Disastrous Disaster

Last weekend one of my closest girlfriends told me that she’d have the week off and would be up for going out on a weeknight to the places she kept hearing me talk so much about. I was really excited that I would have someone to show new places to as well as the company. I tend to be the only real trooper that goes out consistently on weeknights and can function the next day. It also doesn’t help that I have Mondays and Tuesdays off. This leaves me to party on my weekend, and then party again on everyone else’s weekend.
Tuesday was the first night that I knew she would have to come out with me. My House hot spot had her name written all over it. While getting ready and waiting for her to arrive, she called me to let me know she was going to be a little late. My friend was in conversation with her family because of the ailing health of her great grandmother. I started to worry that she would cancel on me, but she assured me she was on her way.
So away we went, and as promised it was definitely my turn to drive. She had driven several times in the past allowing me to drink. This was her turn especially since I could tell she was down about her family news. The parking lot that is directly across from the lounge was completely empty and that made me nervous. One: it’s easier to get caught for not paying in a “Pay” lot when you’re the only car sitting there, and two: where was everyone else?
Walking in the DJ had already started spinning and the crowd was growing slowly but low key in spirit. Disappointed I couldn’t just walk in and show her want a hopping place this was; I went directly to the bar to order drinks. I figured that I could distract her with alcohol and we could wait for the crowd to arrive in the mean time. Otter Pops are so yummy and she’d never had one before. This was the place I first learned about them, and the drinks are both cheep and doubles. Free parking, free cover, cheep drinks, and House music. What more could you ask for?
Even though the dance floor was only the DJ’s crew dancing, my friend was eager and ready to dance. For once I was the one holding her back. I wanted to sit and chat. Hang out and lounge. After a couple drinks she was ready for anything and so was I. It was then that I realized that we’d never been drunk together; we’d always taken turns. This also meant I was at the end of my Otter Pops since I was driver.
Out on the dance floor we pretty much stayed once we got out there, but that’s the way we normally are. We’re both dancers and love House music. She’s always a riot and a guy magnet. I love watching them track her down, and swooping in to rescue her from time to time. We’ve always had the same sort of taste in men, but she was the one that got to date them.
On a trip back to the bar a guy I sort of recognized as a regular randomly called out, “Hey you.” Being a personal sort of greeting I stopped and looked at him waiting for what ever he might say next. He just stared at me so I moved on. Men can be so strange. They think they can get your attention and then you’ll do all the work. Sorry boys, you’ve got to work for this girl and you’ve got to do a little better than “Hey you.”
Back on the floor I tried dancing in his general area but he kept turning away from me so I moved on. That was his second chance and after that brutal of a rebuff I was certainly confused by his early greeting. I wasn’t really worried about it, it’s not like I was looking to meet someone anyway. He just would have been fun to get to know. I do get tired of going alone, and Jimmy had basically fallen off the face of the planet.
Back the guy came, this time with something to say. I gave him points for having a some what ingenious ice breaker, “I donno if you remember me from a couple weeks ago. But the last time I saw you, you were dancing with the wrong guy.” Hmmm… intriguing. We talked for a moment and I did remember him from the night I met Paul. He was the dork that had danced beside me the whole night and never made a move. When Paul finally reached over the crowd and grabbed my hand I willingly went to someone who seemed interested in me. I told that to this guy as well. Snooze you lose.
We ended up dancing and talking. He was definitely cute, and seemed like a nice guy. He was trying to corral his drunken brother who kept disappearing. I was trying to keep an eye on my friend who got caught at the water pitcher by some guy. Walking over my friend gave me the help sign and the guy I had just met took over. Moving in and claiming to be her boyfriend he had a chat with the guy for a moment and then we all went back to the dance floor. It was pretty funny, and awful nice of the guy to help out like that.
Well that’s when the night got weird. A friend of mine that had just returned from being stationed in Iraq showed up when I hadn’t expected him to and seemed less than happy that I was chatting up this other guy. My friend was starting to think too much about her great grandmother and with the influence of the alcohol, was starting to cry. With my girl crying in a corner, my boy in the other corner fuming I was torn in two directions without a clue as to how to fix it all. Both were drunk and upset. I just wanted to have a good night and go home. I remember looking at my new friend and telling him this was the exact reasons I went out alone normally.
It was after one in the morning when my two friends ended up going outside for a smoke. My guy friend had taken over caring for my girl and both of them seemed to be sobering up. That was a plus. I got a little pissed when they started talking about me but in metaphors so I had no idea what was going on. I went back to settle up my tab before the lounge closed down for the night. Talk about no one having fun. I felt like a total failure on showing my girl a good time. I got her drunk and crying. What a great friend I am!
I’m not sure that there are any lessons or deep statements that can be said for this night out. It was pretty much a disaster. Never get sad friends drunk? Never over estimate the saying bros before hoes, when a guy says he might come out? All of these could work but that doesn’t save the experience from the sad ending.