February

Issue 29

    Katie adjusted her glow bracelets and followed Trish out of the main room, leaving behind DJ Jumpstick, who called for the start of the dance contest.

    Outside, the moon smiled down through the pine trees onto the outdoor stage where DJ Mickee's music thrummed, sending pleasant vibes through Katie to beat in time with her heart.  She pushed her hair out of her eyes and took off her fluorescent orange jacket.  San Francisco nights could be chilly, but she'd worked up a sweat.

    Trish, in gothic black as usual, made her way past the gyrating crowd to the bar, and came back with a couple of bottles of water.  She offered one to Katie.

    Katie gulped a long swallow.  The night was young, only 2:00 a.m., and it'd been too long since she'd danced.  Locked away in the drug rehab center, she'd missed the music most.

    She took another gulp of water and waved to a fellow raver, affectionately called Big Dave.  

    Big Dave walked over and Katie greeted him with a hug.

    "Sure missed you, Dave."

    "Where ya been?" Dave ran his fingers through her hair.

    "Cold and lonely since I OD'd last March.  Got stuck in rehab."