As I nursed my Grey Goose Orange with cranberry, the drinks flowed freely amongst my friends, the birthday boy danced on tables, we all cha cha'd and swinged at the bar, poured shots and the typical raucous behavior of twenty-somethings out on the town. As the poor man's truth serum, I mean alcohol, kicked in awkward moments took place, which when sober, makes you a bit uneasy. More often than not those things said and done are forgotten by morning. Yet other things can make you feel a bit gauche.

In particular, an acquaintance started massaging my shoulders, on the sly, and not wanting to be completely rude, I let him, as my back has been tied up in knots. After a couple minutes, I was fine, but he wasn't stopping. Not wanting to feel like a complete ingrate, I let him continue, all the while trying to extricate myself from the situation. There I was, cornered in a bar booth by an overzealous masseur, with no way out. Finally a friend needed to go to the ladies room and everyone slide out of the booth and we all headed to the bar for another round of drinks. Thinking that the massage session was over as I leaned against the bar, to my chagrin he continued, and my annoyance grew, my brow furrowing slightly, a warning sign that only those in my inner circle know, that when followed by a cocked left eyebrow, means you're in trouble. Somehow, we were coerced into a cha cha, ending the touchy feely session for the evening and making me wish I'd gone home.

I know he meant nothing inappropriate, as I see him like a much older cousin or brother, and normally I feel completely safe around him, but it does make one wonder, how do you let someone you know that you are uncomfortable with what is happening, and not hurt their feelings? This situation makes me feel like an ungrateful @itch, but in truth, I felt that my personal space was invaded, even though I really didn't really say anything to make him stop.

Nothing really has changed in how I perceive him, but it does make it a bit awkward to say the least. As I walked to my car in the downpour around midnight, raindrops running down my head and soaking me through and through, all I could fantasize about was my warm inviting bed, ready to embrace and lull me into much-needed sleep, the only contact I needed last night.