I was going to write about the time my wasband (ex-husband) tried to electrocute a squirrel with an electric frying pan but I need to talk to him first to get the facts straight. It happened when we were married so it has to be at least 25 years ago. I also want to ask him once and for all–WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
Instead I’m going to write a short little story of how my son almost burned down the local harbor.
He was about 10 or 11 and it was February vacation and he wanted me to bring him and his bike to town so he could visit a friend. I wouldn’t let him ride his bike to town yet. It was a four mile ride and I felt he was too young. So I dropped him and his bike off at his friend’s house and went to work.
A few hours later, he walks in the door of my store. As the door opens I can smell a burnt sort of smell. Behind him is a policeman. I’m thinking, “Oh Lord, what has he done now”.
He looks so innocent in this photo.
He and his friend decided to go to the local grocery store and buy a cigarette lighter, which the clerk willingly sold to them. Then they drove their bikes to the harbor. They started lighting little things on fire that they found, pieces of paper, rags and just throwing the stuff up in the air and having a grand old time.
Well, suddenly a swath of grass caught fire, which they didn’t immediately notice until the fire was about 10 feet by 10 feet. They had walked a short way down to the water for a minute. When they realized what they had done, Damon’s friend bolted. Damon took off his brand new Bruins winter jacket that I bought him for Christmas, ran down to the water and soaked the jacket and ran back to try and put out the fire.
Someone must have seen what was happening and called the fire department. By the time they showed up, my son had successfully put out the fire with his jacket.
As the policeman told me the story, I didn’t know whether to be angry or proud. The fact that he stayed there alone to put out the fire was very brave of him. He must have known if he stayed he would get caught.
The policeman said there would be no charges filed. I wasn’t even thinking of charges being filed at the time. He also said there would be no fee from the fire department. That never even crossed my mind. The policeman actually thanked my son for staying and facing the consequences and putting out the fire.
I did ground him for the week. I almost hated to do it. But he never should have been playing with fire in the first place. But on the other hand I was proud of him for not bolting like the other kid did.
Unfortunately, he didn’t learn his lesson about playing with fire. A year or so later he did it again but that’s another story.
He is now 26 years old and hasn’t set any more fires- that I know of. ♥
Whatever I think 
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