Cramp Entry- 5 July 2014

         Tonight, there is only the crackle of thunder, off in the distance and closing. Tonight, rain falls, feeding much needed moisturizer for dad's plants. Tonight, the 4th of July- Independence Day- is quiet. Except for the splattering of rain against the window, there is little sound, unless you count the humming of the laptop's cooling fan and the pitter-patter of keys being pressed by eager fingers.
         There is no need for fireworks today. It is the day of Independence for America and a night of writing for Nickolai, the first in a long time. Instead of heavy booms echoing over the Kennebec river, sparklers on the driveway, there is the quiet peace of writing. It is, to his surprise, the first Independence Day he did not witness fireworks or directly partake in lighting swirling tanks, M-80s, and Whistling Petes. Nickolai finds this new experience invigorating in its own way. There might not be the excitement of sonic booms and multi-colored arrays, but writing releases all the tension and opens up the doors of happiness.
         "Do you want to launch one of the rockets?" Nickolai's father calls from downstairs.
         A sigh.
          I suppose there's nothing wrong in keeping with tradition.
         Nickolai stopped mid-sentence and beamed down the stairs. He was outside before his father.
         "Would you like to light it?" His father asked.
         "Suah!"
          Pulling the spark wheel, Nickolai ignited the gas emitted from the yellow lighter. He floated the flame over to the fuse of the foot tall rocket. Making contact, the flame licked at the green fuse, soon sending a flicker of sparks racing to the rocket. Nickolai stepped back with his father and watched the sparks as they reached the rocket. Phoosh! The projectile was launched fifty feet.
         "Jesus!" Nickolai exclaimed as the bang erupted. Shouts beyond the woods proved that people appreciated the act. Back to his writing Nickolai ventured.

317 words.