#fred gallagher

After a crowed trip on the moving box, and making sure to hold Uncle Liam’s hand the whole time like Mommy said, they arrived to the biggest party he had ever seen. Lots of people everywhere, loud music, and so many colors, like all of Chicago had brought their art supplies out to share.

Uncle Ian was the most excited to be at the party, maybe it was for him or someone he knew? Uncle Mickey was playing make believe that he was grumpy, but kept looking at Uncle Ian like he his favorite toy. Freddie always felt love with his two uncles around, they were silly, fun, and helped each other.  

Mommy was having fun sharing adult juice with Aunt Debbie and Sandy, the kind that always made them silly and wanting to dance together. Daddy was busy taking care of his little brother, and fixing the stroller that used to be his. His cousin Franny was tasked with looking after him, which he always liked, she was so cool. Daddy made sure they stayed close and had lots of yummy food from the taco ice cream truck.

Uncle Carl came and found them after lunch, he wasn’t dressed up in lots of colors, but his dark blue police clothes.  What he did have where colorful toys, a light up bracelet for Franny and a stuffed rabbit for him. He talked to Daddy for a while then waved good bye, promising to find them before the show, even if Freddie wasn’t sure what kind of show they were going to see, he hoped it was his favorite cartoon.

Franny was very excited to be a part of Uncle Liam’s phone video, she showed off her color hair bows and her new bracelet while singing a song.  He had been making lots of friends at the party, taking phone videos and talking to strangers was part of his school work he said.

It started to get dark, then his whole family was now pulling out blankets to sit on, everyone still acting silly and sharing more adult juice. Uncle Ian was the goofiest, giving Uncle Mickey lots of hugs and kisses. Mommy and Daddy were fussing over his brother, who was not happy to be at the party anymore. Uncle Carl came back so it must be time for the show, but there were no big screens like at the movies to watch a show.

Then the most amazing thing happened, a party started in the sky! Colors every where above him, and bigger than any show he had ever seen. Sitting next to Franny, unable to look away from the bright colors above he finally asked what he had been wondering all day.

“Why such a big party Franny?”

She then started to tell him the most amazing story he had ever heard, about another party long before he was born. How there were lots of mean and scary people who didn’t want Uncles Ian and Mickey to love each other, which was the silliest thing cuz they were very good loving each other.

“Then Uncle Mickey told everyone how much he loves Uncle Ian!”

That was the best part of the story for sure, he always knew Uncle Mickey was brave and took care of everyone in the family, including him. This big party really was for his favorite uncles and hearing how he amazing they were to love each other no matter what all he could say was.