The Spirit of the 4th of July

The 4th of July at the Hart estate was something no one could easily forget. The Harts, always extravagant and detail-oriented, had organized a celebration worthy of a national parade. The morning began fresh and sunny, with a bright blue sky promising a day full of fun and laughter. Early on, Olivia had been running around the house, dressed in an outfit that perfectly matched patriotic colors: a white skirt embroidered with red stars, a fitted navy-blue t-shirt, and a headband adorned with tiny American flags waving in the breeze.

"It's the most glorious day of the year!" Olivia exclaimed as she entered the kitchen where Sack and I were making homemade lemonade. "Don't you feel that patriotic spirit coursing through your veins? Today we're celebrating as if we were the founders of this nation ourselves."

Sack raised an eyebrow while cutting lemons.

"Olivia, I don't think the founders of this country ever held barbecues, let alone wore flag headbands."

"Oh, Sack, you're so boring," she replied, pretending to be offended. "I'm sure George Washington had his own version of a barbecue. He probably used wild turkeys or something. Besides, I'm modern! And my version includes gourmet burgers and fireworks that will light up the sky like it's Broadway."

I laughed as I poured the lemon juice into a large pitcher.

"Well, Olivia, you're right about one thing: no one can match your level of enthusiasm."

"Exactly," she said, crossing her arms triumphantly. "Now, let's go outside. The games are starting soon, and I want to make sure everyone participates. Even you, Sack. You can't hide in the kitchen all day."

We headed out to the backyard, where several long tables decorated with red-and-white checkered tablecloths had already been set up. Blue balloons floated everywhere, and a large banner reading "Happy 4th of July!" hung over the terrace. Ellie was helping her younger sister, Charlotte, paint their faces with American flag designs. Charlotte looked thrilled as she held a small brush and tried to copy the patterns Ellie was drawing on her cheek.

"How do I look?" Charlotte asked, turning toward us proudly. Her face was covered in crooked stripes and misaligned stars, but her radiant smile made it look perfect.

"You look amazing," I replied, kneeling down to her level. "Like a true patriot."

Charlotte giggled shyly.

"Ellie says we can play target practice later. Do you think I'll win?"

"Of course you will," Olivia interjected, joining the conversation. "You're part of Team Hart now, which means you have an advantage in winning any competition."

Ellie rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but smile.

"Olivia, stop filling her head with crazy ideas. It's just a game."

"But an important game," Olivia retorted, winking at Charlotte. "And when you win, you'll officially be known as the Queen of Target Practice."

After a few more minutes of preparations, James and Sophia appeared in the garden wearing party hats adorned with pennants. James sported a red, white, and blue Hawaiian shirt, while Sophia opted for an elegant long dress with gold details reminiscent of the flag's design.

"Welcome, family and friends!" James announced with his usual energy. "Today we celebrate not only our independence but also the unity of our families. So, without further ado, let the games begin!"

The first events were classic 4th of July activities: sack races, pie-eating contests, and a treasure hunt organized by Olivia. During the sack races, Sack tried to stay away from the chaos, but Olivia literally dragged him to the starting line.

"Come on, Sack, don't be a buzzkill," she encouraged, handing him a giant sack. "If you win, I'll let you pick the next movie we watch."

Sack sighed, resigned.

"Fine, but if I lose, I don't want to hear any teasing for the rest of the day."

The race was chaotic and filled with laughter. Charlotte, surprisingly fast for her age, came in second place, just behind Olivia, who celebrated her victory as if she'd won an Olympic medal.

"I knew it! I'm invincible!" she shouted, raising her arms to the sky.

Next came target practice, where Charlotte demonstrated a natural talent. With impressive aim, she managed to knock down all the targets on her first try. Olivia clapped enthusiastically.

"I told you! You're the Queen of Target Practice!"

Ellie looked at her younger sister with pride.

"I always knew you had good aim, Charlotte. Maybe someday you could join the school's shooting team."

Charlotte nodded solemnly.

"I'll think about it. But first, I need more practice. Maybe Olivia can teach me some tricks."

Olivia placed a hand over her chest, pretending to be deeply moved.

"It would be an honor to train you, little warrior. Together we'll dominate the world of target practice."

Meanwhile, Sack and I sat under the shade of a tree, watching everyone enjoy the games. I leaned closer to him and rested my head on his shoulder.

"It's amazing how days like this make everything seem so simple and happy," I murmured.

He wrapped an arm around me and kissed my forehead.

"Yes, it's like for a moment we can forget about everything else and just live in the present."

As evening fell, the barbecue began. The tables were filled with classic dishes: burgers, hot dogs, potato salads, and grilled corn. James lit the grill with a dramatic gesture, declaring that each steak would be "perfectly cooked according to patriotic traditions." Sophia supervised from a distance, ensuring nothing went wrong.

During dinner, conversations flowed freely. Ellie talked about her future plans, mentioning she wanted to study biomedical engineering. Charlotte, on the other hand, shared her dream of becoming a veterinarian because she loved animals.

"Maybe you could work on the estate someday," Sophia suggested with a warm smile. "We have horses, dogs, and even a couple of rabbits that might need specialized care."

Charlotte's eyes widened.

"Really? That would be incredible!"

Finally, as the sun began to set, we all gathered in the meadow in front of the house to watch the fireworks. Olivia had hired a professional team, and the show did not disappoint. Explosions of color lit up the night sky, reflecting off the nearby lake. Charlotte stood mouth agape, pointing at each burst in awe.

"It's like magic!" she exclaimed, grabbing Ellie's hand.

Olivia approached me and Sack, wrapping herself in a blanket.

"Isn't it beautiful?" she asked, unusually quiet. "Sometimes I think moments like this are what truly matter. Family, friends, laughter… and fireworks, of course."

I smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude.

"Definitely. Thank you for organizing all of this, Olivia."

She waved a dismissive hand.

"Bah, it's the least I can do. After all, what's the point of having a giant estate if you can't fill it with love and fireworks?"

We stayed there for hours, enjoying the show and chatting under the stars. It was a perfect day, one I would always remember as an example of how life can be simple, beautiful, and full of joy when we're surrounded by the right people.