Firework Fiasco
The annual fourth of July barbecue spiraled into its typical chaos. Water balloons splattered across the deck as cousins soaked each other. Uncles battled flames from the grill. Aunties sought refuge from the suffocating heat under the maple tree, fanning themselves with paper plates. After dark, sticky children settled down with adults. An occasional slap echoed as people swatted mosquitoes. Humidity hung heavy in the air as the first firework burst into an array of patriotic colors. Someone lit a…