A Junior's Greatest Mischief: A Firecracker Adventure
As a child, mischief was a daily staple of my life. However, one particular incident stands out in my mind, an adventure involving a package of blockbuster firecrackers that nearly landed me in hot water with my older sister and our mother.
The Package of Firecrackers
It was a typical afternoon in my house, when I found a package of blockbuster firecrackers hidden under a pile of books in my room. These weren't just any firecrackers; they were the kind that sounded like a 12-gauge shotgun when they exploded, making a loud and attention-grabbing sound.
The Mission
The next challenge was to transport the firecrackers without being caught. While walking down the hall, I encountered my fifteen-year-old sister, Lori, and was in for an unexpected twist. She had just come out of her room and caught me in the act.
“What’s in your hand?” she asked suspiciously.
“Nothing,” I lied.
“Why are you holding nothing behind your back?” she persisted.
I shrugged, feigning an itch behind my back. “I have an itch back there.”
“Give me whatever you have in your hands RJ. NOW!” she demanded with authority. Knowing my mother wasn’t home, I quickly decided to follow her instructions. However, I couldn’t resist slipping one blockbuster into my back pocket just in case.
The Standoff
I reluctantly handed over the package, and right then, the phone rang. “Lori, it’s your boyfriend,” called out Tracy, Lori’s twin. Lori’s glare was intense, and I couldn’t help but challenge her. “I bet your boyfriend would enjoy lighting these fireworks,” I teased. Her glare intensified, and I won the staring contest.
“I’m probably saving your life,” she said flatly. Without a word, she grabbed the phone. “Hello…Hi…What am I doing? I’m giving your younger brother hell that’s what.” Her words stung, but I still needed to get back at her. “YOUNGER!” I yelled.
The Squirrels and The Firecrackers
With Lori distracted, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Downstairs, I sat in the backyard, waiting for the perfect moment. My mother hated a red squirrel that always dug up her plants and created holes in her lawn. Her task was simple: scare the squirrel or destroy it.
Suddenly, the squirrel appeared, eating seeds from the bird feeder. I carefully extracted the firecracker from my pocket, lit the fuse with my mom’s lighter, and launched it at the unsuspecting squirrel. The squirrel, startled and with a final glance at the firecracker, jumped and took flight.
The firecracker exploded with a huge bang, causing the squirrel to jump five feet in the air and run off. However, my mother’s beautiful ceramic planter was left in pieces. My mother, furious, sent me up to my room, where I was sternly reprimanded by the newly appointed 'boss' of the house.