"Oh good," Harriet exclaims. "Someone's inside. I can see movement. And I think I hear voices."

  Harriet hikes up the bottom of her dress and steps onto the path leading to the tent's gaping main entrance. Melvin follows behind her at a slow pace, enjoying this new current of childlike excitement flowing through his wife. This evening has done wonders for Harriet. She is almost her old self again.

  "Hello," Harriet calls, sticking her head into the tent flap. "Hello. Is there someone here I can speak to?"

  Melvin comes to stand beside Harriet, a grin plastered to his face. Purple light illuminates every apparatus within the enormous circus tent. A tightrope, a trapeze, a multicolor trampoline, a dunking booth, and a large metal cage. There are also food carts lining the back wall. One cart in particular reads: 'Fresh Cotton Candy'. It is this cart which makes Harriet squeal. She jumps up and down and grabs Melvin's arm.

  "Yes. Yes. Yes. We have to come back. I've always wanted to see how they make cotton candy. Like really see it done. And I want some. We'll come back this weekend...With Irene."

  "Okay. Okay," Melvin chuckles softly. "We'll come back. Don't rip my arm off. Jeezus."

  Melvin and Harriet are so deep into their musings that they do not observe the ringmaster when she enters. Crossing the tent with purposeful strides, the ringmaster clears her throat.

  Harriet and Melvin cease talking, peering in the approaching woman's direction. Melvin takes special notice of the woman's fancy duds and cane. A woman circusmaster? Cool.

  "Hello," Harriet says, extending her hand for a shake. "We saw your tent from the road and were wondering if you are open for business. I mean, not at this moment...But say, this weekend?"

  The ringmaster politely shakes Harriet's hand. As she does so, another figure enters the back tent flap. A clown dressed almost exclusively in purple. The clown tilts his head to one side, observing the new arrivals. After a moment, he crosses to the cotton candy cart. He begins cleaning the front with a purple towel. Harriet watches the clown with amused eyes. And the ringmaster watches Harriet.

  "Our show is not doing as well as we expected. We may have to shut down. I do not think we will be open for business this weekend. It would take a miracle."

  Harriet's spirit deflates and she sighs with disappointment. Melvin draws Harriet close and runs a hand down her right forearm. Why this? Why now? When the evening was going so well?

  "Are you quite interested in our little circus event, Ms...?" the ringmaster inquires, soliciting more information and a name.

  "Harriet. My name is Harriet. My husband is Melvin. He sells cars."

  "A pleasure to meet you...Melvin Who Sells Cars," the ringmaster says with a chuckle.

  Melvin and Harriet join in on the laughter. Melvin shakes his head and offers his hand to the ringmaster. She takes his hand and shakes it firmly.

  "No. Haha. Deels. Melvin Deels. But yes, I sell cars. And very well, I might add. Top sales rep four months in a row. Gonna make it five this month. And my wife sells insurance. She's also a pretty good champion for worthy causes. Tonight she managed to squeeze blood from a turnip. Got a room full of tightwads to give ten thousand dollars to her favorite charity tonight. I'm proud of her. We were planning on celebrating. She wanted to stop by and check you guys out. Sorry to hear you might be pulling up stakes. Could you by any chance give her a quick peek at the cotton candy station? My wife's always wanted to watch cotton candy get made."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "Melvin?" Harriet whispers, becoming overtly embarrassed.

  "What, hon?" Melvin replies. "I want you to be happy tonight. You've earned it."

  "I quite agree," the ringmaster says, a wide grin exploding onto her face. "As a special treat, for a worthy soul...We'll put on a special show. Food and refreshments...Are on the house."

  "Oh no. I can't do that," Harriet protests. "Not if your business is already in dire straits. That wouldn't be right."

  "I won't accept 'no' for an answer," the ringmaster says. "Most of our equipment is still set up. It will be no problem. Percy was just getting started cleaning down the machines. I will have him show you how we make cotton candy."

  "Thank you, Ma'am," Melvin says, gratefulness in his tone. "You're very kind to do this. It means a lot to us."

  "If you will follow me, please," the ringmaster says. "I will introduce you to my assistant, Percy."

  ====================================

  Percy bends forward and pretends to wipe down the front and sides of the cotton candy machine. In truth, he is listening to every word being spoken by the master and her guests. Especially, the woman.

  The woman standing beside the laughing man is tall and beautiful. Was Alice tall? Did her eyes sparkle as this new woman's eyes do? He remembers Alice's hair and the way she smelled. Like a flower petal whose juices have been allowed to run free by the subtle squeezing motion of two fingers. Her skin had been soft. That is all he remembers.

  Every time Percy tries to remember more about his former lover, he gets a splitting headache. A headache so bad that he can no longer function. On such occasions, the master rages with anger. But then, she takes him slowly into the bedchamber. She urges him to forget, she pleasures him, she encourages him to act in kind. More and more, his memories of Alice are fading. Master has said it is for the best. That it is not yet time for Alice's return. He must wait. In the meantime, he is the master's pet...Her sometimes lover.

  At times, the master has had other lovers. Those who fail the test. When she grows tired of them, she utters dark incantations, taking their essence into herself. She has often threatened to do the same to him. He is unsure why she does not make good on this threat.

  Percy has also learned to utter spells. Not as well as the master does. Mostly spells of delusion and minor love spells. The master had allowed him a lover once. She had been very beautiful. Just as this new woman is beautiful--almost ethereal. In the end, his fleeting lover had failed her test, becoming one of the master's numerous familiars. He misses her. But not as much as he misses Alice. Alice, whose hair he loved to run his fingers through. One day, he will learn the spell needed to bring her back to him.

  Percy straightens up as the ringmaster approaches with her guests. Percy offers the man and woman a courteous smile.

  "Percy, meet Mr. and Mrs. Deels. Mrs. Deels would like to see how cotton candy is made. Afterwards, I have promised them both a very special show."

  Percy extends his hand to Harriet. She shakes it enthusiastically.

  "You are both so kind to do this," Harriet says, meeting Percy's eye. "I hope I'm not putting you out."

  "It is no trouble, Ma'am," Percy replies with a solemn head nod. "I am happy to do it."

  Harriet grins nearly from ear to ear. Her grin grows impossibly larger when Percy kisses the back of her hand. Giggling with embarrassment, Harriet drops her hand at her side once Percy releases it. Melvin takes everything in stride, relieved to see his wife engaged and happy again.

  "As the saying goes in show business," the ringmaster exclaims in a strong, clear voice. "On with the show."

  To be continued.......