Blue
Fourth of July, 2009
"Hey Tyler, what color is that?" Addison asked her brother as she pointed to an American flag, one of many we had seen on out walk down the main street of the fair we were at.
"Boo!" the one-year-old says. Meaning to say "Blue" but not quite getting the word right.
"Good job buddy," Doug says as he pushes the stroller.
The weather was warm, not a cloud in the sky. We decided to pack a picnic lunch and spend the day walking around at the street fair that our town has every year on Fourth of July weekend.
"Dad, let's sit there," Kate said pointing at a bench on the corner of a side street. Doug nodded and turned towards the bench.
Everyone finds a spot, either on the bench or on the curb right next to it. I give all the girls their sandwich and chips. I leave the cooler open; it's filled with drinks and snacks. We all eat, the food tasting so good especially since none of us have eaten since breakfast.
"Hey dad, can I get a slushie?" Kate asks. We told all of the kids that they could get one treat at the fair, and Kate has talked nonstop about getting a giant slushie.
"Sure kiddo," Doug says as he stands up, holding out his hand. Kate takes it and they walk over to the stand selling the drinks. They return a few minutes later. Kate is smiling, holding a cup full of blue goo. She sucks down the cold drink as fast as she can.
"Come on, let's go look around some more," I say cleaning up the last of our lunch. All three girls quickly jump up. All at once, Addison is in front of Kate just as she trips over the wheel of the stroller sending her slushie flying. Most of it lands on her little sister.
"Boo!" Tyler screams before giggling. The sight of his older sister covered in slush makes him laugh even harder.
"Are you alright?" I ask Kate as she stands up. The girl nods but looks sad that the last bit of her drink was wasted. Addison is still standing in the same spot, blue ice dripping off her body. "Come on Addy let's go get you cleaned up," I take her hand and lead her to the nearest bathroom. She is silently crying, more embarrassed than hurt.
Our day at the fair was over after that. Addison was embarrassed and didn't want to be seen in blue stained clothes, and Kate was still mad that she didn't get to finish her drink.