I am writing this post for this week's Trifecta Writing Challenge which requires a 33 to 333 word composition which must include the word "fireworks", using the definition: display of temper or intense conflict; a spectacular display. Coincidentally, sort of, my composition is exactly 333 words.
My Life in Flames
I was in the second grade and was playing with my friend Larry after school. I was usually on my own in the afternoon as both my parents worked. Larry’s divorced mother hung around the house all the time watching the soaps, however, it was known that Larry had no supervision and that he was a troublemaker.
That afternoon, Larry and I decided to play with matches and found an overgrown empty lot in our subdivision. It was perfect for staying undercover. As you might expect, things went out of control rapidly. A lit match hit some dry leaves and whoosh, the ground was in flames. We tried to stamp it out but the fire spread quickly. So we did what all mature second graders would do-we ran!
I ran straight home and pretended that nothing happened. By the time my parents got home, I could hear the sirens. Still, I said nothing. About an hour later, a fireman (firefighter wasn't yet a word) was at the door. He spoke to my parents for a while and then sat me down for a talk, which I knew signaled the end of my life. But the fireman was calm and explained how dangerous a fire in the neighborhood could be. Even as a second grader I knew this, but I listened respectfully, acting like this was new information. Of course, I now cringe that I didn't tell anyone about the fire, but then, I was just trying to save myself.
After the fireman left, I expected the worst. I thought my Dad might yell: "You're not our son anymore." But he just said, "This is too serious for punishment, I hope you learned your lesson." and my Mom jumped in "...and you can't play with Larry anymore." Wow...no fireworks! I assumed that, with Larry's reputation, my parents thought he was the instigator and they went easy on me. To this day, I can't recall whose idea it was, but it could have been mine.
Great use of the prompt. This line really captured the second-grade-you, I think: "He spoke to my parents for a while and then sat me down for a talk, which I knew signaled the end of my life."
ReplyDeleteYea, it was hard to remember what was going through my head that long ago. Thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteI bet "this is too serious for punishment" came as a surprise! But really, what would be adequate for something like that?
ReplyDeleteMy parents' response was definitely a pleasant surprise! I guess my parents were pretty wise since it clearly made an impression. I wonder what would happen today. Under "zero tolerance", I might have been expelled and gone on to greater misdeeds!
Deletegreat story! reads like real life, which is why real life is always better than fiction (in my opinion). glad you were not hurt in the fire!
ReplyDeleteand how did they find out it was you??
best,
MOV
I know, I'm biased toward real life and, so far, it's the only thing I can write about. I am getting aclimmated to good fiction though. No danger of gettting hurt...we ran too fast. I suspect Larry was the snitch, but I never asked. I was just happy to have dodged the bullet. Thanks for your comments.
DeleteThanks so much for linking up with Trifecta this week. I was a young fire-starter, too, so this piece really resonated with me. One time my parents sat me down and told me that the neighbor had called to say he'd seen me lighting fires. I don't think that's the way it went down at all, but I guess I'll never know. Glad everyone in your story (and my own) got out safely and easily. Hope to see you back for the weekend challenge.
ReplyDelete(Also, you have word verification enabled for commenting on your blog. We have found that Trifectans who disable this feature receive many more comments on their pieces. Your choice, but I thought I'd let you know. Thanks!)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you say you'll never know, because adults try to figure out what happened, ie., who said what etc., but kids just go with the flow. It never occured to me to find out who snitched about the fire; I only later figured out it was probably Larry. I will disable word verification, but I'm such a newbie at blogging that it may take a while. Thanks for your comments.
DeleteWord verification is now disabled. Thanks for the heads up.
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