Friday Nights, 2006, by Jeffrey Hunt

From MemoryArchive

Who: Jeffrey Hunt
What: Friday Nights
When: February 2006
Where: Hot Springs Village, AR

For quite a while, how I spent my Friday night was set in stone: work from five to ten, and then go to the local hangout – the bowling alley. The strange thing about it, though, is that thinking back on all the times I spent there, I only bowled twice. That’s not to say I didn’t have fun; there were definitely other ways to have fun.

I spent most nights there playing pool and talking with friends, and having the occasional greasy burger. The place was always crowded, but the crush of people was never oppressive. One night, though, stands out from most others there. It was a cold, January night, and a larger than usual group had gathered. Unfortunately, times were not quite as festive as they might have been, because we were saying good-bye to one of our own. Amanda was moving to Illinois, and we were giving her a last huzzah before the big move. I remember sitting in the dimly lit room, strobe lights flashing and music blaring, choking on the cigarette smoke hanging in the air, while we all talked of times past. I remember everyone making calls all night, trying to bring more people into our impromptu farewell party. And at midnight, I remember the last good-byes as the bowling alley closed and everyone went home.

It turns out that I also left not long after that, and for a not much different place. And while this memory may seem like a bittersweet one, it was the last good time I had before moving away, and it’s how I choose to remember many of the people that I haven’t seen since. That’s why it’s the perfect moment.