I consulted a map, just to make sure that I was still on the right track. The windows were down, as it was quite warm, and my Camaro didn't have air conditioning that worked half the time.

I was headed to Picayune, Mississippi, to see my boyfriend; or rather, I hoped he was still my boyfriend. When I last saw him six months prior, he was headed back to Wisconsin to confront his recent past. It didn't work out, so he headed to Mississippi, where he had some family and a few friends from his teen years.

We had talked on the phone for about a month before I began this drive, and Sean had indicated that he wanted to see me again, and how soon could I get to Picayune? I had a few days off, so I got the old Camaro out of mothballs, fired her up, and began the eight-hundred plus mile drive from Oklahoma City. Now, less than an hour away, I was getting nervous. It was definitely too late to turn back, but now that I was so close, I was having some serious second thoughts.

I decided to give myself a break. There was a Sonic up ahead. As I pulled into the parking lot, I thought back to the day nearly a year earlier when Sean and I met.

Bangor, Maine

The impromptu road trip was my girlfriend's idea. Donna and I had gone out to our usual Saturday karaoke spot, the Corner Pocket, in Plaistow, New Hampshire. She was planning to go up to Maine the next day and see her boyfriend, and asked if I wanted to go along. I was looking to get out of my apartment in Lawrence, Massachusetts, because I had no air conditioning, so I said I'd tag along.

Early the next morning, that last Sunday in July, I drove my car over to Donna's. We went to Dunkin Donuts for coffee and donuts, then started the three and a half hour trip up I-95 to Bangor, Maine. Donna went on and on about Wade, who was working in a food booth at the Bangor State Fair. Then in the middle of this, she said the words I dreaded most,

"Sara, we're gonna find you a guy."

Oh. Joy.

The last time Donna did this for me, she set me up with this guy who was about as clueless as my big male Maine Coon cat. This guy was everything that I had come to despise about men. He was boorish, conceited, and thought he was God's gift to the female of the species. He was hinting around all night about sex, and all I could think of was, there was no way in hell I was gonna sleep with this jerk. I feigned a headache and drove home. Donna had called the next morning to ask how it went, I told her what I thought of the guy. I was not kind. Donna apologized and swore that she wouldn't set me up with anyone else without asking me.

"Um, Donna, I think I can find guys on my own," I now said, rather lamely, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

"I know you can, Sara," she said, "but let me at least ask around the fairgrounds. Couldn't hurt, could it?"

I think I may have sighed at this point, but said nothing.

We arrived at the fairgrounds around eleven-thirty in the morning. The fair didn't open until noon, so we queued up behind some folks near the ticket booth. We stood there for a few minutes, then Donna got out of line and went up to the barricades where a carnival worker was standing. Donna talked to her for a few minutes, then motioned me over.

"What's up?" I asked when I joined Donna at the barricade.

"We can get in for free," Donna said. "Wade's coming to get us!"

How nice.

We were given these paper bracelets to wear, which indicated that we were all paid up, and that we could get on rides free all day.

Within five minutes, Wade had come to the gate to fetch us. We were ushered on to the midway, and Wade and Donna were holding hands and talking cutesy.

I hadn't seen Wade for a while, and I had forgotten how skinny he was. He had stringy dirty blonde hair and bad teeth. He was a nice guy though, and I didn't mind hanging out with him.

Wade had to work in his food booth for most of the day, but if it got slow later, he could spend part of the evening with us. Donna and I were left to our own devices, so we rode rides, played midway games, and ate fried dough and corn dogs.

I didn't want to go on the rides that turned one upside down, so there were quite a few that I didn't join Donna on. She wanted to go on this one ride, called the Zipper, but there was no way I was going to go on that! Especially since the first thing I saw when we went over there was some kid puking into a trash barrel. "Go on that with Wade if you want," I said, "but count me out!"

"You're chicken, Sara!" Donna laughed.

"Damn right I'm chicken. I want to live to see forty, thank you!"

"Sara, you're a year and a half from forty! C'mon, let's go!"

Thanks, Donna. Thanks a lot for reminding me.

We ended up going on the Arctic Blast, which, while not going upside down, went round and round to pulsating rock music and never seemed to end. Finally, after what seemed like forever, it stopped to let folks off, and I was the first one to get out of there. Never mind that I could barely stand up. I came pretty close to tossing my lunch. Donna stayed on for a billion more revolutions, then she got off and we wandered off towards Wade's food booth to see if he was going on a break.

What timing! Wade was ready to take a meal break. We had gone to another food booth nearby where they served chicken, roast beef, meatloaf and other non-typical carnival fare. Wade paid for all of our meals (though his was at a discount) and we ate and talked about what Donna and I did all day.

Wade's meal break was for an hour, so after we ate, we walked around the midway. Soon we were back by the Arctic Blast and the Zipper. Donna and Wade sat on a nearby bench and started making out. I just stood there, looking and feeling foolish. I thought I'd go wander off to another part of the midway. Maybe I could win a small stuffed animal or something.

As I was leaving, I heard someone say, "hey!"

I looked, and saw a man at the controls of the Zipper. He was a big man, about six feet tall and had dark curls peeking out from under a red ballcap. He was waving me over to where he stood. I pointed to myself as if to say, "me?" He nodded yes. I walked over there. What could it hurt?

"You look like the odd girl out over there," he said, and I noticed a slight southern accent. "My name's Sean. What's yours?"

"Sara," I said. "Nice to meet you, um..." With all the noise, I didn't hear him say his name.

"Sean," he said, and pointed to a tattoo on his left forearm. It was his name. I apologized for not hearing it the first time.

"No problem, it is kinda noisy here."

He excused himself to empty out the cars on his ride and put new riders on. When he was done, he came back to the control panel and pushed a button to start the ride up again. He then turned to me and said,

"I have a break coming up here in about a half-hour. You can join me if you want."

"Sure," I said. "I'd like that, Sean."

"How old are you, Sara? I'm 27."

Twenty-Seven??? "I'm 38."

"Don't look it."

"What's thirty-eight supposed to look like?" I asked.

"Not as good as you," Sean said with a smile. Had I not heard that most of my adult life, I would have written it off as just another pick up line. I was rather fortunate to have my father's "look younger than you are" genes.

I had, for the moment, forgotten about Donna and Wade. When I looked over in their direction, Wade was gone, and Donna was giving me the thumbs-up sign.

"I see that your friend approves," Sean said. "So will you be joining me on my break?"

"Yes, I will," I said. "Half-hour, right?"

"Yep."

"See you then."

I went over to Donna, and, of course, she was full of questions. What's his name, where's he from, how old is he, etc. "He's going on a break soon, and I'm going to join him and get to know him a little better, then we'll see what happens from there," I told her.

"Seems like a nice enough guy," Donna said. At that point, Wade returned. Donna couldn't wait to tell him that "Sara found a guy!"

Wade just looked at me. "A carnie guy, Sara?"

Well, yeah, I told him, and motioned over to where Sean was working. Wade looked horrified.

"I know of that guy. He's called Scooby around here. He's kinda a troublemaker from what I've heard. Just be careful, Sara."

"He can't be any worse than other guys I've met lately, right Donna?"

"Uh, yeah. He seemed to be nice to Sara."

Wade and Donna discussed my choice of men for about fifteen minutes while the three of us walked back towards Wade's food booth. Then Donna and I made plans to meet up later at the bingo booth across from the food booth, and I went off to meet Sean for his break.

We walked around the midway then ended up near the reptile exhibit. We talked and got to know each other. There was no kissing or groping or holding hands. I was relieved. This was going rather well, I thought.

Sean's break was for an hour, and as it was coming to an end, Sean asked me if I was planning to stay in Bangor overnight. I said I didn't know, because I came up with someone else and I didn't know her plans yet.

"Will you know by my next break? It's in a couple of hours."

"I should," I told him. "I'll let you know."

Sean nodded wordlessly, then said, "I really like you, Sara, and I want to get to know you better."

"I feel the same. I kinda feel safe with you, Sean."

Sean smiled, then said he really had to get back to the Zipper, because the other operator needed to take his break. "I'll see you in a couple hours, right?"

"I'll be here," I said as I walked away. I had a big smile on my face. I didn't care what anyone thought. I'll see how this goes.

I went over to the Bingo booth, where Donna had been playing for the better part of two hours. She even managed to win a small amount of money and a couple of stuffed toys. As soon as she saw me, the questions began in earnest.

I answered them all, then I asked her, "Sean asked me if I was planning to stay overnight. I told him I didn't know what your plans were, and I'd let him know when I meet up with him in a couple of hours."

"Well, Sara, I was planning to spend the night with Wade in a motel."

I nodded. I had a feeling she was going to say that. "Okay, then, I guess I can tell Sean I'm staying."

"Yeah," Donna said. "Maybe you and Sean can get to know each other real well."

I said something like "we'll see", then I let the subject drop. Secretly, I was hoping that things wouldn't move quite that fast, but if they did, I could handle it.

I went to the Zipper at the appointed time and tapped Sean on the back. He turned around and smiled and said hello. He told his co-worker that he was taking his break, then joined me on the other side of the fencing.

"So what did your girlfriend say, are you staying over?"

"Yes, she's staying with her boyfriend tonight, so I am free to stay with you if that's what you have in mind."

"You know, Sara, you don't have to."

"I know, but I want to."

Sean asked me if I was sure, and I said I was. Then he said that he had to borrow the money, but he could get us a motel room at the place across the street from the fairgrounds. Several of the carnival folks were staying there.

"That sounds okay with me," I said. "I think Donna was thinking of staying somewhere else."

Sean then took my hand. "Sara, I've never done anything like this. I don't want you to think that I'm using you. I really do like you, and if you feel uncomfortable or anything, then we don't have to do anything. If all you want to do is talk, that's fine with me."

I wanted to cry. Sean was thinking of my feelings, instead of his own, and I found that comforting.

"Well, Sean, let's see how things go. You never know what's going to happen until it does."

I then felt his lips on mine, and we kissed. I pretty much decided that this was something I could handle.

The carnival midway closed at 10:30pm. Sean asked me to meet him at the Zipper, then we would meet Donna and Wade at the fairgrounds entrance. At 10:35, Sean was ready to go, but had to go get some things from the "bunkhouse", then we could leave.

He had me sit on a bench near the Flying Bobs and said he'd be back in five minutes, ten at the most. I said okay, and sat down.

Twenty minutes later, I was starting to get worried that I had been ditched. I stood up and started pacing, and decided that if he didn't appear in the next few minutes, I was going to the fairgrounds entrance to meet Donna. Just then, Sean reappeared out of the shadows.

He apologized for taking so long, that he needed to get the money he needed to stay in the motel. He had a small carry on bag with him.

He asked if I was getting worried that he didn't come back when he said he would, and I said that I was starting to become concerned that he had bailed on me. He told me that he never considered ditching me. "I want to be with you, honey. When I give my word, I don't take it back."

I felt myself relax. "Then we better get to the entrance. I told Donna that we would meet up with her and Wade there."

Sean said okay and we were on our way. When we got to Donna's car, she and Wade were already inside, all over each other. I knocked on the window and Sean said, "Open up! Bangor police!" He and I were laughing hysterically when Donna opened the window. "Very funny," she said, not at all amused.

"How else were we going to get your attention, hmmmm?"

"Okay, you got me." Then she motioned me over to the other side of the car. She said, "Sara, what are you using for protection?"

"I'm on birth control, Donna," I said in a low voice, but I knew that's not what she meant by her question.

"No, not that, silly. Do you carry condoms with you?"

"Yeah, but I don't have any with me now, because I wasn't expecting to do anything tonight."

Donna just rolled her eyes at me. Then she reached into her purse and put something in my hands. I looked down and saw what she gave me was a handful of condoms. Flavored ones. I just had to laugh, and Donna was busy trying to "shhhhh" me. My laughing got the guys attention.

"Donna, you ready to go, babe?" Wade asked.

"What about you, Sara?" Sean asked at almost the same time as Wade.

Donna got back into the car with Wade, then they took off to wherever it was they were going to stay that night. Sean and I were still standing in the parking lot.

"What did Donna give you? I saw her hand you something."

I opened my hand and showed Sean the condoms. He started to laugh like I had. "Flavored?! That's just too much!"

I told Sean I usually carry some with me, but I wasn't now because I didn't expect that I'd need them here. After all, we were supposed to be on our way home to Massachusetts by now.

"We'll use them if you want, but I must tell you I just got out of a monogamous relationship, and I'm free of any of those STD's they warn you about."

I just looked at him. I wasn't sure I wanted to believe that. Sean sensed my wariness. He assured me that he wasn't the type to act so irresponsibly. "I'm a good Catholic boy from Louisiana, Sara. Honest!"

I laughed. He really was thinking about my welfare. That made me feel good about this whole adventure I was about to embark on.

We headed across the street to the motel, and Sean got us a room. It was on the second floor and we stayed long enough for Sean to put his bag away, then we went back to the fairgrounds. Sean had a badge to show the guard at the gate, and told him that I was Sean's girlfriend, and we were granted access to the fairgrounds. Sean thought we'd walk around for a while before we went to our motel room. There were some things he wanted to show me.

"I'd show you where the show people sleep, but it's still pretty rockin' over there," Sean said. "Let's go over to the grandstand."

Sean pointed out several points of interest, food and game booths and rides, and told me about the people who worked them. Then, it started to rain. Hard.

We were near the grandstand by that time, so we high-tailed it over there to get out of the rain. We climbed up to the top of the grandstand seats.

Once settled in to await the passing of the rain, we started talking more about ourselves. It was then I learned that Sean was from New Orleans, that he was divorced (no kids), and his last name, Terrebonne. I asked him if he was a Cajun with a name like that, and he said, "damn right I am, and proud of it!"

Then it was my turn to tell him more about me; I'm from California, but was living in Massachusetts, that I was also divorced with a daughter in college and two sons who lived with relatives out of state, and my last name (albeit my married one), Cyr (that's pronounced "sear", thank you).

"What was your name before you married, just out of plain nosiness?"

"Fiorentino. You should see my birth certificate," I laughed, thinking of the ridiculously lengthy name my parents gave me. "Saralinda Margherita Paolina Fiorentino. Could that be any longer? I was almost grateful that I married a man with a short surname!"

"Saralinda," Sean said thoughtfully. "That's a beautiful name."

"Thank you," I replied sheepishly. "I was named after all of my father's sisters."

"I was named after my grandfather," Sean said. "I'm the youngest of eight kids, and my father had already named a son after himself, and a son after my mother's father, so I guess it was Grandpere's turn to get a namesake."

"Guess so..."

Sean put his arms around me at some point and I leaned up against him. The rain was taking its sweet time clearing up enough so we could go back to the motel.

"You cold, baby?"

"Yeah, a little."

"I'll keep you warm, Sara," Sean said before we kissed. After a few minutes of this and some very heavy fondling, it became obvious that intimacy was the next step. I was ready to take that step.

"I need you so bad, Saralinda," Sean said. "Come with me."

He led me into the announcer's booth and closed the door. I felt him lift my t- shirt and unhook my bra. His hands felt good on my breasts.

We were soon laying on the floor of the booth, and I let him enter me. He loved me expertly, gently, and made sure that what he was doing was pleasurable for me. "Oh, God...Sean..." I moaned softly, "mmmmm."

"Sara, you are so beautiful..."

When it was over, we dressed and went back into the grandstand seats. Sean held me for a long time, whispering in my ear. I could get used to being called by my given first name as long as it was Sean doing it. "Saralinda" sounded so beautiful spoken with a southern accent.

The rain eventually stopped long enough for us to get back to the motel. Once inside our room with the door closed, Sean took me into his arms again and kissed me.

"Honey, I have a 9am work call, so I need to get some sleep," he said as he began to undress. It was about 2am at the time.

I told him that was fine, because I needed to meet Donna at ten to head back to Massachusetts. Sean kissed my forehead, then headed into the bathroom to take a shower.

I got undressed, figuring that I could take a shower in the morning, and slipped under the covers. Within moments, I was asleep. It didn't last long, because Sean woke me up when he got into the bed beside me. Sean then told me that he might snore.

I just nodded and said okay, then I fell back to sleep. I could feel Sean's arms around me, and his breath on my neck. I sighed and thought, this is nice.

I woke up at six-thirty, and couldn't manage to drop off again for a few more minutes. I got up and took a shower. After I dried off and got dressed, I went back into the main room, where Sean was now awake.

"Oh," he said with a sense of relief in his voice, "you went to take a shower. I thought you had left."

"I didn't want to wake you to tell you I was going to shower," I said.

"No problem. It's just that I've had that happen to me."

"I would never do that. I'm not that heartless."

I could never understand how anyone could give their body to another, then just leave without saying a word when it was over.

Sean got dressed and we went over to the motel office to check out, then to the fairgrounds. Sean took me over to the cookshack for a quickie breakfast, then over to the Zipper, where he started his work. I sat on a nearby bench and waited for Donna to meet me.

Donna and Wade showed up around nine-thirty, and Sean came over to join us before Donna and I started the long drive back to Massachusetts. Sean kissed me and told me that he wanted to see me again. He didn't want me to leave, and I didn't want to leave. I gave him my home and cell phone numbers and e-mail address, and he said he'd call me that night after the midway closed.

Donna said her goodbyes to Wade, then we went to the car. Once inside, Donna began again with the questions about what happened between Sean and me. All I said was that we spent the night together, and let her draw her own conclusions. That wasn't good enough, Donna wanted details!

"Okay, Sara, I want the whole story, chapter and verse!"

"We slept together, we had sex, what more can I tell you without getting graphic?" I said. It occurred to me that we were undertaking a three-hour drive and that Donna could be rather persistent.

To my surprise, Donna quit the inquisition after that, and we talked about when we were coming back. Donna told me that she was going to work in the same food booth with Wade when the carnival got to another stop, although now I didn't remember where that would be. "Maybe Sean will be there, too, and you could come along."

I'd have to talk to Sean about that when he called me, I told her. If he called me, I thought to myself.

I went over in my head what I had done. This could very well have been a one night stand, and that I'd never hear from Sean again. After all, he was a carnie, and how many more women would he be with before the carnival moved on from Bangor. These doubts gnawed at me the whole way home and I began to feel like a first class fool.

Boy, was I wrong.

I'd go see a doctor as soon as I got home, just to make sure I wasn't pregnant or caught something I couldn't get rid of. I had forgotten all about the condoms Donna gave me, and Sean didn't have any. I had taken a huge risk with a man I barely knew.

It was mid afternoon by the time we got back to Donna's house, where I picked up my car and drove the short distance to my apartment.

I put the key in the lock and went inside. My cat, Columbus, was there to greet me with a pissed off meow. It was as if he was saying, where the hell have you been all night long? He didn't come and get on my lap like he usually did when I came home from work or the store.

I looked at my mail, and there was a letter for me from D.E.T. Ahhh, the unemployment check was here. The two-hundred fifty dollars a week from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts helped with things, like my rent and my bills, but little left over for other things.

I was off to the bank to deposit the check (the following week, it would begin to be direct deposited), then off to DeMoulas for groceries. Back to the real world.