Carousel Nights by Amie Denman

expert. And don’t say things like that when other people can hear.”
    â€œI won’t. So what do I call her?”
    â€œHer name’s Janice.”
    â€œNot the old lady, the ice-cream lady.”
    Mel hesitated. It wasn’t much use figuring out an official name for someone Ross would probably never get to know very well. Even though he spent most of his summer days at the Point, Ross wasn’t likely to cross paths with June.
    â€œIf she’s Uncle Jack’s sister, can I call her Aunt Jack?” Ross asked.
    â€œHer first name is June,” Mel said, suppressing a laugh. “How about Miss June?”
    Ross shrugged. “Okay.”
    Mel held Ross’s hand as they passed Kiddieland and turned toward the front midway, where many of the food vendors filled both sides of the avenue. Guests stopped at Bernie’s Boardwalk Fries, Hank’s Hot Dogs, Aunt Augusta’s Midway Bakery and Tosha’s Homemade Ice Cream on their way into and out of the park. Aunt Augusta also had a location in the Wonderful West and the Lake Breeze Hotel so guests could get their doughnut and cookie fix wherever they were. Tosha had borrowed the idea and opened a second ice-cream stand on the beach this year.
    Judging from the lines, all the vendors were doing brisk business. Mel hoped the steady crowds he’d seen so far would keep up all summer and help his friends get their amusement park out of financial trouble. Jack and Evie poured their souls into Starlight Point. And June? She poured her soul into whatever she was doing at the time. At least, she seemed that way to him.
    This summer it was the live shows and theaters at Starlight Point. But it was only for the summer.
    June was waiting for them, chatting with Tosha over the front counter of her ice cream stand while summer employees in cheerful hats and aprons worked the window.
    â€œHere they are,” June said as Mel and Ross came up.
    Tosha grinned broadly. “There’s my best customer,” she said, pointing to Ross. “Are you having strawberry?” she asked.
    Ross nodded.
    Mel cocked his head and focused on Tosha. “The kids love it when you bring them ice cream, but you should let me pay you. It has to be putting you into bankruptcy.”
    She laughed. “Not at all. I take ice cream to the day care because I love it. And Jack Hamilton always pays.”
    â€œMy brother?” June asked. Both eyebrows raised, she laughed out loud. “I had no idea he was such a softy.”
    â€œHe has a serious sweet tooth, so he understands,” Tosha said. “I also think it’s his way to get back in my good graces after last summer’s squabble over the vendor contracts.” She shrugged. “Water under the bridge. What’s the special occasion today?”
    â€œI owe Mel. He was a real hero when a guest got his leg stuck in the turnstile at the Silver Streak,” June said.
    Mel’s neck burned under the collar of his work shirt. Taking apart a turnstile did not exactly make him a hero. Ross squeezed his hand and smiled at him. “You’re a hero,” his son said.
    â€œI was just doing my job and Miss June is just being nice,” Mel said.
    June knelt so she was eye level with Ross. “I’m June Hamilton,” she said. “I’ve heard nice things about you but we’ve never met.”
    Ross stuck out his hand as his father had taught him. “I’m Ross. I’m five and I can write my name.”
    June smiled. “I can write my name, too. And it has four letters just like yours. Did I hear you like strawberry ice cream?”
    Ross nodded.
    â€œThen that’s what I’m having.” She glanced up at Mel. “How about your dad? What’s his favorite kind of ice cream?”
    â€œChocolate chip. He eats chocolate chips right out of the bag when we go to Grandma’s house,” Ross said. “Grandma doesn’t