Eager Beaver

Chapter Five - Canada Day

After a short car ride I found myself stumbling through some park. I could smell the familiar smokey scent of people cooking on a barbeque and hear the sounds of kids laughing around some nearby playground equipment. The park was located beside the town's largest lake, Larme Lake, which was meant to be a teardrop lake in French - at least that's what Mom had told me. I never took French back in California. It was just one more thing I had to catch up on before the school year began. I tried to put that to the back of my mind however, looking nervously around at the crowds. Fireworks were supposed to be shooting off above the lake in celebration of Canada Day, and it seemed as if half the town had gathered to watch on the grassy parkland shore.

I looked at my dinky outfit and then at the others in the park. I was clearly a stand out when it came to dressing up - only a few other kids had outfits like mine. I fiddled with a little Canadian flag Mom had given me on the car ride over; the whole park was covered in them for the occasion. I was nervous again. The park was filled with people I didn't know, and I felt as if every one of them would be staring at my ridiculous get up. I almost missed being back home reading.

"Mom." I chirped, looking up at her. She looked back at me. "I look silly."

Mom patted my head. "You look fine dear. Isn't that your friend over there all dressed up too?"

Mom pointed to a boy running around nearby. I looked up, immediately recognizing Laurie. He had bright white pants on with a red collared shirt that was exactly the right shade. I thought that it would have been a preferable outfit to the dungarees if it weren't for his bowtie - an actual bowtie! It was red and white and looked like a little Canadian flag. On top of Laure's head, tying back his shaggy blond hair, was a headband with two maple leafs bouncing around beside thick red lettering spelling out the words 'OH CANADA'.

I cringed in embarrassment, gravitating behind my mother's legs. I did not want Laurie to see me like this! I would eventually need to come clean about my age, and this certainly wouldn't help things. "I'm hungry." I complained to my parents, hoping to steer us away from Laurie and, I assumed, a lurking Zach somewhere in the mix.

We shuffled our way through a line at the barbeque. Mom prepared my plate, dishing out a hamburger bun with some potato salad on the side.

"Oh no, just plain is fine. He doesn't like onions!" she spoke over me as we finally approached the grill. She was right of course, I couldn't stand onions, but I'd wanted to tell the man myself!

The grill master - a balding middle aged man I didn't recognize - just smiled, giving me an affectionate wink. "No problem! My little guy's the same way. A real fussy eater."

We took it to a spot on the ground where Dad had laid out a blanket for us to sit on and enjoy the fireworks later. Well, really it was just for me to sit on. Mom and Dad had brought two lawn chairs for themselves. I sat on the blanket and noticed it was actually my Webelo scout blanket! I ran my hand over some of the patches, reminiscing on them.

Mom handed me my plate and I awkwardly perched it on my lap. I slowly ate the salad and burger, trying to make the stay on the blanket last as long as possible before Mom inevitably told me to go play with Laurie. She was so desperate to get me to make new friends. Every week after Beavers, she always made sure I gave her a thorough report of the session - eager to hear every detail about the Kindie kids. I suppose it was nice she cared, at least.

"Coop." Mom called out sternly. "You're making a mess of your shirt."

I looked at the sleeve of my shirt and sure enough there was a rather sizable stain of ketchup. "Sorry." I yelped and looked around for a napkin, none to be found.

Mom unzipped the large rectangular bag she always brought with her on outings. She pulled out a plastic box of wipes and pulled out a couple. I stood up and reached out my hand to take them, but Mom ignored me and went right to wiping down my face herself!