𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 1998
___________
𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

******

It's been 20 days since I've been suspended and from what I can say, it's been one of the most relaxing three weeks off I've had in a long time. My second favorite holiday which is summer has finally begun and I'm gonna spend the remainder of my suspension getting back the time I deserved off even though I'm still mourning the last relationship I was in.

But of course to start of the month of July is Independence Day, for my family that's just an excuse to kick back and barbecue, drink and of course light some fireworks. I'm currently in the shower washing my hair, deep in my own thoughts until it was interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. I sighed then shut the water off, picked up my towel and wrapped myself then walked towards the living room and picked up my phone.

"Hello?" I Said

"Sonya Hey it's me." Ryland Said

"Oh hey what's up?" I Said, sitting down on my couch.

"Look I know your still very moody, but since today is the 4th of July and you know mom and dad loves to barbecue-" Ryland Said

"Your asking me if I'm coming aren't you?" I Said, smirking.

"Well are you?, and if you say no I swear I will drag out that damn apartment." Ryland Said

"Ry calm down I was actually gonna say yes, look I've been in this apartment for two weeks..the only time I've ever left this house was to go grocery shopping or throwing my garbage away." I Said

"Really your actually gonna come outside and socialize with people I'm so proud of you." Ryland Said, teasingly.

"Shut up." I Said

"Okay okay, look what time are you gonna head over to mom and dad's?" Ryland Asked

"I was thinking of leaving around 5, because let's be honest thats when the barbecue really starts." I Said

"Okay I'll see you later, love you." Ryland Said

"Love you bye." I Said, then hung up the phone.

I walked back into the bathroom and got back into the shower so I could wash out this conditioner, that's dripping into my eyes.

******

The sun was starting to set and it was getting late in the afternoon and I finally decided to leave my house, locked my apartment door and walked towards my car.

Finally after months the smell of vomit is gone, thanks to me. After a few minutes or driving on the road, I pull up in front of my parents house and parked the car.

"Here we go." I Said

I turned off the engine and got the car, walked up the driveway leading towards the backyard where everyone was. Ryland and her boyfriend Thomas walked over towards me.

"You made it." She hugged me. "You came just in time, dad just finished cooking his ribs." Ryland Said

"Perfect timing, Hey Thomas." I Said, giving him a side hug and walking over towards dad. "Mmm Jack Sawyer's famous ribs, can i grab a plate?"

"Hey there baby girl, and yeah go ahead and grab a plate but go say hello to your grand parents their here." Jack Said

"Sure where are they?" I Asked

"They are in the house with your mother, go on..Thomas come on and help me boy." Jack Said

"Yeah." Thomas Said

I walked towards the house and through the back door into the kitchen, where Mom was busy taking the macaroni out the oven. Over at the table is where Aunt Vivian and Uncle Gabe were talking to Grandma and Grandpa.

"Hey everyone." I Said, smiling and waving.

"Sonya." They Said

"Hey Baby was wonders when you'd show up." Laurie Said

"I was still tired from the night be so I took a nap before coming over." I Said

"All that matters is your here." Laurie Said

I walked over and hugged everyone at the table, and sat next to my grandmother. Who's like a second mother to me, she alongside my grandfather are the glue that holds this family together, and it's been so long since I've seen them.

"Honey every time I see you, you just keep getting more beautiful." Cecilia Said

"Now your definitely starting to look." Carson Said

"Aww grandma and grandpa you guys are so sweet, look at you guys..on your weight loss journey." I Said

"Yeah this journey has been a pain in my ass." Carson Said

"Oh shut up, be thankful that your still here and you lost 30 pounds in 6 months." Cecilia Said

"That's good though, but is your heart okay with all the working out your doing grandpa?" I Asked

"Yeah my doctor just told me to take it easy that's all." Carson Said

"We don't need you having another heart attack on us." Laurie Said

"Yeah I know." Carson Said

"So honey what's up with you, are you still with that handsome fella..what was his name-" Cecilia Asked

"Shawn I believe was his name." Carson Said

"Yeah that's his name, how's Shawn doing?" Cecilia Asked

"Mama." Laurie Said

"What did we say something wrong?" Carson Asked

"No No it's okay, actually..Shawn and I aren't together anymore. We broke up about a month ago." I Said

"What?" Carson Said

"Oh honey I'm so sorry, what happened?" Cecilia Asked

"I guess it's just we were on two different paths and he broke up with me." I Said

"He's an idiot." Carson Said

"Dad, stop." Laurie Said

"No any man is an idiot for breaking up with my granddaughters." Carson Said

"Honey he don't know what he just let go, a great woman that's all I can say." Cecilia Said

"Aw thank you guys really I'm..okay now, but all I want to do now is just drink and eat some fried food." I Said, smiling.

"I cheer to that." Carson Said, holding up his beer.

"Alright then." I Said

After catching up with my relatives I went back out to the backyard and helped my dad grill up some more food, then I sat down with Bea and Wendy and asked them how their pregnancies were going, oh by the way Wendy and Cade are having a baby boy and I couldn't be more excited, Bea was only nine weeks it's too early to tell but my best guess it's a girl probably who knows right.

Finally the sky was no longer bright and it was a star lit night, I was busy playing with my younger cousins until my brother Cade came up to me carrying a guitar.

"Hey sis you up for something?" Case Asked

"Yeah, like what?" I Asked

"Since it's the 4th and Dylan and I were thinking, we should play Grandad's favorite song." Cade Said

"Ohhh." I Said, nodding along.

"See so you feeling like singing?" Cade Asked, holding up the guitar.

"Hell yeah I do, hold my beer." I Said, Cade took my beer and I took the guitar.

I pulled up a chair and sat down, Cade gathered everyone and they all sat around the small Bon fire.

"So Sonya, what are you gonna play for us?" Jack Asked

"Oh you'll see, just sing along if you know the lyrics." I Said, smiling.

I started strumming on the chords, everyone instantly knew based on the chords, then I sung the first verse.

"Born down in a dead man's town the first kick I took was when I hit the ground you end up like a dog that's been beat too much 'Til you spend half your life just coverin' up"

"Born in the U.S.A I was born in the U.S.A
I was born in the U.S.A Born in the U.S.A"

Then everyone else joined in singing along, Grandpa got up and even danced a little. I remember the first time I heard "Born In The U.S.A" by Bruce Springsteen, I was 13 and we were at our grandparents house for the weekend and this song just started playing and I couldn't help but Bob my head along, and Grandpa came out to check on us and he admitted that song was way to good to hear once so he bought his record and still to this day he plays it like it's the first time he ever heard it.

"Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years burning down the road
Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go"

"Born in the U.S.A I was born in the U.S.A. now
Born in the U.S.A I'm a long gone Daddy in the U.S.A. now Born in the U.S.A, Born in the U.S.A
Born in the U.S.A I'm a cool rockin' Daddy in the U.S.A. now"

The song came to an end and everyone clapped and gave me a round of applause, then we finished off the night watching the amazing fireworks up in the sky, even as an adult seeing the fireworks still amazes me.