Chapter Nineteen

Do you think it will rain?” Christopher asked, looking up at the sky. A few dark clouds drifted across the sun, making him shiver.

“It will be fine. The forecast for the Fourth of July is for hot, sunny weather,” Grandpa said with a grin. “Those clouds are moving away. Now let’s go find our float and get it ready to go.”

Uncle Pete and Sam had left early this morning to drive the float to the parade grounds on time. Everyone else had come later in the truck.

As they passed by the gathered floats, Christopher checked them out.

One held only a great big “4”, for July 4, decorated in red, white, and blue sparkles, and behind it, a bunch of American flags were folded to look like a huge fan.

Another one was just a fence with some goats. A boy with leather pants and a funny little hat was trying to keep them under control.

The float he liked best was built like a big, white swan covered with paper flowers. A couple of pretty girls in long dresses stood by it, fussing with each other’s hair.

His own stomach growled. Grandma had tried to make him eat breakfast, but he couldn’t. He was too nervous.

As Christopher followed Grandpa to the wagon a steady buzz of chatter and laughter surrounded them. His nervous flutters got bigger.

“Where’s our float?” Christopher looked around. “Are you sure Sam and Uncle Pete got here?”

Grandpa squeezed his shoulder. “I know they did. Because there it is.” Grandpa pointed, and then, just behind a wagon with a bunch of little kids on it, he saw the tractor, and behind it the Heather Creek Farm float.

He tried not to feel too proud as they got closer.

Aunt Dana had painted the little wooden shed white to make it look like a house. Uncle Pete had put in a little window, and Grandma had put a box of fake flowers below it.

Emily had made some curtains for the window and a tablecloth for the little table that held a couple of loaves of bread. She’d also sewed up some aprons and skirts for her and Grandma to wear.

Grandpa had oiled the rust off the plow and painted the handles a bright red. Aunt Dana had found a bunch of wheat stems around the farm.

They were tied up and standing in a row between the seeder and the scythe Sam would be using instead of the flail. When the whole family started helping, they all agreed the flail was too dangerous to swing around. Grandpa had found an old scythe that he and Uncle Pete fixed up for Sam to hold instead.

Uncle Pete had decided he would pretend to seed with the hand seeder. Grandma and Emily would stand by the house with the bread.

Everyone else was already at the float when he and Grandpa got there. Aunt Dana, Uncle Pete, and Sam walked around the float, making sure everything was attached and arranged properly.

“Here they are,” Emily said when she spotted Christopher and Grandpa. She waved her bonnet at them and then hiked up her long skirt and climbed down off the hay wagon. “Grandma wants to know if you want her to pretend to slice the bread, or just hold it?”

“Just hold it. Then she can wave at the people.”

“This is yours.” Emily plopped an old battered straw hat onto his head and grinned; then she glanced back at the float. “This is pretty exciting, little brother,” she said. “I can’t believe you thought of this all by yourself.”

“I had some help from Aunt Dana.”

Emily gave him a quick hug. “Maybe, but you did a lot of the work too. I’m so proud of you.”

Christopher’s heart got all big in his chest, and his smile grew wide. “Thanks, Emily.”

“How do I look?” She twirled in front of him, her long dress flowing around her legs. It was made of bright blue material scattered with pink flowers. He hadn’t thought his sister would ever wear something like that, but she had picked the material out herself from Aunt Rosemary’s shop.

“Like a pioneer lady.”

“Just the look I was going for.” She winked at Christopher. “Are you ready to get this show on the road?”

“I’m ready.” He took a deep breath and rubbed his hands over his pants. He sort of felt ready, but his stomach was fluttering kind of funny. He hoped he wouldn’t faint again.

Emily grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Don’t look so worried, Christopher. This is going to be great. You did a fantastic job.” Then she gave him a big hug and a kiss, making his hat go all crooked on his head. “And look, we’re float number five. How cool is that?” She pointed at the number that was attached to the front bucket of the tractor.

That was even more exciting to know. People wouldn’t be bored with the parade by the time they came by.

The parade marshal came by and told them all to get ready. Christopher walked over to Aunt Dana, who was rearranging the bunches of wheat.

“We have to go,” he said to her.

She nodded but kept fiddling.

“You are coming on the float with us, aren’t you?” he asked. Yesterday Aunt Dana had said there might not be enough room for her.

Aunt Dana patted him on the shoulder. “I think it’s more important that you all do this as a family.”

“But you’re part of our family,” Christopher said.

“I know, but you have enough people,” Aunt Dana said. “And I know you wanted it to look just right.”

Christopher looked back over his shoulder. Yes, there were a lot of people on the wagon, but he didn’t care. He turned back to her. “It will only look just right if you’re on it. Besides, you’re the only one who helped me from the beginning.”

Aunt Dana smiled and was looking like she was going to say no again when Emily and Grandma joined them. “C’mon, Dana,” Grandma said. “It’s time to go.”

“I thought maybe just the family should be on the float,” Aunt Dana said.

Grandma made a noise that sounded like a snort. “And you’re part of our family too, Mrs. Stevenson.”

“You’re being silly,” Emily said, catching her by the arm. “We’ve got to get going.”

Aunt Dana looked from Emily to Grandma to Christopher, grinned, and climbed up on the float.

When they were all ready, Grandpa gave them a signal, put the tractor in gear, and with a jerk, they were going. Christopher grabbed the plow and then looked behind him. Uncle Pete was already cranking the handle of the seeder, and Sam was making little swinging motions with the scythe.

And now everyone, his whole family was all here with him: Sam, Emily, Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Pete and Aunt Dana. Just like he had pictured it in his mind and didn’t think would happen. This was so exciting.

The float moved along and then turned down the street. Butterflies danced in Christopher’s stomach when he saw the rows of people lining the sidewalks.

All looking at them.

He heard a cheer and someone call his name. He saw Dylan Lonetree with his family waving at him. Christopher waved back.

More cheers.

Then he heard someone yell, “Hey, Slater. Lookin’ pretty cool.”

Christopher looked over to where the voice came from and saw a tall teenager standing with his hands in the back pockets of his blue jeans. He was smiling, but it wasn’t a friendly smile. More like a poking-fun smile. A mean, poking-fun smile. A guy beside him pretended to be doing what Sam did, but he had the same mean smile on his face.

Christopher looked frantically over at Sam, hoping he wouldn’t get mad. Hoping Sam wouldn’t quit.

But Sam wasn’t even looking at the guys. He just kept pretending to scythe. He took his hat off and pretended to wipe his forehead, rolled his shoulders, and started again. Then he caught Christopher’s eye and winked.

It’s OK, Christopher thought. It’s all OK.

He looked ahead, holding the plow, feeling a burst of pride and happiness. They were really here. They were really in the parade, on a float that he and Aunt Dana had dreamed up.

They were celebrating their country’s birthday as a family. Just like he had hoped would happen.

He waved at the people, his heart bursting in his chest. Today was a great day. A wonderful day. A happy birthday to America day.

“ARE YOU SURE this is the best place to watch the fireworks?” Charlotte clutched the blanket, looking over her shoulder. “I’m wondering if Frank and Hannah can find us here. I wonder if I should go down …”

“Grandpa is waiting for them,” Emily interrupted, taking the blanket from her hands. “He can take care of that.”

Charlotte nodded, recognizing that Emily was right. How long would it take her to learn that she didn’t need to do it all?

Maybe my whole life.

“Do you think he’ll be able to find us?” she couldn’t help but add.

“How could he miss us?” Emily said, pointing to the glow-in-the-dark band that she and everyone else wore on their heads.

“No, I guess we’re pretty obvious,” Charlotte said.

“If you’re just going to yak, give me the blanket and I’ll lay it out.” Troy took the blanket from Emily, but Charlotte saw the teasing glimmer in his eyes as he did.

He was a good kid. Emily had told her about their conversation in the diner and how understanding he had been. Sure, Emily was a bit young, but who knew? She and Bob had been high school sweethearts.

“Just relax and sit down,” Emily said as she pressed gently on Charlotte’s shoulders. “Aunt Dana made us a thermos of lemonade and I brought cups and napkins. Troy and I are going to get them from the truck, and you are supposed to stay here.”

“OK. I will.” She did as she was commanded, feeling a little funny that all she had to do was show up.

As Troy and Emily walked away in the gathering dusk, she glanced down the hill, wondering where Bob was. Had something happened to Frank and Hannah? Maybe she should go check. She got up just as Sam came puffing up the hill.

“Grandma, what are you doing?” Sam came through the crowd to stand in front of Charlotte.

“Um … nothing.”

Sam wasn’t buying it. “Just checking to see if Grandpa is coming and thinking maybe you should go down and see what’s happening?” he asked with a teasing note in his voice.

Charlotte shot him a frown but then had to smile at the mischief in his eyes highlighted by the green glow of his headband. “OK. As you would say, busted.”

“You don’t have to do it all, you know.” Sam gave her a light punch on her shoulder, and then gently pushed her back down onto the blanket. He sat beside her, looping his arms around his knees, and suddenly seemed to grow serious. He looked away, rocking lightly.

“You know, Grandma, I said I was sorry about what happened. But I feel like I need to say it again,” he said quietly.

Charlotte resisted the urge to lay her hand on his arm. To try to ease his discomfort. She sensed he needed to speak his mind. Again.

“I made a mistake. And I’d like to think I won’t make any more mistakes, but I’d also like to think I’m trying not to,” he said, his deep voice lowering even more. “I know I have a lot of growing up to do.” He sighed lightly and then looked over at Charlotte. “But I have some good examples.”

Charlotte held his gaze, feeling the prick of happy tears in her eyes. “I don’t know about that,” she returned. “I’m always learning myself. Always recognizing that every day I have to let go of things and let God take over.”

Sam nodded slowly, as if absorbing what she was saying.

“I’m proud of you,” Charlotte continued. “I heard your friends teasing you when you were on the float.”

Sam shrugged, as if unwilling to take her compliment. “They weren’t friends of mine. Just some guys who were at the party.”

The sound of laughter floated up the hill from the people gathering for the fireworks. A gentle peace slipped over Charlotte as the darkness deepened. “I also got a call from Mr. Vance, the owner of the cottage. He wanted me to know that he was grateful for your help. He also said that it was very brave of you to show up.”

“I went because you told me to, Grandma. And Grandpa even drove me out there. I shouldn’t get any credit for that.” Sam shot her a quick sideways glance. “But I’m glad you made me go. It was a way to make up for my stupidity and poor judgment.”

Charlotte slipped her arm around Sam’s shoulders and gave him a quick hug. “You’re not stupid, my dear boy. I want to share with you one of my favorite sayings: ‘Good judgment comes from experience. And experience comes from poor judgment.’ So if you think of it that way, you’re on your way to making good judgments.”

Sam laughed at that. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He straightened, looking down the hill. “And you don’t need to worry anymore about Grandpa and Mr. and Mrs. Carter finding us.”

“There you are,” Charlotte heard Hannah saying.

Charlotte saw three figures slowly making their way up the hill. Frank was walking with a walker, and Hannah carried a backpack and a blanket. She waved as they came closer. “I brought cookies,” she said.

“Great,” Sam said with a short laugh. “Just what I need on top of two funnel cakes and two hot dogs.”

“You had two funnel cakes?” Emily said incredulously as she and Troy materialized seemingly out of nowhere, carrying a cooler between them.

“My stomach hurts just thinking about that,” Uncle Pete said as he, Dana, and Christopher arrived.

“But you had four corn dogs, Uncle Pete,” Christopher said. “That would make me even sicker than two funnel cakes.”

“I’ll tell you what would make me the sickest of all, Christopher, my boy,” Uncle Pete said as he dropped onto the blanket beside Sam. “Going on that ride that you and Sam thought was just the bomb.”

“It was,” Christopher exclaimed. “Right, Sam?”

“Oh, yeah. Especially after two funnel cakes,” Sam said with a wry note in his voice.

General laughter followed that comment as everyone settled down in their respective spots. Then Charlotte caught Sam frowning at Christopher’s pants. “Are those the ones you wore on the float?”

Christopher hastily covered the knee of one leg and shot Charlotte a guilty glance. “I’m sorry, Grandma.”

“You ripped them again?” Emily said. “After Grandma spent so much time patching them?” She sighed and glanced at Charlotte. “I don’t know how you do it, Grandma.”

Sometimes, neither did Charlotte.

“Frank, how are you doing?” Charlotte asked as Hannah laid out her blanket.

“I’m doing great,” he said. “Doc said I can start physical therapy soon. Heart’s lookin’ pretty good. If I was feeling any better, I’d be twins.”

Charlotte grinned, catching Hannah’s wink. “He’s just glad to be out of the house,” Hannah said.

“And we’re glad you could join us for the fireworks,” Bob said, lowering himself slowly beside Charlotte. “We should have brought some chairs,” he added, grunting as he sat down.

“We’ve always watched fireworks sitting on a blanket,” Pete said. “That way we can lie down if our necks get sore.”

“We’re sitting high enough,” Dana put in. “We shouldn’t have to look up.”

“Last year some of them went way up into the sky,” Christopher said, waving his arm to underline his comment. “And then we got sore necks.”

Charlotte leaned back on her elbows, glancing around the gathered group, smiling as the conversation grew louder, split off into two or three, doubled back, and joined up again.

Dana and Emily served up the lemonade and Hannah’s cookie tin was passed back and forth, each time losing a few more cookies.

Then the first whiz sounded, followed by various pops and booms; suddenly brightly colored bursts of light showered upward and outward into the darkness.

“Whoa, that was a big one.”

More showers of pink and purple filled the sky, following whizzes and bangs as mortars screamed upward, incandescent green blazing in their wake.

Each new burst brought an exclamation of amazement and admiration from the crowd.

Charlotte’s attention turned from the display above her to the faces around her, sporadically illuminated by the light.

Emily, Troy, and Sam were grinning; Christopher had his hands clasped under his chin. Pete and Dana stole a kiss when they thought no one was looking. Bob was smiling, and Frank and Hannah both looked happy.

It had happened, Charlotte thought, taking another sip of her cold lemonade. Her family had come together in love and happiness for this holiday celebration. And she had done very little to bring it about. It had come together organically because they were a family. A family that wanted to be together and do things together because they loved each other.

She looked up as an especially loud burst of fireworks split the night.

Thank you, Lord, she prayed silently, watching the display. Thank you for my family, for my country, for my life.