If it weren’t for the horrible perm on the lady at the information desk, the situation would have been thoroughly frightening. The frizzy curls extended from her head like a clown wig, and her thick red glasses added to the effect. She Kaylee and I walking into the pavilion alone with the blank stare of confusion and concern.

“Did you lose someone?”

My sister stopped walking with me but didn’t let go of my hand. We were both entranced by this gum-chewing jester. Where our father could be or what he was doing was the least of our problems now. Worse would appear to be the patronizing sympathy ready to be dumped on us.

“What’s your names?” she asked, puffing out her lower lip.

“Kevin,” I replied. “This is Kaylee.”

“Well, Kevin and Kaylee, we’ve been losing a lot of parents lately. So don’t worry.”

“Is there food somewhere? My sister’s super hungry.”

“Oh, of course.” She smiled and opened a drawer behind the counter, removing a notepad. After tearing off two sheets, the lady motioned us to come closer. We did so reluctantly, but upon closer inspection I saw they were coupons for free hot dogs. “These are only meant for staff, but I’ll let you have some anyway.”

“Thanks,” I said, reaching up to grab them.

“Food is on the West Beach, so you’ll have to take the nature trail to get there. You know where that is?”

I shook my head no.

“Alright.” And she leaned over the desk, her hair seemed to hover more than cling to her head. “Nature trail starts where that blue marker is on the sign post. You see that?”

I nodded.

“Follow the blue markers. And when we find your mom and dad, we’ll come get you, okay?”

“Just my dad,” I said.

“Oh, okay. Just your dad, then. Forget your mom,” she replied, snorting at the inappropriate joke she just made. And as her laughter waned, the grip by her Brontosaurus hands relaxed. I pulled the food passes away, and Kaylee buried her face in my back.

“Make her go away.”

The lady snorted again. “Aw, that’s cute.”

“Yeah,” I chuckled and looked out to the trail leading into the woods.