Fireworks

26

I had Wednesday off work, and I spent the day watching my father transport boxes of his things into his car from my balcony. I had offered to help him pack or carry, but he had declined, saying it would be better if he left quietly and quickly as not to disturb my mother when she got home.

I expected to feel some of that overwhelming loneliness that I had felt on the night they told me, but all I felt was numb.

Today is Thursday, the day of the party, and I'm about to finish working the night shift at the stand. Arlo works pretty much every day from open to close, so of course he's here. Isa is working as well, along with Ryan, Cecily, and Sarah. More people come in on the closing hours so we can drop sides and count tills. Tonight everyone's excited since we're is planning on going to the party. We close at around 11:00, and to be honest I'm kind of tired. I got here around 1:00 and we were slowly starting to attract more customers day by day as the fourth draws ever nearer. It kind of freaked me out having to deal with customers, but luckily, most everyone would rather be behind the register than pricing endless boxes of roman candles, so most of the time I can get off doing individual work away from the others.

"Thank you so much, have a wonderful night," I say easily as the man behind the register grabs his bag off of the counter and accepts his change.

"You as well," he says, grabbing a smoke bomb from one of the little 'free with one purchase' buckets.

He stalks out of the tent and to his car, and I grab the basket he had used and return it to the stack at the entrance of the tent. Arlo and Ryan have just about finished dropping the sides of the tent as cover for the night, and our Night Watch guy was here. I personally thought it was a little unnecessary to have a Night Watch guard on duty since the Camper is literally 25 feet behind the tent and Dad, Mom and Harriet sleep there every night, but I know it's the law. Bill is going on 70, though, and mostly just sits on his iPad and drinks beer all night.

"You feel like coming to mine to get ready for the party? We could have a sleepover or something, if you want." Isa suggests as she climbs over the register table.

I frown and check my phone. It's just past 11:00, and I doubted there would be any more customers. Harriet had told us to just clock out and go when we felt like it as she had a migraine and went to lay down about an hour ago. She blamed it on the heat but I counted, and she drank at least 6 red bulls today.

"Um, sure. I don't have any clothes or anything, though." I answer hesitantly.

"You can borrow something from my closet." she's quick to offer, looking hopeful. "And I can do your hair and makeup, it won't even take us that long and you could give me a ride so I won't be stuck with Arlo and Monse."

She sticks her bottom lip out and makes big puppy dog eyes, and I laugh. "Of course, sure. Are you ready to head out now?"

Isa eagerly nods and says, "Yes ma'am. Let me clock out and then we can peace out of here."

Arlo and Ryan come around in front of where we're standing, and Ryan says, "Why hello, ladies. You going to the party?"

It's directed at both of us, but I notice how his eyes linger on me for a moment longer than necessary. I clear my throat and look at my feet, letting Isa answer.

"Duh, of course we'll be there." Isa scoffs, hunched over the table to clock out.

Ryan grins and says, "Good. I'll see you there." He winks at me and I just nod politely before he turns and heads to his car, swinging his keys around on his finger.

"He has a thing for you. I hope you know that." Isa says, bumping her hip into mine as I patiently wait my turn for the clock-out binder.

I feel myself turn red and say, "No way."