Here Lies the Town Mess Up

Kailey Friesan

The night sky painted over with clouds hung low over the deserted playground; it was silent. It was silent except for the echo of a dog’s bark in the distance. It was going to rain. His left knee hurt so he knew it would rain. His left knee hurt from a home run gone wrong. Liam made fun of his hurt knee, calling him a cripple. Liam used to come to this playground with him, sit at this same bench, and smoke. But that was ten years ago.

They had come here that night. Talked about the SAT’s coming up. Everything was perfect. Too perfect. His parents weren’t fighting, he was on the varsity baseball team, and he wasn’t failing any classes. Too perfect.

A breeze caused the swings to move. They squeaked and moaned in retaliation. His breaths came out in puffs of smoke. He could use a smoke right now. The memories were coming fast, making him dizzy, and he didn’t want to remember.

That night he had suggested breaking into the local skating rink. He needed to do something. His restlessness made his fingers twitch and his breath get caught in his throat. Liam protested but eventually caved in after a promise of popcorn and a look in his eye that made Liam pause. There hadn’t been any popcorn. Only flashing lights and screaming parents. That was ten years ago. Ten years since Liam lost his scholarship to San Diego State and his ability to walk. Ten years after he had even talked to Liam, apologized for ruining his life.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. His boss probably wondering if he would show up to his shift. He wouldn’t. He would probably never leave this town, this bench, this life. He would be buried right under this bench. A perfect spot for another mess up to sit. They would build a memorial here: “Here Lies The Town Mess Up. Sit At Your Own Risk.” His phone buzzed again.

The breeze stopped. The barking ceased. The clouds seemed to hover lower and lower. He was going to suffocate under these clouds. That same restlessness he felt all those years ago burned a hole through his shirt, but he sat there watching the clouds drift closer and closer.