I went outside and built a bonfire in the yard. We passed a bottle of bourbon around. Soon all the wood was used up. I got the chairs off the porch and threw them in. When they were gone, I grabbed anything that would burn––my daughter’s wagon, rakes and shovels, a bag of bark dust. I pulled our redwood picnic table across the yard and set it on the fire. I got the gas can from the garage and poured it on. There was an enormous ball of orange flame that blossomed into the night air. We cheered and clapped.
Seems like a frenzy of celebration of something. I just hope they don’t live to regret it.
Spot on. This is actually part of a much longer story that explores the tragedy of such behavior.
It’s good to have a project
Ha! I think in this case the project is alcoholism! Thanks for reading
Dear Josh,
It sounds like a bang-up celebration for some reason. I only hope they didn’t toss .45 cartridges into the blaze. Well described. I’m taking cover now. Never know when Uncle Eddie is lurking around the corner.
Shalom,
Rochelle
We stopped inviting him!
Lucky you weren’t gone too!
Click to read my FriFic tale!
A clearout that leaves one wondering if it’s just drunken fun or the result of something else, like a broken marriage or worse.
You got it!
Whew, that escalated quickly! Either that was a lot of bourbon, or they’re trying to burn away some serious emotional pain (or both).
Reminds me of an episode of MAS*H 4077th, where the virtually burn the whole camp.
That bag of dust could have exploded – where are Health and Safety when it matters?
Are they expecting the bailiffs? And, wow – gasoline onto the fire. I’m surprised nobody was killed!
Methinks he’s gonna have a wicked headache and a case of “what the fuck did I do?” come morning…
Yeah, the story actually opens with the terrible hangover so you’re dead on right with that
The hangover that won’t end, if he keeps this up!
A revolt against materialism? That must have been some strong bourbon.
Yep, I been that drunk.. Good times….
Or not!
this guy must have done something really bad, burning his daughters wagon is ominous. erasing all trace possibly?
I think he was just drunk. It’s about not thinking of consequences. Thanks for stopping by
I think he was totally calculating and well who knows what… Good stuff though
All’s well that ends up in the bonfire.
Drinking Firewater will let you do weird things – but Burning the picnic table? Interesting story. Thanks!
Was it the alcohol or some irresistible urge to burn everything down and be happy about it?
I think he had too much bourbon. His daughter will be sad when she goes looking for her wagon. Sometimes things get a little out of hand. =)
Sounds like a wild night – a what the hell sort of a night. I can imagine the smoking embers in the morning and no picnic table.
Geez, Josh! They say truth is stranger than fiction. ??
This puzzled me. Why was he destroying so much? Had his wife and daughter left him? Did they die? I don’t know, it just seems so pointless.
One word: alcoholism. Thanks for reading
You know, I should have put that together from the bottle of bourbon, but I just didn’t make the connection. He and his buds are going to have a lot of ‘splainin’ to do.
Fire as entertainment or maybe catharsis? You cant help but wonder why he wants to keep that fire burning, what scratch it itches.
Awesome read!!
Gone with the Fire
A wonderfully captured scene.
Whatever was eating him, he’s obviously let it all go by the end. A bit of an extreme way to vent, though. Well told.
Even without reading any of the comments, I felt there was something darker coming, that this random burning of anything and everything could only lead to some dreadful tragedy. It’s as if the protagonist wants to burn the world up. Lovely writing Josh
Thanks!
My pleasure
I feel that there is not much joy in this burning… seems more like a pyre than a fire.
You got it. It’s forced mirth at best