44. Stella
CHAPTER 44
STELLA
W hen we pass through the gates at Disneyland the next morning, I’m still dubious about how much I’m personally going to enjoy the park. I’ll definitely enjoy watching Jessie have fun though, and she’s so happy, she’s skipping instead of walking.
From the moment we enter, we’re surrounded by music, colorful decorations, and tempting food smells. Little by little, as we twirl on teacups, circle around on the carousel, and tour the houses where Mickey and Minnie live, the place starts to have an effect on me.
It seems like it would be impossible to worry about everyday concerns while you’re here.
Wyatt takes us on his favorite ride, which is filled with pirates, and Cam shows us his favorite roller coaster, a runaway train.
“Would you like to ride it?” I ask Jessie, as the ride vehicle goes whizzing by our viewing spot. “You’re tall enough.”
She toes the concrete under her feet, looking uneasy. “I’m not sure.”
“How about if we work our way up to it?” Cam suggests. “We can ride the regular train that goes around the park first, then a smaller roller coaster by Mickey’s house, and if you love both of those, you know you’ll be ready for this one.”
When she nods her head, he holds his knuckles out to her for a fist bump. “It’s a plan. Let’s go!”
Jessie’s still a little nervous, but also excited when we finally make our way back to the big coaster. Cam and Wyatt are encouraging without being at all pushy. As we wait in line, they tell her exactly what to expect, while also cracking jokes to keep the mood light.
When it’s almost our turn to ride, she asks if she can sit next to one of the guys.
“Which one?” I ask.
She looks back and forth between the men, who are engaged in a discussion about what they want to eat after we get off the ride. “I can’t decide.”
“Maybe we can ride twice, so you can sit once with each of them.”
She lifts her hand up, and I have to laugh when I finally figure out she’s looking for another fist bump.
She rides the coaster with Wyatt first, and Cam and I sit behind them. Cam takes the opportunity to squeeze my knee, and keeps his hand on me during the entire ride, in a very PG family-friendly way.
Jessie and Wyatt are both laughing as we exit the ride, and my little girl is exhilarated as she recaps her favorite parts.
When we ride again, Wyatt pulls me close to him on the bench seat. “Are you having a good time?”
“I’m having a great time,” I say, nodding.
“Good. I think Jessie’s having a good time, too,” he says.
“I’m pretty sure she’s having the best day ever.”
Wyatt’s grin warms my heart as he takes my hand in his. “Good.”
Afterward, while all four of us are sitting around an outdoor table enjoying ice cream bars shaped like Mickey Mouse’s head, two teenage girls approach.
“Are you—” they start to ask, and when Cam and Wyatt turn toward them, they squeal. “Oh my god, it is you! I knew it! We love you guys!”
Both girls gush over the Battle Duel Boys, as the men smile and nod with humble expressions on their faces.
“Can we take a picture with you?” one of the girls asks.
The men agree, and I do the polite thing and offer to take the picture instead of making them take a selfie.
The men get recognized two more times throughout the day, but both encounters are polite and not too intrusive. It’s odd to be out with people who are semi-famous, but I think I could get used to it.
We go on several more rides, including another rollercoaster that my brave daughter requests, and the world famous “Small World” ride, whose song I’m certain will be a worm in my brain for the rest of my life.
After dark, we watch fireworks over the castle, and by the end of the show, Jessie’s barely able to keep her eyes open. Wyatt carries her out of the park, onto the tram, and all the way back to the car. Seeing my daughter asleep in his arms makes me feel all kinds of things.
I’m tired too, but the happiness I’m feeling gives me energy.
“That was so much fun. Thank you for everything,” I tell them both when we’re all in the car. Neither of the men let me spend a penny all day, not for admission, food, or even souvenirs. They insisted on buying a shirt, a stuffed toy, and Mickey ears for Jessie, and sparkly sequined Minnie ears for me. I feel a bit like a kid again myself.
I’ll have to find some way to pay them back, maybe with homemade blueberry muffins, because I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to make cookies as good as Wyatt’s. I’ll definitely have Jessie make a thank-you card for them, too.
“Our pleasure,” Cam says, as Wyatt says, “You’re welcome. We should plan to come back during the Halloween season.”
“I’d like that,” I say softly, thinking about how nice it was for the four of us to spend the day together, and how nice it is that the men want to make future plans with us. They were so attentive to Jessie, so helpful, and as always, so much fun.
The little part of my brain that remains wary is sometimes on the lookout for their faults, but I haven’t found any yet.