WWW.SHAKER.LIFE | FALL 2021 47
"The Moments That Matter"
earned best of round at the Regional competition in
Hudson as well as the Platinum Pen Award.
The Moments That Matter
By Isabel Siegel
Everywhere surrounding him, there was color. Noise. Energy.
A never-ending flow of life, constantly whirling around them. Everywhere his eyes darted, there was something new
to see, something to make his heart leap to his throat. Everywhere he turned, there was a new vibrant, bursting color
begging for his attention, a noise beckoning for him to wander near. Large stuffed animals, swinging from a display- there
was even his favorite animal, a tiger! A balloon drifting from a child’s hand. The thick aroma of salted pretzels wafting
through the air. The blaring clatter from a game, giggles and shrieks erupting every time another cup on the display was
knocked down by one of the children playing. Yet every time his eyes finally settled on one game, a soft smile twitching
upon his lips as he began to inch near it, there was something new screaming for his attention on the other side, until all
he could do was simply stand and stare, mouth hanging slightly agape.
“Well...” The nine-year-old’s eyes slowly drifted up towards a tall man towering over him, casting a shadow over his
small form and clutching his hand. A slight smile had already begun to inch on the man’s face, eyes gleaming as he took
in the sights around him- yet there was something more in his eyes, almost wary as he gazed at the child below him. As if
waiting for something. “What do you think, Jaimie?”
For a moment, Jaimie couldn’t seem to form noise, eyes swiveling around him rapidly at the always moving carnival
surrounding him. His eyes widened, brown hair plastered to his forehead glinting under the afternoon light. Heart skipping
a beat, he stood rigid and still, eyes transfixed now on a stand where kids clutched water guns, frantically aiming them at
a little toy swerving around inside. A small gasp escaped from him as the water finally splashed against the toy, cheers
erupting as they collected their prize. “I thought you said we were just going to go get dinner.” He murmured, suddenly
seeming rather flushed.
The man’s smile grew, letting out a small, bashful chuckle. “Well, I think this might be a bit more fun than dinner.” He
squeezed Jaimie’s hand, who still didn’t move, gazing silently at the crowd surrounding him. “Besides, what’s the fun of
something if it isn’t a surprise?”
His eyes drifted down to Jaimie’s small form, frozen as if his feet had been glued to the ground. Suddenly, the man’s
smile faltered slightly, swallowing as he looked away. His words spilled out before he could stop them, tumbling out in a
frenzy with forced, sticky sweet enthusiasm. “There’s games, you know. You like games, right? And prizes- we could win
a prize if you want! And...”
His words continued to sound around him, slowly blurring to incomprehensible ramblings in Jaimie’s mind. The
blaring sounds of the crowd seemed to suddenly be growing in volume, ringing deafeningly through his ears as his head
began to pound, heat creeping up in his cheeks despite the cooler afternoon breeze. Everyone around him was moving,
everyone around him was talking, and he was lost directly in the middle of it. A little girl squealed as she clutched a toy
elephant, yanking on her mother’s hand and racing towards another attraction. A woman talked hurriedly on the phone,
shrill voice ringing out around her. A group of teens broke out into laughter, shoving each other’s shoulders as they waited
in line. Each and every noise melded into a swirling cacophony of sound, growing louder and louder in his ears with every
passing second.
“Alex?”
Somehow, a murmur managed to slip from Jaimie’s lips, barely heard amongst the constant chatter. In an instant,
Alex’s mindless enthusiastic flow of words cut off, like a music track abruptly screeching to a halt. His eyes flickered
down to Jaimie, brow furrowing. “Yeah?”
“I don’t think I want to play any of the games.”
Alex frowned, turning to Jaimie once more- however, in an instant, it was easily replaced by a carefree grin, carefully
plastered on his face. As if a light were being switched on and off, without any thought behind it.”Oh- that’s ok! We could
get a snack, if you want, or I could just buy you one of those prizes...”
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