The Beastie Boys ✨

Coney Island

It was winter of 1987, it had been about two years since the boys went on tour to promote their album, which then turned into a larger tour, with tons of other artists.

A lot has changed since the day I said goodbye. That day on the phone, Ad-Rock promised that he would be back but the truth was, none of them actually came back from that tour. They were everywhere, on newspapers, magazines, radios, in Los Angeles, in Europe and I watched them on the Grammy Awards before I fell asleep one night. I was their biggest fan. I was always happy when they were doing well but it was starting to turn out the way I thought it might after they signed with Def Jam.

They were almost broke, and stuck in a legal battle with their record company. They weren't getting paid and rumors were flying. From what I understand, Ad-Rock went off to LA to star in some movie, Mike was back playing drums with a former band and Adam called me from a friend's house a few weeks ago. He was trying out some musical experiment with a few buddies and would be back around the neighborhood soon. It was a good thing that they were all doing something they enjoyed, they have always been artists, but it was sad everyone was off on their own at the moment.

Adam called at least twice a month to check up on me and my Dad, to tell me stories of the things going on in his life and just to make sure we were keeping in touch. I didn't talk to Ad-Rock much and I spoke to Mike less.

These days I couldn't really spend time dwelling on the past. I had an apartment over near Coney Island and a full time job working for an Attorney.  The pay was pretty good and it was enough to live on. I had to move on with my life after my Dad started using again. He was just going through a cycle now, just finishing up rehab and staying in a half-way house about 25 minutes from here.

I unlocked the door to my apartment and kicked off my black heels. I was ready for a Friday night in, on the sofa, with a good movie. I was exhausted after a long work week. I saw the red light blinking on my phone, telling me that there was a message on the machine.

I pressed play.

"Olivia, It's Bree. You HAVE to get ready and come out with me tonight. Freddy said that there is a killer band playing down at the 3 Club and I could really use some girl time. So, when you get home, get ready and meet me down there at 8. See you soon!"

Yes, Bree was still my best friend and we both got the hell out of Mixers. She was working as a General Manager in nice clothing store, which is where I did all my shopping for work and it wasn't only because of the discount.

I groaned.

I was going on 24 years old but I was pretty content with my life at the moment. Going out was the last thing I wanted to do tonight but it had been weeks since I enjoyed myself out on the town. We may be moving up in the world but we weren't too old to party yet.

The time on the oven said 6:30 p.m. If she wanted me to meet her there by 8, I had to get a move on. I was able to shower quickly because I didn't need to wash my hair. I had been wearing my hair straight lately, so it was easier to manage. I looked at myself in the small bathroom mirror, my dark hair fell over my shoulders, I applied a light coat of makeup and smoothed red lip stick carefully on my lips.

I threw on a simple black cotton dress that hugged my waistline but flared at the bottom and kept it simple with a pair of black boots. I grabbed my small clutch and I was out the door.