If Angels Fall

TWENTY-EIGHT

Gabrielle Nunn joined the chorus of shrieking girls spinning in the tub of thecarousel. Its ancient organ huffed a mazurka and Gabrielle was the happiest shehad been in weeks, almost forgetting that her dog Jackson had disappeared.

It was Saturday. Joannie Tyson’s seventh birthdayparty at the Children’s Playground in Golden Gate Park. A monster bash.Thirty-two kids. A tiny Be-In. The summer of cake and ice cream.

Gabrielle was wearing the flowered print dress hermother made especially for her six birthday, a few days away, but Gabrielle hadpleaded to wear it today. Her mother gave in. Then Nancy Nunn plaited herdaughter’s auburn hair into French braids. Gabrielle’s favorite. Now, whirlingand laughing with friends Tracey Tanner, Millie Palmer, and Rhonda King, whomeverybody called Help-Me Rhonda, Gabrielle was having a perfect day.

A dream day.

Round and round she went. Her stomach tingling as ifan ecstatic butterfly were fluttering inside. She wanted to ride the carouselforever. But when they finished their third successive tour. Nancy Nunn, whowas watching the girls, feared a fourth ride would be risky, given the amountof cake and ice cream they downed earlier.

“Can we catch up with the others now?” Millie Palmerasked.

Between the cake eating and the present opening, theparty had separated into small groups, each chaperoned by an adult.

Some had gone to the Troll Bridge, some to the MouseTower. Wendy Sloane had taken Letty, Elaine, and three other girls to theFarmyard.

“Can we go to the Mouse Tower, Mrs. Nunn?” TraceyTanner asked.

“No, the Farmyard!” Rhonda King said.

“Before we go anywhere, ladies, who has to go to thewashroom?”

Millie and Rhonda shot up their hands.

Nancy herded her foursome to the nearest washroom.Millie and Rhonda each found a stall. Nancy put Gabrielle and Tracey before themirrors to check their hair. Soon Millie came out of the stall to wash herhands. Minutes passed. Rhonda was taking a long time.

“Rhonda?” Nancy called, trying the stall door. It waslocked.

“Oh, Mrs. Nunn, I don’t feel good,” Rhonda moaned. Theother girls looked at each other. “I feel like I’m going to-“

Rhonda retched and vomited. The girls grimaced.

Rhonda coughed violently.

At Nancy’s insistence, Millie, the group’s smallestmember, scooted under the stall and unlocked the door. Rhonda was on the toiletin tears, her panties around her ankles. Humiliated. Nancy held her tremblinghand, dabbed her tears with a crumpled tissue, brushed her hair from her eyes.

“Oh, sweetheart, don’t worry.”

“Gross,” Tracey said.

“It’s going to be fine, dear,” Nancy assured Rhonda.“Tracey, please get me some paper towels soaked in cold water and some dryones. Girls, stay by me while we help Rhonda.”

“But Mom, it’s so gross!” Gabrielle complained.

“Stay here, Gabrielle,” Nancy ordered over hershoulder while helping Rhonda pull up her underwear. “Rhonda sweetie, thishappens to every little girl, so don’t you worry.”

Tracy gave Nancy the paper towels. None of the girlsteased Rhonda about her nickname as Nancy cleaned her up. They stood by forsupport, except for Gabrielle. The acrid order overwhelmed her.

Gabrielle did not want to be sick herself. Lured bythe carousel’s organ puffing a new polka, she took it upon herself to waitoutside the washroom. She stood alone, watching the revolving animals, thedreamy horses, the chariots, the rocker, the turning tub. Mom should bepleased. After all, she was a big girl. A smile was blooming on Gabrielle’sface when suddenly a shadow fell over her.

“You are Gabrielle?”

A tall man with a beard, dark glasses, and a ball capsmiled down in her. She didn’t know him, but he had a friendly, soft voice. Hadto one of the dads for the party, she guessed.

“You are Gabrielle Nunn whose dad is Paul, afirefighter, and your mom is Nancy.”

Gabrielle didn’t realize she was nodding.

“Let’s talk over here.” The man took her aside,glancing at the snapshot in his hand, giving it to her. “This would be yourpup?”

Gabrielle’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped open.

“Yes! It’s my dog, Jackson! Where is he?”

“In my truck.” The man nodded down the hill toward theparking lot. “Your folks wanted me to bring him to you for your birthdaysurprise. Happy birthday, Gabrielle.”

“But it’s Joanie’s birthday today. Mine is in a fewdays.”

“Boy did I mess up. I’m sorry. Gabrielle. Please don’ttell anybody. Please.” He looked around. Everyone near them was watching thecarousel. “I gotta go before anyone sees me,” he said, holding out his hand forthe snapshot.

“Gabrielle!” her mother called from the washroom.

“Just waiting by the door, Mom. I feel better here.”

Gabrielle pulled the picture to her chest.

She was disarmed. Whatever innate shield she hadagainst strangers evaporated as she thrilled not with doubt but delight in thebelief Jackson was nearby. If she could just hold him again.

“Wait, mister. Can’t I just see him? Please?”

The man rubbed his beard thoughtfully.

“I won’t tell anybody, I promise. Please?”

“Just a quick secret peek?”

“Gabrielle!” Her mother’s voice echoed from thewashroom along with Rhonda’s whimpering.

“I’m okay, Mom, I’m just waiting outside the door!”Gabrielle called. Then to the man she whispered breathlessly: “Oh please, let’shurry!”

“Okay. Count to ten, then follow me quickly to mytruck. Don’t let anybody see you. Just a quick, secret peek.”

The man walked away.

Counting to ten, Gabrielle heard Rhonda retch. Hermother was going to take forever in there. She could cuddle Jackson in secretand be back before her mother missed her, if she hurried.

Gabrielle followed the man from the carousel, down thehill to the parking lot.