JoJo 17.1; Summer of 1976, Part One

It was the nation's bicentennial. The U.S.A.'s 200th Birthday. There were celebrations throughout the summer, but things built to a crescendo in Smallville on July the 4th. At the SHS Stadium, hundreds, if not thousands, gathered for a bicentennial play, music, and fireworks. JoJo was right in the middle of it! He loved history. Maybe not the kind in school, but he loved picking which parts of history he could learn about. His favorite was American History. That July 4, 1976 really was a treat for him.

JoJo turned to Samantha. "Don't you love all this celebration of our nation's centennial, Samantha?"
"I guess so. Really just want to see the fireworks."
Remi chimed in, "Me, too. I love fireworks."
JoJo ignored Remi. His parents had been using that technique with JoJo in the recent weeks in order for the siblings to get along.
"Samantha!"
"JoJo! What?!"
"We will not have another hundredth year birthday for our nation until 2076! I don't think we will be around."
Samantha was completely apathetic. "And...?"
JoJo, a little perturbed, "Fine, just be ignorant."
That hit Samantha the wrong way. "You arrogant twerp!" With that, she got up and walked off.
"Samantha mad," Remi managed.
"Shut up, Remi!"
"Ooo, JoJo! Mommy said don't say 'shut up.'"
JoJo ignored that comment. Since he was left in charge of Remi, he didn't think he should run after Samantha---although every other part of him was saying, 'Chase Samantha.'

The rest of the night made up--somewhat---for Samantha's exit. JoJo loved each bit of the celebration. Even Remi enjoyed it, especially the fireworks! When JoJo got home, he called Samantha, but there was no answer.
"Fine, I didn't want to talk to you either!" JoJo said to Samantha--even though she couldn't hear him.
Little did JoJo know that Samantha's aunt had been hurt in a car wreck. She and her mother were at the hospital.
Later that night, JoJo's phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hey, JoJo."
"Hey Samantha. I'm sorry for being a jerk."
"It's OK. JoJo, my aunt has been in a car wreck."
"WHAT?!"
"Yea, it's pretty bad. Momma and I are at the hospital."
"Do you want mom and me to come."
"Not today, maybe tomorrow. Listen, I got to go. Just wanted you to know what was going on."
"Yea. Sorry Samantha."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow."