Love From Afar

Troy

Bonfire

Photo:www.doorcountykayaktours.com 

       The keg of Yuengling was heavy metal between the joints of his fingers. Clark was also carrying a keg filled with Miller Lite, but he seemed to have an easier time gripping his canister. The small group of fifteen early arrivers was shuffling around the house with different tasks assigned by the homeowner, Mark. Some were cleaning the kitchen while others rearranged furniture and installed new bulbs into light fixtures. Those who were not inside Mark’s house where busy working on the bonfire or setting out lawn chairs. 

       “This is going to be a sick party, dude,” Clark said as he settled his keg near the backdoor of the secluded house. The wind blew from the forest, making the small bonfire shiver as it began to eat at the mound of logs that Mark had set up. Troy thought that it looked more like a sacrificial pyre than a bonfire.

       “I really hope this party is a success,” Troy stated as he set his keg beside Clark’s. “I need to get my mind off of Joy.”

       “Whoa, what are you talking about?” Clark questioned as he turned to stare at Troy. “You two are the couple. You guys never fight or disagree. I mean, you’re Troy-Joy for God’s sake! If you split up, I will lose hope for humanity.” 

       “Joy has become a leech, Clark. All she wants to do is shop, fuck, smoke, and shop some more. Whenever we have a conversation, it always ends with us arguing. It doesn’t matter what it’s about.” Troy was visibly upset. “The last thing that we fought about was my haircut. She flipped her shit and started throwing shit at me. It’s just hair!”

       “Damn,” Clark said as he leaned against the keg of Miller Lite and started to install the tap. When he finished, he straightened himself and brushed off his shirt and his khakis. “Well, maybe you will find someone here to hook up with. I hear it’s going to be crawling with drunken girls come midnight or so. Just remember that you’re my wingman tonight.”  

       “Drunken? Really?” Troy said.

       Clark looked confused. “Yes, of course dude. It’s a bonfire in the middle of nowhere.”

       “Not that. I’m surprised that you are using correct English. This girl you are chasing must be something very special.” Troy gave a sly smirk. I really hope she is right for Clark. I hate to see him alone for so long.

       “Bro, you seriously have no idea. She is amazing. Do you think I dressed up just to smell like burning wood? This chick is top notch, man.” Clark dusted off his clothes for a second time.  

       The sunset turned a deep orange and red, almost mimicking the hottest embers that made the foundation of the growing bonfire. This signaled the arrival of a large group of people that pulled up in a tight caravan of automobiles. Headlights trailed towards the dirt road and people began to park in the yard. Dozens of shadows spilled out of the vehicles and marched loudly into Mark’s home like ants.

       The eerily peaceful atmosphere began to warp into a chaotic mess. Some people were dead set on beer pong and began to set up rows of red plastic cups at the ends of a wooded table in the kitchen. Others arrived drunk to the party and were looking to antagonize anyone with a blood alcohol level below their own. As a crescent moon made its ascent, the night sky turned dark velvet into sable, casting flickering stars across the cloudless heavens.

       Troy was talking to a group of strangers as he drank keg beer and dribbled a soccer ball between white shoes. There was a large group of people laughing and talking around the enormous bonfire. There was a guy playing acoustic guitar and crooning to a group of ladies, all of whom where mesmerized by the melody. Ah, the good old bard technique, Troy thought. There is nothing like a tested approach.

       By the time Clark noticed Lauren and Katherine, the party was at its pinnacle. There were multitudes of people gathered around the towering bonfire. It was a good thing because the night began to turn brisk. Troy and Clark walked towards the two new arrivals.

       As they met, Troy was struck by a sense of wonder whenever he looked at Lauren. Wow! Is this the woman that Clark was mentioning? He recognized Kat from previous parties that he attended with Clark. This made her kiss unsurprising. The thing that did surprise him was the fact that Lauren was eyeing him almost as much as he was eyeing her. I better not stare. I’m sure she has caught on already.

       “It’s very nice to meet you, Troy,” Lauren said as she shook hands with him. It felt like a comfortable infinity before they let go of each other. Lauren smiled and turned to strike up a conversation with Clark. Kat was already sitting on the guitar player’s lap, rubbing fingers through his hair. 

       Troy took another minute before he could speak. He did not know what to think. Clark was not lying. Lauren is a beautiful girl. I cannot believe she’s going for him, though. Don’t get me wrong, Clark is a great friend, but I would not call him a gentleman by any stretch of my imagination. After that, Troy spoke. “Lauren, can I ask you something?”

       Lauren snapped her head away from Clark and looked at Troy with a peeking smile. “Yes. What do you want to know?”

       “Will you have dinner at my place tomorrow night?” Troy asked as he tried to mask the quiver in his voice. “I’ll cook whatever you want.” Her response seemed to take a lifetime.

- Terry