There are a couple of false starts.  Tara and the others are sitting on the floor.  Things take shape, finally.  My back is visible through the cutout.  I hinge, and fall.  I delay and look away.  I lift my fingers and pull tension like taffy.

I space out and nerd out.  One of these days we’ll start that band.  In the meantime, I just crank my laptop to full volume, which ain’t much, especially considering the team of tiny tumblers upstairs.

Gonna find you and take it slowly.

I close my eyes and find the ground.  I cover my face.  I lean into the wall and slide.  The resistence is comforting.

It takes us a while to leave.  Even when I try, I can’t out-stall the master time-bender.  We head across the street for a drink.  We order the same beer, but Tara savors hers, while I bolt mine.  I’ve got a lot to learn, and I’m going to be sore as shit tomorrow.