Tokyo Disneyland smelled like curry popcorn.
I stepped off the train, saw the Mickey-ear headbands, the crowds, the castle, and something inside me sagged.
Dani looked over.
“You look miserable.”
I kept walking.
“No I don’t.”
“Whatever.”
She took the boys’ hands and headed toward the gates.
I hurried after them.
~
A few rides later we stood in line for Winnie-the-Pooh.
The queue barely moved.
Dani turned her phone toward me.
“We should go to the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall after this.”
The menu filled the screen.
Heart-shaped cakes.
Mickey desserts.
Tiny teapots.
“They’re so cute.”
I looked at the time instead.
“I think we should get lunch.”
She lowered the phone.
“Fine.”
Neither of us said anything else.
The line crept forward.
Then our ride arrived.
We climbed aboard, and for four minutes neither of us had to finish the conversation.
~
We got lunch.
The boys ate ramen decorated with Hidden Mickeys.
After, we rode Jungle Cruise without understanding a word the skipper said.
Everyone else laughed.
We laughed too.
Dani bought white chocolate-flavored popcorn.
Corbin took one handful.
“It tastes like curry.”
Avery tried it.
“…Yeah.”
Neither of them wanted another piece.
Dani shrugged.
“More for me.”
~
By evening, Avery was asleep in the stroller, and Dani looked as tired as I felt.
“It’s two hours home. Do you—”
“We stay for the kids. I’ll carry them home if I have to.”
Then Corbin tugged my sleeve.
“I want to do Dumbo.”
“Okay.”
And we walked over together.
After the ride slowed to a stop, he climbed back into the stroller.
“I want to go home.”
“Are you sure? What about the fireworks?”
He shook his head.
~
Dani leaned against me as the train pulled away.
Through the window, the castle slipped behind the buildings.
The smell of popcorn still clung to our jackets.