Chapter Text
“Vanessa?” Seth asked. “Where are you taking us?” He along with Kendra, Warren, Bracken, and even Dale where squished into a minivan driving along a bumpy road.
“Oh come on you’ll love it.” Vanessa said.
“That still doesn’t answer my question.”
Vanessa didn’t say anything else, she just continued her driving. She apparently was trying to keep it in check, no fancy-sports-car-race-down this time.
The beat up car rolled over a hill before parking just off the road. Everyone climbed out. Vanessa went to the trunk and stared handing out blankets.
Bracken looked clueless. “What are these for?”
“Sitting.” Kendra said. She smiled and led him over. Realization dawned on Seth. They were watching fireworks. Whole Fourth of July thing. He wondered how Bracken would react. It was always fun to see how he responded to the different holidays.
“Ya it’s great.” He heard Kendra say. “Fireworks, friends and family, food,” Kendra was going to continue but a large burst interrupted her. Bracken shot his hands up to his ears. Right. Unicorns. Sensitive hearing.
Seth shook his head. Any one knows you didn’t set fireworks off this early. The sun hadn’t even set yet. Another blast fired followed by a few more before everything went quiet again.
Seth walked over to the pair. This was gonna be fun. He just had to convince Kendra first.
Bracken was confused when the candle lighter had been brought out. What are they gonna do this time? Kendra produced small rods and handed them around. Bracken’s confusion only grew.
Seeing the bewildered look on his face, Kendra told him, “these are sparklers. You put fire at the end and it starts…sparking? You’ll just have to see.” Warren lit his and with a loud crackle sparks began to shine. It was almost like having a firework on a stick.
After everyone’s sparklers had been lighted, Bracken decided to confirm something. He leaned over to Kendra. “There aren’t any…weird traditions for this one right?” He have a quick glance at Seth. Seth had gotten him so good last year. Well good to Seth, Bracken wasn’t particularly fond of it.
Kendra shook her head. Seeming to have an idea, she sat up and rummaged through a bag. She produced sticks only this time they were clear.
What’s with Americans and rods? Or frankly things that exploded, set on fire, or had to be snapped in half as Kendra has so kindly explained.
Bracken connected his two glow sticks and slid them into the remaining connector. Now he had a circle. He wasn’t sure what to do with, but now he had one. Who wouldn’t want a pointless glowing circle?
Well the others seemed to be enjoying themselves and he didn’t want to be a pest so he kept his thoughts to himself.
Dale sighed. “It’s called a cookout.”
“Dude it’s hamburgers and hotdogs. Clearly it’s barbecue. I mean it was cooked on a grill.” Seth said. He wasn’t backing down from this one.
“Whether it was cooked on a grill or not. Does. Not. Matter.”
“When have you ever heard the term ‘cookout’” he argued, using airquotes.
Dale closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m arguing with a twelve-year-old.”
“I’m thirteen!”
“And Warren,” Dale said. “Don’t think I can’t see you back there.”
“Every time.” Warren muttered. Dale rolled his eyes. Warren playfully popped a chip in his mouth before walking over, Vanessa at his heels.
“What are you guys fighting about?” Warren asked.
Dale dismissed him. “It’s nothing.”
“Warren I’m telling you.” Vanessa said. “Independence Day is a great holiday.”
Warren our his hands up. “I wasn’t saying it wasn’t. I just think it’s a little weird how it’s your favorite.”
Vanessa put her hands on her hips. “Excuse me?”
Warren coughed. “Oh wow look at that. The…car…needs…attending to.” He quickly went over before an angry Vanessa could say anything else.
“I mean come on. What’s not to love?” Vanessa said. “It has anything you could want in a holiday. Explosions, loud noises, food, staying up late, Fire.” She counted all the things in her fingers.
“Ya but…you.” Seth said.
“Seth Michael Sorenson I am very much capable of having fun.” Seth gulped.
“Man I knew I shouldn’t have gone against you.” Kendra said. She had missed one of her throws. Bracken tossed the two balls that were attached to the string. It wrapped around the bottom pole. Well what was I expecting? Kendra was absolutely terrible at beating Bracken in any sort of game or contest. Stupid unicorn skills.
It was Kendra’s turn again and she sent her throw sailing over and catching the top pole. She fist pumped. Bracken threw his and it missed. Kendra narrowed her eyes. “Ah come on don’t go soft on me now.” He smiled innocently. He put his hands up. His expressions seemed to say ‘what did I do?’
“Never mind.” She said. “Frisbee?” He nodded. “This is one thing that you’re going down on.” Kendra knew how to play frisbee like nobody’s business. She wasn’t even sure if Bracken knew how to competitively play frisbee, he’d find out soon enough.
An hour of horsing around later, brought everyone on the ground looking up at the sky. It was finally dark enough to see the fireworks.
The first one swiveled up into the sky and burst into a million shimmering stars. Bracken, fully equipped with earplugs, widened his eyes as he saw the spectacular show. He hadn’t ever seen anything like it.
Another firework zoomed through the sky. This one was a ball of different colors. Greens and yellows alike. Then several were launched into the sky at the same time. One of them burst and the debris bursted again. Another came up spiraling and sizzling. Short purple knee followed. Those didn’t get far and were far quieter than he others.
Everyone stood transfixed at the colors and lights, they continued to dazzle people each year set off. Bracken quite enjoyed this one. Certainly different then the others. No creepy old men or animals. Halloween had been weird.
Just as quickly as it had started, the grand finale began. It was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. It certainly went out with a bang.