $250 ticket tossing it in his face.

“200 and 50 dollars are you crazy" He questioned. “For that? I don’t think so. ”

“I suggest you shut up and carry on sir.” She said with authority. “Good day” She began to walk away but stopped abruptly when she heard SB.

“Bitch is the ugliest piece of shit I've ever seen in my life, I ain’t paying this shit." He mumbled all too loudly.

“Safaree shut the hell up!” Nic screamed punching him in the arm. This was no joking hit; his muscle throbbed under his skin.

“Get out of the sir” Beast commanded. She recited the Miranda rights taking out her cuffs. Nicki jumped from the car.

“Wait, he didn’t mean the dumb shit he said out his mouth. We'll pay the ticket. Can you just let him off?”

“I’m sorry young lady but he’s going in.” She sounded sincere toward Nicki. She didn’t want to take her man from her, but was in a bad enough mood to want SB to suffer. He didn’t struggle against her grip, just hung his head; feeling stupid and guilty. His emotions really were his downfall at times.

“Please don’t take him” Nic pleaded to the beast.

“Look on the bright side honey; he’ll be out in a day or two. Maybe that’ll give him enough time to get himself together.” She smiled, it wasn’t a friendly smile but it wasn’t an evil one either. As Beast stalked away shoving SB toward the car she laughed to herself.

“Safaree” She called standing at the driver door. He just looked back, face contorted in pain and regret. There she stood under a now dull starlit sky watching SB stare back at her as the LAPD squad car drove away.