Chapter 72

“Here for the party?” Elizabeth asked.

Albert ogled her chest. “Yes,” he said.

For sure, here was the busty 18 year old exchange student ... if her chest didn’t give her away ... her accent did. Not Cockney but not Cambridge either. London ... pure London.

He admired that bust ... but he knew where there was a better one. Even if she was a princess.

“We’re going out to the party,” Junior said. And out the door they went. Still light, they went around and checked ID’s. There wasn’t anyone under 16 ... yet. The organizers seemed to be mostly college ... Central Michigan and Ferris State, but there were a few from the Fed.

Many of the young men were out foraging for wood. The park was west of Piney Ridge Rd and gathering deadfall or dead standing was legal. This far from the beach meant there was plenty. Several chainsaws were roaring in the timber and loads were being fetched. A designated fire pit had a growing pile ... nicely stacked, too.

Just after 8, Jan Mendoza showed up with the family food truck ... big party when the Mendoza’s came. Jan was busy until she sold out. She locked up and joined the party ... just in time for the fireworks.

Fireworks were illegal in the Fed A part of Michigan ... explosives ... but Wendy Too, Junior’s mom, loved ‘em so ... they were legal north of M21.

The raft at Hamlin Lake Resort was the launching base. The Jamison cottage was on a slight rise and far enough away for perfect watching. By now there might be 900 or a thousand partiers present. The final count at the gate was 1255. Some people had to work late.

The fireworks featured lots of star bursts.

The gold and silver ones brought the best “Ooo” and “Aahh’s”. It wasn’t a really big show and the spacing brought anticipation. It was good while it lasted and sad when it ended.

The party was in full swing after the sky show.

The cost? Ten bucks bought a red party cup and you filled it any time you wanted. Some kids were stupid about it but most were reasonably reasonable. Once you paid ... you were there until morning and everybody knew it. The cops out at 116 breath tested anyone trying to leave.

Oddly ... the college kids made a profit at Ten dollars a cup ... in the Fed parties like this one were furtive affairs with police helicopters ranging up and down the beaches looking for illicit behavior.

Junior and Burt both bought cups.

“First time for me,” said the Princess.

“Probably,” said Bea and I. Then we looked at her. Like twins we said, “You never?”

“Nope ... never,” Junior said.

“You will,” we sail.

Well ... that was not only cryptic but foretelling. Late that night, in the Jamison tipi, III got a good start on IV.