A Cub Scout outing gone awry. My own stupidity resulting in a scarring of the flesh. But in place of my pain, is the anger of my peers. I could have injured another boy, one they liked better. My birthday, a national holiday, fireworks and festivals it too is tainted by broken promises, absentee friends and death witnessed first-hand.
Time passes, the boy is older, but none the better.
He lives behind a mask of happiness and acceptance, of comedy and tragedy.