Fandango’s Story Starter

This week’s Story Starter teaser is:As the sun dipped below the horizon, the carousel at the long abandoned amusement park began to spin on its own, beckoning me to step aboard. “Gee willikers!” I exclaimed, looking surprised. I was just about ready to close up my balloon dart booth and saw the carousel spinning. “Must be George is staying late tonight.” I thought and walked over to the carousel. It slowed down and I stepped up beside my favorite horse. I had loved it as a kid…Suddenly the music started up and I climbed aboard the horse I loved. “Might as well enjoy it” I thought. George never appeared and I started to feel sleepy. I held on tight, not wanting to fall off if I started dozing.

Suddenly I was startled by the sound of children, laughter, parents calling to them and I saw a bunch of people surrounding the ride. It was no longer nighttime and the crowd was smiling, cheering on their kids and held bright colored balloons swaying on strings. Cotton candy sticky fluff in some parents’ hands and a few oldsters like me looking nostalgic.

I loosened my grip a bit and noticed the hands attached to me were no longer bent and wrinkled. My body was small and dressed in bright colors. It was a sailor suit! I always wanted one as a boy cause my dad was in the Navy. I couldn’t help but enjoy this dream while it lasted, but then I heard a familiar voice calling my name. It was my mom! I waved to her, unbelieving, but wanted it so much to be true. She waved back and then it was all gone, as quickly as it had appeared, gone, and my heart sunk a little. The music and the carousel stopped. Reluctantly, I climbed off the horse, my old self was back and the dream also.

***