Pictured Party

Journal entry for creative writing.

Cracking open the small brass box, I reached inside and pulled out a 5 inch Cuban cigar, holding it close enough to inhale the strong odor of nicotine and mint leaves. Releasing my breath, I glanced over at the bartender and gave him a slight nod, signaling him I was in need of a light. Acknowledging me, he reached into a cupboard and slid across the polished oak bar a small case of matches, of which I slyly picked up and proceeded to extract one of the small wooden sticks. Striking the tip across the side of the box, I held the small flame up to head of the Cigar and gave it a few weak puffs, until it stayed lit. Waving the match in the air with force, the light extinguished and I leaned back, putting my elbows at an angle to support me across the bar. Sighing, the overwhelming scent of smoke, vodka, and a violently strong mix of cologne and perfume consumed my entire being.

I stood in the large, crowded parlor room, thinking to myself, staring out over the mass of partygoers, pitying and envying each of them. None of them could comprehend the incoherence of the party, the irony that had been beheld in this fun event. I shouldn’t be feeling this way about them in one sense. Granted, I was right, they didn’t realize the unhappy factors of this party, but then again, they had no means of knowing, and they were just here to enjoy each other’s company. I tended to contradict myself in these means, but truly confused myself as I tried to decide between the two feelings, envy and pity. These thoughts seemed to maintain my mind for longer than I would have guessed, for as I decided upon the feeling of envy I was stubbing the butt of the cigar into the stainless steel ash tray.

I decided upon the feeling of envy as I observed these people, all of their cares gone, as they released the day’s tensions, knowing they wouldn’t have the same stress to deal with, but only knew problems the next day. For myself, on the other hand, was in quite a predicament. I knew that in the morning I would be faced with the same situation that had recently befallen me, tonight as a matter of fact was the moment of this situations origin. Cursing my tendency to over think things, I recalled the events of the last hour.

When I had heard that there would be a party tonight, I knew it was going to be worth the effort of clearing my schedule. I made the arrangements, called my clients and rescheduled meetings, and made sure that my dog would be well kept for a night by my neighbor. After dealing with all of this, I asked the girl whom I had been seeing for a few months now to accompany me. I had met her in late march, and it was nearly Christmas, yet I felt as if I hardly knew her, despite the countless play-arguments we had had over who liked the other more, and who could go longer without even a kiss. I thought that if she came, it would be a real chance to find out who she really was, and if the feelings I was beginning to have for her were the truth or not. To my joy, she agreed to come.

Upon entering the party, we were happy as could be after the long car ride and fancy dinner which we had spent prior to our arrival.  An hour of mingling passed, and she hadn’t left my arm wrapped about her waist for the entire time, and for some reason this made me feel secure, and my feelings grew closer to her than I realized. As I witnessed her free-spirited mind lead us across the floor, these feelings grew stronger, now that I was seeing her true self, among friends, and her wild ability to engage someone the exact opposite herself in conversation, and leave with a new friend. Her powerful being overwhelmed mine, as we discussed almost every topic there was.

Now here I stood at this bar, extinguishing the last day’s cigar. But now, after reviewing that past few events in my head, I stood with a smile. I straightened up, and shot down the last of my champagne. True, champagne is for celebrations. And that’s exactly what I was doing, for the cigar had been one of celebratory conditions. I had not been here for depressing reasons, I was celebrating the fact that I, myself, was now the fiancée to the most angelical girl in my life. The envy I was dealing was only due to the fact that these people here tonight didn’t have the stress of wedding planning to deal with in the morning.

Reviews

[J.A. Marquez]

I wanted to say I am reading this, and will review another time. I can't get through it right now, but so far I am intrigued.