The Firecracker in the Garage

This happened at around 8 years old, but I am never sure of my ages in these things.

I always had a fascination with firecrackers, of course.   However, I never actually had any to blow up for myself. On this day, I had a single firecracker and I could light it and watch it explode.  It would be the first time I would light a firecracker all on my own. This was exciting!

But where?  Where could I have it explode and not do any damage?  I finally decided that the safest place was to put the firecracker in the garage on the cement floor right next to the brick wall. Cement and brick should make it safe.  Doing it in the garage would keep the sound managed too.   

I got ready to light it and run.  Can you see any problems here?  I thought I had it all covered. 

The garage was a 2 car garage and on this day, both cars were out. That meant that I could light the fuse and move into the other half of the garage quickly. Which I did.

What I did NOT count on was the fact that all the NOISE from that firecracker was reflected back out both garage doors like a megaphone!  It was monstrously loud inside. I almost peed my pants I was so startled. I quickly became very afraid. 

I had no idea it would be so loud.  The explosion had also put a cloud of the little paper firecracker bits all over the garage floor. 

I was concerned I would be found out. So I started sweeping up all the bits with a push broom.   My mother then burst out the door and asked “What was that sound?”

I panicked inside and dropped the broom. I had no answer for her.  The only thing I could think to say was “I dropped the broom” because I just had.  I bent over and picked it up and continued sweeping.

She turned and went back inside without saying anything.

I dodged a bullet. Phew!  I need to get better at planning…