Family, Fire, and Lessons from Guy Fawkes Night
Remember, remember, the fifth of November. The loud screech of Toyota tires sliding across black asphalt in front of Bride’s Convenience and smashing into the stopped car in front. My brother, John Paul, is behind the wheel. I’m riding ‘shotgun’, the front passenger seat, with my friends in the back. We are off to ‘Bon Fire Night’ at Centennial Field parking lot, where the whole towns of Grand Falls and Windsor amalgamate to witness and celebrate in the largest fire of the year. For weeks we watched the fire department and community members, pile old tires, crates, giant wire spindles and what seems like endless wood pallets, higher and higher. Small wooden horse barriers signify the safe area but children and even babies slip past closer to emanating heat. Eyes are wide, watching the tank-sized blaze burn. Some know it’s Guy Fawkes Night and even fewer know who Guy Fawkes is but everyone knows it’s Bon Fire night.
In unison my brother and I yell “Spa-doodle!”. A common game in our family of identifying a car with only one headlight. If you are the first to see the car and punch the roof, you are rewarded with a free jab at your sibling. The issue on this Guy Fawkes Night is that John Paul and I both yelled at the same time. We giggled and both attacked either other. I can still feel his fist slamming my leg as the hood of mom’s burgundy Camery crunched into a peak.
No one was hurt but we were all shook up. My brother is four years older and instantly I felt my body draining of any responsibility.
“Sarah, can you drive back home with me to explain the accident to mom?”
I didn’t know it but my next word would continue to haunt me for decades.
“No.”
I walked the rest of the way to the flaming pile with my friends.
My interest, and motivation was consumed by a boy. Brad M. I was to meet him at the Bon Fire. My whole focus was on seeing him, being with him, finally feeling loved. I left my brother behind.
Sorry bro.
The beau to be, didn’t even show and I nearly burned off my eyebrows looking for him.
True love doesn’t need to be pursued. It’s right in front of us.
And,
it’s never too late to apologize.
Happy November 5th! Light it up.
