The Light at the End

“For if we open our eyes and see clearly, it becomes obvious that there is no other time than this instant, and that the past and the future are abstractions without any concrete reality” — Alan Watts

The eyes looks outward to see, but never see itself. All to take in the light for the darkness to be discovered.

Hip-hop beats reverberate through the perfectly modern home tucked away in the Hollywood Hills. Attractive people pack together with an air of importance, while their mouths open for the smell of weed to be the smell of the party.

Women dress with more skin than fabric.

Men address their anxiety with alcohol.

But both dance their sobriety away by round rock formation pool and the sleek elongated balcony.

The D.J. taps a microphone to get everyones heads to turn like the tides

“Hope y'all are enjoying yourselves this evening. I just want to thank you all from you for coming together tonight our for the first annual community art show”

Everyone gleefully cheers.

Next door a thirty-eight year old middle school history teacher teacher lays fast asleep on his on mahogany desk after grading the civil rights research project.

“Daddy, Daddy. There are scary nosies outside my room”

“What time is it?”

“Daddy? I’m serious?”

The digital clock atop his night stand reads 12:49

He look at it unleashing an exhausted exasperation as both hands cup his face and slowly fall down it. Tight limbs move with a severe a limp, over the frigid wooden floor not because of a pain, but an evolution of age. Throws on an old white bathrobe to waddle into his daughter pink carpeted bedroom. And through the thick bushes is able to see just enough men and women drinking, dancing and partying past their bedtime.

“Jesus Fucking Christ. Not again”

He mutters under his last bit of energetic breath

“Hello, 911 What is your emergency?

The sun begins to set over the Los Angeles skyline, painting a picture of orange and purple that blends perfectly with the red and white headlights stuck in traffic down below.

The smells of wet asphalt flows from the road after the rainstorm the night before. Wind whispers through winding constrained canyon roads. A hum is heard in the distance that grows louder and faster until screams of patriotic sirens pierce through the silent night.

“Did someone call the cops?”

Rusty keys and metallic handcuffs begin ratting along the wrinkled coffee stained slacks. An alone and angry 29 year old former U.S. Navy Seal applied for a job as cop to pay for his Percocet addiction.

“Alright everyone the parties over”

Outside without a warrant they escort everyone out of the party and into the cold darkness that even Jim, Jack and Johnnie couldn't help warm.

A thick darkness engulfs drunken college kids who’s smell of sweat and desperation is masked behind the booze that oozes from the breath. As the stars twinkle over the sleeping skyline

An athletic built body bounces upon recently bought white Yeezys to impress those how he dressed on his first night out. Now, doused in strangers alcohol from spilled drinks and scuffs from the unfriendly street. His broad chest slowly begins to tighten from all the dope that was smoked. The red and white inhaler is shaken rapidly to lossen the lungs.

“Bro, I can't believe that cop almost chased you down”

An under dressed film student, but overconfident when talking to women. Struts comfortably in three year old dirty white converse. That, the rain helped wash away the appearance of it’s ugliness to become cleaner than soap.

“I can’t believe you bought new kicks for your first party that got shut down

His jet black joggers quickly vibrate for attention. The is pocket loosened to see the text notification from a beautifully tall women, currently in LA for runway walk who became entranced with the confidence he carried.

“Hey is this Casper?

The blue light emits into the eyes while the keyboard efficiency clicks away.

“Yes ma'am”

“I had really great time metting you tonight. And tell your brother to bring to keep drinking water and take a couple Advil”

In the distance a bright light cuts through cold air that reddens the pale cheeks. Blinding vision to see anything else, but stars that are not in the sky. They both shield their frozen faces and hide their eyes in the warm protection of each elbow.

Griffin, the 19 year old younger brother shouts in pain

“God damn it. I can't see shit”

Casper aggressively, and and almost immediately follows as he picks his head up from his phone.

“Jesus Christ what the fuck is that?”

The light immediately clicks off. And a familiar voice follows.

“Surprise!”

“Y'all are under arrest, for public intoxication and disorderly conduct”