Jameson

Sometimes memories become instances, and these instances only happen within a flash. It's like lightning in a bottle. You have to act fast, or the glass will heat and shatter.

In this instance, I had a flash from the first night I tried Jameson. I was with this boy who was incredibly bold and crass. He was like no one I had ever met and somehow made me feel nervous. Every breath I had around him was short because he was so comfortable with himself and his surroundings. When he touched me I shuttered away, but he knew what he was doing. He was a key that kept twisting and turning into a jammed locked and knew eventually it would click and the chains would fall off.

This particular night we traveled away from downtown to karaoke near the college campus. Ironically the shit talking, gay haters didn't frequent this bar. Everyone either had a cigarette or a cocktail in their hand. Or both. The smoke was thick and the crowd was restless but somehow karaoke pulled everyone together.

He was on deck and finished his drink. I was the driver so I was trying to pace myself by drinking slowly. I offered to buy him a drink, with which he replied "Jameson on the rocks." I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I ordered two hoping to speed the service along so I wouldn't miss his performance.

The bartender slid me two short glasses filled to the brim with whiskey, which I naturally assumed was a mixed drink and I handed it over to my infatuation. He asked what I ordered to which I shyly replied "Same." He let out a surprising laugh until he was called up to sing and I took my first sip. My throat burned and my eyes teared up. My body was rejecting every sip I endured but I did my best not to look stupid and nursed it the rest of the night.

He sang "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan which seemed to be his forte. All eyes were on him, watching his hips sway back and forth in his skinny jeans. Hands wrapping around the microphone so naturally, followed by a few winks thrown to the crowd. It was another moment I would never forget. His voice wasn't the best, but it didn't matter. It was all about the performance, and when you go it, you got it.

He finished and got a rage of applauds from drunk punks and messy hipsters.

It may have only been a few dates in, but it was in that moment that I knew something was happening. The key had turned and the chains hit the ground. Something inside me began pulsating until it took over my entire body.

Later when we kissed, I finally realized what it was.