The date didn’t happen the following night since Dahlia was called into work. They played phone tag and schedule hopscotch until they found an open spot, the last day of the state fair. Neither was working and it was a central location in the foothills between Ranola and Mesa Rojo. Billie parked in the enormous field and navigated the car maze, looking for the side entrance where Dahlia said she was waiting.

She found Dahlia leaning against the fence, flanked by two guys. The one to her right was lost in the slight cleavage of her flowy thin strapped, knee-length floral pattern sundress. The other was busy talking her ear off. Dahlia smiled and giggled at whatever they said, but when she noticed Billie approaching, she left them mid-sentence. Their disappointment was visible when Dahlia tucked her arm around Billie’s waist and blew them a kiss goodbye.

“You’re popular,” Billie said as they lined up for tickets.

Dahlia shrugged. “Yeah, but I’m taken today.”

After Billie paid for admission and a fistful of tickets, they headed toward the rides. First were the teacups, where Dahlia descended into fits of giggles and did her best to hold on as Billie spun them as fast as possible. Next, an old, rickety wooden roller coaster that left them both battered and sore. After that, on the scrambler, Dahlia grabbed Billie’s hand and squeezed to the point it hurt when the machine raised them up perpendicular to the ground. Dahlia was pale when they exited the ride.

“You okay?” Billie asked.

“Yeah,” Dahlia said with a wary glance back at the scrambler. “Maybe we do some games instead?”

When they passed through the arcade section, Billie grabbed Dahlia’s arm and led her over to a stall where the aim was to throw a baseball through a ring at the back. Billie exchanged tickets for three balls.

She turned to Dahlia and handed her one. “Show me your stuff.”

Dahlia looked at the ball and back at Billie with a scrunched-up face. “I don’t do sports.”

Billie blinked. “Really? You’ve got a mean arm.” When Dahlia squinted at her, Billie laughed. “At the party. You beaned your date in the back of the head with one of Sun’s expensive goblets from like thirty feet.”

Dahlia laughed. “Must have been the booze.”

They took turns throwing the balls. Billie did a much better job than Dahlia, but neither got one through the ring. Next, they threw darts at balloons with the same amount of success. The last game they tried was basketball. Billie, having played in a summer league years ago, was sure she could win Dahlia one of the massive stuffed bears. Each of her attempts, while shot near perfectly, bounced off the rim.

“These things are rigged,” Billie grumbled as Dahlia pulled her away.

They passed a cloth hut with weird symbols and a large eye painted above the entrance flap. Billie stopped and nodded toward the tent. “Want to get our fortunes told?”

Dahlia scrunched her face up and shook her head. “Uh uh. I don’t mess with that bruja shit.”

“What’s bruja?”

Dahlia said, snapping her fingers, trying to think of the right words. “Like, magic. Voodoo.”

“Ahh, okay. Are you Catholic, like your mom?”

Dahlia barked a laugh. “No. And don’t let her fool you. Momma acts all proper and fancy, but she’s just as freaky and foul-mouthed as anyone else.”

Billie blinked. “Really?” Katrina had an impeccable public image.

“Oh yeah, we lost track of how many times we heard her moaning or the bed hitting the wall when she’d have one of her boyfriends over to blow her back out.”

Billie laughed. “Wow.”

“Yeah, when we confronted her about it, she turned about as white as you. She started wearing the cross and dragging us to church after that. She was trying to set a good example, but we still knew she had dudes over.”

Billie shook her head. “I never would have thought.”

Dahlia chuckled. “Yeah, she puts on a good show, but she loves the attention.” She snapped her fingers and pointed at Billie. “She’s not into girls, but she never told you to stop hitting on her, did she?”

Billie thought for a second. Dahlia was right. Katrina was always polite in declining her advances, but had never told her to stop.

Dahlia looped her hand through Billie’s arm and snuggled up to her. “Let’s get something to eat.”

The pizza looked overcooked, the giant turkey legs looked raw, and all the deep fried oddities sounded gross. They settled on a funnel cake, some popsicles, and a frozen lemonade. They found an open table and sat across from each other.

“So,” Billie started as she pulled a piece of funnel cake. “You said you don’t do sports, but your mom bragged about you. Said you were a championship soccer player.”

Dahlia’s eyes rolled. “That was forever ago. Besides, I was just on the team that won. I hated going to practice all the time. Didi was good at it though. She loves all the physical stuff.”

Billie nodded. “So she’s the tomboy and you’re the girly girl?”

“Nah,” Dahlia said, taking a long sip from the frozen lemonade. “DiDi’s girly too. She just likes sports.” She squinted and shook her head from the brain freeze.

“You gotta learn to slow down,” Billie laughed. She tapped the table with her knuckle. “Hey, speaking of that. I need to apologize. I made your drinks at the party way too strong. I… might have been trying to impress you.”

“Girl, don’t apologize,” Dahlia said, her eyebrows going up. “That drink was good.”

Billie nodded. “Regardless, I ruined your night.”

Dahlia waved Billie’s concern away and her head fell to the side as she put the popsicle in her mouth. “If Ricardo was worth anything, I wouldn’t be here with you.”

As Billie finished the funnel cake, she noticed three guys at the table opposite them watching Dahlia eat the popsicle. Dahlia glanced over at them, then back to Billie.

“Watch this,” she whispered.

She cleared her throat, put the popsicle to her puckered lips, tilted her head back, and pushed bright red lips over the yellow frozen treat until it disappeared. With her fingers in her mouth, holding it by the end of the stick, she winked at Billie.

“Holy shit,” one guy to their left said.

Billie looked to see them all staring, mouths agape. Dahlia dragged the popsicle back out and made a show of licking it dramatically as it exited her mouth. She reached over, grabbed Billie’s shirt, and pulled her into a kiss. The kiss was sloppy, Dahlia’s lips over hers and left sticky pineapple flavor on Billie’s mouth when Dahlia pulled away. Holy shit was right.

When her face didn’t feel as flushed, Billie said, “That’s uh… impressive.”

“Thanks!” Dahlia said, with a bounce, then laughed. “Momma used to get so pissed when Didi and I would see how long we could do stuff like that in public.”

Billie chuckled. “But you know, that’s not really a skill that’ll be useful between... “ she trailed off, pointing a finger back and forth between the two of them.

Dahlia burst into giggles and shook her head. “I didn’t even think of that,” she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “What’s no gag reflex for lesbians?”

Billie shrugged. “Ummm, maybe a long tongue?”

They both stuck their tongues out, but neither could stretch beyond their chin. Dahlia deflated a bit, but Billie laughed.

“When you aren’t born with it, improvise,” Billie said and stuck her tongue piercing between her teeth.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Dahlia’s eyes lit up, and she looked around for a moment before turning back to Billie. “Wanna ride the ferris wheel?”

After Billie cleared their table, they got tickets and waited in line. When they reached the front, Dahlia whispered something to the tattoo and piercing-laden conductor’s ear. He chuckled and nodded.

The ferris wheel cars were small; two people could sit together but it was more comfortable to sit across from each other. Dahlia sat down and made it a show of crossing her legs and pulling her dress back a bit to show off her thighs.

They loaded a few more cars, then the ferris wheel started moving. Once they were far enough from the ground, Dahlia, with a huge grin, glanced around before tucking her fingers into her top and bra and sliding them down to expose her breasts.

Billie’s jaw dropped. Shaking her head, she forced her eyes up to Dahlia’s massive grin. “We’re ummm... gonna get in trouble if someone sees.”

“Psssh,” Dahlia said, waving her concern away.

She sat back, putting her arms on the car frame and smiled as the wind blew her hair. It was a genuine struggle not to stare, but Billie stayed focused. The Ferris wheel came to a jerking halt just as they reached the top. Billie tore her gaze from Dahlia and looked out over the fair.

Dahlia’s sandaled foot against the bars snapped her gaze back. With her leg up and skirt pulled back, Billie had a full view of the sheer white underwear Dahlia wore.

Billie glanced around. “Seriously, we might get in trouble.”

Dahlia laughed again and shook her head. “No one can see this low in the car,” she said as she pulled her underwear to the side.

“Dude,” Billie said, wanting to watch but also not wanting to get arrested. “There’s kids everywhere.”

“Nah,” Dahlia said. “It’s an old couple behind you and they’d only be able to see my tits if you moved.”

Billie turned to see the old couple cuddled up together and looking out at the horizon. She turned back, trying to position herself in the best spot to block their view. “Look, you’re gorgeous, but not here.”

Dahlia twisted her mouth to the side and narrowed her eyes. “So, you… don’t want to,” she said, glancing down between her legs.

“Fuck yes, I do. But not now. We could get arrested. Plus, who else has fucked or done worse in this thing,” she said pointing to a couple of unknown stains on the seat.

Dahlia looked down, and her smile wilted. She replaced her underwear and put her leg down. “Ew. I didn’t think about that.”

When the Ferris wheel started moving again, Dahlia covered herself, then moved over and sat on Billie’s lap, putting one arm around her shoulders. Dahlia smelled divine. She took Billie’s hand and placed it between her very warm thighs.

Chills ran down Billie’s spine when Dahlia bit her ear lobe and whispered, “Let’s see what you can do before we get to the bottom.”

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Ikher finished cleaning and grabbed his phone. He rifled through the tax paperwork Katrina left him, found her business card, and called. It went to voicemail.

“Hey, lady. It’s Ikher. Just calling like you said so we can continue that conversation we had at the party. The one about cooking and stuff. I’ve been polishing a couple recipes I think you might like. Give me a call. Bye!”

As he hung up, he saw the familiar beat up luxury sedan round the corner and park at the curb. He met Vernard and Chuck outside as Janine exited her house.

“What it do?” Chuck asked, giving Ikher a pound before waving to Janine. “Sup Momma.”

She walked over. “Do I even want to know what you three are getting up to?”

“E got that rock band game,” Vernard said. “We’ve been practicing the hard levels before we move on to the expert joints.”

Janine opened her mouth, but closed it before squinting at each of them. “So… yall are playing music?”

“Not exactly,” Ikher said. “We play songs that already exist. There’s harder ones and easier ones. We’ve been working at getting to the hard ones.”

“Ey, Momma. You should play too. Our normal singer’s out today,” Chuck said, making Vernard’s head snap to him.

“You don’t appreciate my smooth crooning?”

Chuck shook his head like he smelled something bad. “Like dragging gravel over broken glass.”

“Whatever,” Vernard said, pushing Chuck away. “I sound good.”

Janine laughed and shook her head. “Maybe another time. I need to see my sister.”

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When they exited the ferris wheel car, Dahlia was covered in a light sheen of sweat and Billie had multiple bite marks on her neck. The conductor gave Billie a high five as they hurried off. In such a hurry to leave, neither saw him smell his hand and chuckle.

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During the off season, Katrina only came to the office twice a week. She had her keys out to unlock the door, but Esmeralda had beaten her.

“Good morning, Mrs Munoz,” Esmerelda said when Katrina entered. “Mail’s on your desk.”

“Morning, Ema. Any messages?”

“Yes,” she said, holding out several sheets of paper. “Two returned messages and one person looking to open an account. Oh, and some guy asking you out to dinner.”

“Ugh,” Katrina said, shaking her head. “Why?”

“Happy Monday,” Ema said with a giggle.

Katrina sat at her desk and pulled her mobile phone out. Dahlia had been gone all weekend and, despite several texts that she was fine, Katrina was starting to worry. Just as she called, there was a loud rumble from outside. A black muscle car skidded to a stop in front of the building.

Her daughter leaned over, kissed someone, then got out wearing the same dress she had left the house in on Saturday. Katrina met her as she entered the business. Dahlia’s dress was wrinkled and her hair was all over the place.

“Where have you been? You look a mess.”

Dahlia sighed at her. “I told you I was on a date.”

“Dates don’t last all weekend.”

Dahlia sat on the edge of Ema’s desk. “This one did.”

“What were you doing the whole time?”

Dahlia smiled, and her eyes lit up. “You sure you want to know?”

Katrina threw up her hands and turned back to her office. “Ugh, please tell me you used protection.”

“Didn’t need to.”

Katrina spun back around. Even Ema, who was used to these arguments, looked up from her desk at that comment.

“And why not?” Katrina asked, not certain she wanted to know the answer. She was too young to be a grandmother.

“Cause it was Billie.”

Katrina shook her head. “Billie who?”

“Billie from the party. The one who brought me home.”

Katrina blinked. “Why did you go on a date with her?”

Dahlia shrugged. “Cause she’s nice.”

“So you’re into girls now?”

Dahlia smiled and played with her hair. “I mean, we spent all weekend with each other.”

“What is wrong with you?”

Dahlia hopped off Ema’s desk. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you making such a big deal out of this?”

Katrina opened her mouth but noticed Ema watching them. This was not the place for this argument. She shook her head and walked back to her office. “I’m not talking about this with you now,” she said when she returned with her keys. “Take my car and go home.”

“Momma-”

“Go!” Katrina said, pointing out the door.

“Whatever,” Dahlia said, snatching the keys and storming out.

She watched Dahlia stomp out to her car and pull off before she walked back to her office and closed the door. Sitting, Katrina put her head in her hands. How had she failed Dahlia this much?

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Eric checked his watch. Billie was never late without calling. As he reached for the phone under the bar, the bell above the door rang.

“Sorry, sorry,” Billie said, tucking in her misbuttoned shirt. Her hair, normally braided for work, was in a sloppy ponytail, and her kerchief was tied around her neck.

“Yo! You look beat,” Eric said as she tied on her bib.

“Thanks.”

That was odd. No snappy comeback.

“You pull a double at the tolls?”

Billie shook her head, then stretched her arms above her head. “Called out.” She washed and dried her hands before tossing the towel over her shoulder. “What still needs to be done?”

“Nothing. I got it all sorted.”

“Okay,” she said and leaned, then slumped against the back wall. She had bags under her eyes and a thousand-yard stare.

Eric waved his hand in front of her face. “Hey, are you okay?”

She blinked. “Huh? Yeah. I’m just tired.”

“You been burning it at both ends?”

“Heh, that’s one way to put it.” Eric folded his arms and leaned against the bar. He stared at her until she noticed. Billie sighed and nodded. “Remember my date with Kat’s daughter? That date ended about an hour before I got here.”

“Wait,” Eric said and counted on his fingers. “Damn, was it that good?”

“Yeah. She’s been at my place since then.” Billie shook her head and pulled down the kerchief, revealing multiple hickies. “Dahlia’s... insatiable. We’ve been at it pretty much since we left the fair on Saturday.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah,” Billie nodded in a haze. “I haven’t come this much since I moved in with my first girlfriend.”

“Jesus.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know,” Billie said, raising her hands in a prayer motion. “Thank you, Zaggy Stardust.”

“No,” Eric said with a laugh. “I mean, that can’t be good for you. Go take a nap in the office.”

“Dude, I can’t. You’ll do everything wrong.”

Eric pointed to the back. “Go. If you aren’t back, I’ll wake you before the lunch rush starts.”

Billie stared at him for a second before she pushed off the wall and gave him a hug. “I love you, man.”

Eric laughed. “Yeah, yeah. Go sleep it off.”