Renee Riva

Summer of the Carousel Renee Riva

A charming time in a charming town "Me and Nellie watch to see who won Miss Hog Eye Holler this year. You don't find out who won 'til she comes floating down Lavender Lane on her royal float, waving and chucking candy at everyone. "How long ago was it that you won Miss Hog Eye Holler, Nellie?" I ask her. Nellie shakes her head and laughs. "Too many moons ago to count!" she answers. Nellie is still pretty as can be so it couldn't have been that long ago. Just as we are talking about it, who should come around the bend but Miss Sandra Jane Jacobs in her long lavender sequin gown and purple high heels on top of her pink and purple floral float. Sandra Jane is the older sister of Emma Jean, who is the girlfriend of Billy Ray Baxter, who is the hunk of Hog Eye Holler. So I'm just a tinge bit jealous that Emma Jean gets to ride up there on that float with her beauty queen sister. "I sure would like to ride on that float myself someday," I told Nellie, "but only if I can wear my over-alls instead of that skimpy long dress and high heels. I would trip for sure in those tall shoes right off the side of that float, trying to wave and throw candy at same time. I'd bust my front teeth right out, and then I'd look just awful for the newspaper photo." This is what I say so when the time comes for me to lose the Miss Hog Eye Holler contest, I won't feel quite so bad. Nellie smiles. "Oh, you still got a few years yet to practice." A summer like this comes along only once a lifetime