We caravanned down to the bay front, and walked several blocks from the paid parking lot to the cordoned off roads at waters edge. It was sprinkling when we got there, and we set up our folding chairs to establish our place of observation. It would be my first fireworks show in this city, despite having lived here over 10 years.

Almost immediately, it started to rain steadily. I popped open the umbrella I brought as a lark to ward off the rain, and the children with us suddenly became my friend for moments at a time, futility trying to avoid getting wet.

Behind me, a vibrant double rainbow had appeared, stretching fully across the sky, and landing in the water on either side of my view. I had come to see the fireworks- this would be the only display I would enjoy.

More and more people began to crowd the road, and there was a respite in the rain. We checked and rechecked the Doppler radar, naively believing that the small colorful circle over us was moving on. We projected the wind direction, and predicted a great, cool evening for fireworks. All around, there was the raucous noise of fireworks going off that the crowd had bought and brought. Screamers, rockets, and spitting lanterns interrupted our conversations, in sudden bursts of light and sound.

The clouds above us stilled. The rain began in earnest, intensifying as the skies darkened. Suddenly, lightning lit up the sky, with a thunderous boom following shortly behind it. It was time to abandon our plans and head for the car.

As we gathered the chairs, the rain became a deluge, turning the road into a creek, soaking us through in waves of warm water. We began to walk faster, laden with chairs and blankets, as I clutched my umbrella in hopes to keep a small fraction of myself dry. The lightning intensified, and I said a prayer under my breath as we raced to the car.

We all made it there, dripping onto the leather seats, laughing at the way the night turned out.

As we drove off, despite the downpour, the fireworks show began.