Fireworks

I'm Cassie. My mommy says I talk too loud for too long, even for a seven year old. I'm not sure what she means by that. I don't think I talk too much. And I always try to use my inside voice, even when I'm outdoors.

I'm supposed to be going to sleep, but I like watching the fireworks. If you look hard enough, you can see the orange through the trees. I used to be scared of it, because it was always really loud, but now I know it's just fireworks. There's nothing to be scared of. Though, I don't like all the smoke they make. It drifts up from beyond the trees.

Mommy says stuff about moving away to my brother Lucas after she tucks me in. She says she doesn't want to because Daddy isn't here. I don't know where he went, but Mommy says he wants to come home. I asked her why he can't just come home if he really wants to, and she started crying. She said he's being brave and protecting us with a bunch of other little girls' dads. I don't know why he has to go away to do that.

The ground is shaking again, and the orange is closer than usual. I can hear shouts and yells. Whoever is setting the fireworks off must be really happy. I just wish I could see the fireworks better. Maybe I should ask Mommy if we go and see the people who are having the party.