When the carousel stopped, Irma still heard its music in her head. All summer, she sold tickets and repeated instructions to parents who didn't listen. Across the passage, Oskar closed his cotton-candy stall. Every evening, he left her an empty paper cup for water because she always lost hers. It was a modest habit, too small to call courtship and too attentive to remain unimportant.
The season's last day brought cold wind and few visitors. Irma planned to stay in town and accept a permanent warehouse job. Oskar intended to travel with the crew to winter fairs. They had never kissed, although they spent half the summer together after closing. Both discussed autumn as though it would answer their question if they avoided asking long enough.
While stacking chairs, Oskar asked whether she would come to say goodbye in the morning. Irma replied that she disliked farewells where people behaved as though they could accidentally meet whenever they wished. He lowered the chair. He said he meant to ask something else but didn't know how. Irma asked him to try while time remained, because the morning truck wouldn't become less ready through their indecision.
They sat beside the empty carousel. Oskar said he wanted to continue seeing her but didn't want permanent employment or an apartment tying him to one place. Irma said she wanted precisely such an apartment, at least now. Neither explained that the other had chosen life incorrectly. They arranged a visit in a month and how to talk while he traveled. They kissed only after stating the difference that could more easily be replaced by a lovely, vague wish.
The first visit wasn't easy. Oskar arrived tired; Irma had an early shift. They spent half the weekend sleeping and nearly argued because limited time seemed obliged to be special. Instead of going out, they made pasta and watched a poor film. Oskar said he was glad to see her ordinary evening. Irma admitted feeling relieved she needn't behave as though it were summer's final night.
In spring, the fair returned. Irma visited after work with a shopping bag and comfortable shoes. Oskar left his stall with a colleague for an agreed break. They bought two tickets and rode the carousel they previously saw only empty. As it turned, Irma laughed at her dizziness. Oskar held her bag and didn't ask whether she would join him when the caravan moved again.