At The County Fair

Part one: back in time

Two weeks! Two weeks before the county fair and her first date with Jason. Polly typed in the last sentence on her Braille notebook, ran her fingertips over the keys to select the proper teacher and hit 'send'. She rubbed her throat at the pain of trying to swallow; she hadn't felt well for a few days. The pain had gradually gotten worse. She had been reluctant to tell anyone, including Jason, about the pain that started the day after the picnic.

"Mom, homework done." She grimaced as a new wave of pain tortured her throat. She hated the thought of missing the fair and being with Jason.

"That's great, Polly. Now, what's wrong?" Her mother placed a hand on Polly's forehead. "Open your mouth."

Polly did as instructed, sighing with resignation. It was impossible to argue with her mother at any time, not to mention when she was in this state.

"I'm calling the doctor." An hour later they were called into the doctor's office.

"Well, Polly, let's take a look. Hop up on the table. Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Uh...no, no boyfriend." Polly took her place on the exam table. The diagnosis was tonsillitis with an immediate tonsillectomy indicated.

After a stop back at home to pack a small overnight bag including pj's, Polly and mother headed to the hospital; surgery had been scheduled for the next morning.

"Polly," her mother glanced at her daughter, "I noticed that delay when doctor asked about a boyfriend...want to tell me anything?"

"Nothing to tell, Mom. Jason is just a good friend...sort of."

"Sort of? Polly..."

"Really, Mom! Jason is special because he knows when to help me but more important, he knows when to step back and let me do my own thing...Mom, you like Jason don't you?"

"I think Jason is a nice boy. Tell me, Polly, about Jason, now."

Polly drew in a deep breath letting it out slowly. "Mom...what if Jason...kisses me?"

"Polly! You...because you're blind, you've had to grow up faster than kids your age, but kissing? At least it's not sex. What do you want after your surgery?"

"Ice cream! Lots of ice cream." 'And being with Jason', she thought silently. They were laughing when they pulled into the hospital parking lot.

Part two

The fair was as exciting as Polly had imagined. She wanted to 'see' everything at once but settled on a chocolate double dipped ice cream cone. The ice cream was cold, silky and messy. The chocolate melted, mixing with the vanilla ice cream, soothing her dry throat. The surgery had gone well and the doctor had given her a clean bill of health in time to make her date with Jason. The dry mouth was from being so close to Jason; this was the first and only time her parents had allowed her out unchaperoned and she was enjoying every minute of it.

"This is so delicious, Jason." She knew her parents well enough that she wouldn't be surprised if someone wasn't following them. She had no way of knowing how right she was as Shaggy and Velma stopped at a novelty stall not far away. They surveyed the items between fleeting glances at the young couple.

"It must be. You've got it smeared from pert nose to cute chin." Jason took a bite of his own ice cream, laughing quietly.

"The dangers of being blind, hand doesn't always know where mouth is. Is there a fountain or somewhere to wash up? I'm sure you don't want to hold a sticky hand."

"I'll take my chances. I don't see anything close, feel like walking? There has to be water by the petting zoo."

"I want to finish my ice cream first. You really think I have a cute chin?"

Luckily, Polly couldn't see Jason's face turn beet red. "Yes, I do, especially when it's covered with chocolate."

"I better leave a little on my chin, then." Finishing her ice cream she held out her hand which Jason took and led them further into the fair. They were so caught up in the many noises of the fair that they were unaware of Shaggy and Velma leaving the trinket stall, following at a discreet distance.

"Shaggy, I hate doing this." Velma stated, "It's like spying. What if they want, you know, some privacy?"

"I've noticed we aren't the only ones keeping an eye on them. Jason's older brother and sister are staying close by also. And remember, we were asked by Polly's parents to do this. If it looks like they want some quality time together, we'll do our disappearing act."

"Oh, you are such a romantic," Velma nudged his ribs. "Something else I love about you."

"Jason, where is that music coming from? It doesn't sound like the usual fair music."

"There is a karaoke stage on our right, down a ways." He replied.

"That sounds like fun, let's go to the petting zoo then stop by on our way to the rides."

"One warning, don't even think of getting me up on stage. I can't sing. Here is a restroom, I can't go in but you think you could handle a wash up by yourself?"

"I'm not a baby, Jason. Just point me to the door. And I don't imagine the other ladies would take kindly to a boy in their restroom."

Inside the restroom, Polly realized just how difficult being in a strange area could be, even if it was just washing her hands and face. At home she knew where everything was, could even manage a shower or bath by herself. This was completely bewildering. She had talked her mother into putting on just a touch of powder on her cheeks, now how to wash her face and not disturb her hard won make up was a major question. She heard a toilet being flushed to her right, which meant the sinks should be...

"Polly, the sinks are right in front of you, one slightly to the right. Can I help?" Polly recognized the voice from the picnic and earlier as they stood in line to buy tickets. "Don't worry, I'm Jeannie, Jason's sister."

"Yes, I could do it myself but Jason..."

"Is waiting, I know. Looks like you enjoyed that ice cream, just like a man to leave the clean up to us girls." They laughed and girl talk followed as Polly went about washing her sticky hands, then hesitated about her face and the dab of make up.

"Jeannie to the rescue," Jeannie interrupted her thoughts. "I have a little powder you can use."

"You aren't following us, are you?" Polly asked, finishing the clean up.

"What makes you say that? No, I'm not but I did think you might need a little help in powdering your nose. Just don't let on to Jason you saw me."

"Girl's secret and thanks."

"Polly," Jeannie added reluctantly, "I want you and Jason to have fun but there is something you need to know. You are being followed."

"Tall man, shaggy looking? I know him, he's a friend. My parents are probably behind it. Is there a short, pregnant woman with him? That would be Velma, she's really neat."

"They're here too," Jeannie answered, "but there is someone else. Tell Jason, okay? Say it's just a feeling you have."

"That won't be hard...I've have felt something."

TBC