Like A Red Devil

Prairie Fires and Faerie Pyres, Part 15 of 15

“Behold. Peach Pits!” Buddy said, and then started passing out another round of shots, five Peach Pits to go along with three untouched Burning Houses.

“What’s that?” Duke asked.

“It’s like a Red Devil.”

“What’s that?” Dee asked.

“We had Red Devil parties in college,” Buddy said. “It’s a drink with vodka, peach schnapps, peach Southern Comfort, sloe gin, triple sec, orange juice and grenadine.”

“That sounds gross,” Dee said.

“It was a great way to get people to drink,” Buddy said. “I learned that I liked sloe gin and hated Southern Comfort.”

I said, “You used to love Southern Comfort.”

“I had a really bad night of Southern Comfort,” Buddy said.

“Sounds like you let some dude pick you up,” Duke said.

“Fuck you,” Buddy said.

“So what’s that?” I said, point at the shots interrupting Buddy’s angry respond.

“Peach pits.”

I said, “I’m going to pass.”

“Me too,” said Dee.

“You’re whipped, Tom. Go home,” Buddy said, and then he slammed Dee’s Peach Pit.

“Would you slow down?” I asked.

“Fuck you,” he said, and then he slammed my peach pit.

Duke drank his before Buddy could grab it.

C looked at Buddy, and said, “I babysat you last weekend.”

Buddy tried to grab her shot. She slammed it, banged it down, and stared at him.

Buddy asked, “How was it?”

C kept staring.

Buddy stood up and spat, “All of you. Go to hell.”

“Let’s go for a walk,” I said and stood up. My chair clipped someone trying to walk behind me. They almost tripped. “Sorry,” I said.

“I’m going out to party.”

“Let go for a walk.”

“Hey C. Call Walter.” Buddy said. “Tom and I, we’re going to Tiny Dancer’s.”

“A walk, Buddy.” I said.

Buddy said, “Call your friend too, Duke. What was her name?”

Duke said, “Another night, Buddy.”

“Tom, did you put them all up to this?”

“No.”

“Walk Buddy,” I said. I grab his elbow. He jerked way.

Duke stood up, spilling drinks. He was much larger than Buddy. Buddy backed away.

“If any of you want to have any fucking fun tonight, Tom and I will be at Tiny Dancers. We’re going now.”

He backed away from Duke. He shoved his chair creating more noise and mess. He stared at Duke for a moment. Then he walked off.

“I’m going to settle him down,” I said.

——

Prairie Fires and Faerie Pyres

Part 15: Like A Red Devil

Part 14: Shitting Peach Pits

Part 13: Wo Wo Hot Pants

Part 12: Tawny Kitten

Part 11: Living With Your Ghost

Part 10: Kernel Panic

Part 9: Pais Lee

Part 8: Burning House

Part 7: Merkin’s Face

Part 6: Merkin’s Beard

Part 5: Conversation Of Biblical Proportion
Part 4: Hockey Fight
Part 3: Your Blog’s Not A Waste Of Time
Part 2: Put Your Head Somewhere Else
Part 1: Showier Prose