2008-08-09 - 9:47 p.m.
The Day I Saved a Picnic by ELOFTING@HOTMAIL.COM
Everyone else was just staring at the minivan as it drove towards the parking lot's exit with its trunk door open. (And not open in the wacky-dad-has-a-bike-in-the-trunk-that-obviously-doesn't-fit-there-and-he's-lassoed-the-door-down-with-a-bungy-cord sort of way. The door was open in an oh-shit-forgetful-grandpa-forgot-to-close-the-door kind of way.) I probably would've just stared too. That is, if I hadn't noticed that the trunk was filled with big plastic coolers, lots and lots of beer, a portable BBQ, a sun umbrella, and plenty of other things less easily recognized.
It was a beautiful sunny day. I wished that I was going to a picnic/BBQ too. For a moment, my jealousy threatened to prevent me from acting. But then I imagined the various contents of the minivan's trunk spilling onto the road as the vehicle hit a bump. And I decided that I, for one, was not going to stand idly by as an enjoyable summer picnic was ruined.
"Ojiisan! OJIISAN!!" I'm sprinting through the parking lot. People were now staring both at the minivan and at me. I hoped that there was at least one comic book nerd among them. This scene would, I think, make an excellent comic strip.
The minivan stops. Happily, there's no awkwardness between this moment and my explanation for why I'm chasing them. My very audibility had already drawn attention to the fact that the door is open.
Later that day I found out that it was the 63rd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. And I decided my actions were fitting of this event because, more than daisy chains, white doves, tie-dye, nuns, Princess Diana, or smiling children making v-shapes with their fingers, more picnics probably would equal more peace.
