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
Emma Jean was entering the main office when she noticed the back of Kenji. Her eyebrows furrowed together briefly before she dispelled the thoughts. Her daddy wanted her to come and sit in on the meeting this time. It felt like a chance of a lifetime to finally sit in on and important meeting. She was practically bouncing as she walked inside, greeting the secretary as she passed by. The meeting room was just down the hall, suddenly a wave of nervousness hit her. She leaned against the wall taking deep breaths to calm herself down. Dallas and other members of the board were already in the room when she walked in. He pointed to an empty seat next to him, which she went to. “Now, let’s begin the meeting. First you all know Emma Jean. When she finishes school in a few years she will be taking over the company but right now she is learning the ins and outs of the company. Emma Jean you know the board.” ”Hello I’m happy to be sitting in on this particular meeting.
Kieran seen the interaction between the two, along with Mr. Jim. The older gentleman scowled as they watched the direction that Kenji went in. The two of them went on their way discussing Emma Jean’s promotion. Kieran seemed to be more excited than Mr. Jim. Kenji headed to the locker room. He had mistakenly brought his notebook from the car with him. His shift was about to start so he couldn’t run back to tuck it under the seat. He was forced to put it in his locker until the end of the shift. There were several men in the locker room changing into their uniforms and noticed the notebook in his hand. Kenji was about to head to the conference room when he heard Mr. Jim call his name. Someone had told him about the notebook that he had with him. Kenji sighed when he knew what he had done. Mr. Jim escorted Kenji to the main office with the notebook, so that Dallas could make sure there was no breach of contract. Kenji sighed as softly as possible. He knew there was no w