Waltz of Her Life

She reached forward and pushed back a few locks of the girl's hair, wincing when she saw an ugly gash running alongside her cheekbone, oozing blood. Linda shouted "We need help here!" while her mind raced through what could be done for the poor girl. She'd only candy-striped before, on a med surg ward at County Regional, helping nurses with dressing changes. At school she'd just completed her freshman year, with introductory courses in Biology and Psychology. At the pool during the summer she'd taken a group class in First Aid, but the girl clearly didn't need CPR. "Somebody get behind her," Linda said. "Keep her head up."

An angry male voice behind them said "Clear the way people! Clear the way!" and Linda sighed with relief when she saw two blue uniformed paramedics rushing to the injured girl's aid.

Lauren yanked Linda by the arm. "Come on!" She dragged Linda along toward Seth and her cousins. When Linda turned to join them she heard the crackle and squawk of voices on walkie-talkies. They all got their tickets ripped by the ushers and ran out into the corridor to find an entrance to the arena seating.

"Wow, are you okay?" Seth said, patting Linda on the shoulder as they walked briskly along. He reached down and took her hand and Linda leaned in toward him as they ran along.

Together they skipped down steps of the arena's first level of seating and Linda realized that they were all headed to the rapidly filling floor.

"Where are we going?" she asked, still feeling light-headed and faint, especially after witnessing the spectacle near the front door.

"To the floor, baby!" Greg said. "I wanna get close enough to see the reds of their eyes."

They all found a spot in the center of the floor, near a platform containing spotlights and electronic consoles. "I can't believe what happened to that girl," Linda kept saying. She, Lauren and Jeannie sat on the floor, yoga style, while the men stood above them.

Greg said "Aw, she'll be fine. Guys like girls with a scar. Besides, I've got just the thing to take your mind off it." He reached inside his jacket pocket and withdrew a folded clear plastic bag with green grains in it.

"Oh I don't do that," Linda said, pushing her hands toward Greg in a shunning gesture.

"Are you sure?" Seth said. "You'd be the only straight one in here."

Lauren poked Linda on the arm. "You do so do it. Remember in the cafeteria? With the hash under the glass? And the bong?"