Saturday Night
A short story about acknowledging your escapism, starring Adam.
Ugh. Why did Tessa bring me out tonight.
I was far happier at home. Watching Friends. Yeah, I know Ross and Rachel get together at the end. It’s the journey that I enjoy. When it comes to escaping real life, at least.
I already had my bourbon. I didn’t need to buy drinks. Maybe I should though. Maybe that would make me feel better. But I don’t like paying for overpriced drinks. Does that make me a drag? Maybe. God, why did Tessa bring me out tonight.
Come on now, dude. She’s being a good friend. She thinks that she’s helping you. You’re lucky to have her in your life. Look at her, trying to play wingman. Look away. Look away. I’m not after any hugs or kisses tonight. I’d much rather be alone.
Or maybe I wouldn’t. Maybe Tessa knows that. Maybe that’s why she brought me out. It’s only been a week since… well, since I’ve been alone. After such a long relationship, I don’t know what to do with myself. How long does it take to grieve? There are those five steps, I know that much.
Ah, shit. That girl’s coming over with Tessa. Why did I wear this jacket. This jacket makes me look like a turtle. Why did I think that mixing dark green and light brown was a good look. Why do I pretend to like fashion. I don’t like fashion. Fashion is stupid.
Oh, great. Here we go. Small talk. Ask nice things. Don’t be a dick. This girl doesn’t know about you. She doesn’t know why you’re alone. She’s probably nice. She’s probably not a bitch. She’s probably not selfish. She probably won’t leave you.
Suzy? What kind of fucked up name is Suzy? Is she the daughter from a 1970s family sitcom? Oh, of course. Communications. Of course she studies communications. Let me guess… yep, majoring in PR. Great stuff, Suzy. The world is your oyster. No, it’s fine. You don’t need to tell me about the difference between above-the-line and below-the-line. I know perfectly well what both of those mean. I’ve got a history as well.
History. That’s all anything I’ll ever do will really become. You enjoy it for a moment, right before it’s over. Then it’s a memory. Then it’s history. Then it becomes forgotten. You wait to reminisce. You wait for nostalgia. You wait, and wait, and you wait. All you ever do is plan or wait to create your own history.
What’s the difference between history and legacy? Success? Legacy. That’s a powerful word. History isn’t. History is for teaching. Legacy is for learning. People hear of your history. People learn of your legacy.
Shit. Why did Tessa bring me out tonight.
