It was almost midnight, July 3rd and the party was going strong. Jerry Sachs was going to turn fifty in just five minutes. 120 friends, relatives, neighbors, business associates were tooting horns, already throwing confetti. Corks were popping, music played. There was so much noise the explosion wasn’t noticed immediately. When it was mentioned, we all thought it was just another part of the party. A slight hush disappeared. In order, there was silence, then screams.
Jerry had been at the honor table with his wife by his side. His twin daughters sat to her left and their 2 teen sons to Jerry’s right.
It was impossible, suddenly Jerry was face down in the fillet minion, ruining the previous spotless white table cloth. Bewilderment, chaos exploded. Cell phones appeared from pockets, purses. Sirens, wailed as police, fire engines, medic emergency equipment lined the street outside the private club. They swarmed into the garden party, the party that was so suddenly over. Valet was blocked and guests became prisoners.
In the madness I caught a glimpse of Mrs. Sachs and family being lead to a large private meeting room. Her white beaded gown seemed to have drops of rubies on the bodice. As they were lead out, a white hatted police captain carrying his trusty bull horn came to the podium. It took a while before he semi-calmed us all enough to at least sit down. He had a curtain put around Jerry’s mutilated, lifeless body. It was the best he could do but it didn’t help quiet the fears and doubts of us all. The waiters brought in cold drinks and samovars of hot coffee. In a daze, many guests were crying as incredulity covered blank faces.
Buzz, buzz, mouths moved. I didn’t see the police asking questions but they must have had plenty. As if I had someplace to go, I glanced at my watch and realized that a short twenty minutes ago everyone was happy. Hand shaking congrats filled Jerry with pride and pleasure. Waiting for the 4th of July celebration spurred us on. The moment I remembered that, the sky lit up, magical red, white and blue flares drew every eye skyward.
The police captain, using his bull horn again, brought our attention back to earth. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, the emergency equipment is being moved shortly. Please have your valet stubs ready so that your cars can be brought quickly. All I can tell you at this time is Mr. Sachs was not murdered. His unfortunate death was an accident. As soon as details are verified the news will go out to all media.’ He turned away to attend to his business.
Early July 4th TV. news and papers blared the headline, ‘4th CELEBRATION ROCKET GOES ASTRAY. MAN KILLED AT HIS BIRTHDAY RECEPTION. Below that it only gave Jerry’s name and that the cause of the mishap is being investigated.’
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