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!

“Mom……?” I whined, looking desperately around and hoping that no one was looking.

“Coop, hold still.” Mom demanded as she finished cleaning my face and proceeded to try and rub out the stain on my shirt. She clenched onto the bib of the dungarees preventing me from flinching away.

“I can do it.” I mumbled. Mom had other thoughts though. I heard the metal clasps of the overalls unlatch and in a moment she had tossed the straps behind me! I felt them slap the back of my legs. “Mom!” I snarled.

“Calm down sweetie. I bought your new sweater. You can just wear it over your stained shirt.” Mom explained and let go of the bib of the overalls, letting it flop down in front of me. I had to quickly snatch the pants, since now nothing was holding them up.

“I’ll put it on.” I agreed, fiercely nodding my head. It was starting to get chilly anyway.

Mom unfurled the white fabric I had spied earlier, revealing a white turtleneck sweater with little red maple leaves printed on it in a repeating pattern. “It reminded me of that blue shirt you wore with those overalls last year.” Mom reminisced. “With the little blue stars, remember? This time there are leaves!”

I was speechless standing in front of Mom, clinging to my pants for dear life. . Why wouldn’t she just give me the sweater already?

“Arms up.” Mom cheerfully encouraged me. Was she being serious? How could I put my arms up when they are the only thing holding up my pants at the moment? I didn’t move, going as still as a statue, but that was no obstacle for mom. She grabbed hold of my hands, my arms offering as little resistance as wet spaghetti as she threw them up in the air, the soft fabric of the turtleneck sweater muffling my horrified protests as I felt my dungarees fall all the way down to my ankles! “Arms in the air like you just don’t care.” Mom commented cheerily, oblivious to my horror as she wiggled my ragdolled arms playfully back and forth as if in celebration. I fidgeted uselessly against her grip like a baby animal caught in a trap, horrified to see my single color block briefs on full display. I let out a whine. Of course they were red.

“Cooper!” a chocolate-cake sweet voice interrupted. I gave a start, feeling my cheeks burn as red as my briefs as I saw not just Laurie, but Alex and Charlie too! Charlie was dressed fairly ordinarily in simple jeans and a white t-shirt, but Alex was in her Beaver uniform. I knocked my knees together, grimacing with abashed shame, but the Kindies didn’t laugh. They didn’t even look surprised. Somehow, that seemed about a million times worse!

“Ummm… hey.” I finally managed to squeak, my mom finally finishing smoothing out the sleeves of my turtleneck and leaning down to pull up my dungarees.

“Are these your new friends I’ve heard so much about?” she asked, securing the straps over my shoulders and giving me a peck on the cheek for good measure. I winced.

“Yep!” Charlie answered for me. “I’m Charlie, and this is Alex and Laurie - and this is my little brother Leo.'' He indicated a small boy of around three or four who I hadn’t noticed before standing just to his side. With a long mop of black hair and amber colored eyes, he looked like Charlie’s spitting image - wriggling impatiently at his brother’s side. My face fell even further as I noticed that he was also wearing overalls, though his were solid red instead of stripes. “Can Cooper come play sparklers with us?”

“I don’t see why not.” Mom beamed, putting an arm around my shoulder. “Though stay where grown-ups can see you! Fire can be dangerous.”

“My mom’s just over there with my baby sister.” Charlie informed her, pointing to a woman with a neatly tied back black ponytail rocking a wailing infant in a stroller a few meters away. “Plus, we know all ‘bout fire safety.” he bragged.

“Yeah.” Alex added, pointing to a little red and black square on the pocket of her vest “We got our Emergency Skills badges. Rank two!”

“Alright then.” Mom conceded, prompting me forward with a small pat on my bottom. “Be safe Coop!”

I trailed behind the other kids as they marched towards Charlie’s mom, still wearing an uneasy frown. I still couldn’t believe they’d seen me like that! “My mom doesn’t usually help me get dressed.” I blurted out unprompted, all four kids turning to listen “It was just.” I stammered. “I mean I can do it myself.”

“It’s okay!” Laurie beamed, shrugging his shoulders “My mommy still helps me sometimes.”

“And me!” Leo added. “Overalls are hard.”

I shuddered, the smaller boys’ reassurances hardly making me feel better. “That’s not what I meant.” I mumbled.

“It’s no big deal.” Charlie declared, striding up to his mother and tapping expectantly on her side. “Mom?” he grinned “Can we play sparklers now?”

Charlie’s mother studied us and smiled. “Charlie, you have made so many friends!” She praised him while he bashfully looked away. She pulled out a pack of sparklers and handed a single one to each of us unlit. “Be extra careful and stay right beside this bucket of water.” Her eyes turned to Leo. “Leo honey, you can have one too if your big brother helps you, alright?” The youngest boy nodded, eyes lighting up in excitement as he took the unlit sparkler from his Mom.

Charlie and Leo’s Mom had us stand around a bucket of water while she carefully lit Leo’s sparkler first. Charlie kneeled down beside him and held his hands in his. He carefully guided Leo’s arm through the air with a concerned look, careful to keep the sparks far from his brother’s face. Leo was giggling with delight, his eyes reflecting the sparkles and filled with wonder.

Alex’s sparkler was lit next. She was practically hopping up and down with anticipation. “Thank you Ms. Diaz.” She thanked Charlie’s mom dutifully in a polite practiced tone. Alex gleefully waved the sparkler up and around, causing a trail of light to follow. Her face was a picture of pure bliss, covered with a cheery gap-toothed grin.

“And what’s your name, little man?” Ms. Diaz questioned me.

“It’s Cooper.” I told her. “Thank you for the sparkler.”

I felt a moment of anxiety and anticipation as my sparkler was lit, fizzing in my hand. I waved it through the air just like the others to watch the trail, imagining it was a magic wand writing in the sky. I had to admit my spirits were lifted the moment the sparkler had been ignited. I looked around at the others and spotted Zach for the first time. He was smiling cheesily at the baby in the stroller, keeping a watchful eye while Charlie’s Mom lit sparklers for us. Laurie finally had his lit too, and was making big circles framing his smiling face.

“Zachary, would you like one too?” Ms. Diaz asked, turning to the big kid cub scout.

“Yeah, okay.” Zach said ponderously and took a lit sparkler from her, his grin instantly turning back to his familiar characteristic frown. “I’m always stuck with the Kindies,” He mumbled. He looked at Laurie waving his sparkler around. “Be careful, Laurie.” He warned.

“Okay!” the towheaded little boy sang, though he couldn’t hold still still for long - soon reverting to drawing big shapes in the air against the backdrop of the orange twilight sky. He looked a little disappointed as Zach eventually intervened, dropping to his knees to clap firmly onto Laurie’s arm. “I can do it….” he complained, sticking out his lower lip in a fussy pout.

“Just watch, okay?” Zach mollified him, holding his own sparkler by his so that the two penumbras of spitting sparks touched ever so slightly. Laurie finally stopped fidgeting, his mouth hanging open in glassy-eyed wonder.

“That was fun!” Charlie enthused as all our sparklers finally burned out, his mom ensuring we all extinguished them properly in the convenient bucket of water. “Can we do another?”

“Maybe later.” Ms. Diaz smiled, leaning down and fiddling with the buckles securing the baby in the stroller. “We should get a good spot by the lake. The fireworks will be starting soon!” She gathered up the baby in her arms, smiling down adoringly “Isn’t that right, Julie?”

“Bah!” the baby agreed, a small pudgy leg kicking out from under her bundle of fluffy pink blankets.

“Phew, I think someone needs a change first.” Ms. Diaz continued, ushering over for Charlie to help her. The boy obeyed at once, dropping Leo’s hand and jogging over to the stroller.

“Can I do anything, Ms. Diaz?” Zach asked politely, striding over confidently to stand beside Charlie.

“That’s very nice of you, Zachary.” Charlie’s mom smiled, unfurling a changing mat and laying out Julie on the ground. “There’s a pack of diapers somewhere in there. Can you grab one for me?”

I stayed where I was, suddenly feeling strangely self-conscious to be standing around with only the little kids. Leo gave me a hyperactive grin, looking me over like an expectant puppy.

“I like your overalls!” the preschooler eventually declared, pawing softly at the material.

“Err, thanks” I mumbled. “I should probably go back to my parents…” I looked from side to side. Where were they anyway?

Just at that moment, a heavy hand fell on my shoulder. “Doing alright, bud?”

I gave a start, giving a bashful half smile as I recognized my Dad. “Yeah.” I peeped “I was just gonna come find you guys.”

“Nonsense.” Dad dismissed, nodding at Leo, Alex and Laurie in turn “Looks like you’re well taken care of. Are these your friends?”

The kids all nodded, Alex taking me by surprise and embracing me affectionately around the shoulder “We’re Beaver buddies!” she declared, pointing out her vest.

Dad chuckled, “I can see that!”

“Can Cooper come to my birthday party?” She asked unprompted.

I cocked my head, taken off guard by the request. I liked Alex, but she was what? Six? Seven? The Beavers were fine, but I didn’t think I could handle a full class of first graders! I thought back to my failed attempt at befriending Bradley, frowning in consternation. It was probably best if I just thought up some excuse.

“I don’t think-” I began, but before I could finish my thought, Dad spoke over me.

“Sure he can,” he enthused. “Just get your parents to give me a call and we can sort it out.”

“Dad…” I whispered, pursing my lips. He looked down, a flash of recognition in his eyes seeming to register my dissatisfaction, but I didn’t get a chance to say another word before there was a cacophonous brilliant boom. An almighty cheer drowned out any further conversation as the whole crowd turned to look up across the lake, the sky ablaze in brilliant red and white light.