December 30th. New Year's Eve eve and the day Ellen and Linda were leaving to spend the week at Ellen's mother's. So I was to be left with Brian and Angus and no females to talk about feminine things with. But that was okay since they invited us to a party this night before they left. And I'd have all afternoon to go shopping with them.
Too bad I was sicker than a dog.
I had caught a flu bug and spent my morning dry heaving in the bathroom. By late afternoon I was done throwing up but still felt like crap so I decided to skip the party. "That bites love," Linda said sitting on the edge of my bed.
"Yeah, but that shouldn't stop you two from having a good time," I said to them.
"Are you sure you can't come?" Ellen asked.
"Nah, I'd better rest."
"Alright, if you wanna join we'll be at the storage building down the road," Linda said.
"And we'll let you know of any cute guys," Ellen added with a playful smile.
"Have fun," I laughed. They left and I was alone with this big house all to myself. What was a poor girl to do? Play some Beatles records of course.
The boys told me a week prior that I could use their record player as long as I was responsible with it. Cliff had a couple Beatles albums he kept in his room so I searched there first. I found Help! and put it on.
While the song played, it dawned on me that as of that moment, George Harrison was still alive. It killed me to think he'd die soon and even more so that John Lennon was killed earlier that month.
Help me if you can I'm feelin' down
I wish I could John. I wish I could.
I walked slowly down the street toward the storage building Linda spoke about. I decided to pay a visit to the party I was missing and after putting the record away, I mustered up my strength and braved the heat outside. Though the nights were much cooler.
Fifties swing music filled the halls as people danced the night away. Everyone was so formal I suddenly felt embarrassed being in my Eeyore night shirt. Though one girl smiled and her friend thought it was cute so I thanked them for that.
It didn't feel too great being there among everyone without a familiar face so I began looking for my friends. A sea of people created quite a barrier and it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. The summer Australian heat and sweat was not helping my flu headache so I sat down at the bar stools and watched out for them. Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned to see an older guy smoking his cigarette, obviously a little tipsy.
"Whatcha doin' here?" he smiled. I didn't quite know how to answer him so I began with honesty.
"I'm just looking for my friends," I smiled secretly hoping my explanation was enough and he'd disappear.
"I could be your friend and you could find me," he flirted with a wink. Okay dude, not now. He wrapped an arm around me and played with my hair while his other hand set down his cigarette and rested on my thigh. I leaned away a little to tell him I wasn't interested but he flat out didn't care. Or didn't notice. "Ya' know, my place isn't far," he said quietly putting his face up to my ear. I figured someone out there would see my discomfort and pull him aside but no such luck. I was on my own. Panic rose in me like the first time I was here in Indiana. Losing my cool probably wasn't too accepted to do in a public place but it was hard resisting.
His hand rubbed my thigh and moved way too inward for my comfort. I leaned away again but he pulled me closer to him and began kissing my ear and cheek and, holy CRAP his breath stunk. I pushed him off using fear and adrenaline and he went farther away than I expected. Looking up I realized someone had pulled him away as I pushed him.
