Just Until It's Gone

By Karriejj

Before I start telling the story I have come to tell, I guess I feel like I need to give a little background about myself. I'm a 25 year old ER Nurse. I love taking care of people, and I love the adrenaline rush that Trauma nursing provides. Each case is different and I always have to be on my toes, ready for anything.

Despite my work in the healthcare industry, I am a smoker. Along with the adrenaline rush, there is also an enormous amount of stress that goes along with it. Peoples lives are in your hands and that alone is hard to deal with. And being a nurse in this day and age has its disadvantages. Pay is shit, the hours are shit, and the politics and red tape are shit. So, unless you're dedicated 100% and have some outlets, this job can really bring you down.

I don't even remember ever wanting to start smoking, it just kind of happened. I was on my last year of nursing school and was doing a training rotation at a local hospital during the summer. I was totally stressed and burned out that night. I had to start an IV on a patient with very low blood pressure. His veins weren't cooperating and they kept "dipping and rolling". After three pokes and several hateful comments from the patient, I had finally gotten the IV in. 

Then a very obese woman came in and I had to insert a catheter into her urethra. This is usually a pretty easy thing to do, but this womans fat rolls never ended. I had to ask for assistance from another student to hold back her rolls while I tried to find her urethra. To top it off, this woman was very 'unclean' to say the least. The smell eminating from her was nauseating. I had to hold back several gags until I finally found the right hole. I had finally reached my limit and requested a 15 minute break from my supervisor.

I walked out the ER entrance and sat on a bench in the designated smoking area. It was late in the evening or even early in the morning so the area was vacant. I just put my head in my hands and sobbed softly to myself. I heard the automatic doors open and one of the other students came out to join me. She sat next to me and put an arm around me and started rubbing my back. It felt good to know that someone else cared and could relate to how I was feeling.

About that time she reached into her pockets and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. I watched as she tapped a single cigarette out of a pack and placed it in her lips. She then lit the tip with a small bic lighter. She drew hard and her cheeks hollowed. She drew the smoke into her and then repeated another deep drag. Smoke began to stream out her nose and then she removed the cigarette and inhaled the smoke into her lungs. She held it for what seemed like forever and then with a smile on her face, she softly and slowly exhaled the smoke.

The slight summer breeze carried the exhale directly to my face. Normally, I would have moved and been disgusted by the smell, but tonight was different. The smoke smelled somewhat minty and refreshing. I found myself leaning forward trying to smell more of it before it went away.

My friend laughed slightly. "Here," she said handing the cigarette to me. It was propped between her index and middle finger.

I was embarrassed as hell. "But I don't smoke," I protested.

"It'll help, really. Just have a small puff. One won't kill you. Do it like this," she instructed. I watched as she put the cigarette back in her lips and drew on the filter. The tip glowed red and her fingers widened. As she finished drawing, her fingers narrowed again and removed the cigarette. She opened her mouth wide to reveal a swirling pool of smoke. She then inhaled the smoke, held it for a few seconds, and then exhaled in my general direction.

Handing the cigarette back to me again, she said again, "Now you try it. Come on... it'll help. You'll be amazed."

My heart was racing and I felt giddy like I was about to do something very bad. I quickly looked around to make sure no one else was coming or watching. I reached for the cigarette and spread my two fingers and took the cigarette. I knew if I hesitated, I probably wouldn't do it, so I just went for it.

I placed the filter in my lips and did as she had shown me. I drew the smoke into my mouth and then inhaled it down into my lungs. I felt my throat catch slightly but I held back the urge to cough. I held the smoke for just a few seconds and then exhaled, but it seemed as if an eternity of changes were happening in my body; my mouth was suddenly alive and flowing with saliva, my headache seemed to go away immediately, and tingles raced through body seeming to heal everywhere it ached.

"Good job, didn't even cough," she said to me reaching for the cigarette. I reluctantly but quickly handed it back to her.

Just then, another nurse poked her head out the doors and told my friend that she had a phone call. My friend nodded back and took another drag and stood. 

"Here, you can finish this, I have to get inside," she said with smoke flowing out with the words she spoke. She again handed the cigarette to me and this time I didn't hesitate.

"Thanks," I called to her. "I'll be in in a minute."

I took a second to study the cigarette. It was half smoked and the end of the cork filter was getting brown in color. Just above the filter was the word "Newport" in green lettering. I tapped the cigarette and the ashes fell silently to the ground. I placed the filter in my lips again and drew a bit longer this time. Again, my mouth watered. I inhaled the smoke into my lungs again and held it, allowing the nicotine to attach to the walls of my lungs and be carried throughout my body by my red blood cells.

As I exhaled this time, I could feel myself getting slightly aroused and wet. My senses seemed hightened and I enjoyed the feelings that were happening down there. I took one final drag and then crushed the cigarette into an ashtray that sat next to the bench. I stood as I exhaled and for the first time felt dizzy from the smoke. My body obviously wasn't used to these new sensations. I also felt some slight nausea coming on.

I purchased a Sprite from the vending machine that stood outside the ER entrance and drank half of it. My nausea seemed to disipate quickly. I walked back into the hospital to the nurses station. My friend was still on the phone. I mouthed a quick "Thank You" to her and tried to show that I was somewhat relieved. She winked at me and mouthed back, "My Pleasure".

After my shift that night, I went to the Medical Library in our hospital. I spent three hours researching the effects of smoking on a persons body. I saw picture after picture of lungs burnt to a crisp from years of smoking. I read article after article about cancer. I thought how ironic it was that something that felt so good can do so much damage to your body. I left the library that morning vowing to myself that I would never smoke again.

We'll that lasted all of about 12 hours. The next night on the same shift, I bummed another cigarette off the same girl and smoked the whole thing in one sitting. The pleasure was again there, but the unpleasant feelings were much less noticeable. I told myself that one a night wasn't going to do anything bad to me. This continued for a few weeks. I always took breaks with her and I didn't even have to ask anymore, she always just handed me her pack. I even took an extra one from time to time to have when I got home.

Towards the end of the summer, I went 'out' one night with this friend and a bunch of other nursing students. As the drinks started flowing, I found myself craving a cigarette. Previously I had associated smoking with work and had rarely had cravings when I wasn't working. All the other girls were smoking and the alcohol was making my cravings worse. So I bummed one from my friend and came out to the group.

At the end of the night, I bummed one more as I was leaving the bar.

As she handed me the cigarette, she said "Ya know, you should really start buying your own packs."

I placed the filter in my lips and dipped forward to accept her light. I double pumped the cigarette and then spoke as I exhaled. "I know, thanks for bumming to me for so long. I owe you." And with that, I left the bar trailing a cloud of exhaled smoke behind me.

That night on the way home, I stopped at a convenience store and bought my first pack and a lighter. The store didn't have any of the 'Newports' that I was used to, so I gladly accepted a pack Marlboro Menthol Light 100's as a substitute. I found these to be a little milder than the Newports, and have stuck with them ever since.

At the end of that summer, I had come out to everyone as a smoker. My friends and family were surprised and shocked. I didn't care however. I was keeping my smoking down to about 10 cigarettes or less a day, a level that I could live with. I also repaid my friend by buying her a carton of Newports which she gladly accpeted.

I still smoke about half a pack a day, maybe a little more on days when I'm not working, but I don't count anymore. But the main story I've come to tell is a whole other adventure, and you'll have to read on to learn more about that.... 

Graduation came and went. I found a job easily in my home town at one of the local hospitals. My main interest was Trauma nursing so thats where I was hired. I quickly earned a reputation for being an excellent nurse and tough as nails, able to handle any of the goriest and toughest traumas. 

After 3 years, I had become the Charge Nurse for my shift, and was heavily involved in management of the department and nursing staff. I also got involved in the local nursing union and helped negotiate several contracts. During it all, my smoking was never an issue or frowned upon. 

The stress of the hectic schedule I was keeping was beginning to take a toll on me however. I never increased my smoking as I was comfortable with the level I was at and my body didn't tell me differently. My social life was barely alive however. I rarely dated and when I did it was usually some co-worker. I didn't want to get a reputation as a slut at the hospital, so I never slept with any of them. I was working on a 2 year dry spell from sex and should have invested in Duracell, as my vibrators at home were getting a very good workout.

Flash Forward to about a two weeks ago.

One evening during a late shift, a bad car accident occured and two teenagers were brought in. The attending ER doctor took the more serious case along with another ER nurse. He asked that I take the less serious case until he could get the other stabilized. It was apparant my patient had a fractured femur. I started an IV and injected a heavy dose of morphine into the drip. As he calmed, I began cutting off his blood soaked jeans. As I pulled the jeans off, I noticed a plastic baggie half stuffed into his underwear.

I pulled the bag out and from first glances, I knew it was marijuana, and a pretty good amount as well. I turned to toss the baggie in a collection bin, but just then the victim began choking and convulsing. Blood was coming from his mouth as he coughed. Not even thinking, I called for the attending and stuffed the baggie into my scrub pants and began working on the patient.

It turns out my patient had several broken ribs that had punctured his lungs, and turned out to be the more serious of the two. At the end of my shift, I was exhausted. Instead of showering and changing, I simply headed home. The only thing that kept me awake on my drive home were two wonderful cigarettes. The first brought my tired body back to life and the second relaxed my numb brain, allowing the stress to wash away.

I stumbled into my apartment just as the rest of the world was leaving for work. I dropped my purse and bag on the kitchen table as I entered and weaved back to the bedroom. I closed the drapes and stripped my scrubs from my tired body and left them lay in a heap at the foot of my bed. I crawled under the covers at 7:45 a.m. and slept soundly.

My body woke me around 2 p.m. It was craving more nicotine and I happily crawled out of bed in response. I went to the bathroom and relieved myself , then picked up some shorts and a T-Shirt that lay on the floor and sleepily put them on. I made my way to the kitchen and dug my cigarettes and lighter out of my purse. I lit one and drew deeply as I made my way to the coffee maker. I always smoked the first of the day quickly and this was no exception. Smoke seemed to constantly flow from my body as I made the coffee in ritualistic fashion: Empty filter from previous day, put in new filter, fill with three scoops of coffee, fill carafe with 7 cups of water, pour into back of coffee maker, turn switch, start reading paper and smoke second cigarette of the day while waiting for Java!

While I was filling the carafe, I noticed a few drops of blood that I had failed to wash off the previous night from the trauma. I then remembered my scrubs that lay on the floor in my bedroom, and the blood splatters that riddled the front of the shirt. I made my way back to my room and picked up the soiled scrubs. As I did, the baggie of marijuana from the previous night fell to the floor in front of me. 

I frowned as I remembered how it got there. I picked it up also and made my way back to the kitchen. I lay the baggie on the kitchen table and tossed the scrubs into the garbage. After pouring a cup of hot coffee, I sat at the kitchen table and began pondering my find. I took a final deep drag from my cigarette and crushed it out in the ashtray. I sipped at my coffee with my trademark "simultaneous sip and nose exhale" move. I then lay the cup down and pulled the baggie closer for inspection.

Mind you, I'd never smoked pot before in my life, but had been around it in college and high school. I just wasn't the 'type' I told myself. Good grades, cheerleading, and getting high on life were more important to me at that time. But now an opportunity lay before me and I had choices to make.

I split the zip lock seam with my hands and peered into the bag. Several (5, maybe even 7) large buds lay in the baggie. The aroma made its way to my nose and I immediately recognized the pungent, skunky smell. I brought the baggie to my nose and sniffed deeper. I assumed this was good weed just by the smell and looks of it. The buds were of course green, but had purple and red colors mixed in as well. All of it seemed to be coated with a white crystalin resin, the THC I assumed.

I began to get the same nervous and giddy feeling I had when I tried my first cigarette. I reached for my pack and lit another one to help calm my nerves and clear my head. I pushed the baggie away from me as I thought and pondered my choices. 

It was as if I were suddenly in a cartoon, and a small angel and devil stood on either side of my shoulder, whispering into my ears. Angel: "You have such a wonderful career... Dont jeopordize it on a whim... It'll lead to harder drugs... Your nursing union does random testing... " And the devil countered with: "You've wanted to try this for a long time but never allowed yourself to experience the pleasure... What harm can a few tokes do... It only stays in your system for a short time if you dont use it habitually, and you can manipulate the tests, your a nurse for Christs sake... You're pretty damn lonely right now and borderline depressed... Tell the angel to Fuck Off and try a little bit..."

I drew deeply on my cigarette and let it dangle as I went to the cupboard. I retrieved one of my white dinner plates and returned to the table. I guess I had made up my mind.

I reached into the baggie and pulled out one of the buds and set it on the plate. The smoke from my dangling cigarette was beginning to burn my eyes but I continued to let it dangle, drawing and exhaling in a rythmic motion . I began to slowly pick at the bud, separating the flower of the plant from the hard stem and seeds. After a few minutes, I had successfully parted the bud and now had a rather large pile of smokeable weed in front of me. The buds were compacted a bit in the baggie and now the picked apart flower seemed twice as large as the original bud.

I tapped my finger on the table nervously. How to smoke it, I pondered. Being totally ignorant about the subject, I deduced the only way was to somehow fill a cigarette with the weed and make a crude joint. I pulled a fresh cigarette from my pack and broke the filter off. I then began to slowly roll the cigarette back and forth in my fingers while gently squeezing, looseing the tightly packed tobacco. After a few minutes of frustration with this, I retrieved a pair of tweezers from my bathroom.

I started picking the tobacco out and in no time I had cleaned it all out, leaving only the paper. Now I pondered how to fill it back up with my newly discovered friend. I again went to the kitchen and retrieved a drinking straw. I slid it into the cigarette paper and it slid in loosely. I then cut most of the straw away, leaving only about the same length as the paper. I began slowly stuffing the weed into the straw. I took a pen apart and used the ink portion to lightly tap the weed into the bottom of the straw, being careful not to pack it too tight.

My pile had only shrunk by less than a 1/4 in size and the straw was now full and ready for the next step. I slid the stuffed straw into the paper once again, leaving about an 1/8" from the bottom. I carefully twisted the bottom of the paper around the bottom of the straw. Using the portion of the pen from before, I then began to slowly push the weed from the straw into the paper. As I pushed the paper slid off the straw, now full with the aromatic weed. I had obviously filled the straw to much and some of the extra weed spilled out onto the plate. Using the pen once more, I tamped the remaineder of the weed into the cigarette, making it tighter. When I was done, I twisted the other end and took a minute to appreciate my handy work.

My mouth was dry and I was nervous as hell. I gulped the coffee which had cooled considerablly now, and then reached for a fresh cigarette. I smoked my cigarette very quickly as I gave myself some more time to reflect on what I was about to do. As I did, I noticed that my left hand had creeped down under my shorts and was slowly circling my clitoris. I was very wet and excited by the whole situation. God I was torn. I tried to convince myself that surely just this one time wasn't going to lead to any negative repurcusions.

Finally I justified it to myself. If I hated the sensation, I would of course flush it all away and never do it again. I had just come off working four ten hour shifts straight. I wasn't due to work again for 5 more days. I spoke aloud as I carried the joint, ashtray, lighter, cigarettes, coffee and tweezers to the couch in the living room. "Just until this joint is gone..." 

My half smoked cigarette shook slightly in my hands. Before me lay a joint with some fine weed. I was about to cross a very serious line, and the only thing I could think of doing was masturbating. 

I drew deeply and held the smoke as I laid back on the couch and closed my eyes. I pictured myself dressed in 5" stillehto heels, a black silk bra and matching thong. I exhaled and drew immediately again and continued my fantasy. In front of me was a man tied spread eagle naked to a four post bed frame. His large erection bobbed as I dangled a joint from my lips and drew continuously, dancing seductivley for him. 

My cigarette was burning hot, and I had to extinguish it and light another quickly. I lay back and continued pleasuring myself, slowly dipping my fingers into myself and then quickly rubbing my fingers in a circle around my clit. I could feel myself coming, and I drew repeatedly on the cigarette, holding the sacred smoke like it was my last breath. In my mind, I stradled the man and thrust onto him in one quick motion. I dug my fingers into myself as deeply as I could and exhaled a huge cloud as I came.

I opened my eyes and everything was blurry. I took a minute to catch my breath. I held my right hand steady to keep the 2" ash from falling onto my couch. I brought my left hand to my mouth and licked it clean of my juices. The salty taste was heavenly.

I finally sat up and tapped the ash into the ashtray. I took one final long drag and crushed the cigarette out, then reached for the joint.

I was shorter than my 100's length cigarettes because I had broken off the filter and twisted the ends. It was just as thick though, packed tight with the marijuana. I licked my lips and put the tip of the joint in my mouth. I loosely held it in place with my two lips and flicked my lighter to life. I touched the tip of the flame to the twisted end and drew.

When my mouth was full, I tried to pull the joint out, but the cigarette paper had stuck to my bottom lip. I flinched and the joint dropped from my mouth onto the carpet. I instinctively inhaled without knowing it right away. I quickly picked up the joint and set it in the ashtray. It wasn't until I exhaled that I realized I had actually done it. The smoke I exhaled had a bitter and harsh taste, but the smell was pleasant.

I picked up the joint with the tweezers to avoid the same mistake. As I'd seen in the movies, I decided to try and inhale the next hit directly into my lungs, keeping my mouth off the end. This time the smoke was very harsh and I began coughing spurts of smoke out of my mouth. I took another drink from my coffee and rested for a second. This time I wetted my lips completely and licked at the end of the joint to moisten it as well. I placed it full in my mouth and drew like I would from a cigarette. I filled my mouth and inhaled the smoke deeply, and then drew again, filling my lungs. I sat back and held the smoke for as long as my body allowed. When I felt my eyes were about to pop out of my head, I exhaled the gray cloud across the room.

I sat in anticipation, waiting for something to happen, but nothing was happening yet. From all my schooling and classes, I knew that onset of affects would take 5-10 minutes. I had also read that for some people the effects of the marijuana don't work the first time. My brain told me to take it easy, and let the effects come on. Somehow though, my devil voice pursuaded me to finish off the joint completely and quickly so I could at least 'feel something'. I smoked the rest of the joint in about 2 minutes. When i was finished my mouth felt a little bit dry and my eyes felt a little heavy and 'squinty'. I sat forward and released my grip from the tweezers, allowing the remainder of the joint to fall into the ashtray. I sat back and waited.

A few minutes passed and the dry mouth sensation was getting worse, and my head felt light. I went to reach for my coffee mug and I couldn't move my arm. It was the weirdest sensation. I had this quick thought that I absolutely had to get to that coffee. I forced my body forward and finally was able to grab the cup. Lifting it to my lips was a whole other arduous process however. I found I had to lower my head to the cup and with my left hand, tilt my head and mug back.

I swished the cold coffee around in my mouth for a few minutes before I remembered to swallow it. It was about that time that I knew that I was getting really stoned. I simply sat back and melted into the couch. I took note of the sounds that I heard, which seemed much more 'real'. My whole body tingled. Something inside told me that smoking a cigarette at that exact moment would be wonderful.

I managed to sit up and light a cigarette. The taste was exquisite and the effects were wonderful. I watched hypnotized as the smoke left my lips. It didn't seem to disipate in the air as it usually did, but just hang there. I waved my hands back and forth through the cloud making designs. When this one cigarette was finished, I immediately lit another one. I was enjoying this immensely.

As I drew, I reached for the remote control and decided to watch some TV. Jerry Springer came on and 'College Strippers' was the topic. I began laughing hysterically until my sides ached. My stomache began to feel very void, like it was in a vacuum. 

The short walk to the kitchen seemed like it took an eternity. I retrieved a coke and a bag of Doritoes. I spent the next three hours on the couch laughing my ass off at re-runs of Three's Company, chain smoking, and eating chips. It was one of the best times I could remember. No worries, no patients, no blood, no guts, "No Problem' Man", I said to myself in my best Jamaican accent. This sent me into another fit of laughter.

At some point I fell asleep. I woke up and it was 7:30 at night. I was groggy as hell and felt like I'd been hit by a truck. But my stoned memories were still fresh and I wasn't about to stop my little experiment. I instinctively lit another cigarette and started to clean up the mess in the kitchen and then the mess in the living room. I took a 20 minute shower and it never felt so good.

At 9:00 p.m. I was ready for more. I however didn't want to repeat the trying process of creating those 'home made joints' again. The town where I live is home to a very open minded liberal arts college, and "head shops" are fairly common. I decided that if I was going to do this right, I should get myself some type of a pipe or something. I got a fresh baggie from the kitchen and filled it with the remainder of the separated bud. I placed it in the bottom of my purse and left my apartment in search of some paraphenallia.

The closest head shop was also a music store. I passed by it every day to and from work. I pulled out front at 9:30. As I approached the door, a young attractive woman was approaching the door as well. I opened it and walked in.

"Hi," she said politely, "We're just closing up. Is there something I could help you find?"

I didn't want to just blurt out that I was looking for a dope pipe, but felt really embarrassed to tell her what I was looking for. She seemed fairly clean cut. Her hair was long and straight and she wore light makeup that was earthy in tone and very appropriate for her look. She wore a torn jeans which rode low on her hips. Her shirt was purposefully short, and revealed an interesting tattoo and peircing around her navel. She certainly didn't look the type to be a pothead.

"Something in music?" she asked.

I hesitated again, unable to really ask. She smiled and picked up on my uneasiness. "Im going to go ahead and lock the front door, go ahead and browse over there if you like." she said motioning towards a glass display cabinet.

I walked slowly in that general direction as she latched the deadbolt and turned the Open sign to Closed. From behind me I heard the familiar click of a lighter. I turned around to see her drawing deeply on a Marlboro Light 100.

"You dont mind do you?" refering to her cigarette, "Its been an awfully long day..." she said, taking a seat on a stool behind the counter.

I reached into my purse and replied, "Not if you don't mind." I held up my own pack and she nodded as she drew. 

"Please do," she said through a cloud of smoke.

As I lit up, she said, "I wouldn't have taken you for a smoker, don't look the part..."

I took this as a bit of a challenge and double pumped my cigarette for her. I too spoke as I exhaled. "Then what I've come here for will be even more surprising to you..." I tapped my fingers on the display case and pointed to the various short pipes and water bongs that were under the glass as I finished my exhale, and then quickly repeated the show for her.

A sign taped to the display case clearly stated that the pipes were intended for tobacco use only and to those age 18 and older. I giggled as I pictured an image of some middle aged woman loading a bong with 'tobacco' while she was playing bridge with the Junior League. "Oh, nice bong Ethell." "Thanks Marilyn, I prefer smoking my Merits with this.. here, take a hit!"

Her eyebrows raised, showing some interest. She hopped up from her stool and walked towards me, smiling knowingly. She flicked her growing ashes to the floor and set her Marlboro Light on the edge of the case. She reached into her pocket and removed some keys, and unlocked the display case from behind.

"For you?" she asked.

I nodded as I drew, "Yeah," I replied. "I just lucked into some 'tobacco' and want to try it the right way."

She smiled and rolled her eyes. "Thats not necessary, you're in safe company." she said. "So, you've never 'smoked' before?" 

"First time was today," I said unashamed and proud. I felt really at ease with her. "I tried to make a joint out of a cigarette... it worked but it was a hastle." I said embarrassed.

She smiled and giggled. "I know the feeling. How was it... when it finally worked?"

"Never experienced anything quite like it, I must say..." I said remembering back. I followed her lead and ashed onto the floor. She smiled and picked up her smoldering cigarette and took a final drag and then dropped it to the floor, crushing it out.

"So what are we talking about here? Bong? Pipe?" she asked very directly.

"I guess I don't know. Thats why you're the sales person." I said.

"Well, bongs are the way to go. One or two good bowls from a bong and you're there. Not much wasting. However, their big and pretty obvious... hard to travel with. Pipes are good enough and easy to conceal, but they're usually 'straight hitters' and the smoke is a bit more harsh. They both work better than joints." she said. It didn't sound like the normal sales pitch I was used to in stores.

"Show me what you'd recommend for a beginner..." I said leaning against the display case. I took a final drag on my cigarette and crushed it under my feet.

"No problem," she said happily. She reached under the cabinet and pulled out a long steel cylinder attached to a key ring, and a 14" clear acrylic bong.

"Now with the bong, your 'stuff' goes here," she said pointing to the bowl. "You fill it up with water up to about here." She pointed to a marked water line on the side of the bong. "You light the bowl and place your mouth over the top, like this, and start sucking. The water cools the smoke and the cooled smoke stays lower, towards the water. When the bowl is all burned out, or you can't suck anymore, pull the bowl out." she demonstrated the maneuver and I watched intently, getting strangely aroused.

"When you pull the bowl out, keep sucking and all the smoke will rush into your lungs in like, 1 second. Its a pretty big rush, and like I said, it doesn't take but 2 or three hits and your flying high." she said winking at me.

"Sounds cool," I said. "What about that thing?" I said pointing towards the steel cylinder.

"This," she started, "is pretty damn cool. Looks like a key chain thingy doesn't it. Well with a few twists and pulls, walla!" 

She pulled at both ends. One end popped out displaying a bowl, the other end pulled out to reveal a mouthpiece. She unscrewed it in the middle to reveal an area where one could 'stash' some of their stuff.

"Very Hi Tech," I said, giggling. "How much for them?" I asked.

"The pipe is $35, bong is $55, so $90 for both," she said.

"Shit," I said digging into my purse."I've only got $45 on me."

"Thats the cheapest bong I have, you could get the pipe..." she offered.

An idea quickly crossed my mind and I interrupted her.

"Would you consider a trade?" I asked batting my eyes at her. I was in dire need of another cigarette and I lit one up.

"Depends on what you have," she said. I had her curiousity peaked now. I looked around and then pulled the baggie from the bottom of purse and held it out to her.

"How about 6 more big buds of this stuff?" I asked. 

She took it from me and inspected the contents and then smelt it.

"Wow, this isn't from around here, very potent stuff. Probably from Hawaii. Where'd you get it?" she asked.

"It was an accidental gift in a chance meeting, thats about all I can say about it." I replied. I exhaled towards her and she smiled. "Care to have a sample?" I asked.

"Mysterious... Interesting. And no, not here," she replied. "But I've got no plans tonight. If you want, we can do some at my place and we can just hang. I don't bite... Promise."

"Lets go to my place," I replied. "I dont bite either and thats where the rest of it is if your interested in the trade."

"Sounds good," she said and placed the bong and pipe in her backpack that sat behind the counter. "We'll use the bong and if its good, I'll do the trade. If not, we'll get high and have some fun and you can keep the pipe. Maybe get the bong at another time. Sound good?"

"Sounds yummy," I said teasingly.

"Let me close up real quick and we'll get going? You driving?" she asked as she walked into the back room.

"Sure," I called after her. I drew deeply to calm my nerves. I finished my cigarette while I waited for her. She came out of the back carrying her backpack. She slung it over her shoulder and came out from around the display case and we headed towards the door.

"Im Jennifer, by the way." I said extending my hand.

"Karrie," she said shaking my hand. "Nice to meet your acquaintence..."

Epilogue 

So there you have it. Granted, it's only been about two weeks, but I've been high most of those days and I love it. After smoking that night with Karrie, I know I kind of over did it the first time. When you do a little over time, its much more pleasurable. Karrie told me 'everything in moderation' is OK. Pretty good motto.

I'll never use before work, I've promised myself that and have stuck to it. But I keep my little pipe in my glove box of the car, and on the way home, I hit it at least once. On my days off, I find that 2 good sized bong hits a couple times a day does me just fine.

I'm kind of paranoid about drug testing at work, but tomorrow at work, Im going to swipe some test kits. Karrie's store sells 'purifying' kits so you test clean. So I'll do a pre-test to make sure that indeed it's positive, and then I'll do a post test after I take the substance and see what happens. She's confident that they work just fine. And then I can keep it in my purse at all times.

I think I've made a new best friend too. Karrie and I had a great time that night she came over. She and I smoked quite a bit that night and spent the whole time laughing and talking, mainly just chilling. Turns out she owns that store. She apparantly inherited some money that she invested smartly. A year later she bought the property for a song and started the business. 

She ended up taking 4 of the buds in exchange for the bong, and left me with the rest. She and I have really clicked, and I think she might have the hots for me. We always sit very close and she's given me some great massages while we're high. She is very attractive and if I was to be with another woman, I think it would be her. She's coming over tonight again and I think I'll make the first real move. We'll see what happens.

So as I write this, I have about one and a half buds left. I've told myself that I'm not going to over do it with the pot. I'm sure that I'll just smoke the rest until it's gone.... 

The End.