The Roller Coaster Ride

Short Story Day 149 of 365

It was billed as the most violent roller coaster ride in the country because of its rigid wooden structure. Other similar rides had more loop de loops, twists, and steep drops, but none were as jarring and unsettling to the bones. In fact, that was the name of the ride - Bones.

At 11, Lucas could stomach any ride in the world or so he said. He had already been to four of the Midwest’s most well-known and thrilling coasters, but this one intrigued him. His mom accompanied him to see for herself the reason it was so special and why he liked roller coasters so much. While not a roller coaster aficionado, she liked a good thrill even in her early 40s.

Just as they started the crawl up the steep slope, his Mom unzipped her purse, tossed something inside, and zipped it back up just as quick. She jammed the purse, which was also strapped around her neck and shoulder, between her and the coaster car. It was much too late to leave the purse behind.

Mom and son sat at the very back, purportedly the nastiest place to ride and Lucas was hands-free the entire ride. He screamed, of course, even though some of the turns jolted him about in the seat. His mom sat close and had a smile on her face the whole time. She never said a word of cheer or fright.

When the ride came to a stop, Lucas asked, “Well, Mom, d’ya like it?”

She smiled and merely said, “Yes, Lucas I did.”

Lucas stared at her and his eyes widened. “Mmmmom, where’d your teeth go?”

Holding in her laughter, she unzipped her purse, pulled out her false teeth, and put them in quick.

“Almost forgot I was in public,” she said.