It Only Takes a Moment by Mary Jane Clark Read Free Book Online

the back of his neck but couldn’t tell if it was the heat or the anticipation that made beads of sweat drip down his sides.
    He cruised around the fairgrounds, aware that it was getting late. Many of the younger ones had already gone home. Hugh did spot one—a perfect little girl—and followed her for a while. He admired her ponytail swaying from side to side as she walked on thin, hairless legs. But the treasure was being guarded by the man and woman who flanked her, firmly holding her hands. Hugh let them walk away.
    “Three tries for a dollar. Come on now, try your skill. Three shots for a dollar.”
    Hugh looked in the direction of the shouting voice. A group of children were gathered around a game stand, looking longingly at the prizes that hung from the ceiling of the booth. As Hugh got closer, he saw the miniature rifles, attached to a long, low table, pointing in the general direction of the orange rabbit targets that sped across the horizon only ten feet away.
    “Want to give it a try, pal?” asked the attendant. “Lots of great prizes here.”
    Hugh looked with skepticism at the dangling collection of cheap dolls, plastic trucks, and blow-up toys. Then the girl with the bangs and freckles caught his attention. Her eyes glistened with excitement as she stared up at the prizes. She was standing next to a boy who resembled her and Hugh surmised he was her older brother. But he couldn’t have been more than eight or nine years old and the little girl looked to be about six or seven. There were no adults around but the booth attendant.
    Perfect.
    “Which one do you want?” Hugh asked the girl.
    She looked at him uncertainly.
    “It’s all right,” said Hugh. “I want to try the game, but there are no prizes that I like. Why don’t I try to win one for you instead?”
    The girl looked at her brother. He only shrugged.
    “Okay,” said Hugh as he pulled a dollar bill out of his pocket. “What will it be?”
    The girl pointed up at a plastic baby doll with curly white hair.
    Hugh bent down, took aim, and fired, each time hitting the target. He stood upright and pointed at the doll.
    “For three hits, you only get to pick from the bottom row of prizes,” said the attendant. “You need nine to get the prizes on top.”
    Hugh dug into his pocket and threw two more bills on the counter. He took his shots but, this time, he missed a few.
    “Damn it,” he hissed as he took out more money. “I could go to the store and buy the darned thing for less than I’m spending here.”
    He could feel the little girl watching him. That made his breathing come faster as he took aim again. Finally, he accumulated the necessary points to get the doll.
    The child beamed as he handed her the prize.
    “What are you going to name her?” he asked.
    “I don’t know yet,” said the child.
    “Maybe you could name her after yourself,” Hugh suggested. “What’s your name?”
    “Madison.”
    “That’s a pretty name,” said Hugh. He engaged the girl and her brother in conversation as they slowly walked away from the game booth toward the food stands.
    “Anyone want a slice of pizza or an ice cream?” asked Hugh.
    The children looked at each other again.
    “Don’t worry,” said Hugh. “It’s all right.” He handed some money to the boy. “Go ahead over there and get yourself and your sister ice cream cones. Madison and I will go over to the picnic tables and find seats.”
    “It should be all right, Madison. I’ll be right back.” The boy grabbed the ten-dollar bill and ran.
    Hugh took the girl’s hand and began to walk toward the picnic area,but instead of finding a place to sit, Hugh continued past the wooden tables.
    “Where are we going?” asked the child.
    “Back here,” said Hugh. “It’s nicer back here.”
    He could feel the child try to pull her hand from his.
    “I don’t want to go back here,” said the little girl. “I want my brother.”
    Hugh leaned down and swept the child into his