Good Medicine Sophomore YearChapter 26 Martyrdom
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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 did!” she whispered in my ear.
She released me and gave me a quick peck on the cheek, then turned and stuck her tongue out at her sister.
Tasha spoke firmly, “Behave, Sasha!”
“If dad saw how you kissed Mike, and how you plastered your body against him, YOU would be in trouble! And he’d never let you see Mike again!”
“Ladies,” I chuckled. “Please don’t fight over me!”
“You wish!” Tasha laughed.
“She knows I would win!” Sasha teased.
“Let’s go meet my friends,” I replied, trying to defuse the silly, and phony, ‘cat fight’.
I signed them in and we went up to my room.
“Damn, Mike,” Clark said, shaking his head, “do you know every hot chick in Ohio?”
I laughed, “Clark Brody, meet Tasha Antonova and her sister Sasha. Girls, this is my roommate Clark.”
He made a flourishing bow, then took each girl’s hand in turn and kissed it, causing them both to giggle, and the rest of the gang to groan and roll their eyes. I introduced the girls to everyone, and Clark left to go hang out with Carter, Larry, and their three girlfriends.
“He’s a real trip,” Robby laughed. “But Amy has him totally under control!”
“Don’t be so sure,” Sandy laughed. “He manages to keep his other ‘hotties’ entertained without getting into trouble!”
“Is that all that goes on at college?” Tasha asked with a silly smile.
“Sex, booze, and rock-and-roll!” Lee declared. “Anything else is unAmerican!”
“I think college is going to be fun!” Sasha laughed.
“Do NOT let your dad hear you say that!” I chuckled. “He’ll lock you in your room until you’re thirty!”
“You don’t think he already planned to do that?” she laughed. “The only reason Tasha is allowed out of her cage is because my dad trusts you! And after that kiss downstairs, I think he’s VERY much mistaken!”
“Sasha!” her sister reproved, in a stern voice.
“Oh, please! You kissed and hugged him like you were married to him! In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen Mom and Dad hug and kiss that way!”
“Aren’t little sisters ‘fun’?” Robby said ruefully. “I have TWO.”
“I have one as well,” I said. “You all met her last week.”
“And I have one, too,” Sophia laughed. “And she’s just as bad!”
“Bad?” Sasha asked playfully. “Tasha teases me just as much! I bet you teased your sisters, Robby!”
“Perhaps,” he grinned. “Though Lee was MUCH better at it! He could wind them up so fast it wasn’t funny. But they took it out on me!”
“What grades are you in?” Lee asked.
“I’m a Junior and Sasha is a Freshman,” Tasha said.
“So, sixteen and fourteen?” he asked.
“Seventeen and fifteen. We just had our birthdays recently. We were born two years and two weeks apart. Do you all hang out together all the time?”
“Pretty much except when we’re in class or sleeping,” Lee answered. “Well Mike and Angie go to church which none of the rest of us do, and Robby, Angie, Mike, and I go to karate. But yeah, this is the main gang. There are others like Clark, plus our friends Jason and Pete, and their girlfriends, and Jeannette, Marie, and Melody. And some others, too. You’ll see them when we go to the lake this afternoon. Are you having lunch with us?”
“No. Mike and Angie are taking us to lunch.”
“We know Mike wanted to spend some time with you, so we’ll leave you guys alone for a bit,” Angie said. “Sasha, you can come with us.”
“No,” she smiled. “I’m required to stay with Tasha at all times!”
Tasha sighed, “My dad’s idea for ensuring I don’t get into trouble!”
Everyone laughed and they left the room. I was surprised that Angie gave me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek on the way out. I almost laughed when the thought ‘marking her territory’ crossed my mind. She was last out and closed the door behind her.
“I want to talk to Mishka in private,” Tasha declared.
“Mom said I was not, under any circumstances, to leave you two alone, and that anything you did, I was supposed to do! In fact, I’m due a proper kiss!”
“You are NOT!” Tasha growled menacingly.
“Don’t worry, Tasha,” I grinned. “I don’t have a death wish! It would only be a matter of who killed me — you or your dad!”
“And you remember that!” Tasha declared.
“Then no more kisses for you, big sister!” Sasha smirked, sticking out her tongue.
“Sasha, we’ll just go into my bedroom and leave the door wide open. We’ll talk quietly with the music playing. OK? Please?”
“And then I get my turn?” she teased.
“Sasha,” I said gently. “Please?”
She sighed theatrically, “I suppose.”
I took Tasha’s hand and we went into my bedroom, where I put on a Mozart album, and similar to how I’d done with Liz, we sat cross-legged on the bed facing each other.
“She’s enjoying herself,” I grinned.
“Too much!” Tasha groused, but she laughed. “Mom was quite adamant about my proper behavior!”
“I think your mom made a GRAVE error!” I chuckled.
“Oh?”
“If you and I were to make love, your sister would keep quiet if she got HER turn!”
Tasha frowned, “You would do that?”
“No, I said your sister would keep your secret in exchange for the same treatment! You heard her ask for the proper kiss!”
“You’re right, Mishka,” Tasha declared flatly. “I WILL kill you if you kiss my sister!”
“And I acknowledged that fact!” I chuckled. “She is cute, though...”
“It would be the last thing you ever did in this life, Mikhail Petrovich! And don’t think I didn’t notice Angie telling me you belong to her!”
“The kiss on the cheek and the hug?”
“Yes, but I’m not worried. Blonde Russian girls are FAR more interesting than red-headed Irish girls! And way more fun! You’ve met plenty of «бабушки», so you know not to mess with a Russian girl! And Angie goes to church, so SHE knows, too!”
I laughed, “You’re too funny, Tasha!”
“If you allow me, I’ll show you I’m right!” she teased.
“First, you told me not to. Second, then I’d have to show Sasha, too!”
“Don’t be «некультурный», Mikhail Petrovich!”
“I thought you wanted me to!” I countered.
“With ME, you «придурок»!” she laughed.
“Can we be serious for a moment?”
“Of course.”
“Are you bothered by Angie? And forget the silly comments we made before.”
Tasha shrugged, “You have to decide what you want, Mishka. I can’t make you do anything. You know what I want to happen. I told you from the very first time you spoke to me. I am yours if you want me. I want to be yours. I want you to want me to be yours. But I won’t force you. On the other hand, I CAN do my best to convince you!”
She leaned forward and we exchanged a soft, quiet kiss. She took my hand and placed it over her sweater-clad breast and squeezed. She held my hand to her chest for about thirty seconds before releasing it.
“A very compelling argument,” I said with a smile.
“I have a MUCH better one,” she said impishly, “but we agreed to wait for the marriage bed. Of course, if you wish to become betrothed...”
“Tempting,” I grinned. “Very tempting. But if I ask you today, then I have to ask Sasha, too!”
“Will you stop!” Tasha said, trying to sound stern, but she was laughing.
“You know, the more I think about it, the more I like your mom’s idea!”
“You are VERY «некультурный» today! And if I said yes? You would have us both in this bed? Together?”
“There is no possible truthful answer to that question which allows me to leave this room alive!” I chuckled.
“You are learning, Mikhail Petrovich!”
“As you pointed out, I know full well from church who is REALLY in charge!”
“You seem very happy and very playful. You were kind of down when we talked.”
“Jocelyn,” I replied. “But my friends, the ones you met earlier, have helped. Especially Clarissa.”
“You get along very well with her, don’t you? Like you did with Jocelyn?”
I nodded, “Yes. But don’t worry about her. She’s not interested and neither am I. We’re simply friends.”
“But you are interested in Angie.”
A statement, not a question.
“I certainly was when I first came to Taft last year. We dated, briefly, but then she pushed me away, at least romantically. We’ve become close, but I can safely say that that kiss on the cheek is the limit of what she’s done. And I don’t see that changing anytime soon, if ever.”
“But if it did?” Tasha asked, staring directly into my eyes.
“My honest answer is I don’t know what would happen. Right now, I’m concentrating on school and friends, and as I said, not getting into any serious dating relationships. I see you when I’m home, or like today, when you come visit. I see Katy about once a week, but we’re just dating casually. Remember, I promised not to make any commitments without having a conversation with you first. And no, this is NOT that conversation.”
“We will have that conversation when you come to my graduation,” Tasha said firmly.
I nodded, “I’ve expected that from the first date. That is the day when you and I have to decide.”
“You know what I want, Mishka. But I also agreed that our talk has to wait until I graduate. As much as I would love to be with you now, I know it’s not practical. And as much as I want to stay talking with you, we can’t leave Sasha too long.”
I nodded, got up from the bed, and took Tasha’s hand to help her up. She got off the bed and stepped close and melted into my arms and we exchanged a soft, sexy French kiss.
“Aha!” Sasha squealed gleefully from the doorway.
We quickly broke the kiss and Tasha put her hands on her hips and glared at her sister.
“You shouldn’t spy!”
“Mike has to kiss me or I’ll tell Mom!”
“«Ты паршивец»”!” Tasha exclaimed.
“Well, Mike?” Sasha smirked.
I looked over at Tasha who was looking daggers at her sister, and saw her slightly roll her eyes. I took that as instruction and moved over to Sasha. I hugged her and gave her a quick, soft, closed-mouth kiss on the lips. She squeezed me tightly, rubbing her lithe, sexy body against me, but I quickly released her and stepped back.
“Enough!” I said. “And that’s it, Sasha. No more blackmail. That’s the first AND last kiss you’ll get from me. Do you hear me?”
“I never get to have any fun,” she complained.
“And you are NOT having fun with Mishka!” Tasha declared, then turned to me, “Shall we go find your friends?”
We left the room and found some of the gang in the common room of the dorm. We joined them and hung out until lunch, when Angie joined Tasha, Sasha, and me as planned. We had a nice lunch, and the girls chatted amiably, though Sasha made ‘goo goo’ eyes at me the entire time. I knew she was trying to get Tasha’s goat, and I was very happy that Tasha simply ignored her.
The afternoon at the lake was fun, though we had to leave as soon as the Sun began setting as the temperature dropped fairly quickly. We mobbed the local pizza place, and after we finished eating, went back to campus. I walked Tasha and Sasha to their car, and Tasha and I hugged and exchanged a soft kiss. I warned Sasha off with a look, and she pouted, but I didn’t care.
“I’ll call you soon,” I said. “And I’ll come visit before the end of the month.”
Tasha gave me a quick kiss, then got into the car and drove away. A few minutes later, Angie came down to the parking lot and we got in my Mustang to head for church.
“Watching those two was hilarious,” Angie laughed as I pulled out of the lot.
“I teased Tasha quite a bit about it,” I grinned.
“I bet! She’s madly in love with you, but I know you know that.”
“Tasha? Or Sasha?” I asked with a grin.
“Tasha, you dope! Sasha just has a serious crush on you. It’ll pass. It’s normal for younger sisters when their older sister has a boyfriend. You saw something similar with Emmy and Mindy — their good friend’s older brother. That’s normal, too.”
“And that kiss on the cheek?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
Angie laughed, “Just me being silly.”
“Was it?”
Angie sighed, “I have no idea. I guess I just saw the way she looked at you and realized what it meant. And it’s my fault, really.”
“Your fault? What do you mean?”
“All this stuff we do together? Church, karate, running, talking, hanging out? I lose it all if you marry her. Well, anyone, really. And I don’t want to lose it.”
“But you also can’t take the necessary steps to preserve it. I mean, at least as you see it.”
“Come on, Mike. You would not be happy with a relationship with me that didn’t involve serious physical contact, even if it didn’t go THAT far. And I just can’t. Not now. I nearly lost it when you kissed me the other day. I mean, I LOVED the kiss and I LOVED how it made me feel. But it totally freaked me out, too.”
“You hid that very well. And I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Sure I did! I kissed you without your permission. I didn’t have consent, if you will.”
Angie smiled, “I don’t think it’s as cut and dried as you’re saying. It was the natural thing for you to do, and a single closed-mouth kiss isn’t ‘assault’. I could have moved and prevented it, and said ‘no’ or whatever. I didn’t.”
“I see your point,” I replied. “But I won’t do it again without an invitation.”
“And this is where I’m totally confused,” she sighed. “I don’t want to have to ASK you to kiss me when I’m ready, if ever, but I also don’t want you to do it if I’m not ready. And I know I sent you signals by moving where I kissed you ‘good night’ so the corners of our lips touched.”
“Now I’m confused,” I said.
“I know. And I’m sorry. It’s my fault, as I said. Can I tell you something?”
“Anything.”
“There are days when I just want to crawl into your lap, have you hold me, then have you carry me to bed. Just to get it over with, you know?”
“And I can’t see it ending in anything other than complete disaster if your attitude is that you want to ‘get it over with’.”
“I know,” she said quietly. “But there are days when I wonder if that’s the only way forward.”
“And when you have a complete nervous breakdown or some sort of psychotic break because you’re completely freaked out? No way, Angie.”
“I know. I wouldn’t. But I can’t find a way through this and neither can Ginny.”
“Angie,” I said gently, “I think there’s more to this than just seeing your parents having sex when you were little.”
She sighed deeply, “There is, but I can’t talk to you about it. Not now. Maybe not ever.”
“When you’re ready, I’ll listen,” I said. “And no judgments. I love you, and I’ll help you however I’m able.”
“I know, Mike. But ... no, never mind. Just let it go, please.”
“Just remember I’m here.”
“I know. And I’m grateful.”
After church, we went back to campus and joined the gang for a late showing of Class of 1984, which was an OK, but not great, movie about a punk gang which controlled a High School by intimidation. When we arrived back at campus, Angie and I said our evening prayers, and I walked her to her room. I wasn’t surprised when all that was offered was a brief hug. I turned and went back to my room to find Sophia waiting for me.
“I wanted to talk,” she said. “And I thought we could do it while we cuddled!”
I chuckled, shook my head in amusement, and got my bathroom kit. I was back five minutes later, and Sophia and I got into bed, and three minutes later, we were ‘cuddling’ her way, with my latex-clad shaft gripped gently by her internal muscles, and my hand cupping her firm breast.
“So, what’s up?” I asked.
“Is Angie OK?”
“Yes and no,” I sighed. “She realized something very scary today.”
“That if you and Tasha marry, she loses everything she has.”
“Yes.”
“You can’t sleep with Angie unless you’re going to marry her,” Sophia said firmly, then moaned softly as I run my finger around her nipple.
“I know,” I said. “And I can’t sleep with Tasha unless I’m going to marry her.”
Sophia laughed softly, “Her sister, on the other hand, looked like she was going to throw you on the floor and screw you in front of all of us!”
“That wasn’t lost on me,” I chuckled. “And I teased Tasha about it. Carefully, mind you, but I did tease her.”
“Sisters? Now THERE’S a typical male fantasy!”
“YOU have a sister!” I teased, thrusting firmly in and out a couple of times.
“Two Greek girls?” she laughed. “You couldn’t handle it!”
“I promise to die trying!” I teased. “But Sasha just has a crush. It’s harmless.”
“Yes, so long as you don’t act on it. It’s like your sister’s friend Mindy.”
“Exactly. But back to Angie; I don’t know how to help her. She won’t tell me the REAL reason behind her phobia to intimate contact.”
“I’m no expert, but I strongly suspect she had some sort of traumatic experience. She’s seeing a counselor, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then all you can do is be supportive.”
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...
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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,”...
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...
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...
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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...
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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...
June 25, 1982, West Monroe, Ohio “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea or not,” I replied. “Why?” Becky asked. “We’ve done it before. I don’t have a steady boyfriend. And you said you don’t have a steady girlfriend.” “That’s true. May I ask a very blunt question?” “Sure.” “Are YOU looking to be my girlfriend?” Becky shook her head slowly, “Remember what I said back in October? That I had no illusions about this and that I had no designs on you? But that if I had the ability to make a wish...
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...
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...