Page 61 - Contrast2016

CONTRAST - 59

wood paneled and square shaped. The customers huddled together despite the 90
degree temperature that seemed to permeate from the outside on a night in JUly.

A folk band assembled their instruments, sipped their drinks, cleared their
throats and began to play. I was eager for that night, eager for the breeze and
the potential for good jokes. You were full of energy even before the sugar. The
guitars melded into the drums, the drums melded into the voices. You bounced up
and down in the chair, almost like a child with your hands raised and your mouth in
an "0" shape shouting out affirmations. The lead singer gripped the microphone as
I gripped your arm. I imagined your skin reddening where I held.

You didn't calm, you began to sing along. The singer glimpsed at you, her
brow furrowed. Our relationship's once, but brief smooth path looked the same ...
furrowed. Sarah's cheeks were crimson. Embarrassed was a rare shade on her. She
had gotten up to use the ladies room (although I was certain she needed a respite
from the shame.) The very tall frozen raspberry lemonade was nothing but ice
crystals by the end of the night. The drummer smashed the symbols as I threw the
cup away and left you alone with the remaining lyrics.