In the summer of my 15th year I lived in Moscow Idaho. I was working at a restaurant, I can't remember the name, and renting a room from my Gramma. I had worked and saved and bought a 1957 Ford Fairlane. It was a beauty. My first car!
On the 4th of July, I decided to go to Cd'A to the open air concert in the city park. Mom and Dad lived in Elk River. Cd'A was known for it's 4th of July celebration, professional hydroplane races, the town filled with partying Canadians, bands in the park and of course the fireworks everywhere.
It was a great day. I didn't know anyone there but at 16 years old it didn't take me long to meet a few people. We all watched the race, ate all the carnival food that was being served in the park and enjoyed getting to know new people.
As the day wore on to the evening I noticed that my "friends'' were drinking beer regularly. This wasn't too much of a problem for me, I felt no obligation to stay with them if they became unpleasant.
Eventually, the races ended and the dancing in the park started. It was a mass of people, all dancing, most were drinking, and everyone was having fun. I remember dancing with a new friend when suddenly my world exploded in pain and then no memory. The next thing I remember was lying on a gurney with the bright emergency room lights glaring at me. The people at the emergency room said they found me in my car in the parking lot, unconcious. I had a swollen lip and two front teeth missing.
Ever since then I have spent my 4th of July at home!
