I want more

No broken bones, no damage to the eye, just ugly black and blue marks and a throbbing headache. Whew, Michael thought on their way back home while calling Carol, his mother, and then Jim, who just came in from Florida – could’ve been a lot worse than this. Michael spent the afternoon in bed while Dan took over some of the chores. At least, they had an extra day to get ready for the party. And then the next morning, after Jim had come in from Florida and the other Jim had flown down from Philadelphia, and Brenda and Carol and Barbara and Rue and Kathy all came over to fuss over Michael’s injury – it was so nice, being pampered, Michael had to admit – the next morning, Michael was up and ready to go.

And go the troop did, setting up the party, tent and bar and food and liquor and soft drinks and it’s-a-secret the birthday cake. And the boys and girls all had their party naps and awoke refreshed (but not the two Jims, who ran late on their chores) and then the guests arrived, one by one, and so did the gifts.

“Over to the piano, please,” Michael said, kissing this one on the left cheek, that one on the right, the third one on the lips (reserved only for close friends, of course). And the gifts began to pile up.

In the dusk of the evening, no one could really see Michael’s bruises around his eye, and no one really cared, because they all loved Michael anyway ... and it was a fun party, for those who remembered it. Always pile on the booze, Michael and Dan would say – that’s what makes a party thump, not the music or the pretty boys or the scintillating conversation. It’s the booze.

“I’ll have another margarita,” this guest would say, and then the laughter would rise once again.

“Get me some whiskey, baby, and don’t be stingy,” another would say, that one putting on her best lesbian Greta Garbo accent.

“I want another gin and tonic,” a man with pince-nez and a white beard that made him look like Santa Clause. “So refreshing in this August weather.”

And then the skies opened up and the party got drenched. Well, Michael thought – at least they all got doused before they all got doused.