As I promised, this is a happier chapter. In fact, I think it's pretty funny. Enjoy!
Light my Candle
April sighed. Her friend had gotten her a vanilla-scented candle for her birthday. She'd been saving it for a rainy day and now, three months later, that rainy day was here. But, unfortunately, her parents hid the matches from her.
"It's not my fault I set the dog on fire," April mused, searching through the various kitchen drawers and cabinets, "He just happened to get in the way of my magnifying glass and pile of dry leaves. Anyway, I'm sure Dingo always wanted to be cremated."
April heard a laugh from the doorway. "And I'm sure the two cats, one parrot and five gerbils also wanted to be cremated."
April rolled her eyes. "Oh shut it Jeff," she grumbled to her older brother, "Hey, do you think you could light my candle? Mom and Dad still hide the matches."
Jeff grinned. "Would, but can't." He said.
"Why not?"
"Mom and Dad don't hide the matches April," he said, "They threw them all out. There isn't a single match, lighter or magnifying glass in this entire house!"
April groaned. "But how am I supposed to light the candle I got for my birthday?"
Jeff shrugged. "I dunno, try the neighbors."
April frowned. "No way!" she said, "It's raining cat and dogs outside!"
"Well it shouldn't be a problem for you," Jeff teased, "Just cremate all the little kitties and puppies. That'll make everything better."
"Oh fuck off Jeff," April mumbled, giving her brother the finger and walking outside into the rain.
She skipped over to the neighbor's house- the Anderson's- and knocked on the door.
"Coming!" April heard Mrs. Anderson say.
The door flew open and there stood Mrs. Anderson with her snow-white, mile-high hair and large glasses.
"Hi Mrs. Anderson," April said kindly.
"April!" Mrs. Anderson screeched, pinching each of the girl's cheeks, "Look at how big you are! Still taking ballet lessons April? Are you still playing the violin?"
April forced a smile. "No Mrs. Anderson," she said, "The ballet studio closed down and my violin is now burnt to a crisp."
"Oh that's terrible!" Mrs. Anderson said, ushering April into her house, "Simply awful. Would you like some cookies April? Maybe some hot chocolate?"
"No thank you," April said, "I was wondering if you had some matches I could borrow. I got this candle for my birthday and we don't seem to have any matches in the house and I really want to light my candle."
Mrs. Anderson frowned. "I do remember your father telling me I wasn't allowed to give you matches or lighters or magnifying glasses April."
April fought the instinct to frown and force a smile. "Oh, you know my dad," she said, "He's always joking around. He didn't really mean it."
Mrs. Anderson gave her a weary look before saying, "If you say so."
"Which I do! Anyway, the power went out and the flashlights ran out of battery, so we need to light lots and lots of candles!"
So Mrs. Anderson gave April boxes and boxes of matches.
Mr. Ericsson got an interesting phone call the afternoon.
"Mr. Ericsson," someone said over the phone, "We're sorry to tell you that your house burnt down to the ground not too long ago. Two children were found inside and rushed to the hospital."
"Are they okay?" Mr. Ericsson asked nervously.
"Yes, they're both fine. Just a bit rattled."
"Good, because now I won't feel as guilty punishing April. That girl won't be able to sit down for a month!"
"Oh Daddy I was just joking!" the voice said and Mr. Ericsson immediately recognized it as his daughter, April, "The house didn't burn down."
"That's good to hear," Mr. Ericsson said.
"I just wanted to tell you something BIG burned down so you wouldn't be as angry when you saw what really burnt dow- I mean…"
"APRIL!"
