Backyard party

September 30, 2015September 30, 2015Steven Baird

Flashes, from somewhere, bursts of radiance from the roof of the sky. Blurry hectic light, soft, and distant, like a camera bulb, and there were many cameras, staggered laughter, ambulatory conversations. It was Jeremiah’s last birthday, and he asked for a backyard party, though I don’t know why, the beer, I suppose. There was still a hope for a decent harvest. There had been good rain, not plentiful, but not miserly, not like now as it rains out of spite, the crops are ruined anyway, so drench the earth with useless wet fingers, and his birthday was all right, a little forced, he was fifty-two, an odd number to turn it into an occasion, but he was like a boozy child with all that free store-bought liquor and grilled meat. The cameras, so many cameras immortalizing the moment, and Jeremiah loved the attention, right up until he passed out on the porch, his underpants exposed, the guests drifting away – driven away — by the tawdry words, the blurred agitated stumblings. From them, all their pious smiles, the sympathetic nods, happy birthday, Jeremiah, you made everyone wonder why you were worth celebrating.

D. Wallace Peach September 30, 2015 / 2:28 pm

This read like a short story, Steven. It has a paparazzi feel to it, layered with promise, disappointment, and ruin. Love it.

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- Steven Baird September 30, 2015 / 5:39 pm
  
  Thanks Diana. I was trying for a “Do you believe this guy?” kind of feeling… a mental separation from her embarrassment. I think that makes it more tolerable for her.
  
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  - D. Wallace Peach September 30, 2015 / 5:43 pm
    
    You achieved your goal. It was sad too – how he ruins his own party – the story of his life perhaps. That kind of nuance is great.
    
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  - Steven Baird September 30, 2015 / 6:04 pm
    
    The tricky part is coming up with the right balance. I don’t want him portrayed as all bad. She’s a little bit crazy and he’s a little bit mean. But which came first? I’m still not sure.
    
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t.dot September 30, 2015 / 4:55 pm

lol awesome! i have celebrated a few Jeremiah’s birthdays. love this.

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Steven Baird September 30, 2015 / 5:42 pm

Thank you. So have I, and sometimes I was almost a Jeremiah, but I was younger then. 🙂

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familyrulesbyplainjane October 1, 2015 / 1:39 pm

Honestly, the stuff you write is so icky and so awesome at the same time. (That is a compliment.)

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Steven Baird October 1, 2015 / 5:23 pm

Thanks so much. I take no offense… icky is not always a bad thing. 🙂

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