Vocabulary Writing Exercise

Dan lived in a detached house in an area known as the Blue Neighbourhood. It wasn’t because the houses were blue, but it was because blue symbolized loyalty, trust, and tranquility. Everyone understood the irony behind the name, as the people who lived there were rude and arrogant. Once, Dan’s neighbour actually had the effrontery to make dubious assumptions and had denounced Dan’s father for something he did not commit.

It was Dan’s birthday. He finished school and walked home with Phil. Dan entered his house and an acrid smell came from the living room. He had a look of reproof on his face when he realized the smell came from his hung-over mother and the numerous empty bottles around the house. Apparently, it was not considered unconscionable for parents to drink all day and all night. They thought their son was an abomination because his ideas were believed to be heresy. Phil muttered a few placatory comforts before urging Dan out of his house. He led Dan to the local playground and took a brown bag out of his backpack. The brown bag contained a slightly-crushed pistachio muffin with a single pink candle on top. Dan looked lugubrious as the muffin reminded him that his parents never celebrated his birthday. It’d be a miracle if they even remembered the correct date.

“Happy birthday, Dan,” said Phil. That seemed to snap Dan out of his trance. A broad smile covered his face and he gave Phil a big hug. They stayed like that for a few moments until Phil suggested to make a birthday wish, so Dan went and blew out the candle. He wished for his family and the people in the Blue Neighbourhood to live up to the name of their homes.