HEARTBREAK IN A POLAROID CARTRIDGE
1. A ferris wheel, glowing a rainbow of colors
The fourth of July. Jackson at the carnival with two of his friends, boarding the ferris wheel that overlooks the river. Stepping into the cart alone as his friends swing back and forth in front of him. He turns to the line of people waiting.
“Any single riders interested?” he calls. Bravery plays at his easy smile.
A hand raises, works its way through the people clinging to the gate. “Very.” The man’s gaze meets Jackson’s, challenges the bravery with his own. “I’m Will.”
Will crawls in beside Jackson, lets his leg brush against him.
“Jackson.” He replies, hand extended.
And the ride begins.
2. Two cups of coffee
Their fourth date. Jackson’s inhibition already fleeting around Will. Will, rolling eyes and playful smile as Jackson pulls out his camera. The photo captures their table moments before Will knocks over his drink. The right corner of the photograph smudges where the coffee spills and interferes with development.
Yelling for paper napkins, making a show of drying each other off. They cause quite a scene in the cafe. They had laughed about it long after.
3. An oak tree, leaves orange
Will’s backyard. They climb into the branches together and talk for hours. Will jokes that half of the leaves have abandoned the branches in the time they’ve spent up there.
Jackson believes autumn is the most beautiful time of year. Something about the undeniable beauty only death can reveal.
4. A blanket fort
Will sleeping over at Jackson’s place. The living room transforms into a fortress crafted using every stitch of fabric in the house. Christmas lights dangle like a chandelier from the comforter ceiling. Bulbs flickering, illuminating the words as they drift from Jackson’s lips. “I love you.”
5. Black picture
A night outside of the city, failed attempt to capture the stars on film. Wine-drunk and tangling together in the back of Will’s pickup.
They woke with the morning dew.
6. Boston Terrier Puppy
Will’s birthday. Garage door opening to reveal a Boston Terrier puppy in a gift wrapped box, Jackson standing by her side. They name her Juliet.
Will with a surprise of his own. Two keys to a condo on the outskirts of the city.
7. Snake in a well house
Weekend excursion to Will’s parents’ house. Jackson stumbles across a snake hanging from the rafters of the well house, tongue flicking. Racing toward the dock over the pond to show Will the polaroid.
Dropping it to the boards as Will gets down on one knee.
8. LA Sunset
Celebratory getaway. Waves pulling grains of sand from the shore. Shells wash to the beach. Jackson gets a call about a job offer in Sarasota. The tide takes the shells back to sea.
9. Pine trees in the fog at dusk
Emails shoot to and from Jackson’s computer like bullets, Will caught in the line of fire. Arguments slam shut in door frames. Jackson accepting the position, sending Will to stay with his parents while Jackson’s belongings accumulate in boxes.
Jackson carries his final box from the bedroom, something cracking behind his ribs. The breaking fractures through his body, sending him to his knees, box tumbling. Jackson’s arms shake as he tries to hold himself up, tears splashing off the photo album that has fallen open before him. The book folds over, revealing the view from their bedroom window.
10. A broken heart, spray painted onto a cement bridge pillar
Jackson holds the can of spray paint, watches as a crimson streak drips from the heart. A tear slides down the canvas of his cheek. Above him, he hears the stirring of truck engines as they haul carnival equipment to the nearby lot to start setting up for the annual fourth of July festival.
He snaps a photo, listens to the whir. Crawling into his car, Jackson turns the ignition and sets out toward Sarasota, his window down, Polaroids trailing his exhaust like orange oak leaves.
Jacob Smith is a writer from small-town Perry County, Pennsylvania. When he isn’t wrangling his two dogs, lost in the woods with his friends, or listening to Taylor Swift, he escapes into his writing. Jacob’s work delves into self discovery and identity, dissecting the heartstrings that make us most human. His writing has been recognized by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards with a National Gold Medal. Jacob’s work has been published through a scattering of presses, including Beyond Words International Magazine, Le Spectre Journal, Susquehanna University’s Apprentice Writer, and more. Read more of his work on Instagram: @jacobwritespoems.