July 4th Weather: Good
Every year we enjoy Fourth of July Fireworks on the roof top of our apartment.
This year we planned to do BBQ under the fireworks on the roof top. It sounded exciting and fun, but this Fourth of July BBQ was for Sylvia's farewell. Sylvia is going back to New York tomorrow.
In the late afternoon, Don came over to let me know they started BBQ. Standing at the doorstep, Don asked me,"You know Sylvia is leaving tomorrow. Right?"
 "Yes."
I answered Don, feeling sad to think about her leaving.
"Did you tell her not to go?" Don asked.
"Yes." I said.
We both were very disappointed about her leaving. We knew one day she would go back to where she lived, but having her around was becoming our daily routine and we just couldn't imagine what it was like not to see her everyday.
"What did she say?"
Don asked without looking at me.
"She said she had lots of work to do in New York.
I told her if she was going back just because she missed her theaters, we could do another performance here in our community center like we did on Cinco de Mayo.But she said she had to go. But she promised me she would come visit us again and we could visit her in New York."
"Why don't you ask her not to go again?" said Don.
"I already asked her four times. "
"Then ask her five times."
"Why don't YOU ask her?"
"It's better YOU ask. "
"Why?"
"Sometimes people go out of their ways for animals, but not for human beings."
"Huh?"
"So ask her again.OK? That's your mission for tonight."
I picked up my sketch book and crayons, and followed Don to the roof top where good BBQ smell was coming from. But when Don saw me carrying my sketchbook and crayons in my arms, he snatched them out of me.
"You have a mission to complete today. You shouldn't have time for drawing fireworks. "
BBQ was great. Mrs.Malchovich made marinated chicken BBQ from her own recipe . Sylvia's potato salad was gone so fast because Don was eating most of them. Lisa and Kenny were in charge of BBQing the meat.They seemed to get along pretty well tonight. We talked about all the things we did together since Sylvia came to LA and laughed a lot. But all this time Don kept nudging me with his elbow to remind me of the mission I needed to complete.
"Stop pushing me."
I whispered to Dan.
"Don't forget our plan."
Don whispered back in my ears.
"I am waiting for the right moment." I said.
"You MAKE the right moment.Don't enjoy the BBQ so much. Focus on your mission."
When we were whispering back and forth each other, Sylvia walked toward us and handed beautiful hand-made cards to each of us.  "I am going to miss you guys very much . I wrote down my phone number and e-mail address in the cards. Call me sometime and definitely come visit me in New York."
"Of course we will."
"Definitely."
Although both of us really wanted to stop her from leaving, that was all we could say.
Fireworks started. It was like all the flowering began all at once in the sky. The colorful blossoms turned the sky into a beautiful flower garden. The card Sylvia gave me made me feel better. I opened it and read it over and over and I swore myself I was going to New York to visit her one day.
Looking up the sky, Mrs. Malchovich took Lisa's and Kenny's hand and said, "On every Fourth of July, I say I watched the most beautiful fireworks. Then again I am thinking Fireworks of this year is the best one I've ever seen."
Have a safe trip, Sylvia. We will miss you.
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