The shotgun-depth boom sends Evelyn out of bed, across the hall, and to my side, her hand landing on my knee. “What was that?” she asks.
I explain that the day before and after the Fourth of July, fireworks laws loosen a bit. However, she struggles to understand how a rule can be different on one day versus another. Honestly, fair point. So just to be sure, I Google Georgia’s fireworks laws—and turns out, I’m wrong. You can light fireworks every single day of the year from 10 a.m. to midnight. Suddenly, the strip mall fireworks stands make way more sense.
I’m certain I’ve never bought a firework in my life. But now that I know I can do it whenever, with whomever, however I want… I feel the urge.
Which is ironic, because it’s the opposite of my weed-smoking days. When it was illegal, I smoked. Once it became legal in 2014, I stopped. Funny how that works. Speaking of which—around that same time, an acquaintance scolded me, sharing that a friend of theirs had died from lung cancer due to infrequent marijuana use. That comment left more of a ripple in me, making it a firm “heck no” line in the sand on that stuff.
I don’t want Evelyn’s vocabulary to improve. Her pronunciation of “coyote” as kyee-oh-dee melts me. I know it’s on its way out—her desire to be corrected is growing. Her friend Emma, after a reflexive bodily function kicked in, giggled and said, “I got hip-ups.” So freaking dang cute.
Also cute? Evelyn’s bedtime rant tonight. She was frustrated about turning from her right side to her left, and began using her hands to pantomime the elaborate device she needed—something that would support her sides, wrap-around her waistline, and extend over her fingers. It made me think of a cross between a straightjacket and a Michael Jackson glove.
You know what? I’m beat. That Wicked-themed birthday party tonight was pretty great. My friend Deedre and I went all in, and I’m hoping that effort inspires others to follow suit at the future costume party I just now realized I want to throw. Especially for Halloween. I love Halloween. And now that I’ve got my Elphaba costume mostly down—minus some green leggings—I’ll be ready to rock and roll.
Alright, I’m outta here.
I love you.
Love,
Jaclynn
Going On 40 