Ten
Tinny carnival music filled the air, the smell of popcorn making Carey’s tummy rumble.
He leaned against the railing surrounding the carousel, watching Jase go ‘round and ‘round, the little girl he was standing beside bouncing exuberantly up and down on her zebra. Next to him, the girl’s mom supported an even younger boy, who was cackling with glee.
Carey smiled. It was so like Jase, to offer to be the stand-in for an absent dad so the little girl, not much more than four, could ride, too.
“My husband’s on deployment,” the blonde woman had said apologetically, her face red with embarrassment at her daughter’s disappointed screams. “I’m sorry, Bella. I can’t take you and your brother. We’ll come back another time.”
That’s when Jase had stepped in, and now he was chatting with the y
