Maggie's lost love

"You mean you don't remember what happened in here?" Charlene grabbed Mike's arm, her eyes wide with concern.

Mike frowned, confused. "No..."

"What's got you so upset, Charlene?" he asked gently.

"You don't understand." Her grip on his arm never loosened.

"It's OK. Calm down. It's just the mall."

Charlene opened her mouth but hesitated, trying not to interfere.

"Don't, Char," ReNew whispered from deep within. "Let it play out."

Mike tilted his head. "Cat got your tongue?"

Charlene struggled to hide her inner conflict. "It's just... shouldn't we wait for Maggie?"

"Yeah, where is Ms. Maggie?" Mike scanned the parking lot behind them.

Charlene bit her lip. "I would’ve said something. But I didn’t want to intervene. Hint, hint."

She rolled her eyes in frustration.

"Are you okay?" Mike asked, noticing the shift in her mood.

"I think we’ve lost Maggie," she muttered.

"While you and Mike were otherwise engaged," ReNew chimed in, "I saw Maggie heading toward the entrance of a department store."

Charlene whispered under her breath. "Why didn’t you say something then?"

"It’s the first time you’ve talked comfortably with someone your age. I didn’t want to ruin that. Besides, Maggie’s going to be fine. I have a feeling."

—

Meanwhile, on the far side of the mall, Maggie stepped onto the walkway leading to the department store. The automatic doors slid open. Inside, something caught her eye.

"Coney Island?" she gasped. "As I live and breathe... I haven’t seen this place in years."

She stepped back off the mat, her heart pounding.

"It can’t be. But... I guess anything’s possible here."

Nostalgia swept over her like a wave. The scents of hot pretzels, corn dogs, and cotton candy filled the air. She could almost hear the call of carnival barkers and the distant melody of carousel music.

Then she saw it—the ferris wheel. The place where she’d met Charlie all those years ago.

"Would he be here?" she whispered, her voice full of hope.

She hurried forward. Then she looked down—and gasped. Her clothes had changed. She now wore her favorite yellow dress, a white sweater with a collar, and black Mary Janes with crisp white socks.

"I haven’t seen this outfit in years," she murmured. "How... how does it still fit?"

She passed a funhouse mirror and saw her reflection.

"Oh my! I’m young again... just like the day I met Charlie. Outfit and all!"

A newspaper caught her eye. The date read: Saturday, July 19th, 1969.

"This is the exact day. The very day I met him... Charlie. Is this really happening?"

Everything was just as she remembered—the vendors, the games, the colors.

And then she saw him.

There he was, manning the ferris wheel. A brown applejack hat and a tan button-down shirt, just like back then.

She got in line, her heart racing.

"Ticket, please," he said, smiling.

Somehow, a ticket had appeared in her hand. She handed it to him.

"Thank you. You here all alone?"

"I’m here with my parents. They’re around here somewhere." She heard herself say the same words she had fifty years ago.

"It’d be a shame if you had to ride alone."

She smiled, nervously. "I wouldn’t be alone if you rode with me."

A bright grin lit up Charlie’s face. "I'd love to accompany you. One moment."

He called over a friend to take his post and opened the gate, ushering her to a seat.

"You’re such a gentleman."

"Well, thank you," he chuckled. "Name’s Charlie."

"Maggie Templeton," she replied.

He made sure the safety bar was secure, then sat beside her, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders. Her cheeks flushed pink. Instant kismet.

As the ferris wheel lifted them, the basket tipped. Charlie instinctively caught her.

She laid her head on his arm, exhaling deeply.

At the top of the wheel, the ride paused. Fireworks burst across the sky. The lights were breathtaking.

Charlie turned to her, eyes full of warmth. He kissed her softly.

Then something shifted in his gaze.

"My Maggie Pie... how did I get here?"

She smiled through tears. "My Charlie Bear... it doesn’t matter. We’re together."

"I’m not supposed to be here," he whispered. "I’ve moved on."

"I know, my love. But I’m grateful we had this moment."

The ride descended slowly. They were back at the platform.

Charlie helped her out of the seat. He held her hands.

"My life with you was the best part of my journey. Thank you, my beloved."

He brought her hands to his heart.

Maggie’s heart soared. "Oh Charlie Bear, I’ll be with you soon."

Charlie began to fade gently, like mist in the sun.

Suddenly, Argun appeared, unleashing Ariel. Her majestic wings stretched wide as she soared above the pier, landing beside Maggie.

Charlene and Mike came running down the pier.

A glowing white light bathed the area in brilliance. Ariel looked at Maggie and then toward the light.

Charlene reached her. "We couldn’t let you leave without saying goodbye."

"You too," Maggie smiled. "It’s strange... but I feel like I’m going home."

They embraced in a warm, tearful group hug.

"You deserve this, Maggie."

"It’s time to go be with your Charlie," Charlene added.

Ariel brushed against Maggie with her plush, white fur. Maggie looked into the angel’s deep blue eyes. Peace radiated from them.

She knew.

It was time.

Maggie followed Ariel into the light. She turned back to wave—then vanished.

A moment passed. The scent of hot dogs wafted through the air.

"Do you smell hot dogs?" Charlie teased, poking Mike’s ribs.

Charlene’s heart ached. "One down... one to go."

"I know," ReNew whispered. "But you can do this. I’m proud of you, Char."

Charlene wiped her tears and stood tall.

"Tell you what, Mike. Let’s head back to the mall. Hit the arcade. Have some fun. Then... we’ll take it from there."

Mike grinned. "Sounds like a plan."

Charlene took off running.

"I’ll race you!"

"Cheater! That’s not fair!" Mike laughed as he chased her, the sound of hope echoing through the mall.