Good Friend Waiting This was the night I went to an out-of-control house party. Some young pup said it was advertised on local punk message boards, so there were kids of all ages and drugs of all sorts. Me, I had my usual two bottles of pre-mixed whiskey, that way I couldn't drink more than I should. Someone else would have benefited from that same forethought.

While local hardcore punk bands raged in the basement, some kid no older than 12 was being fed drink after drink by some older guys. He had a friend with him that he wouldn't listen to, a friend that couldn't find him later on. He looked everywhere, asked everyone. I didn't know where the kid had gotten to either.

Later on, when the crowd first began to thin, someone found the kid passed out behind a couch. His friend was sitting next to him, patient, keeping the troublemakers away. Sometimes the best thing a friend does isn't even noticed.  ¶ 7:59 AM