The Day After - Fiction


 

I woke up and knew that everything had changed. I glanced around as I yawned and stretched, seeing the leftover results from last night's party all over the floor. Yes, I thought with a smile, it was a fun time. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and planted my feet on the hardwood floor, ensuring that I wouldn't topple over when I stood up. I stood up. I placed my hands on my hips. I grinned. I entered the living room and noticed a sleeping form on my couch. The figure gave a loud snore, and I realized who it was. I kicked the figure lightly, then stood back as Paul rolled over and yawned loudly. My mouth tastes terrible, he groaned as he focused his bloodshot eyes on me. Did you just kick me? Time for you to leave, I replied in a sincere tone. It was a lot of fun last night, but I need to get ready for work. Paul sat up and scratched under his armpits, reminding me of a bear, then replied - got any matches? He began to pat down his rumpled shirt, then noticed a matchbox on the coffee table next to his pack of cigarettes. He quickly lit one up, then slid the pack and matches toward me. I declined. So, he replied with a drawl, I take it that you're quitting? Paul, I sighed, I was never a smoker in the first place. You keep getting me confused with Sarah. Now, that woman smokes like a chimney. Paul grinned while he smoked. Listen, I added, it was a fun time, right? Paul cocked his head to the side, cigarette barely stuck between his lips. You did have fun, right? Good lord, Paul replied in a huff, you don't remember any of it, do you? He quickly put out his half-smoked cigarette, leaned back onto the couch, and added - seeing as how you were the host, AND you didn't even drink, I'll be more than happy to replay the events of last night. He coughed once. For starters, you invited your ex-boyfriend to the party, thinking it was a good idea, Paul stated. He was a righteous ass to everyone and I finally had to tell him to leave. You then proceeded to tell everyone that you were no longer interested in converting to Judaism. I quietly dared him to go on. If it was just me, Paul went on, I wouldn't give a care, but damn it, everyone else was hoping that you would make that final leap. He lit up another cigarette and pointed the cherry at me - why did you change your mind, he asked. I shrugged my shoulders and replied - because I no longer need it. Paul smoked for a moment in silence, as if weighing my words, then grumbled - yeah well, now everyone's gonna know that you backed out at the last minute. I stared at my feet. Oh, so now you're acting shy? Get real. Listen, you really need to think about where you are in life, he said, before some narcissistic asshole decides to make you drink their Kool-Aid. Oh give me a break, I sighed as I sat down on the loveseat and cracked my knuckles. It's my decision, right? Paul nodded. So what, are you upset that I told everyone at a party and while sober? Paul remained quiet and I realized then that my day suddenly went downhill. I was never interested in being morally right but then again, maybe it was time to change that. 



Viridian Tea Company - Tea Blends, Books, Artwork, and Photography!

Click HERE for the website!








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bibliophile Tea Meditation

Image
Books and tea always go well together - try this mediation and see how you feel afterward!   Click the link below for the Viridian Tea Company Etsy Store! Viridian Tea Company - Tea Blends for the Strange and Unusual! (Colorado Sunrise Rooibos Blend)
Read more

For the Love of Bookstores - Blue Cypress Books

Image
 I spent most of my life harboring a love for New Orleans, so much so that I knew I had to eventually move there. Many of my friends and life experiences were in New Orleans. Me becoming a part of that city was the logical next step. And I did, right at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Some timing, huh? Still, I'm glad that I finally moved there, if even for a short time. Thanks to a good friend of mine who passed several years ago, I learned about Blue Cypress Books on Oak Street. When I moved to NOLA, it became my go-to place on Sundays right after some time spent in Rue De La Course down the street. I have no photos of the bookstore but I have a lot of quiet memories of that place. Blue Cypress is a quirky bookstore, complete with used and new titles, LOTS of NOLA-related items, and a cat that owns the place. No really.  NOLA is a literary city. And a musical one. And a party one. And a historical one. And that is what you'll find in Blue Cypress. Their selection of boo
Read more

Tea Is A Good Friend of Mine - Celia Carmen Aceae

Image
Here's another great interview - meet Celia Carmen Aceae! What’s your name and what part of the world do you live in? Hi! My name is Celia Carmen Aceae and I live in Montreal, QC, Canada How long have you been drinking tea? What’s the story, morning glory? I’ve been drinking tea since I can remember. In my house, we never drank water and there was no rule against children consuming caffeine at all! I’ve only recently realized that the reason my sister and I were always labeled as crazy, wild and hyper at school, was probably because my mom sent us to class every day with a giant jug of tea. We were constantly caffeinated! Tea also means more than just Camellia sinensis for me. I’ve been reading about medicinal herbs since I was eight. My mother forbade all forms of medication in our household, so I learned at a young age how to cure small ailments with plants and tisanes. My sister was very prone to headaches and anytime she started to get one, I would hop on my
Read more