Storms by Carol Ann Harris Page B

by Julie’s side dressed in my black knee-length cocktail dress, I heard their whispers following us down the aisle. With a dismissive sniff, Julie said quietly, “Don’t mind them. They’re Stevie’s little replicas. You’ll get used to it. Believe me, I have.” I looked at her gratefully and started to relax.
    Crossing the huge soundstage, we entered a large dingy tiled bathroom. To my surprise, but apparently not Julie’s, Curry Grant, the band’s lighting director, was leaning nonchalantly against the wall. “Hello ladies. I wondered how long it would take for you to get in here.”
    Julie laughed as she walked quickly toward him. “How nice that you just ‘happened’ to be here, Curry. I was just about to offer Carol Ann a little bit of a pick-me-up. Would you care to join us?”
    With a bright smile he nodded his head and watched as Julie pulled a small bottle out of her pocket, unscrewed the top, and poured some of the powder out onto her wrist and inhaled it. A look of utter satisfaction crossed her face and she motioned for me to come to her.
    â€œJulie”, I stammered, “I don’t know if I should. I’ve never had any …”
    Curry laughed as he put his arm around me. “Hey, little girl. We’re here to corrupt you. Come on, now, give it a go.”
    Julie shot a warning glance toward him, saying, “Curry, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll get your hands off of her. Lindsey wouldn’t be pleased.”
    He dropped his hand from my shoulder as though I were on fire.
    Julie turned to me. “You’ve got to try blow sooner or later, Carol. All of us do it. It’s no big deal. It’ll make you feel great, I promise!”
    Not wanting to look stupid in front of my new friends, I eyed the bottle warily and then shrugged my shoulders. “Sure. OK. Uh, how do I do it?”
    â€œJust inhale. That’s it. The blow will do the rest.”
    So I did just that. And I waited for something to happen. Nothing did. I didn’t feel any different. With Julie and Curry watching me expectantly, I smiled and said, “Hey, great. Thanks.” They seemed to be satisfied with my response and started talking and giggling as they poured more out onto their wrists and inhaled again. They dumped another pile on my wrist and I sniffed it again. Nope. I didn’t feel any different.
    Julie looked at me searchingly, apparently no longer fooled by the smile I kept plastered on my face. “Carol, it’s no big deal if you don’t feel anything the first time. That happens a lot. We’ll do some more later. You’re gonna love it, I promise.”
    Yeah, right
, I thought to myself.
    Hearing a break in the music, Julie and I looked guiltily at each other. We were supposed to be watching! We rushed out the door and headed back to our seats. Lindsey wasn’t anywhere in sight, but Stevie was. She was waiting for me. Standing next to the chair that I’d been sitting in. With a feeling of trepidation, I sat down.
    â€œCarol, I just wanted to tell you something. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but you and I have the same birthday, May 26”, Stevie said as she sank down into the chair next to mine.
    â€œGee, Stevie. That’s weird”, I answered hesitantly.
    â€œDo you wear black clothes a lot?” she asked in a husky whisper.
    â€œYes, I do. Blondes look good in black, I think.” I tried to keep the bewilderment out of my voice as I spoke to her. Where in the hell was this going?
    â€œDon’t you see?” She beamed. “That explains everything! Black has always been my color and we were born on the same day! You know, Carol, you must be so much like me that it’s beyond coincidence. It’s almost mystical.” She was smiling now in triumph. “No wonder Lindsey would go for you!”
    Sitting in stunned silence, I didn’t know