The afternoon sun shone brightly over Funland as Richard parked the car in the busy lot. Jason and Mason were practically bouncing with excitement. Jason, in his green t-shirt with a roaring dinosaur print, was leaning forward, his nose almost pressed to the window. Mason, in his favorite red shirt featuring a blazing race car, was already unbuckling his seatbelt before the car had fully stopped.
Bianca looked at them, a smile tugging at her lips. "Alright, boys. Hats on, sunscreen ready?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Mason shouted, jamming his blue cap onto his head at a jaunty angle.
Jason mimicked him, though his cap sat slightly crooked, giving him an endearing, mischievous look. Bianca, in her white blouse tucked into well-worn jeans and comfortable sneakers, checked her ponytail in the mirror before stepping out into the salty breeze.
The three stepped out of the car, and Funland greeted them with a rush of lively sounds and scents. Seagulls swooped through the air, their cries mixing with the laughter of children. The sweet smell of cotton candy mingled with the salty ocean breeze. Happy families wandered past, kids tugging balloons, licking colorful ice cream cones, and pointing at towering rides.
Bianca turned to the boys, smiling. "What do you two want to do first?"
Jason held his stomach dramatically. "Can we get a snack? I'm starving!"
Bianca chuckled. "Breakfast wasn't very filling, huh?"
Mason pointed excitedly. "Look! Cotton candy!"
"Well, I'm not sure cotton candy counts as filling," Bianca teased. "Let's find something more substantial first."
They wandered through the park until Bianca spotted a food cart. The vendor, a friendly man with a bushy mustache, wore a red-striped shirt and a white apron. He was busy flipping hot dogs on the grill. His cart was adorned with bright signs advertising corndogs, pretzels, nachos, and soda.
Bianca ordered three corndogs, their golden batter crisp and warm. She handed them to the boys, who grinned ear to ear.
"Bianca, you're the best!" Jason exclaimed, taking a big bite.
"I try," Bianca said, grinning.
As the boys happily devoured their snacks, Bianca led them deeper into the park, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. Children shrieked with delight on rides, carnival workers shouted out game instructions, and music blared from every corner. A carousel spun lazily, its painted horses gleaming under the sunlight.
"Step right up, step right up!" a carnival worker called out, waving his hands. He was tall and lanky, dressed in a striped vest and a bowler hat. "Pop a big balloon, win a prize! Pop a small one, and you win double!"
Jason tugged Bianca's arm. "Bianca! Can we try it?"
"I don't see why not," Bianca said, fishing out some cash.
The carnival worker handed the boys a few darts each. Mason went first, his brows furrowed in concentration.
"Hi-yah!" Mason threw his darts quickly but missed every time.
"Aw, man," he groaned.
"Take your time," Bianca suggested.
Jason stepped up, took a deep breath, and carefully aimed. His dart thudded between the balloons.
"Oh, come on!" Jason sighed.
Bianca knelt down beside them. "Don't worry, boys. You tried your best, and that's what matters."
"Your turn, Bianca!" Mason urged.
Jason nodded eagerly. "Yeah! You'll win for us!"
Bianca hesitated, but the carnival worker handed her three darts with a grin. She aimed carefully. Pop! Her first dart hit a big balloon.
"Yes!" she exclaimed.
"Nice one!" Mason cheered.
"What prize would you like?" the worker asked.
The boys picked a stuffed penguin, and Bianca tucked it under her arm as they walked away.
"Bianca," Mason asked curiously, "why does the big balloon get only one prize?"
Jason nodded. "Yeah, the small one should give, like, five prizes!"
Bianca laughed. "Well, think about it. Which balloon do you think is harder to hit?"
"The small one," Mason admitted.
"Exactly. The prizes are based on difficulty, not size," Bianca explained.
"You made it look easy," Jason said, crossing his arms.
Bianca winked. "That's because I've got skills."
They reached the Ferris wheel, its massive frame shining against the blue sky.
"Three tickets, please," Bianca said.
They climbed into a cart, the safety bar lowering in place. As the wheel began to turn, Jason clutched Bianca's arm.
"Are we really safe up here?" he asked nervously.
"Absolutely," Bianca said, wrapping an arm around him. "See that big wheel in the middle? It keeps us balanced. Engineers made sure everything works perfectly."
Mason peered over the edge. "Cool!"
As they reached the top, Bianca gazed out over the park. From this height, she could see the roller coasters twisting like ribbons, colorful game booths, and crowds of tiny people wandering below. Beyond the park, the sparkling ocean stretched endlessly.
"You're so smart, Bianca," Mason said, grinning up at her.
"Thanks, kiddo. I like science, but your dad's the real genius."
Jason's face turned thoughtful. "I wish Dad spent more time with you instead of Aunt Imelda. You and Dad are perfect together."
Bianca's heart ached at his words, but she forced a smile. "Life doesn't always work out the way we want, but we make the best of it."
The cart began its descent, and Bianca took a deep breath, determined to enjoy the rest of the day.
The afternoon flew by as Bianca and the boys explored Funland. They tried their luck at more games, rode bumper cars, and screamed on the roller coaster. Bianca cheered as Jason won a toy at the ring toss, while Mason devoured a giant pretzel.
All around them, families laughed and played. A little girl chased her balloon, her dad running after her. A group of teens posed for selfies in front of the carousel. Even the park workers joined in the fun, dancing to the music.
---
That evening, Bianca returned home with two tired but happy boys. Ken was in the den, reading a newspaper in a gray t-shirt and sweatpants. Imelda was nowhere to be seen, thank god.
"We went to Funland!" Mason blurted out. "It was the best day ever!"
Jason nodded. "Don't tell Aunt Imelda, okay?"
"Excuse me?" Imelda's sharp voice rang out as she entered the room, arms crossed.
"Uh, boys," Ken said quickly, "why don't you start your bath?"
"Are we in trouble?" Jason whispered.
"Not at all," Ken assured them.
The boys hugged Bianca before running upstairs. Imelda glared at Bianca.
"You took them to Funland after I explicitly said no?"
Bianca stood her ground. "The boys had fun, and I taught them a little science, too."
"That's not the point!" Imelda snapped.
"It seemed like the point this morning..." Bianca says, with a frown.
"Calm down, Imelda. It sounds like the boys had a good day, plus they got to let off some steam after all these new changes." Ken says calmly.
"Are you seriously siding with her?" Imelda asks angrily.
"It's not about sides. It's about what's best for Jason and Mason. And while art galleries certainly have their place in a well-rounded educational experience, I approve of Bianca's decision to take them to Funland today."
Imelda glowers at him, but Ken doesn't back down. Finally...
"Fine. I can tell when I'm not wanted."
Imelda grabs her purse, then strides to the elevator, punches the button half a dozen times before it finally arrives to take her away. Ken takes a deep breath as the doors close, then turns his attention back to Bianca.
"Are you sure you don't want to go after her?"
"It'll be better for everyone if I give her some space before we try to talk. She's gotta learn this relationship is going to have its compromises at some point."
Ken crosses to the kitchen and pours himself a glass of wine. He offers her one too.
"So. Funland, huh?"
"Yup."
"You could at least pretend you feel bad about starting a fight."
"I could, but we both know you'd see right through me."
"True. Honestly, I'm glad you went. Imelda can be unreasonable, and she doesn't get the boys...not like you. You make learning fun for them, and you let them be kids. I appreciate that."
Ken smiles as he notices the prize tucked under one of her arms.
"I guess the twins aren't the only ones you let still be a kid."
"Oh, this old thing?...I got this for you. Here you go."
Bianca hoops him on the nose with the stuffed animal. He chuckles as he examines it closer.
"I'll think of you every time I see it. Seriously, Bianca. Thank you."
"Ken...it's no big deal. I care about Jason and Mason, and I want them to have a happy childhood."
"That's exactly why it is a big deal."
Ken gazes deeply into her eyes, and she feels her breath catch...
She can feel that pull again, that magnetic sensation in the pit of her stomach that draws her in, despite that small part of her brain trying to protest...
"Ken..."
His name is a whisper on her lips, a prayer, a protest, a plea...
"Bianca, I_ _"
Before anything else could happen, Mason's voice called out from upstairs.
"Dad! How full can we make the bath?"
"Oh god." Ken gasps.
Bianca couldn't help but laugh at the expression on his face, at the ridiculousness of the whole situation, at everything.
"You'd better go before they flood the apartment."
Ken nods before hurrying toward the bathroom...and she can't help but feel a little disappointment that he didn't promise to continue this later...
"What is wrong with me?"
...But the empty room held no answers.
—
A few nights later, Bianca wandered into the kitchen, hungry after one of Imelda's kale dinners. She found Ken rummaging through the fridge.
"Late-night raid?" she teased.
"Searching for sustenance. Fair warning, it's every man for himself out here."
"Are you...threatening to eat me?"
Ken smirks as he looks her up and down..
"I wasn't thinking about that, but now that you've mentioned it..."
Bianca's breath catches at the intensity in his gaze. She can only imagine what's going through his head right now...
"Seriously though, you don't have nearly enough gluten to satisfy me right now."
Ken let's out a heavy sigh, then begins to close all the cupboards.
"Giving up?"
"Going out. I'm thinking of sneaking off for a burger and fries...maybe a slice of pie...definitely a milkshake."
"You'll have to burn any leftovers, so there's no evidence of your crime." Bianca teased.
"Oh, there won't be any leftovers." Ken smiles coyly.
Bianca reaches to close the last cupboard at the same time. Their fingers brush, and he turns to look at her, eyes twinkling mischievously while his touch lingers.
"Would you like to come with me? The boys are asleep, and I'm sure Richard can hold down the fort while we're gone. I think we both could use a little something sweet to tide us over..."
"Thanks for the offer, but I don't mind staying with the boys. Think of me while you eat that pie, though.
"Bianca, I think of you everytime I bite into something delicious."
As his eyes burn into her, her cheeks thrum with heat and she suddenly feels naked...
Just then, Ken's phone buzzes on the countertop, distracting them both with the loud vibration.
"Oh...I'd better take this."
Clearing his throat, he answers the phone.
"Hello? Oh...Yes. I've been meaning to tell you."
His eyes flick back to Bianca, unreadable.
"Yeah, she's great. You want to...Next week? A-alright, Mom. See you then."
Ken lets out a long sigh as he hangs up the phone.
"What was that?" Bianca asked.
"My parents want to meet you next week."
Bianca froze, her mind racing. "Me?"
Ken nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.