Inappropriate

Inappropriate 1999

Age: Twenty-Five

           

            The party had started and I could feel the pound of the base in my living room as I finished getting ready. My friends and co-workers lived downstairs and were having an end-of-the-school year party. Many of us were graduating and would not see each other for a long time, if ever again. A final gathering was in order.

           I had a few groups of friends at UW-Stout: The people I had met in my graphic design courses, my friends and co-workers at The Buck on Main Street and my three closest girl friends. Many of these people over-lapped groups and would be attending the party that night.

I was excited. I was in good shape, tan from the days when I laid in the sun, and wearing jeans with a shirt that showed a little belly-Not too much, but again, I was in good shape, so why not? Two of my closest girlfriends lived with me so they were also getting ready while we waited for the last of our foursome to arrive.

It was nice that the party was so close to my place. All we had to do was grab our beer and head downstairs. Oh yeah, I also made sure to grab my camera. Since it was nearing the end of my career at Stout, I had been capturing many, many moments on film. Of course, when I look at the pictures now I wonder why I took so many, especially when I can’t even remember the names of half the people in them.

My girls and I met at my house, took some pictures and headed downstairs. The party was hopping with people drinking and singing to Rusted Root. This was the perfect crowd for a karaoke machine but we managed without it. I also remember some guys doing keg stands, you know, a handstand on the edge of a keg while sucking on the tap. For the record, I have never and will never do one, but it is a pretty funny thing to watch.

Actually, drinking and I have never really mixed. It’s not like I never drank, I would just pay for it for the next day…or two. At this party, I had a bit of a stomachache from the beginning so I didn’t drink much at all. Instead, I nursed a beer and ended up talking to a guy I knew who frequented The Buck. I didn’t know him well, but felt comfortable enough with him since he knew my friends and he seemed like a nice guy.

We were discussing graduation and job hunting when our friend throwing the party approached us and asked me if I would go turn off my living room light. The light was apparently shining directly into his house and blinding people. I stepped outside and took a look for myself. A blinding look that is, I should have just taken his work for it.

“No problem.” I said, shaking my head trying to get my eyesight back. Then I set down my beer and made my way toward the door.

Jake, the guy I was talking to, asked if he could come with me. I saw no reason to tell him no, so we walked upstairs and turned the light off. Then, I showed him around a bit and we went back to the party. I truly thought nothing of it. The light was now off and our mission was accomplished.

Once we rejoined our friends, I met up with the girls again and busted out my camera. Yes, again with the camera. I was having fun but soon my stomach was really beginning to bother me. I decided that even though it was only midnight, I needed to say goodbye and find my bed as soon as possible.

I gave out a bunch of hugs and turned for the door. Jake stopped me on my way out and asked where I was going. I told him the stomach story and wished him goodnight. He wanted me to stay and hang out with him for a while longer, but I declined. My bed was the only thing on my mind.

I strolled upstairs and in minutes got into my pajamas, brushed my teeth and found some antacids. What in the world did I eat that evening?

My bed felt so good, I closed my eyes and got comfortable. As I was drifting off to sleep, I heard the side door open. I had left it unlocked because my roommates were still downstairs and did not have their keys. I assumed it was them until I saw a tall figure standing in my doorway.

Oh my God! It was a guy! My mind started to race. Who was he? Do I know him? Is it my roommate’s boyfriend? What should I do? My heart was racing yet the rest of my body was still. Then I heard him whisper my name. I looked over my covers as he walked into my room. It was Jake.

What the hell was Jake doing in my bedroom? I knew him but at an acquaintance level, not at a “hey come into my bedroom” level.  He said he was there to see me. I said that I could see he was here to see me, but why? I had not given him an invitation. When I said goodnight that is what I meant…Goodnight.

I told him that I wanted him to leave, that I was in my pajamas and ready for bed. He walked closer and fell onto my bed. I started to panic. What the hell was this? He moved toward me and I could smell the beer on his breath as he tried to kiss me. My arms lunged forward desperate to push him off of me. I was not successful. He was about six feet tall and thinly built but I still could not push him off of me.

“Get off!” I yelled.

He froze for a second then rolled onto the floor.

“Oh, I guess you were waiting for someone else.”

My heart was beating out of control and I could barely breathe. “I was not waiting for anyone!” I yelled. “I am trying to sleep now get the hell out of here!”

He mumbled something and tripped on his way out. I heard the side door shut and lay frozen in my bed. Did that just happen? Was Jake in my room lying on top of me? I did not know what to do next.