'Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try

 Melissa wasn't sure what she was getting into. She wasn't sure Riley knew either, but they had the time and enough money for a cheap flight to Denver. After all, Zelli was their friend.

"She said to come, you know," Riley reminded her that it would be great to get away. Of course, neither had gotten their flu or COVID shot. It made Melissa a bit stressed as she meant to mask up, but she wasn't used to the protocol anymore. So most of the flight she had it under her chin.

"I'm sure she's all right." Melissa kept telling Riley. Of course, she might as well be telling herself.

Zelli wasn't there to pick them up at the airport, but she gave them directions to where she was staying so they took an Uber. 

"Relax," Riley told her as she knew Melissa was growing restless, but Riley being the wren that she was, Melissa knew if something happened, Riley couldn't protect her. For the first time, this entered her mind. What if they got there and found out Zelli was in a gang?

But it was just a big old house with lots of people at the edge of the mountains elevated in the hills. Too many people for Melissa. Again, she thought of the spread of germs. She'd hate to be everybody's mother, but just what were these people up to.

There were all kinds. Guys and girls dressed as if they were training to be assassins. Melissa cringed at the thought. But Riley was so happy to meet them. She knew Riley wanted to stay awhile. Riley would look back at her from time to time, "What could possibly go wrong?"

They were welcomed with beer and pizza.

"What? No salad?" Melissa winced. She needed her veg and there was no cheese pizza. She couldn't help to be in a pout.

Oh, everyone had a good laugh at her question.

"We just work it off," Zelli's smile was open. 

Melissa was certain Zelli had changed. Was she no longer a lesbian? Zelli went to get Melissa a bottle of wine. She still remembered what Melissa and Riley liked. It wasn't beer.

Riley got Melissa to sit down in a corner with Zelli in the old living room for a talk.

"How long have you been here?" She wanted to know.  Melissa watched Riley's big-eyed enthusiasm. She couldn't possibly think of them moving in here. They hadn't even spent the night.

"It feels like a lifetime, I've never felt so alive," Zelli said with a cheerful laugh. Melissa and Riley both nodded.

Melissa wanted to whisper to Riley that Zelli might be on drugs. Before long the ganja came out. Melissa sank back on the couch. What was this place?