Five Bucks Won't Dodge a Punch

My friends and I gathered at my house, excitement buzzing through the air as we prepared for the 1987 Kanaranzee New Year’s Eve dance in Parkston. The room hummed with anticipation while we chose our apparel—sparkling dresses, crisp suits, and shiny shoes—all capturing the vibrant essence of the 1980s. We fidgeted with chunky jewelry, styled our teased bangs, and applied bold makeup, eager to showcase our distinctive styles. From my boom box, Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" played, amplifying our enthusiasm. As the evening approached, the space filled with laughter and lively conversations, the thought of dancing under colorful lights and among a spirited crowd at Parkston making these last moments of preparation truly unforgettable, perfectly setting the mood for a night of dancing and friendship.

Once we were ready, we all climbed into Mom and Dad’s dependable 1978 Chevy Impala, a surge of excitement rushing through us as we bombed down Highway 37. The car’s familiar engine roared a steady pulse, reassuring us as we sped along the open road. The radio poured out a mix of popular tunes, and beneath the twinkling stars, we sang loudly, each lyric resonating into the night air. The vast dashboard, gleaming chrome details shining under the moonlight, and the seemingly endless highway created a timeless atmosphere—a flawless preface to a night brimming with dancing, laughter, and the creation of new memories.

Following a brief drive, we eagerly navigated Parkston’s streets, our eyes darting around to find a vacant parking spot. The town’s narrow lanes buzzed with activity as teenagers and young adults gathered for the dance, making the search somewhat tricky. Circling close to Main Street, the town’s center, we eventually noticed an open spot right at the curb. The location was perfect – conveniently close to the hall, promising a short walk in the cold.

Braving the biting wind that nipped at our faces and made our breath visible in the frosty air, we hurried toward the dance hall intent on arriving before the music began. The icy streets demanded cautious steps, turning each move into a careful balancing act, yet the anticipation of the warm, lively environment inside kept our spirits buoyant. As we turned the corner, the entrance’s soft golden light shone like a warm beacon amid the gray winter evening, prompting us to quicken our pace to escape the chill. Just in time, we slipped through the busy, narrow doorway, merging into a crowd filled with chatter and laughter – a shared reprieve from the cold. The immediate warmth enveloped us, a sharp contrast to the frigid outdoors, as we stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting for the main doors to open and grant us entry to the dance.

As the small entryway steadily filled with eager attendees arriving for the dance, the atmosphere grew heavy with a blend of excitement and apprehension. Each successive group squeezed through the cramped entrance, causing the crowd to press ever more tightly against one another, restricting movement and making it hard to breathe freely. I felt my heartbeat accelerate, driven not only by anticipation for the night ahead but also by a mounting sense of claustrophobia. The mingled sounds of laughter and conversation melded into a constant, noisy buzz, while now and then, an elbow jab or shove from behind heightened my discomfort and sharpened my longing for the spaciousness of the main hall just beyond the door. In that instant, the celebration’s joyful energy clashed with my personal discomfort, filling me with anxiety that I found difficult to control.

After what seemed like an endless delay, the doors at last swung open, releasing a wave of restless energy that quickly morphed into a frantic surge. Suddenly, I was jostled and pushed, swept forward by the crowd’s impatience without much regard for personal safety. During the scramble, I collided abruptly with the girl in front of me; the brief impact jolted me amid the press of bodies from all directions. Despite the momentary discomfort, the forward momentum carried me on, and shortly thereafter, I burst through the entrance into the expansive hall. At that moment, the outside world vanished, and as I looked around the vast room, the brilliant lights and pulsating music greeted me like a vivid awakening.

Almost immediately after, the girl I had bumped into appeared, her voice raised sharply in anger as she shouted, “You’re going to pay for hitting me!” This sudden confrontation took me by surprise; my heart raced as I struggled to make sense of the situation. Surrounded by her crowd of friends, her eyes burned with fury while a small group of curious onlookers gathered, their whispers growing louder. I soon understood the incident she was referring to, and although I explained that I hadn’t intended to collide with her, her anger remained strong and unrelenting. Attempting to maintain composure, I tried to defuse the tension with humor and asked, “Would five bucks cover the damage?”

Apparently, the angry woman had no sense of humor, and my flippant offer of five dollars only served to infuriate her further. What I thought was a lighthearted joke quickly spiraled into an unexpected confrontation. Her eyes narrowed, and without warning, she lunged toward me, her fury palpable. The situation escalated in an instant, catching me off guard and forcing me to reconsider the fine line between humor and offense. In that heated instant, I realized that reading the room is just as important as having a quick wit, especially when dealing with someone so clearly on edge.

I managed to escape her wrath and disappeared into the pulsating crowd on the dance floor, the thumping bass providing a chaotic soundtrack to my frantic getaway. For a moment, I felt the sweet relief of anonymity as bodies moved around me in a wild, swirling sea of lights and sweat. But the weight of her fury lingered like a shadow at my back – I knew this was far from over. Her piercing gaze cut through the darkness, locking onto me with the precision of a predator. Every beat of the music seemed to echo the tightening tension between us, and even as I weaved through the dancers, I could feel the storm brewing, ready to catch me once more. The dance floor was no longer just a place for celebration; it had become a battleground of unspoken challenges and impending confrontation.

Amid the swirling lights and thumping music of the packed dance floor, I finally spotted my circle of friends. Feeling a wave of relief, I quickly pointed out the group of women charging toward us, explaining that the lead pursuer was a woman I had accidentally bumped into, and that she and her entourage were out to get me. United silently, we danced – not merely for enjoyment but as a shield of defense – trying to keep them from reaching me. Unfortunately, our shield proved useless as the girl easily broke through. With fierce aggression, she grabbed my shirt and screamed at the top of her lungs. For a moment, the entire room seemed to pause – the energy shifting abruptly from smooth rhythm to chaotic tension. I could feel adrenaline rushing through me as her grip tightened and her primal scream cut through the guitar riff in AC/DC's "Back in Black". In that moment, I realized escaping without confrontation was impossible.

Caught in her grip, my frustration overflowed, and I lifted my hands to push her away during our struggle. The passion of our clash was amplified by the swirling energy of the crowd around us – their cheers and jeers merging into a deafening uproar. Their voices, equal parts supportive and mocking, fueled the flames of emotion inside me, making calm thought and peaceful resolution elusive. Each push and shove carried raw tension, and with all eyes on us, time seemed to stretch, as I grew more desperate.

Out of nowhere, three small blond women pushed swiftly through the thick crowd, their eyes shining with intense determination as they approached me. In that frantic, hopeless instant when my assailant held me firmly and I felt powerless, these unexpected heroes emerged like a shining light. Though slight in stature, they possessed impressive strength and quickness; moving with synchronized accuracy, they confronted my attacker, causing her to falter in astonishment. The onlookers instinctively stepped aside, making way for this impromptu display of bravery and unity. As they firmly overpowered the aggressor and brought the assault to an end, a surge of thankfulness and relief washed over me, as I fought back tears.

After my tormentor was driven away, a surge of relief flooded through me. What truly surprised me, however, was learning that one of my rescuers was a fellow Mount Marty student. Over the past semester, I had barely acknowledged her – just the occasional nod in the dormitory or brief meetings in the cafeteria line. Yet there she was – without hesitation—standing up for me at the moment I needed it most.As the crowd settled and the music returned to its steady rhythm, she shot me a knowing smile that spoke of quiet confidence and reassurance. “I’m Sarah,” she said, “don’t you attend Mount Marty with me?” Still catching my breath, I nodded, feeling thankful for her intervention and intrigued by what had compelled her to step in. In that moment, the night transformed from disorder to connection. What started as an altercation over an accidental shove unexpectedly grew into the foundation of a new friendship. Together, we joined the lively dance floor, moving in sync with the pulsing neon lights. Later, I learned that the other blonde women were Sarah’s sisters, and I felt comforted knowing they had my back.

At midnight, we welcomed 1987 with cheers and sparkling confetti. Surrounded by both familiar faces and new acquaintances, I felt a deepening sense of belonging – a reminder that in our darkest hours, we are never truly alone. With Sarah and her sisters beside me, I realized I had found an unexpected community ready to support me. The night’s earlier tension gave way to laughter, and the bonds formed through adversity began to strengthen. From that chaotic episode emerged not only relief but also hope – a chance to rebuild trust, nurture friendship, and face whatever challenges the future might hold, together.