\BED-luhm\ , noun;
1.A scene or state of wild uproar and confusion.
2.An archaic term for an insane asylum or madhouse.
It was a scorching Saturday to start the 4th of July weekend. Some friends of mine were meeting at the Hemlocks to swim and I gladly agreed to meet them. I packed my towel and book and drove the hour and a half to the river. I circled through the campground and saw no familiar cars. Then I circled through the picnic area and again, no familiar cars, just a lot of friendly faced strangers. I called four cell numbers, but no one had service. I drove past the campground and found a car I knew, so I pulled in and took the trail by his car down to the river. I chose to go right and walked the length of the trail, but saw no one. Then I turned around and went left, no one. On my way back to the right, my phone must’ve passed through a patch of service and I received a text message. I was relieved thinking it’d say, “we’re here by the pavilion!” Or something equally descriptive. Instead, it was from Dictionary.com. Bedlam: A scene or state of wild uproar and confusion. I chortled. This was confusion alright, but not wild uproar. Then a boy around 8 years old started following me down the trail and pretending to shoot me, making noises with his mouth. Mild uproar.
Finally, I sat on a rock in the sun, put my feet in the river, ate my sub from the ‘way, and decided I’d see them next time. Next time I will get clear directions to avoid a mild bedlam.
beth of fresh air 