Summer Magic Read Free Page B

remained closed.

    "Thanks."   The words caught in her throat.   "It's great to see you too."

    She averted her gaze, struggling against panic.   Maybe she should ask him to drive her back to the airport.   Maybe she should say she changed her mind.   But no...this was the opportunity of a lifetime.   She was here now, and that's where she would stay.

    She had no choice but to face the consequences.

     
Chapter Two
 

    The coliseum and surrounding lot covered six city blocks.   Everywhere Lisa and Michael walked people rushed about getting ready for the next performance.

    As they wandered behind the dome-shaped building, a shiver of excitement surged over Lisa: the pungent smells of sawdust and animals, the deep-throated roaring of a lion, the shrill trumpeting of an elephant.   She adored the kaleidoscope of exotic sights, sounds and smells that only a circus could offer.

    In the back lot, they passed by the menagerie tent, animal cages and trailers.   Joey, a cage boy, was tossing the tigers raw chicken while a couple of animal keepers were refilling the watering trough with long hoses.   A white-whiskered tiger bared its teeth and stared back at them through the cage.   Though the huge cats were captivating, Lisa had to admit, it made her nervous just to think about getting close to them, much less attending to their medical needs.

    Joey said to Michael, "Looking for your dad?   He's over there, hosing down the elephants."

    "Thanks, Joey."   Michael flashed him an appreciative smile.

    As they drew nearer, Lisa spotted Ed Figaro filling a bucket of water while three leathery elephants crowded in. A young woman was tossing carrots into a baby elephant's mouth, laughing at its antics.

    “Hi!   We're finally here," Michael greeted them.

    Mr. Figaro reached out to shake Lisa's hand, his dark eyes sparkling.   "Welcome, Miss Prentice."

    "It's good to be here.   Please call me Lisa," she answered.

    Michael turned to the young woman and proceeded with introductions, though Lisa had already guessed she was Estelle.

    "Michael's told you about my trailer?" Estelle asked eagerly.   "He's let you know you're welcomed to stay with me?"   She dropped the bag of carrots and extended her hand.

    "Oh, yes!   Thank you!" Lisa exclaimed.   "But...but, are you sure there's enough room?   Doesn't Claudette share the trailer too?"

    "Heavens, no!   Not my sister," Estelle answered, wrinkling her nose, then giving a quick laugh.   She was the first to move out of our folks' motor home a few years ago." She laughed again, then added, "Though we all thought that was cool--and were a little green with envy--I still have to admit, Claudette can be weird at times."

    "Now, Estelle," Ed Figaro put in gently.

    "Oh, Papa!   I've heard you say it too...in so many words, at least."

    "Well, I'm sure Lisa's tired from her travels and doesn't need to hear any of this," the older man said.   "And by the way, it's almost time for you kids to get to work. Why don't you take Lisa's bag for her and put it in your trailer?   Then you'd better get ready for tonight's show."

    "All right, Papa."   She turned to Lisa and smiled.   "And later we've simply got to visit.   That is, if you're not too exhausted by then."

    "I'll catch up with you in a few minutes, Sis," Michael said.   He gave her a playful punch in the shoulder.

    "Did you have a good flight?" Ed Figaro asked after Estelle had disappeared out of sight.

    "Oh yes, but it seemed to take forever to get here."

    "And now you'll have a bit of jet lag too, I'm sure." Focusing his attention back to the elephants, the animal trainer adjusted the hose nozzle.   A sudden swoosh of water exploded.   "All right, Kiki ol' buddy, hoist up those feet. It's time for your shower."

    As the huge animal rolled its eyes and raised his front feet, Lisa burst into laughter.   Still, she couldn't help thinking about how soon she'd have to start helping Dr. Woodstock with these