Changing Tune

IENGAGE IN A STARE-DOWN WITH A TOILET AT SIDEKICK’S, A KARAoke bar on Montrose Avenue just east of the expressway. I squint as I try to focus on the blurry image of my cellphone at the bottom of the bowl. Through the bathroom door, I can hear a chorus of hoarse voices singing in unison: “SWEET CAROLINE! BAHM BAHM BUM …” I automatically mumble along as I plunge my hand into the cool wetness of wees past.

After quickly rinsing my phone in the sink and wiping it against my shirt, I beg my feet to balance along the edge of the dance floor leading to a stage. Two ladies dressed in matching jean jackets rap Salt-N-Pepa’s “Shoop” into a microphone. My friend Ray leans on gesture at me. I nod yes, again forgetting his name. When he delivers my beverage, I decide to go with “Thanks! Long time no see, man!”