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A Beautiful Fourth

December 9, 2015 11 Comments

A Beautiful Fourth
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Early in July, I heard Mama telling Mrs. Fernandez in our kitchen, “I haven’t seen Mimi Johnson for a month. Have you?”

I strained to listen from my hiding place outside the window as Mrs. Fernandez whispered, “Mr. Johnson’s wives always disappear.”

My friends and I didn’t care. Mr. Johnson was nice. Every Fourth of July, he gave us fat slices of watermelon and let us sprawl on his lawn while he set off fireworks. Gigantic homemade jobs, all bulky and a couple feet tall. It was so funny—this year, he even named them.

“Kids, this one’s called ‘Screaming Mimi.’”

By Joanne R. Fritz

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tony Press says

    December 9, 2015 at 11:45 am

    Yikes! Good one.

    Reply
    • Joanne Fritz says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:47 am

      Thank you, Tony

      Reply
  2. Joanne Ryder says

    December 9, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Ooooooh, shivery! Great, Joanne.

    Reply
    • Christina Butcher says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:57 am

      Great work, and very creepy!

      Reply
      • Joanne R. Fritz says

        December 10, 2015 at 4:34 pm

        Thank you, Christina.

        Reply
    • Joanne Fritz says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:47 am

      Thanks, Joanne.

      Reply
    • Joanne Fritz says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:48 am

      Thanks, Joanne!

      Reply
  3. Alison says

    December 9, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    Oh dear!!!! This is great, Joanne! Love it!

    Reply
    • Joanne Fritz says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:49 am

      Thanks, Alison!

      Reply
  4. FewerThan500 says

    December 10, 2015 at 7:45 am

    Twisted! Great use of 101 words!

    Reply
    • Joanne Fritz says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:50 am

      Thank you, FewerThan500.

      Reply

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