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 clients. So, want to go to the park today? I have to do some interning. Or what daddy likes to call it learning the park from the bottom up.”
“I can? Like seriously come and work there?”
“Yeah. You would be paid. Just like I am but it wouldn’t be a hell of a lot.”
“I’ll go. I want to go. Please let me go.”
She laughed at his excitement. “Ok, but first take this. It’s a Saturday and it’s going to be pretty hectic. We can’t have you vomiting due to the sun. also, there’s breakfast waiting for us. We have to be at the park in an hour.” Handing him the glass and the bottle she left the room to go to the dining room for breakfast.
The table had a plethora of food piping hot for them. There was everything from omelets to pancakes and scrambled eggs to oatmeal and fresh fruit. Emma jean didn’t want to eat anything to heavy, she made sure to pay attention to the weather and didn’t want to stand in the heat with a heavy stomach. She had oatmeal with granola and fruit inside. It wasn’t heavy but it would stick to her bones, keeping her full until it would be time for their break. She had called her daddy to let him know that there would be someone with her today.
Just as she was getting off her call, Kieran came into the dining room. His mouth was opened and his eyes were shining. She knew that look. It was the look everyone got when they came to her house for the first time. She may not live with her parents but she didn’t live in the dorms either. Emma jean had a decent penthouse apartment not terrible far away from campus. “Sit down and have some breakfast. I would recommend something light. It’s not good to be outdoors with a slight hangover and an overstuffed stomach.”
“Gotcha.” Kieran grabbed for some bread and scrambled eggs. “So, do you know what we will be doing when we get to the park?”
She had a big spoonful of oatmeal in her mouth before she was able to answer. “I have an idea but I’m not for certain. I think we’re going to be at EJ Mountain.”
He slammed his hands on the table and whooped in happiness. “That is my all-time favorite ride. I love how they seem to update it every couple of years.”
Emma held a smirk on her lips, the reason it was changed was because of it’s namesake. Something her daddy had told her when she was a teenager and she went on the ride then. That was going to stay a secret between her and her family. “Yeah, it’s my favorite ride too.”
“Oh snap, I just realized that EJ stands for Emma jean. It’s named after you isn’t it?”
“Ah, well yeah but let’s not get too crazy.”
Kieran nodded his head while he took a bite of his toast. His mouth was still full as he talked. “It’s safe with me. Granted everyone would kill to have a ride named after them.”
“I don’t think that’s true but I love it. I rode it a couple of times when it was initially released.”
“I’m so jelly, I bet you rode it before it was opened to the public too?”
“I would say yes and no.”
“What do you mean?”
“I rode it the very day it became open to the public. I was the first rider.”
“You just got like a million times cooler in my book. You’re freaking awesome Emma jean. Can I call you Emma or EJ?”
“Emma, I would rather no one call me EJ.”
“You got it boss. And about what you asked me. I know I agreed already to work with you but long as you don’t treat me poorly like I’ve seen some bosses do their employees we will get along just fine.”
Emma jean stood up and motioned for him to follow, “I will treat everyone the same way my daddy did. I have some big shoes to fill but I know I can handle it.”
Kieran followed her and they both got in her car. The ride of to Kari-Hope was filled with college gossip and future plans. Kieran asked many questions about her life and how it feels to be the daughter of a theme park mogul. Emma jean answered him honestly about her experiences and how it was growing up an only child to the man that sold dreams to millions and millions of people worldwide.
They made it to the park within the hour. Emma jean walked into the employee entranced. She showed Kieran where they would be changing into their uniforms for the day and where to meet for the employee meeting.
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
The bar started to thin out, more and more of their coworkers were leaving to go home in the shuttles. Soon there were only a hand full of people left, including Kieran, Kenji, Emma Jean. The three of them ended at a table with two other people. The conversation was boisterous. They were all around the same age group. Kenji had a girl hanging on to his arm. She leaned her head against his shoulder while making doe eyes at him. Kieran mocked the girl by leaning on Emma Jean mimicking her movements. “Knock it off. That’s not very nice. Let her make a love connection if she wants to.” She whispered harshly in his ear. He spoke louder than intended, “Any fool can see he has eyes for you.” Kenji was taking a drink of his beer when he heard that. His eyes widen at the sudden implication. He spit out his beer all over the table, choking in the process. The girl patted his back while glaring at Kieran. Emma’s mouth was dropped wide open. “What?! It’s true. I