AJRMAN
The Party
"Hello, Hello, Hello" Mrs. Bentley said with a huge Motherly grin on her face. She opened the screen door to her apartment and gestered for us to come in. I looked around and saw familiar faces from my complex including Mr. Kyle. I saw old people mixed with young. I even saw the apartment complex's Manager. Damn if I don't remember his name, but he did know mine. They all said "Hello" to us. All with huge welcoming smiles. It didn't seem frightning at all. It felt warm and inviting. I glanced at Javier who had his arm around me. He too had such a big grin on his tanned face. This party may not be so bad after all.
The Bentley's were quite the Hosts. Working the room, laughing and making sure everyone had drinks. I stood by Javier. He introduced us to my neighbors, which was bad for me because I've lived here for almost six years and never introduced myself. Javier was having a good time, and that's why I came to the party.
I drank some beers and became more relaxed. I was actually having fun. Dinner came and it was nice. The conversations were about Politics, relationships, and finally about U.F.O's. How there is a "Cover Up" and so on. It was very interesting. I almost started to believe. In fact I DID believe.
Mrs. Bentley gestered for Javier to help with the dishes. I watched as she held his arm and went into the kitchen. I saw them talking, not hearing one word they said. She hands Javier a bag. Javier opens it with bewilderment. I see him ask her a question. She looks at him like a Mother does. It's as if she is showing empathy towards him. I'm wondering what is wrong with Javier, and I'm starting to get nervous. Javier comes back to sit by my side, with the same look on his face. He sit's next to me, a little embarrassed.
" Is everything okay" I whisper to him.
" Yeah. She gave me this herbal supplement"
" For what?"
" She said it will help with my ' Problem' "
" What problem?"
" I don't know, she wouldn't say. She just assumed I was playing dumb, when I didn't understand her." I grabbed the bag from Javier and opened it. It was a bottle of vitamins. I read the back where the directions were. It turns out these were for Bladder control. I started to laugh, and I looked at Javier.
" What's so funny?"
" If I tell ya, will you get mad at me?"
" Maybe. What did you do, guy?" I grabbed him by the arm and took him outside. I told him Mrs. Bentley thinks he wet's the bed. I also told him why she thinks that. I laughed, but Javier didn't.
" I can't believe you said that guy!"
" Ah come on Javier, it's a joke"
" You're gonna get it when we get home" Although he said this very sternly and I knew he was mad at me. I still found the situation and him a bit sexy. Before things got too tense for us, Mrs. Bentley called for us to come in. They were serving dessert.
I went back into the apartment. Everyone was looking towards the kitchen. I stood next to a young girl. I think her name was Emily.
" Why are we all staring at the kitchen" I said to Emily.
" It's the Canary ceremony."
" What's that?"
" It's when we show our loyalty to this society by eating a canary " The room suddenly became very small and I became very dizzy. I couldn't focus on anything. I made my way to the door. I don't think anyone saw me, not even Javier. Everyone just kept staring towards the kitchen. Waiting for Mrs. Bently to bring out the canary's. The looks on their faces, all hungry. I was disgusted. I left the apartment and walked to my own. I went straight to the phone and dialed 911.
" 9-1-1 emergency sevice" the lady operator said. Out of breath and dizzy I asked,
" Is it illegal to eat live canary's at a party?" The operator asked again what I said. She told me it was illegal to kill any animal on properties that aren't a farm or sanctioned for food processing. She was obviously reading from a book or manual. I quickly told her my story. She said a Police Officer would be there shortly to handle the situation.
I waited in my apartment. Suddenly Javier came in.
" What are you doing here?" He said.
" They're eating CANARY'S! " I backed away from him as he took a step towards me. He's one of them. Maybe he's an alien now. Maybe he's a..... I don't know. I look at him now and I don't see Javier anymore. I see a stranger. Outside we hear a disturbance. I hear voices yelling, and people screaming. Javier and I go outside and look towards the Bentley's apartment. I see Mr and Mrs. Bentley handcuffed sitting on the ground. I go back inside, while Javier goes towards the mayhem. Minutes go by and I see a figure standing in front of my screen door. It's the Police.
" Mr Ajrman?" he said.
" Yes?"
" Come with me please." I opened the door and followed the Officer to the Bentley's apartment. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley, no longer handcuffed, look at me with dissappointent on their faces. I see Javier with the same look. Everyone staring at me. What's happening?
" Are these the Canary's?" The Officer gestured towards the dining room table. On the table lay baskets. In each basket WAS a canary. A yellow canary. Made from marshmellows. Peeps. They were called Peeps. Those candied birds that are sold near Easter. I heard chirping and looked to where the noise came from. Down the hallway I saw the cages. The Canary's were safe and sound.
I felt so far away from safety and my own home. I wanted to run. But I didn't. I needed to face the 'Music'. It turns out, the "Eating" of the canary's, meant eating the Peeps. Mrs. Bentley had bought the real Canary's as a party gift for each guest to take home. I'm an ASS!
The Police left. I offered my apologies to the Bentley's and to the guests. They would not accept it. I walked with Javier to my apartment. He kept his distance from me. He didn't speak to me all night. I think I screwed up on this one.
Fast forward a week........
Here I am. Looking at my empty apartment. Six years here, and now I'm leaving. The Manager of the complex suggested I leave. With everyone ignoring me, I thought that was best. Javier is helping me move, packing things into his truck. I'm moving in with him. I wish it would have been a more happier occasion. But it was his choice, and I accepted. I hear him outside speaking with the Bentley's. I hear the "Goodbyes" and the Bentley's asking "Come visit us....just you though". It doesn't bother me that I'm hated. I deserved it. My over active imagination has finally got me in trouble. I stand here. In my empty apartment. I'm not sad though. This is my past. My future is on a different street. The day actually seems brighter. Now, if only I can get past the Bentley' apartment without being noticed.......