The sky exploded with a burst of white that glittered as the firework lit up the night. Mandie swatted at a mosquito feasting on her leg and scratched the welt the bite left behind. Uncle Lou passed her the bug spray, and she covered herself in it — again. Another shower of color, this one in blue, looked like a bright chrysanthemum. A bottle rocket screeched to life, its burning end red before it popped.

The boys whooped with joy and rushed to set a line of them up in empty glass Coke bottles, Uncle Lou supervising. Cousins raced around with glowing sparklers as they drew patterns before the light fizzled out. Then they hurried back to Mandie for another one. 

The humid air was hazy with smoke and filled with cracks and booms. Patriotic tunes drifted lazily from the radio. Something wet splashed against Mandie’s cheek. Ugh. She frowned, ready to tell whoever was dripping popsicle to back up. Sparkler duty was one thing, but she didn’t have to get sticky, too.

“Hey, did you guys feel that?” Uncle Lou asked. 

What a dumb question. Except he was staring upward. 

A roll of thunder echoed around them, and Mandie held her breath. A collective gasp erupted as the rain fell, at first in soft patters against her sweaty skin, then it poured. Everyone scrambled to grab blankets, fireworks, and Grandma Ruth’s potato salad. Not that anyone ever ate it.

Inside, faces pressed against foggy windows, they watched nature’s show instead.

Word: Fireworks | Action: Bursting