“Keep going. Who rode in each bucket?” Jasmine asked.

“Blaze rigged it so that he and Colleen sat together,” Liz said. “I’m worried about that.”

“Who sat with you?”

“Raylen,” Liz said.

“Would you want someone interfering with you and Raylen?” Jasmine asked.

Liz had already unlocked the door, but she turned around, “No, I would not!”

“Then leave Colleen and Blaze alone. They’re both grown, and trust me, Colleen can take care of herself. Would you break up with Raylen if you had a brother who fell for Becca?” Jasmine asked.

“No, but I’d sure think about shooting Becca,” Liz said.

“I rest my case,” Jasmine told her.

***

Liz felt right at home in the travel trailer, sitting at the table with her makeup kit and mirrors around her. She wore a long, flowing multicolored skirt, a yellow blouse with billowing sleeves, with a turquoise scarf and beaded sandals. When she finished her makeup, she slipped six strands of different colored beads around her neck, a dozen silver bangle bracelets on one arm, and a tinkling charm bracelet on the other. Then she wrapped a long scarf around her head, tying it in a double knot right above her left ear and letting the ends fall over her shoulder.

She was checking her reflection when her mother stepped into the trailer. “You forgot something.”

“I did?”

“Ah, my child. One month and you are already becoming a householder.”

“I’m not an outsider, Mama. What did I forget?”

Marva Jo pointed at her feet. “Your ankle bracelets. The tinkling sound helps to feed the illusion.”

“Thank you,” Liz said.

Marva Jo went to the refrigerator and took out a Diet Coke. “I like your Raylen. He reminds me of your father except that your father had jet-black hair and eyes, like you have. And he was much shorter than Raylen.”

“Then what is it about him that makes you think of my father?” Liz asked.

“The way he looks at you. Just remember our wanderlust is only appealing for a little while. It didn’t last with your father. If he hadn’t died, we would have divorced. Our marriage was on the rocks. It won’t last with Raylen. Enjoy it while you have it and then let it go. Kind of like a butterfly on a pretty red flower. Stay until you tire of it and then fly away,” Marva Jo said.

“What if I don’t get tired of it?” Liz fastened charm bracelets with little brass bells around her ankles.

“It’s not up to you. He’ll get tired of it, and then you’ll find out that the place for you is in the bosom of the carnie. He’s the only reason you went there and the only thing that holds you. When it’s over, you’ll come home. History repeats itself.” Marva Jo told her. “A mother knows these things.”

“What if it’s five years down the road and we’re in a committed relationship?” Liz asked.

Marva Jo kissed her again on the forehead, being careful not to mess up her makeup. “What-ifs could go on all night. I wish you could dance tonight, but from what the weatherman says, it’s going to be too cold. Such is life this late in the year. Sometimes it’s nice and warm, and sometimes we don’t even make enough to pay the electricity bill before we leave town.”