Weather forecast calling for scorching heat and humidity, presale tickets off the charts and a June flame under his collar had made Mel stand in a tepid shower a long time before putting on his uniform. As the head of maintenance, he could give himself the holiday off, but he never did. Anything could happen with that many people, that degree of heat and that drain on the park’s power systems. Last year’s fireworks show had been reduced, saving money but not making much of a dent in the celebration. Mel had carefully avoided taking sides with the Hamiltons over this year’s expenditure. Jack wanted to go big with the fireworks and spend the same kind of money Ford Hamilton used to. Evie wanted to be conservative, as always. He had no idea what June wanted, if she even had a say. The Starlight Point fireworks show was a huge draw and a local tradition, with people already staking out their chunk of shoreline over at Bayside Park for a great view across the bay.
