Off with the Fairies!

Off with the Fairies!

Trigger Warning- This short story contains some substance abuse.

Part 1

As Alicia Keys’ song, “Empire State of Mind Part 2,” came on the radio, the Tesla zoomed right into New York City over the Brooklyn Bridge. “Now you’re in New York!” The song proclaimed at perfect timing. Probably the most inspirational song Bradley had ever heard.

“We have a surprise for you.” Bradley’s cousin told him calmly, and Bradley got nervous, and he began to hyperventilate. What could it be? The plane ticket was a big enough surprise. He thought.

Part 2

Bradley’s cousins were all famous. Without going into details- they were all inspiring and simply amazing. It was like being in a fairy tale being around them.

“Now, remember to hold my hand. Don’t stray off into the woods, and do not talk to strangers in the park.” Bradley’s cousin said to him. We went to Central Park first, but that was not the surprise. He got to see the great fountains, and they took perfect pictures. Then the surprise. Ground Zero. Yes, there would be drugs and tears.

“Let me take your picture by that drug truck!” Bradley’s cousin- who he always called, “Cuz,” exclaimed. Bradley could not resist. He bought a ten dollar joint. Took three hits, and was off with the fairies.

Part 3

One World Trade Center- that was the surprise. Bradley cried hard as he reached the top floor. He was scared of heights, but that was not what made him cry. He remembered vividly video of a poor black man who fell to his death off the top of one of the twin towers. He could now imagine what that must have been like. He wept. There was even a bar at the top! Bradley liked his wine, but he could hardly stand up straight as it was, so he resisted the temptations around him. He walked up to the glass windows that surrounded him. He looked out, and saw airplanes flying below him. He was so high up, and so high in his mind, and everybody knew it.

“Are you okay?” Cuz asked concerned.

“Ya’ll got some strong weed here, man.” Bradley responded, but he was sincerely moved by the surprise, but there was more!

Part 4

The Phantom of the Opera.

“We have to be there at seven! Do you have your ID, and immunization card? They’ll ask for them.” Cuz said.

“I’m all set. I’m so excited!” Bradley- who was a theatre major- said as he cried again at such a shocking treat. One of their last performances. Beautiful. Perfection. Not one mistake. Bradley used to sing along to every song quite well, but he resisted the urge to sing along as he was high in public.

Before he knew it, the show was over, and the curtain closed, and he loved every minute of it despite his crowd anxiety.

Part 5

The Asian market was the final stop before they headed home to New Jersey- a beautiful state. The market was filled with things Bradley had never seen before. Being from Arkansas, they did not have these options. It was amazing. He wanted to buy everything, but all he had to travel with was an already full backpack.

Part 6

Kathy Traccoli’s, “Tell Me Where it Hurts,” came on the radio as they headed home, and Bradley cried again. “Just tell me where it hurts- now tell me!” Sang the song. Beautifully touching. Cuz was a famous nurse, and I’m sure he had to ask that question a lot.

Part 7

As the fairies went away, Bradley felt better, but then wine, and vodka were presented. Uh-oh! Bradley did want desperately to sleep. It had been a long day. He indulged. Overindulged, actually, and he passed out in the shower hitting his head on the soap holder. He broke it. He never forgave himself for that. Cuz kept an eye on him, and he was okay.

Part 8

Squid was made for dinner the next evening. It was amazing. Bradley, who rarely ate, loved every bite. Maybe it was the few puffs off that leftover joint that made him so hungry. Strong weed!

Part 9

It was a short trip filled with loving surprises. After dinner was karaoke time! More fun with the fairies! But the song Bradley needed to get out was not available, so he got upset. He went to bed sad, and his younger cousin- a famous model, and influencer- noticed this. She was sweet about it. She was always sweet and funny.

Bradley, in the basement alone, downloaded Kathy’s song, and sang it to himself. Then he struggled to sleep. He tossed and turned, and prayed for deep sleep as he was to travel on the next day.

Part 10

Bradley required wheelchair service at the airport, so Cuz’s wife accompanied him at the airport. As the wheelchair finally arrived, tears came to his eyes. He was truly going to miss her, and all of his cousins. He heard a knock on the glass windows behind him. It was Cuz waving goodbye. He had left his car in the street in order to say one last goodbye. It meant a lot to Bradley. Then it was time for him to be pushed to his gate.

He tipped his pusher. He boarded his plane, and off he went to see his best friend in Ohio. He called her, “Bestie.”

Her brother had just passed away. So sad. Bradley even witnessed the scene of his passing while he was there, and it was not pretty. Bradley’s heart broke for his friend who held onto him tightly when they approached her brother’s apartment. A tough experience. Bradley had to excuse himself due to the smell, and the sight of decay on the floor that was where the poor man died.

Part 11

Bestie took Bradley to the, “A Christmas Story,” house, and it was a great experience. He learned so much. He was happy, but he got sick. The two hour flight home was so bad that he had to go straight to the emergency room once he got back to Arkansas. The perfect ending to a trip that was filled with ups and downs. While he sat in the emergency room awaiting answers, he took out his headset and listened to Kathy’s song again, and tears came to his eyes. “Making you cry…” the sang sings. “ I’ll do my best to make the tears go away.”