CHAPTER 5

"Well, what have we got here?" one of the screeners drawled, trying to put Julie on the defensive. "Didn't y'all see the sign?" He motioned to the signboard next to him.

On cue, their eyes swung that way. The rule board, which happened to be strictly followed by anyone who wants to enter the park, was small and partially old.

"We didn't see it!" Julie tried to explain, swiveling back to the guard. "I didn't know! Our curiosity led us here since we just heard that this park attracted more tourists than the rest in Myrtle. We're actually not from this area, tourists, you could say. Come on, just let me in," she continued to beg as the rest were also trying to find a way for Julie to enter.

"I'm sorry! I still can't let you in." The screener can't let them in, as the park was strict with its rules as it tries to promote family-oriented values with their guests. "This park upholds religious values, second to safety and security," he added.

"But we already bought a ticket."

"The rest can come in while you have to wait here." Then he turned his attention to Julie. "If you want, you can just buy a souvenir shirt inside while you wait for them."

"That would be great then," Shira remarked.

"Just wait for us here," Maggie instructed Julie.

As they were about to enter, Julie hesitantly whined, "But I don't want to be alone here."

"We'll accompany her and wait for you, ladies," Ryan comforted.

The security guard immediately gave the direction to Lea, Shira and Maggie where the souvenir shop was located and then they heard a voice.

"Excuse me! Is there something wrong here? The people at the back are getting irritated waiting."

By the time they noticed that they have been pleading Julie's case, the line has been longer. The people at their back looked impatient, as if they couldn't understand how much time is needed just to pass the screeners. From the looks in their eyes, irritation was being to take shape. Everyone was on edge. Hurry up, their expressions said.

"Oh Mr. Bolton! The usual. It's just one of the strict policies of the park," the security explained.

Town folks of Myrtle Beach loved Landon. He was actually considered as one of the many local heroes for his invaluable generosity. As a teenager, he was already popular with others, not only with his status as son of a wealthy hotel owner but because of what he did during the so-called 2001 Myrtle Beach Tornado that ripped most of the Myrtle Beach, destroying many houses, hotels and businesses. More that the damages the tornado caused, the number of saddened hearts were many to count caused by the rare tornado that sucked and hit them.

Landon, a college student at that time, left New York and returned to his hometown Myrtle as soon as he found out what happened, offering his service and his resources for the people to be able to see the sunrise again. More so, he became popular after being the headline of newspapers, locals and nationals, to be among the first people distributing some food and supplies to affected families at the temporary shelter.

Landon's generosity didn't stop after the recovery of the town. He continued to share his love with the town by making some of the local non-profit organizations as the beneficiaries to one of his assets, just like Caring Friend of Myrtle Beach, Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach, and Sea Heaven, the foundation that he and Theresa started for the medical assistance for those living in poverty.

"Here" Landon handed them a shirt. "Why don't you just wear this shirt until you're able to buy a shirt inside?" He handed the plain shirt to Julie. "Don't worry! That shirt is new," he assured.

Landon was familiar with the dress code of the park. Most of the time, whenever they go to the park, they would encounter similar incident with tourist in an inappropriate dress code.

When Landon parked their car, he immediately noticed the commotion that was happening at one of the entrance gates. He grabbed one of the shirts he just bought in the morning and together with Mavis walked to the entrance gate.

Julie straight away wore the shirt but couldn't still say a word as she was at a halt and stunned by Landon's poise. All the more she admires him for what he did for her.

"We're really sorry for the inconvenience. The amusement park is just strict but we guarantee that you would love it," the screener ensured them.

"Well, I'm already loving what I'm seeing now," Julie expressed as she continued to marvel at Landon.

"Julie!" Lea, along with Shira and Maggie warned in unison. They stared at her as if she were just a plain dense. The guys, as usual seemed to be enjoying it. It was a regular scenario whenever a man whom Julie admires stand before her.

Lea sighed. She could feel the tension in her neck, and she rolled her shoulders. It didn't help much. She closed her eyes, rubbed them, and opened them again. Suddenly, Lea felt a small hand holding hers. It was Mavis who abruptly held her hands and said, "Mom? Mom?" He was happily but confusedly staring at Lea trying to figure out if she was his mother.

"Hello there!" Lea bent over and smiled at him. "What's your name?"

Recognizing what Mavis did and said, Landon embarrassedly held Mavis by his shoulder and slowly pulled him. "I'm sorry!" he apologized and turned his attention to Mavis. "That's not your mom." Not wanting for Mavis to know his disappointment, Landon composedly smiled and clarified, "They're guests of the Palace."

After a brief explanation from his dad, Mavis faced Lea and apologized, "I'm sorry!"

"It's okay!" Lea smiled at him. "What's your name?" she repeated her question.

"Mavis. His name's Mavis," Landon answered.

"Well, hello there Mavis!" Julie greeted. "You're such an adorable young boy," she added.

"It's a charming name for such a charming kid," Shira added.

"How about you? What's your name?" Mavis unexpectedly asked and he pointed at Lea.

"I'm Lea." She motioned to her friends starting with the ladies to the gentlemen.

As Lea was introducing them one by one, each of them gives variety of greetings and smiles at Mavis as they were trying to show off their poise, which made Mavis smile all the more.

"This is my dad." He grabbed onto Landon's pants.

"I'm Landon. Landon Bolton."

He extended his right hand in front of Lea. Yet, it was Julie who received the hand. Her friends weren't surprised by how fast Julie moved to receive his hand. It wasn't the first time. Rather, it was quite often whenever a man she likes introduced himself to them. "Nice to meet you, Landon." She smiled.

"Dad, can we go now to the airplane?" Mavis excitedly asked as he shook the pants of Landon to get his attention.

For a long minute, Landon and Lea continued to stare at each other. "Okay! Okay!" Landon moved his eyes from Lea to Mavis. Turning back his attention, "I'm sorry. We have to go. We hope you would enjoy your stay." He smiled at them and afterwards chased Mavis who started running to the area where the Flight School was.

They weren't able to say their goodbye as they were already far but still Julie shouted, "Thank you!"

"So, where do we go now?" Ryan asked.

"We have to buy a shirt for Ms. Princess here!" Maggie sarcastically stared at Julie.

"Oh! No worries!" She smiled at them. "I'm contented wearing Mr. Hot man's shirt," she lovingly said.

"Just to remind you that shirt is new," Shira interjected.

"It doesn't matter as long as it belongs to him," she reasoned out as she swayed like a cloud.

"You know Julie, you should grow up!" Lea pinched Julie in her tight.

"Ouch!" she cried out. "What's that for?"

"Are you not ashamed? Sam's with us." Lea tried to pull Julie back to the reality.

Sam is the long-time boyfriend of Julie. They have been in a relationship longer than the rest. They started out as childhood friends who were inseparable as they studied at the same schools from high school until earning a degree in a university. They know each other well that Sam was already accustomed with Julie's attitude towards desirable men. No jealousy. No anger. Rather, it's also one of things he loves about Julie, her being vocal in terms of what she wants including men. She may desire other men but her heart would still belong to Sam. Of which, he was assured of at the start of their relationship.

Sam just smiled at them as Julie walked towards him and looped her arm through Sam's.

"You're too canny, Julie!" Shira hit Julie on her shoulder.

"Ouch!"

Everyone laughed as they have expected Julie expressed some love to Sam after being carefree towards another man while he's just beside her. It was a usual scenario that most of them couldn't help but laugh at Julie's action.

"Let's go guys! Let's have some fun!" Julie blurted out loud that people around them stared at her. She turned from one person to the other, making sure they understood what she was expressing with Sam. Ironically, she was still though thinking about Landon even as she wrapped herself in Sam's arms.

As they started walking to the souvenir shop, Lea approached Shira and whispered, "Have you noticed their faces?"

Shira just nodded, as she immediately understood whom Lea was referring. With fewer words, they have understood what the other wanted to say. Shira was the last one who joined the group. It was Lea who introduced her to them. They were classmates in one of their major subjects in psychology class. They immediately jelled with each other and hit as close friends.

Among them, the two young ladies were the ones who have the keen eye for details particularly the people whom they encounter. Maybe it was due to their being a psychology major that made them observe but even before they started to study psychology they are the one who have sharp senses in terms of emotion and habit of others.

"So… what do you think of… them?" Shira prodded.

"They seemed to be disheartened. I couldn't feel their soul." Lea tried to analyze as her gaze was still directed at Landon and Mavis. She blinked, her mind clearly wandering on the possible reasons. Shira stayed silent, waiting for her to go on.

"What the hell are you two murmuring about?" Julie noticed them whispering at each other. "Hell! Be sure it's not about that. If not, you should be fined right now."

Lea chuckled to herself as she reached for Julie's arm.

"Of course not!" Shira justified. "Come on! Let's party!" she cried out loud as she smiled and winked at Lea.

"Okay!" Julie said, satisfied by Shira's reaction. "You better be."

As they were on their way to the Flight School, Mavis was pulling his dad's pants as Landon was simply engulfed with some thoughts in his mind.

"Dad! Dad!" Mavis tried to get Landon's attention.

As Landon was pulled back to what was happening, he looked at Mavis, "What's wrong?"

"Can we please buy an ice cream?"

They just passed by some food stalls at near the kiddie speedway, a small racing circuit for kids. There were fries, chips, cotton candy and ice cream.

"You have just eaten an ice cream this morning according to Deanna."

"But… I want their ice cream," Mavis pleaded.

Landon gave in. He knew Mavis deserved to be pampered since he had waited for so long to be able to visit an amusement park again since his mother was hospitalized. Mavis was unlike many young kids who would cry and complain if people wouldn't give in to what they want. He was quite matured for his age. Theresa instilled in him the mentality and attitude he needed growing up. Despite being a son of wealthy family, he was trained to be humble and kind-hearted kid. It was like Theresa foreseen what her son needed to imbibe in order for his widowed husband to handle him easily like any mother would wish her son to be.