The little condo Husband and I have upstate is in a town that celebrates everything early. Maybe it’s to beat the crowds, maybe it’s a union thing, whatever it is, the first winter we were up there I heard a loud racket outside and ran out on the deck to see what was going on. Circling the parking area in front of our unit was a fire engine with Santa Claus and two elves on top. The siren was wailing and the elves were waving and Santa was ho-ho-ho-ing and I said to Husband, “Isn’t it December 10th?”
Thus began a confusing history of Memorial Day parades in the middle of May, Labor Day celebrations a week before Labor Day, and Fourth of July fireworks in June. Which is how I came to take this picture on June 27th upstate. . .
. . .while Daughter was taking this picture downtown at the Gay Pride Parade
Our town’s fireworks are best seen from a small landing at the top of our community overlooking the Hudson River. People set up blankets on the grass and lawn chairs on the blacktop and as the sky darkens, you can watch kids chase Frisbees and hear the sound of laughter and conversation wafting through the summer air. It is very unlike the city’s fireworks which are much more majestic and grand with gigantic crowds to match. We like it upstate.
This year we arranged to meet our neighbors, JJ and Leon, up at the clearing before 9pm so we could set up our chairs together. Husband and I arrived first and as I headed for a spot away from the circular area where we parked our car, I turned around and noticed Husband had set his chair up near the car. In fact, near all the cars. In fact, the middle of the parking lot.
I walked back and asked what the deal was. This was where he wanted to sit, he told me, anchored firmly in his chair. But you’re in the middle of the parking lot, I said. He repeated that this was the best view and this was where he was sitting. He gestured around to indicate that all the parking spots were filled so it was safe to sit here. I mentioned that incoming cars didn’t know all the spots were filled until they pulled in. By that time we would be roadkill. He gave me The Look. Because I hate getting The Look and also because our vows did, after all, say for better or for worse, I opened my chair and sat next to him.
After about five minutes of headlights glaring in our eyes and cars swerving to avoid us, I folded up my chair and moved to the place I had originally been heading for just beyond the parking area. I no sooner sat down than JJ arrived and opened her chair next to me. Where’s Leon? I asked. She pointed over her shoulder to where Leon was sitting with Husband in the middle of the lot, the two of them chatting away. I asked her if she preferred that we go join them. She said she preferred to live. Which made me imagine the morning headlines, TWO MEN FLATTENED BY SUV AS WIVES LOOK ON, when Husband and Leon appeared next to us and opened their chairs. “We didn’t want you to watch alone,” Husband said. I gave him my own look, the one that says I Love You.
Hope your holiday is SPECTACULAR
