Missed Connections

Missed Connections: Chapter 6

The bass line is hard and fast and thrums through me, loud and welcome after the soothing spa music that saturated my eardrums all week. I want a large glass of wine and to dance. And another glass while dancing.

After that, I'll wing it. Pulse by pulse, the minutes of the last few days fall from my shoulders. By the time I've reached the brushed chrome bar, I'm unable to stop shimmying my hips and bobbing my shoulders, despite sweating my makeup off.

I pull my hair up off my neck and fan myself.

"What can I get you?" Eighty-five degrees outside and not much better in here, and the bartender's wearing a black suit jacket over her black bikini top. Her neck is covered in tattoos—a welcome sight after all the organic earth-mother types I've been around at work.

"I'd like something scandalously red, please."

She grins. "I've got just the thing." She pours me a glass. "Try this Syrah."

Syrah for Sarah, yes please. The dark, intense liquid caresses my tongue, leaving an almost peppery aftertaste. "Mmm, thank you." I open my purse.

She shakes her head. "You're on Jack's tab."

"Oh." I tuck the twenty into her tip jar anyway.

She grins and moves down the bar, and I head for our table in the VIP section, grinning when I see Kelly.

I set my glass on the table. "This seat taken?"

"Sarah!" The tiny woman jumps to her feet and wraps herself around me in a hug bigger than her platinum-blond Afro. I've missed this. Not being able to afford going out is bad for morale.

"How are you?"

She moves back, still holding my hand, and pulls me to sit beside her. "I'm great." She fans herself. "Taking a break from dancing—the music's hot tonight."

I sip my wine and grin as my song comes on—a Bowie remix that's totally blown up this summer. The DJ booth is slightly to my left, up the stairs overlooking the dance floor, and Jack points at me when we make eye contact. He's like having my very own jukebox with all the best, newest music and old favorites. "Jack's the best."

"Totally. Where have you been? It's been ages since I saw you out and about. I've missed your face."

"I know. I fell off the radar and have been crashing on Pete's couch, but I found a new job, and here I am. What about you?"

"Congrats. I'm still everything. Same, same, we know my name."

I smile. "How's Meeka?"

"Oh, she's around here somewhere. We just got a dog from the shelter, and that's exactly as disgustingly domestic as it sounds, so let's change the subject." Her smile is huge and satisfied. They've been together forever, and though she acts like it cramps her style, she's the one who put the ring on Meeka's finger. "You seeing anyone? What's the new job?"