Emma jean learned her lesson that day. Not just the one she was taught by her parents but also by the boy who helped her out that day. She grew into a kind, caring, and intelligent young lady. Popular in high school because she was patient and understanding. When the people around her were acting ridiculous she would tell them. Emma jean kept to her dreams of wanting to take over Kari-Hope land. Her senior year in high school she had been accepted into the best business school in the country.
Sophomore year in college Emma jean went to a fraternity party. There she met Kieran Smith. The two of them hit it off instantly. Kieran was majoring in business management as well. While the two of them talked at the party, Emma jean found that the two of them shared a couple of classes together.
“Do you know where you’ll end up after college?”
Kieran held is solo cup in his hand as he pondered for a little while. “I haven’t the foggiest idea.”
“You should come work for me.”
He laughed at her not knowing that she was in line to take over a business. “You’re offering me a job? Where are you going to work? We’re still sophomores.”
“I’m an heiress. Or I guess its better to say that I am next in line for Kari-hope.” She raised her cup to her lips and waited for her words to sink in.
Kieran had his cup halfway to his mouth when it dawned on him what she was telling him. “You’re THE Emma jean Scott? Daughter of Dallas Scott? Founder of Kari-hope land and subsidiaries. Man of the year. The only daughter of the man I look up to? My family would always go to the park every weekend.”
“Really? Well thank you for your patronage.”
“I remember helping a little girl out that had gotten lost when I was a kid.”
“That was nice of you. I had a similar experience when I was a little girl.”
Kieran took her hand in his. “Maybe you were the little girl I helped.”
She took her hand from his and started to walk out of the party. She looked back only once enticing him to follow her. “I don’t think you’re older than me.”
He followed behind her with a grin on his face. His mind was racing in the direction of something salacious. The two of them walked down the steps of the house side by side. Kieran seemed tipsy from his drink. Emma Jean had only drunk soda in her cup. Her mind was as clear as the night’s sky.
“So. What do you say about my offer?”
“Hmm, you want me to come work for you?”
“If you want to. I mean I wouldn’t be taking over right away. I have to work under my father for a few years. You know the man you look up to.”
He leaned his head against her shoulder and smiled. “That be a dream come true. What would I do?”
“Wanna be my assistant? I’d much rather it be someone I know and can trust. You seem like the trustworthy type.”
“Oh, you would want me to be your coffee pusher?”
“You’re tipsy Kieran. Where should I take you home?”
“Mm, your place.”
She stopped walking to look at him head on. He was still leaning against. She lifted his head up so they were eye to eye. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“I can just sleep it off there. My place is to far.”
She sighed, he made logical sense even if he wasn’t in his right mind. “Fine, but I’m only being nice and helping a friend and future employee.”
He walked ahead of her stumbling over his own feet, his hands raised in the air as he yelled in excitement. “I get to sleep at Emma’s place. Yeah!”
She covered her face with her right hand and resumed walking to grab Kieran. “My car is over here. It won’t be a long drive.”
The two of them got in the car and drove off in silence. In the short time it took to reach her place Kieran had fallen asleep. Emma jean had help getting him into her place. She had him sleep it off in the guest room.
Emma retired to her own room and pondered about what Kieran had told her. She was helped when she was a little girl but that boy was older and his skin darker. Lying in her bed with her arms behind her back she tried to recall that day she ran off. Her eyes were closed but the only thing that came to mind was the sound of the carousel music, the smell of the powdered sugar from the funnel cake, the spray of the water on her face, and the sight of the park high in the sky. The face of the boy with her seemed blurry. Nothing was distinguishable on him after 16 years. She sighed a deep sigh, in retrospect it would have made perfect sense to ask that boy what his name was so if they met again she wouldn’t have to go through this unpleasantness for lack of memory. Despite not remembering his face she remembered how much fun she had that day with him. He taught her important life skills that came in handy when she got older.
“I wonder if he ever found a way to make it into the dream park business.”
Emma decided she wouldn’t think too harshly on it anymore. If by some sheer luck that it was Kieran that day no matter what she would want to repay him for his kindness and the fun she had. She went to change out of her party clothes and headed straight for her bed. The weekend was about to start and it would be a chance to go to the park and do some interning.
Kieran woke up in an unfamiliar place. The ceiling had a different texture than the one he had become accustomed to in his dorm room. The bed itself was plush and comfortable. When he looked over there was Emma jean sitting in a chair holding a glass of water and an aspirin bottle. Kieran jumped out of the bed in shock tumbling on to the floor. “What are you doing here?” “I live here. If I recall you said last night and I quote ‘I’m going to sleep with Emma Jean.’ End quote. Does that not ring a bell?” His face turned a light shade of pink at her recollection of last night. He remembered what he had said. He felt embarrassed at his actions. “AH, sorry about that. I bet you wouldn’t want dome drunkard to work with you, now would you?” “That’s not true. Well, I wouldn’t want someone that was a slave to the bottle to work with me or for me but if I can help I would. I liked your honestly plus you’re super cute. It would help out a lot when I meet with certain cl
It had been a long time since he had been in this park. Having gotten a job at this particular park made him feel as if his dream of one day opening his own wasn’t so far in the realm of impossible. His palms felt sweaty. There was a few more minutes before he needed to be ready for the first meeting. The notion of wiping his trembling hands on the pristine white and baby blue uniform shirt and khaki shorts made him feel as if he would faint from the audacity.Taking several deep breaths, he calmed his nerves, then wiped his hands on his jeans. Now more relaxed he was able to get dressed. He exited the locker room. Nearly bumping into a beautiful brown skinned young lady with freckles. Her hair was auburn and pulled into a top bun. She looked at him with a small smile.“Excuse me.”He was speechless. When he attempted to say something it came out a mumbling mess. “duh ouy me excuse.” He smacked his forehead with his palm.She laughed at him and patted his sho
Emma jean waited with bated breath for her name to be called. He was calling the first partner in alphabetical order. There were several minutes before her was called. “Emma jean Scott, you’ll be paired with Kenji James at the carousel. Hurry and get to your stations the park will be opening in 30 minutes.” Emma jean stood up dejected. Another day and for the fifth time she had been thrusted to the carousel. She rubbed the bridge of her nose hoping that would help dissipate the annoyance she was feeling. Plastered on a smile she turned to Kenji. “We should hurry to the carousel. The little kids love that one a lot.” Kieran was placed with a slightly older gentleman. He looked at Emma jean and Kenji talking as they walked away. He pouted at his misfortune of being separated from her. They may have only just met but he wanted to cling to her as a newborn babe did to it’s mother. He was smitten with her. The man clapped his hand on Kieran shoulders. “Let’s go young buck
Once everyone was settled into their chosen seats, Kenji got down off the carousel and went towards the controls where Emma jean stood. Pulling the lever, the carousel slowly started to spin. The music played and the sound of laughing children soon filled their ears. The precious laughter of all children made her smile. There was a time when her dad told her that her smile was the most important one, he cared about when it came to the park. She understood what he meant in that moment. The smiles and laughter she seen and heard from others warmed her down to her soul. Kenji may think she could be great anywhere else but there was no place she would rather be using her knowledge and passion for. The ride slowed to a stop and the music shut down. The children ran screaming off in the direction of the exit and their parents. The next batch got on and it started all over again. Emma jean showed him how to do man the machine so the next set he could run. Kenji stumbled through his
Emma Jean put her car in reverse looking back she pulled out of her parking spot. She pressed the automatic windows to go down. When she got out of the parking lot, she headed to bar not far from her studio. It was only a 5-minute walk away from her place. The bar looked plain on the outside. A brick building on the corner of a less traveled street. They had amazing booze and great food to go with it. She led Kieran inside the bar. She was greeted by name; it was a place she always came to after her time at the park. It was something that Emma Jean did for herself. It was still daylight outside; they were going to only have one drink then head back to her place. Parking her butt at the bar she smiled at the bartender. “Hey Hank. Meet my friend Kieran. It’s his first time here so give him the first timer special. You know the one you guys gave me.” Kieran looked at her quizzically but didn’t think anything of it. Hank the bartender came back with a metal tumbler fille
Kenji had been switched over to EJM, his new partner was less talkative. He didn’t seem to like his job very much. It made him wonder what could be so bad about working at the most loved place in the world. The line for EJ was never ending. It was the most popular attraction at the park. The carousel, from him knowledge, was second to this ride. Knowing that Emma and Kieran would be just as busy as he was made it feel as if it wasn’t unbearable. The end of their shift came, being at a popular attraction did help with the time flying by. The two men walked down to the employees only section. Kenji tried to make small talk with him. “I didn’t get a chance to ask you before but what’s your name?” “Hmm? Oh, it’s Camereon. You’re Kenji, right? You worked with the little princess before right?” He tilted his head to the right, questioning what he had heard. “Little princess? You mean Miss Emma Jean? Why would you call her that?” “You’ll understand when you’
It was Friday, Emma Jean had gone into the main office to speak with her daddy. The receptionist looked up from answering the phone and gave her a smile. Emma Jean gave her a polite one back before motioning her head towards his office. The lady nodded her head and went back to the call that was in progress. Emma Jean knocked on his door and walked in when she heard his gruff voice. He was behind his desk on a call. She could only hear snippets of the call. “Sweetheart…. Yeah… then why not…. But my dear…. I have to go. Emma Jean is here. Yes dear… I know dear…. Got to go dear… yes… bye.” He finally managed to end the call. A sigh was the only sound in the office before Emma Jean decided to speak. “Was that mom?”“Yeah, she says she misses you and you should come home more often. Now what does my little precious dumpling want?”She tilted to her head embarrassed, “Dad. Plea
Everyone was excited about the drinking party after work. Time couldn't go by fast enough to the park closing. The patrons could feel a strange air around them but didn't know what it was. The workers were in better moods than their usual muted happiness. Their smiles were much bigger. Dallas left the park to go home and play bridge with his wife and their friends. When the park closed Emma Jean had headed to the locker room first and made a call for several shuttles. It was important for her that everyone had fun but was safe getting home. Once the shuttles arrived in the parking lot, she had a wicker basket in hand. Her coworkers rushed out the doors, yelling, screaming in delight, and playfully pushing each other around. “We’ll be taking these shuttles so everyone put your keys in here and when you’re ready to go home they will drive you there.” One employee groaned in protest but the others did as they were told. “Our little princess is gonna be the best