Good Medicine Sophomore YearChapter 4 A Father s Advice
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September 19, 1982, McKinley, Ohio
“Mishka!” Tasha gushed when I called her on Sunday afternoon. “How are you?”
“Good. How are things in West Monroe?”
“You know nothing changes here. Church is the same. School is the same. Home is the same. And you?”
“School is about the same as last year, but I’ve made some new friends.”
“I want to meet them! Do you think Sasha and I could visit in two weeks?”
“If your mom and dad approve, yes.”
“They will, so long as I bring Sasha. She promised not to bother us if we want to be alone.”
“Until she uses it for blackmail!”
“She wouldn’t!”
“She’s a little sister. I guarantee she’ll keep that information until she needs something from you. THEN she’ll remember, and you’ll have to do what she wants or get in trouble with your parents!”
“And you know this because of your sister?”
“I never did anything that would get me into trouble that Liz knew about!”
“And what did you do that Liz DIDN’T know about?” Tasha teased.
“Had my hand on your wonderful breast underneath your bra!”
“Mishka!” Tasha squealed.
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Yes. But please don’t talk about it!”
“Why? Because it makes you think about it?”
“Yes!” she hissed. “And it makes me tingly! Please stop.”
“When did you want to come visit?” I asked, deciding to have mercy on her.
“Perhaps in two weeks on Saturday?”
“That would be October 2nd,” I said, looking at the calendar. “Let’s plan on that.”
“Good! We’ll leave home around 7:30am, right after breakfast.”
“Then I’ll see you between 8:30am and 9:00am! I’m looking forward to it, Natalya Vasilyevna!”
We said ‘goodbye’ and I hung up, then went to join the gang for a game of touch football in the grassy area next to the dorm.
September 20, 1982, McKinley, Ohio
“Do you think I should have told them?” Clarissa asked on Monday afternoon as we walked back to the dorm following Western Civ.
“You mean because of Robby and Lee?”
“I just felt like a phony sitting there and not saying anything.”
“Eventually, if you want to have a girlfriend, it’s going to come out. Well, unless you completely hide your relationship from everyone. And I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I wasn’t planning on dating anytime soon.”
“I’m not dating anyone seriously,” I said with a silly grin.
Clarissa laughed, “No, you’re having ‘stress relief’ sessions with Sandy and ‘cuddling’ sessions with Sophia!”
“That does have advantages, yes.”
“But aren’t you seeing Katy pretty much every Friday?”
“Yes, but we cooled things off because neither of us was ready to make any kind of commitment.”
“And Tasha?” Clarissa asked.
“More complicated because she expects us to be married not long after she graduates.”
“Would you want to marry her?”
“This was the kind of thing I was hoping to avoid worrying about for a few years.”
“Aren’t you leading her on?”
“I’m not sure there’s anything I could do except tell her I never, ever want to see her again that would change her belief. She knows I’m seeing other girls, but sees them as weak competition.”
Clarissa laughed softly, “She’s seventeen?”
“She felt they were weak competition from the minute I first asked her out! She’s a very determined, self-confident Russian woman! You’ll see when you meet her in two weeks.”
“How are you going to handle THAT?”
“What? She and Angie have met, and Tasha isn’t staying the night. In fact, her little sister, who’s fifteen, has to be with us at all times.”
“That kind of puts the damper on things, doesn’t it?”
“Which is exactly why her mom and dad insist on it.”
“So back to my question...”
“I guess it depends on whether you want people to know at this point.”
Clarissa sighed, “What I want is someone to cuddle with, but I don’t want the hassle.”
“I’m not quite sure how to resolve that contradiction,” I said.
“Neither am I.”
We arrived back at the dorms and Clarissa dropped her books in her room then joined me in mine. She sat down on the couch next to me and sighed. I considered what do to and put my arm around her shoulder and gave her a ‘sideways’ hug, then moved my arm again.
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m glad you’re my friend.”
“And I’m glad you’re mine. I wish I could help you, but I have the wrong anatomy!”
Clarissa laughed, “True! But I sure don’t mind the occasional hug. The girls hug all the time and nobody says anything. It’s not the same for Robby and Lee, obviously.”
“No. They’d risk being beat up, or worse. When you need a hug, just let me know.”
“You seemed to know just now, and it was perfect.”
Sandy, Angie, and Sophia came in just then, and Robby and Lee arrived a couple of minutes later. Our little group was gelling very nicely, though I wished Jason and Pete had more time to hang out, but they spent a lot of ‘close, personal time’ with Fran and Tracy.
“Yo! White Boy!” Clark called out when he came in. “Did you see the message from the sweet young thing?”
“No. Which one?”
“The sweet young thing with the cracker for a dad.”
“I didn’t check the message pad when I came back.”
“She asked you to call her. If you don’t, I will!”
I chuckled, “Got a death wish now?”
“Who’s going to tell her dad?”
“I meant Amy!” I grinned.
Everyone else laughed and Clark went into his room. He was back out a minute later, and sat down on the couch with Angie, Clarissa, and me.
“Did she say what she wanted?” I asked.
“Beside a good dose of Clark? No.”
Everyone laughed again.
“How are classes going, Clark?” Sophia asked.
“Econ and stats are my life. I’d much rather spend my time doing math than those lab reports you guys do!”
“Those suck!” Fran declared, coming to the door. “Have any of you seen Jason?”
We all shook our heads.
“He should be with Pete,” Clarissa said. “They have computer science when Mike and I have Western Civ.”
“Maybe they went to the computer lab,” Angie said. “Kelly, my roommate, goes to the lab right after class. I didn’t see her when I came back from class, and she’s usually back first because the science building is closer than the humanities building.”
“Now there’s a place you’ll never catch me dead!” I declared. “Come in and sit if you want.”
She sat on the end of the couch, next to Sophia.
“You should consider at least taking the basic course,” Clark countered. “Even if you never, ever need to program a computer, you’ll learn a lot about how they work. I bet a few years from now computers are really going to start taking off in medicine, even if it’s just to keep medical records. We’re using them in stats and econ to do calculations with spreadsheets that would take forever even with a calculator.”
“I’m trying to reduce stress!” I protested. “I HATE those infernal machines! I was so frustrated in the course in High School.”
“Things have changed a bit in the last couple of years. There are lots of programs that can be very useful. Seriously, Mike. At least take one class so you aren’t completely clueless. Heck, you could use a program called Electric Pencil on the TRS-80s they have in the lab to do your lab reports. Think about being able to make corrections and then print it out when you’re ready.”
“I think we might want to consider that,” Clarissa said. “What do you think, Fran?”
“I’m game. Our school didn’t have any, but I think Clark might be right.”
“That might be the first time I’ve ever heard anyone say ‘right’ and ‘Clark’ in the same sentence!” Sophia teased, causing everyone to laugh.
“You got THAT right, Sophia!” Amy laughed, coming into the room and sitting on Clark’s lap.
“You know, there are plenty of other girls around here!” he said.
“Who do what I do for you, honey?” she smirked.
I couldn’t say so, but I was pretty sure there WERE other girls who did for Clark whatever it was Amy was implying. He’d ‘entertained’ several girls since the start of the school year, and I wasn’t sure if Amy knew about them or not. But that was their business, not mine.
“I don’t think we need the answer to THAT question,” Robby laughed.
“So, what do you think, Mike? Computer elective next Fall?”
“I guess,” I sighed.
Pete and Jason showed up a few minutes later, and they had, indeed, gone to the computer lab to finish an assignment. The rest of the gang assembled soon after and we all headed to the cafeteria for dinner.
After dinner, when the study groups gathered, I took a few minutes to call Emmy.
“What’s up?” I asked when she answered.
“I wondered if it would be OK to come visit? You know, just to talk and hang out.”
“What about your dad?”
“He and mom are going away for the weekend. I thought maybe I could come up on Saturday. I could bring Liz if she wanted to come.”
“If it’s cool with my parents and you’re sure you won’t get in trouble, then sure, come hang out with us.”
“Awesome! Thanks, Mike! See you Saturday!”
“Just you and Liz, Emmy. Please don’t bring Mindy.”
Emmy laughed, “OK. I’m sure Liz will be OK with that. She’s STILL pissed at Mindy for coming into your room that night!”
“I wasn’t exactly happy, either. See you Saturday!”
We said ‘goodbye’ and hung up, and I went to join the study group.
September 23, 1982, McKinley, Ohio
“Hi, Mike!” Milena called out from the piano when I walked into the room for my lesson on Thursday.
“Hi!” I replied, setting down my guitar case and my satchel with my sheet music.
“Mom had to cancel at the last minute. She suggested we play together for an hour instead. Want to play with me?”
I decided to play along, at least a bit.
“So you want me to finger you?” I asked with a silly grin. “Is that it?”
“I bet you could play me like a piano!”
“And you could play me like a flute?”
Milena laughed, “Nice! So, UP for it?”
“I think we should stick to piano and guitar,” I said. “We might get in serious trouble fooling around in here.”
Milena nodded and sighed, “More than you realize.”
“Oh?”
“Mom’s at a disciplinary hearing right now. Her top violin student is going to be expelled.”
“Expelled? Why?”
“Banging the dean’s thirteen-year-old daughter when he was supposed to be teaching her violin is NOT a good life plan, Animal House notwithstanding.”
“Holy crap! I take it the hearing is just a formality?”
“Pretty much. They have to report it to the cops, too. I’m not sure he realizes that.”
“Twenty years, easy,” I said.
Milena nodded, “I agree. If she had been fifteen, they probably just would bust him for statutory, and give him a couple of years, if not just probation. He’d still have been expelled, of course. But thirteen? They’ll throw the book at him.”
“I know what the law says, but was she a willing victim?”
Milena laughed, “Willing AND enthusiastic, according to his statement. I’m not surprised, really. I was thirteen, though it was the day before I turned fourteen. She did it ON her thirteenth birthday. And my guy was fifteen, not twenty-three. A BIG difference.”
Shades of Liz and Paul, but I couldn’t really say that out loud.
“Well, shall we play and sing?” I asked instead.
“Sure I can’t talk you into fingering ME instead of the guitar strings?”
“I’m flattered, but no.”
“Then let’s get started.”
“Which dean, if I’m allowed to ask.”
Milena laughed, hard, “Parker. Serves her right, too, for all the trouble she’s caused!”
“You don’t like her politics?”
“Not even close. I don’t need anyone giving me special chances because I’m female. I just have to be better than the guys. Fortunately, that’s not difficult!”
I laughed and took out my guitar and sheet music, and we began playing. We worked together for about forty-five minutes before her mom arrived.
“Hi, Doctor Blahnik,” I said.
“Hi, Mike.”
“How did it go, Mom?” Milena asked.
“Just as we expected. They expelled him and had a police officer waiting to arrest him when he left the hearing room. Such a waste of fantastic talent.”
“And really dumb,” Milena said. “What did Dean Parker say?”
“I got an earful from her about male students, just as I expected.”
“But Stacey basically attacked him! She even said so! Heck, I knew she was hot for him when she started her lessons a year ago!”
“It doesn’t matter from a legal standpoint, or from the school rules, and Dean Parker refused to accept that her ‘precious angel’ did anything wrong. Mike, I know she was gunning for you, so just lay low.”
“I avoid her like the plague,” I countered. “Doctor Norris said she’s still after his honors program, but that’s not aimed at me personally.”
“She’s going to make a political issue of this, though I’m not sure which route she’s going to go.”
“Wonderful.”
“How did your practice session go?”
I shrugged, “OK, I guess. Milena?”
She smirked, “He wouldn’t play with ME, so we played piano and guitar. He’s doing very well in that regard. The other? I don’t have any way to judge!”
Doctor Blahnik laughed, “Ignore her, Mike, she’s been like that since she was a teenager! And, Milena, that’s probably one thing Dean Parker is going to try to crack down on. You’re a graduate student and a TA, and Mike’s an undergrad.”
“Fuck her!” Milena growled. “It’s none of her business who I fool around with!”
“She’s going to make it her business,” Doctor Blahnik said. “You know we put the faculty/student rules in place two years ago which said students couldn’t date professors who had any educational relationship. Now, because of Alan, she’ll get the rules changed again. You know we barely fended off her attempt to change the sexual assault rules to presume guilt rather than innocence.”
“You know what she needs?” Milena asked. “A good hard fucking by John Holmes!”
Doctor Blahnik laughed, “Milena...”
I obviously looked confused, because I was.
“A porn star,” Milena smirked. “He was in a movie called Insatiable a couple of years ago and has a twelve-inch penis. And it’s almost as big around as a Coke can!”
I knew I was big, but THAT seemed impossible.
“No way!” I chuckled. “It HAS to be camera tricks. In anatomy they said the average size is between five and six inches!”
“It’s no trick, Mike,” Doctor Blahnik laughed. “Ask Doctor Curtis when you take your anatomy class. There are extremes!”
I shook my head, “Unreal.”
“Never seen a pornographic movie?” Milena asked.
“No. And I’m not sure I’d want to.”
“Well, forget about that. Would you play your practice pieces for me before you leave?” Doctor Blahnik asked. “I won’t charge you for today’s lesson, obviously.”
I played the pieces and accepted her critique, then packed up my guitar and sheet music. Milena followed me out of the classroom.
“So?” she smirked.
“What?” I asked.
“How big is YOURS?” she teased.
I chuckled, “«Это государственная тайна, товарищ»!”
“«Ты говоришь по-русски?»”
“I guess you do, too,” I answered in English. “My mom is Russian, and I attend a Russian church. Where did you learn?”
“Growing up in Czechoslovakia it was the best option for a foreign language besides English.”
“That makes sense, given the situation in Eastern Europe.”
“So?” she asked with an arched eyebrow.
“Milena...” I sighed. “I like you, a lot. But this isn’t going to happen. And your mom just gave us a good reason not to, even if I decided to take you up on it.”
“I’m guessing you weren’t in band or drama in High School.”
“No, why?”
“Everyone fools around with everyone else. I had a LOT of fun in High School!”
“I bet!” I laughed. “My High School experience was pretty tame.”
“And your college experience?”
“I’m not complaining.”
“See you next week? And at the Halloween party?”
“Absolutely.”
She smiled and turned around when I went out the door of the building to head back to the dorm.
September 25, 1982, McKinley, Ohio
“Do you have some time to talk privately?” Liz asked when she and Emmy arrived on Saturday morning.
“It’s cool, Mike,” Clark smirked. “I’ll entertain Emmy while you two talk!”
I rolled my eyes and took Liz’s hand and led her to my bedroom. I shut the door, and we sat cross-legged facing each other on my bed.
“I can tell that nut, Doctor Orosco, you took me to your bed!” Liz laughed.
“Please don’t even joke about that,” I said shaking my head at the very distasteful memories.
“Sorry. I could never convince her just how gross I thought it was to even THINK about, let alone do.”
“Well, forget that «сука»! What’s up?”
“I want to see Paul,” she sighed.
“That’s probably the worst idea I’ve heard in a long time.”
“I still love him, Mike. I loved him from the start and I never stopped.”
“I’m not sure you COULD see him. You aren’t his daughter, and I suspect you have to be eighteen to visit someone in prison. Not to mention I don’t think they would let a victim visit in this situation.”
“You won’t help me?”
“I’m not sure how I could help you,” I said. “And if I did, Mom and Dad would kill me. And I think it’s a really, really bad idea. He’s in jail for nearly three more years. You’ll be eighteen then, and I guess if you really wanted to see him, you could.”
“I want to write him, but I need someplace for him to send a reply. I can’t use our address, or my friends, because their parents would tell Mom and Dad. Could he send a reply here?”
February 27, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “Father, Angie had to withdraw from school for health reasons, and she’s gone home to Cincinnati.” “Lord have mercy! I didn’t realize she was ill! Do you have her home number?” I nodded and handed him a piece of paper, “You might want to speak to her mom first.” He nodded, “I’ll do that. She’s aware of Angela’s intention to be chrismated?” “Yes. They helped her find a church in Loveland to attend last Summer when she was home. They’re supportive, but...
February 5, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio “I owe you an apology for earlier. Not for what I said, but how I said it.” “And I owe you one for interfering in something I shouldn’t have.” “I’m going to need to talk to Dad, too,” I said. “But again, only for walking away, not for objecting to his classification of April as not being a ‘nice’ girl.” “I thought for a moment you were going to say, ‘make Mom’ instead of ‘make me’.” “For a moment, I was. But at that split second good sense overcame my...
May 9, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “Is something wrong?” Kristin asked on Monday morning. “What do you mean?” “It just felt as if you were somewhere else last night when we were fooling around.” I had been, because once my sleep deprivation was past, I had basically obsessed on the bishop’s comment about ‘choosing’ and the myriad of possibilities I had to choose from, AND the potential problems each of them might create. What he had said about serving at the cathedral and in other parishes only...
June 12, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “What’s going on between you and Jocelyn?” Mom asked when I returned upstairs after talking to Dad. “I thought that was obvious,” I smirked. “Or did you want details?” “Pass,” Mom laughed. “But seriously, Mike, what’s going on?” “We love each other. We had a long, long talk about everything and this is what we want to do. We’re not going to marry; we both understand that. And I’m not going steady with Melody.” “Do you love Melody?” I shrugged, “I have no...
January 29, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “These cookies are excellent!” I took another bite and washed it down with a bit of hot cocoa. “Believe it not, it’s just the ‘Toll House’ recipe!” Kristin said. “I’m glad you like them.” “You liked my songs?” “Oh man, those love songs made me shiver! You must have really loved her.” “I did, and I still do, but it doesn’t really matter now.” “I guess not,” she said quietly. “Why pick me to sing to?” “I saw a pretty girl who didn’t have a guy with her,”...
January 13, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “Mike?” I heard from behind me. I was sitting on a bench under a tree while snow fell around me. I wasn’t wearing a hat or coat or gloves because I hadn’t put them on when I’d walked from my room. I’d wandered around for a bit, then sat down on a bench near the edge of campus. “Mike?” the voice repeated, but I didn’t respond. I was still reeling from the pictures Jocelyn had sent me. It wasn’t that she was having sex, apparently, with a bunch of different...
June 6, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “Jos,” I sighed. “It’s not that simple.” “Isn’t it?” “Come on! You know that would end things between Melody and me!” “I believe Melody has been good for you, but is she THE ONE? Wait! Don’t answer. If she was, you wouldn’t be dating Tasha and Katy, and you wouldn’t still be carrying a torch for Angie.” “Angie is just a friend,” I protested. Jocelyn smiled, “I’ll take that wager anytime you want to make it. You can answer my first question now.” I...
August 20, 1982, McKinley, Ohio “Mike Loucks,” I said to the young woman at the desk in the brand-new Rickenbacker dorm. She flipped through the manila envelopes and pulled out the one with my name on it. “Your room key, a sticker for your ID to update it for this year, a new student handbook, and your parking sticker,” she said. “Parking sticker?” “The lots are all numbered now, and you can only park in the lot you’re assigned to. Yours should be next to this dorm.” “What about...
September 14, 1982, McKinley, Ohio “How did your parents fight?” Doctor Hart asked. “They didn’t,” I replied. “Whenever my dad disagreed with my mom, he went to his workshop in the basement.” Doctor Hart smiled, “OK, perhaps I should have phrased that better. How did they resolve conflicts?” “Just as I described.” “And after he hid in his workshop?” “He basically stayed there until he accepted that my mom was right, then went to make up. Do NOT ask me how!” Doctor Hart laughed, “The...
March 25, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio “I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to talk to you earlier,” I said to Mom when I arrived home. “I understand. You’re home a bit early.” “There really wasn’t anything playing at the movies we wanted to see. We’re going to have breakfast tomorrow and spend the day together. We’ll be at Vespers, though to prevent any explosions I’ll drop her at home so she can come to church with her family.” “I talked to your grandfather on her behalf,” Mom said. “I think...
October 16, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “I had the weirdest experience today.” “Oh?” Mom asked with an arched eyebrow. “I stopped in to see April. She was nursing Chastity. Later, April let me hold her. I was just blown away by the whole experience.” “Babies change your life in many, many ways.” I nodded, “It was like scales fell from my eyes. You know, things I knew intellectually but didn’t really understand.” “Care to share?” “Let’s just say my views on female anatomy changed a...
January 1, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio “Good afternoon, Father Deacon,” I said. “Good afternoon, Mikhail Petrovich. Sit down, please.” Tasha and I exchanged a look and we sat down on the settee, but with about a foot of empty cushion between us. “I would like the truth, Mikhail Petrovich. Have you and Tasha been behaving inappropriately?” That was a good question to which ONE answer was ‘yes’, but another answer was ‘no’. I was reasonably certain he was asking the second question, not the...
April 3, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “Hi, Mike!” “Hi, Mrs. Landers.” “Come on in. Nancy is putting the finishing touches on dinner.” I hadn’t said anything to Nancy about my fasting rule because I didn’t want to create any issues with their Easter dinner. “Thanks!” “Your Easter isn’t for another month, right?” she asked. “May 8th, though our service starts about 10:30pm the night before.” “We went to midnight mass when I was little, but Nancy and I prefer the first morning mass at 5:30am....
July 23, 1982, Circleville, Ohio “I’m sorry I missed our date late Friday,” Katy said after greeting me with a kiss and letting me into the house. “That’s the fourth time you’ve apologized! I accepted your apology when you called to tell me, and for that, you don’t have to apologize! How is your grandmother?” “No change since we spoke on Wednesday. Mom is still there, so it’s just Dad and me. He’s out with his friends tonight, so we have the run of the house. I figured we’d cook, eat, use...
January 25, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “You won’t believe what happened on Sunday,” Dale laughed. “What?” “You know Pam’s roommate? The hot cheerleader chick?” “The one you’ve been drooling over since day one?” “Yeah, but I think I have to reconsider. Liking her appears to be VERY dangerous!” “What happened?” “Remember how I said she was dating a guy, even though she was hung up on a guy from Chicago?” “Sure.” “I found out Pam dated him at one point, too! The guy is a legend! Anyway, he...
July 25, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “Hi, Angie, it’s Mike,” I said when she answered the phone on Sunday afternoon. “Mike? We just talked during the week! What’s up? Is there a problem with me coming to visit in two weeks?” “No, not at all. I wanted to talk to you about the problems I’m having with Jocelyn.” “Uh-oh. Did something bad happen?” “You could say that,” I sighed. “Do you have time to talk? This won’t be a short conversation.” “For you? Of course!” I explained, as best I could,...
February 7, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “Hi!” Kristin gushed when I went to her room just after lunch. “Come in!” I walked into her room and she offered hot cocoa, which I accepted. We sat down on the couch. “Sorry I ran out of cookies. Mom will send more in another week or so.” “I’ll need to run an additional lap every morning to make up for the extra calories!” “I go to a dance class three days a week to keep in shape. I heard you’re into karate.” “Yes, I go three times a week as...
August 28, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “Duh!” she laughed softly. “I’m in your bed! What do you think?” “I think you need to go back to my sister’s room before she or my parents find out and kill both of us!” “Come on, Mike! I want to do it with you! Don’t you want to do it with me?!” She was cute and had a great body, but the LAST thing I needed was ANY kind of relationship with Mindy, even one where I only did what I’d joked with my mom about doing — banging her like a drum! “Just go,...
September 12, 1982, McKinley, Ohio “Hi, Jos,” I said when her roommate called her to the phone. “Hi. How are things?” ‘Shitty!’ I wanted to say, and not in Russian. I also wanted to tell her I missed her and wanted to see her, but saying that might only make things worse. At this point, though, I wondered what ‘worse’ might be. “OK. How are you doing?” “I’m getting used to the routine and how different things are here from West Monroe.” Her answer was flat, and she sounded...
October 8, 1982, Circleville, Ohio “I want to, yes, of course; but we reset things for good reasons. Why the change?” Katy got up from the couch and sat back down in my lap, draping her arms over my shoulders. “I wanted to from the minute I saw you naked. I’ve dreamed about what it would be like.” “I felt the same way when I saw you naked,” I said. “Well, even before, when you first let me touch you. But I can’t promise you anything right now, Katy.” She sighed deeply, then moved her...
October 16, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio After my talk with Mom, I went to find Liz, and invited her to sit on the floor of my room to talk. We sat side-by-side, leaning against the bed. “Why in here and not in the basement?” I felt it was my duty to warn Liz, as my sister, of the way voices carried through the heating ducts. Mom had told me, in confidence, but I couldn’t in good conscience keep that vital piece of information from Liz. “Because voices carry through the heating ducts,” I...
November 13, 1982, McKinley, Ohio “So, what do you want to do tonight?” Nancy laughed, “As if you have to ask!” “I mean BESIDES that!” “How about we grab some dinner and then see The Man from Snowy River. It’s an Australian film and it’s had excellent reviews. Then we can come back here.” “Dinner and a movie, sure. The other thing? Let’s not move so fast, OK?” “We’ve done it before...” “Yes, we have. Remember that I gave you a choice? I think you immediately figured out what the choice...
November 29, 1982, McKinley, Ohio “Now that you’ve had a night to sleep on it, what do you think?” Sandy asked, snuggling close. “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to ask you?” “Probably, but I thought you might have changed your mind or had more of an idea what you meant.” “I asked my mom if there was anything wrong with marrying a friend.” “Me?! Have you lost your mind?” “A long time ago!” I chuckled. “Probably about the time the heavy doses of testosterone started coursing through my body...
January 2, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio When I arrived at church on Sunday morning, I was pleased to see Deacon Vasily with Father Herman, saying their entry prayers. I stood quietly in the nave while one of the acolytes, a Junior in High School, lit the oil lamps and ensured everything was properly arranged in the altar. As I stood there, I wondered what would happen when Tasha arrived. Where she stood would speak volumes about what had happened the previous evening when they had missed...
March 8, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio “You don’t look happy, Mike,” Mom said when I greeted her after arriving home. “Tasha and I had a serious disagreement.” “Uh-oh. Because of her dad?” I shook my head, “No, it’s way more complicated. We can talk after dinner if that’s OK.” “Sure. Your sister and her friends are up in her room.” “The tradition I started?” I grinned. “Exactly. You had Jocelyn and Dale at every birthday celebration from the time you were in second grade. And before that,...
December 18, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “Don’t you want to give this to Jocelyn directly?” Mrs. Mills asked. “Want to? Sure. But she made it clear she doesn’t want to see me. I’m half-expecting her to return the gift unopened.” “Not if I have anything to say about it!” she replied firmly. “Please don’t force the issue,” I pleaded. “Whatever is wrong with Jocelyn isn’t going to change because you pressure her. In fact, that might actually make things worse. “I’m not sure they could be worse...
December 27, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “I’m tempted, but not tonight. I’m not saying never, but not tonight.” Janey frowned, “Nothing I can do to change your mind?” “Remember what I said about slow but sure.” “Can I see you again before you go back to Taft?” “Maybe Friday?” “Sure.” “We’ll talk at work. You work every day, right?” “Yes. How about another kiss?” I smiled and pulled her closer again and we exchanged another soft French kiss. “Good night,” I said when we broke the kiss a...
February 4, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio “Emmy?! What are you doing here?” “She came to talk to me,” Liz said quietly, from behind me. “OK. Is there anything I can help with?” “No.” “You know, if her dad finds her here...” “I know. Just go upstairs, OK? I’ll come talk to you later.” I nodded and went upstairs. The door to my parents’ bedroom was closed, and I didn’t see any light leaking from under the door, which meant they were most likely asleep. I stopped in the bathroom to brush my...
October 26, 1982, McKinley, Ohio When we returned from biology lab on Tuesday morning, a large group was milling around the entrance to the dorms. I saw Melody and walked over to ask her what the issue was. “The police busted Jeremy for pot,” she said. “Nobody can go into the dorm right now.” “What? For one or two joints? I thought they decriminalized pot.” Melody laughed, “One or two joints? You’re joking, right? He’s the main supplier in our dorm! How did you not know that?” “Because I...
January 21, 1983, McKinley, Ohio I still hadn’t decided on the answer to Clarissa’s final question when Angie and I went to run on Friday morning. One thing I was reasonably sure of was that saying ‘no’ would likely be equivalent to saying, ‘not yet’. Milena and her friends didn’t seem likely to withdraw the offer anytime soon, though they would all complete their Master’s or undergrad degrees in May. But that wasn’t the thing which was in the front of my mind. What was foremost was what...
January 21, 1983, McKinley, Ohio Light snow was falling as Angie and I left Doctor Blahnik’s house to walk back to the dorm. “That was fun,” Angie said. “Sorry about the minor indiscretion.” “It’s OK, Mike. Why would she assume otherwise? She knows we run together, pray together, and go to church together. Why do you think everyone calls me ‘Mrs. Loucks’?” “But still...” “She’s just very open and a lot of fun. I wish more professors were like her, even if she made me turn purple!” “I...
September 16, 1982, McKinley, Ohio Sandy hadn’t moved, but the feeling of her leaning against me changed with her question. My first thought was Angie, and I lifted my eyes to hers, and found a bemused look on her face. I realized, at that moment, that the dorm opinion of her being ‘Mrs. Loucks’ wasn’t all that far-fetched. In some ways, I was treating her that way, and she certainly was, in some ways, acting like a wife. I’d known that before, but my instant, gut reaction of looking to her...
December 26, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “Shit!” I swore vehemently, and in English for effect, when I walked out onto the porch on Sunday morning. “Mikhail Petrovich!” Mom said sternly. I picked up the box on the front porch and turned to show her. “«Говно»!” she replied. I nodded, “Nice to know you agree with me.” The box was the one that held the two stuffed rabbits I’d bought for Jocelyn. The fact that she’d returned them spoke volumes, and short of putting up a tombstone, I wasn’t sure...
January 1, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio “It’s open, Mindy!” I called out. The door opened and she came into the room. “You were expecting me?” “I’d have been seriously disappointed in my ability to predict your behavior if you hadn’t shown up!” “A little too obvious?” “You might say that! May I give you a tip?” “I’d rather have the whole thing!” Mindy smirked. I laughed so hard I had to sit down on the bed so I wouldn’t fall over. It took me a full minute to recover enough to be able to...
March 26, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio Vespers with Tasha next to me was positively weird. I had no idea what she was thinking nor what she intended. But the MESSAGE she was sending was loud and clear to anyone who saw us, and was very specific for three people — Janey, declaring I was STILL Tasha’s property; Deacon Vasily, declaring she was still going to see me; and Mr. Orlov, stating that she didn’t care about his opinion. I could tell the message to Janey was clearly received when she looked...
April 16, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “So what had you nearly bursting at breakfast this morning?” “I’m no longer a virgin!” Clarissa exclaimed. “And Oh! My! God!” “That good, huh?” I grinned. “You have NO idea. Well, maybe you do because you’ve had sex!” “From a guy’s perspective, anyway.” “Can I ask you something?” “Sure.” “Do you like the taste?” I nodded, “Very much so.” “And do different girls taste differently?” “Yes, but it’s kind of subtle, though I notice. Did you kiss her...
April 23, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “Tasha demanded you not date me?” Janey asked. “Actually, she requested that if I date her, I not date anyone at either church because of the trouble it could cause with her father, the priests, and Vladyka ARKADY.” “Very neatly excluding me by appealing to your desire for peace.” “I know that’s how it looks, but honestly, I wasn’t seeing you at the time, and certainly didn’t believe you were going to show up here tonight to talk to me, or any other time for...
Palm Sunday, May 1, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “Where are your palm branches?” Clarissa asked when I returned home from church. “Just how many palm trees do YOU think grew around Moscow and Saint Petersburg?” “Probably not too many.” “Which is why I have pussy willows in my hand!” “It’s Palm Sunday and you’ve already been to church Friday night, Saturday morning and night, and this morning.” “It’s only just begun,” I chuckled. “Tonight is the first Bridegroom Matins.” “If I wanted to see the...
August 23, 1982, McKinley, Ohio “Well, here we go again!” Jason said as he, Clarissa, Sandy, and I plopped into front row seats in the O-Chem classroom.” “Look at it this way,” Sandy laughed. “You’re about one sixth of the way done. We doctors are about one eighth, not counting the Summers we have to work for no pay and our intern year when we get a small stipend! By then you’ll be earning major bucks developing bioweapons for the CIA!” “I’m actually thinking of doing a PhD at some point,...
January 15, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “No way!” Dale protested. “I’m serious, Dale. Ten Polaroids. She sent them to my parents’ house and my mom brought the envelope to me on Thursday.” “I don’t believe it. That’s not her. It’s not!” “They came from Purdue,” I said. “They were postmarked ‘West Lafayette, Indiana’ on Saturday.” “Shit. I called her on Saturday morning. I pushed her to admit you guys had been together. I’m sorry, Mike.” “It’s not your fault, Dale.” “But I think she did that in...
February 1, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “What the heck were you thinking?” Doctor Hart snapped. “That has to be about the dumbest thing you could possibly have done!” “Funny thing,” I said. “I agree with you.” “There is nothing funny about what you did! You’re lucky as hell that it turned out as well as it did!” “Again, funny thing, I agree with you.” “Cut it out, Mike!” “Sorry. I beat myself up enough about this that I’m not sure I need your help.” “So why tell me?” “I thought I was...
February 5, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio “This is heavenly,” Janey sighed. She was sitting in front of me, leaned back, with my arms around her, in a tub full of warm water and lavender bubble bath. “I could get really used to this,” I agreed. “When you finally get paid a decent amount, we’ll build a big house with a shower and tub like this.” “And a sauna,” I said. “Who has a sauna?” “Katy’s parents.” Janey laughed, “Did you?” “Just some fooling around but not that.” I ran my hands up...
February 15, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “How did it go?” Clarissa asked when I walked out of the interview room. “I owe you guys big time! My biographical sketch seemed well received, and the answers you all helped me prepare were perfect. Dean Parker walked right into Melody’s trap!” Melody laughed, “Of COURSE she did. She’s so predictable. Did she try to pry into your private life?” “She started to ask the question and Dean Foster cut her off before she could finish.” “Awesome!” The three...
February 20, 1983, McKinley, Ohio Clarissa and I lay together for about fifteen minutes before I heard voices and a soft knock on the bedroom door. “I think the posse is here,” I chuckled. “Bummer,” she sighed. I reluctantly released her, and we sat up on the bed, leaning back against the wall. “Come in!” I called out. Sandy opened the door and I could see the rest of the gang was with her. “Anything interesting going on in here?” she smirked. “Just the lesbian girl talking to her...
March 28, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio As I drove home, I considered my conversation with Tasha, and realized it was, in its own way, very close in character to conversations I’d had with Clarissa — intimate, honest, and designed to build a relationship. That, as much as anything else, confirmed that her conditions were not only wise, but the correct course of action. In one sense, it really only excluded Janey, but I felt my conversation, or rather, attempted conversation, with her had closed...
July 16, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “You’re not seeing Katy tonight?” Mom asked on Friday morning. “No. Her grandmother, who lives in Pittsburgh, fell and broke her hip. They were leaving this morning and won’t be back until sometime next week.” “We haven’t talked about you and Jocelyn since last Saturday.” “There isn’t much to say,” I said. “She and her parents are basically not talking. That’s why we’ve been hanging out here, at the pool, or at Grant Park.” And Jackson Lake, but I didn’t...
August 18, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “And you’ll come home and see me, Mishka?” “Of course, Tasha!” I replied. “On breaks for sure, and I promise to try to come home at least one weekend a month, though I can’t guarantee it.” “Dad said I’m allowed to come see you, but I have to bring Sasha with me and Sasha has to be with us the entire time!” I chuckled, “I don’t think he trusts you to be in my dorm room!” “I think you’re right!” she giggled. “He’s afraid we will make passionate love...
October 31, 1982, McKinley, Ohio “What are you doing here?” I asked. “And please tell me you just arrived!” “Mom and Dad were away for the weekend,” Emmy replied with a smirk, “so I came to visit! And I got here last night!” “Please tell me you didn’t...” “All night! Wow!” “Your dad will kill ALL of us if he finds out!” “I’m not going to tell him! Are you?” “No, of course not! But seriously, Emmy, this was super dangerous!” “And super fun!” “Where’s Clark?” “He went to the...
March 12, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “Cheating on me? Really?” “I know it sounds strange, but I know how much you and I love each other, and how close and intimate we are, even if we don’t kiss and touch and stuff. It’s really weird. I WANT to be with Glenda, you know, that way, but that doesn’t change the feeling.” “That way?” I grinned. “I know you aren’t clueless, Petrovich! You do the same things!” “I know. I’m teasing you, Lissa! Is this feeling going to be a problem?” “I don’t think so....
March 27, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio “I told Mom I’d make you dinner tonight,” I said to Liz when I arrived home. “How does penne pasta with arrabbiata sauce and a salad grab you?” “That sounds good! I could invite Mindy and Maggie?” “It’s up to you,” I replied flatly. “I have enough ingredients and there’s plenty of penne in the cabinet.” “Is something bugging you?” “Not bugging me, per se, just making me think. I had a long talk with Tasha and the last thing she said was very, very...
April 9, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “I still don’t like the way Clarissa interfered last night,” Kristin said on Saturday morning after we made love. “You know how important church is to me, right?” “Sure, but she didn’t have to be a bitch about it!” I took a deep breath and let it out. “I don’t see it that way. She was simply trying to point out something which is true. When Holy Week rolls around, I’ll be in church every evening from the Friday before Palm Sunday until the following...
August 1, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio Soft laughter reached my ear from Cincinnati via the magic of the Bell Telephone Network. “That is just TOO funny!” Angie declared. “Funny? Why do you find it funny?” “College boy breaks up with girlfriend and has serious falling out with his best friend. Swears newfound celibacy and is almost instantly propositioned by two High School girls who are ‘off limits’ because he decided High School girls are too immature, despite dating two other High School...
September 9, 1982, McKinley, Ohio “White boy! Phone for you!” Clark called out on Thursday evening while I was with the study group. I got up and went to our room to pick up the phone. “Hello?” “Hi, Mikey,” Liz replied. “I just called to say, ‘thank you’.” “For what?” “Making Mindy come back to my room.” I chuckled, “Do you know how difficult it was to kick a hot, naked fox out of my bed? And then, after she turned on the lights so I could see her body, kick her out of my room?” Liz...
October 2, 1982, McKinley, Ohio “Mishka!” Tasha squealed. She flew across the lobby to where I’d just stepped off the elevator and threw her arms around me. I hugged her, and then she kissed me, turning a soft kiss into a fierce French kiss, pressing her body against mine. It was a good minute before she broke the kiss and released me. “Hi, Mike!” Sasha laughed. “Hi, Sasha.” Her eyes twinkled, and she gave me a very nice hug. “I don’t think Tasha would like me kissing you the way she...
November 20, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “No bacon or eggs? Seriously?” April asked on Saturday morning. “The general rule for fasting is no animal products of any kind.” “But you didn’t do that when we were dating?” “Because I wasn’t interested in debating it with you,” I replied. “That was probably a mistake on my part.” “So now what?” “I’ll eat what you’re making,” I said. “It falls under the ‘hospitality’ rule which says you should eat what you’re served. I’ll eat waffles, eggs, and...
December 31, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “Why don’t you come inside for a bit?” Janey said. “Just hang out, OK?” I smirked,” Will you walk into my parlour?’ said the Spider to the Fly, ‘Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy; The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, And I’ve a many curious things to show when you are there. “ “So, like Hotel California? You can check out any time you like but you can never leave?” I chuckled, “That’s probably not QUITE as culturally...
January 30, 1983, McKinley, Ohio “Well isn’t THIS a fine mess,” I sighed. “I didn’t mean to depress you,” Clarissa said. “I was trying to make a point.” “Besides the fact that we’re in love, soulmates, and you’re a lesbian, which kind of makes it all moot?” “Oh, it most definitely does NOT! For someone who has been with at least half-a-dozen girls by my count, you sure have this really stupid mindset about sex! If it was so damned meaningful, you wouldn’t be so free with it! Get your head...
March 9, 1983, West Monroe, Ohio If Tasha hadn’t already been upset by Clarissa, Robby, and Lee, her face showed she was beyond livid with me now. The kiss Janey and I had exchanged wasn’t just a peck on the lips, but the kiss of a boyfriend and girlfriend, if not lovers. And Tasha had seen it. She knew I dated, but she didn’t know I was involved with Janey to that degree. And given the spat Tasha and I’d had the previous night, I could imagine all the evil thoughts going through her...