Good Medicine Senior YearChapter 26 Family Secrets
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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 teeth, then went into my room and shut the door. Emmy had taken a huge risk coming to the house, and the fact that I was home put me right in the middle of it. But there wasn’t anything I could do about it.
Liz had said she’d come talk to me, and I wondered how long it would be. I tuned my radio to the ‘classic rock’ station and pulled a Star Trek novel from my bag. I sat down on the floor and leaned against the bed. About five minutes had passed when I heard fingernails scratch across the door, so I got up and opened it.
“Hi!” Mindy whispered. “Liz told me the code!”
I laughed softly and shook my head. I let her into my room and shut the door behind her.
“Liz said she’s coming to talk to me in a few minutes,” I said quietly. “Do you know what’s up with Emmy?”
Mindy nodded, “Yes, but I can’t tell. She made me swear. How are you, Mike?”
“Good. You?”
“Good. I was ticked about that dumb rule at your college!”
I nodded, “I know. But once February is over I don’t have to be quite as paranoid. It’s still a concern, though, because I really don’t want a run-in with the dean who’s been on my case since everything that happened during Freshman year.”
“You mean with Liz?”
“Yes. I guess she’s told you everything?”
“Pretty much. So I can’t visit you?”
“You and Emmy can’t be in the dorm room, or even upstairs, as long as you’re under eighteen.”
“That stinks! You don’t come home very often, and I wanted a chance to be with you again. I hoped we could tonight, I mean, if you wanted to, but I guess we can’t because you said Liz is coming to talk to you.”
I grinned, “I think she might be a bit put off to come in and find us in bed together.”
Mindy laughed, “I thought she was going to puke when I was telling her about how awesome it was!”
“What did you expect?” I said shaking my head. “She’s my sister! Would you want to hear about Brett’s conquests with YOUR friends?”
“Uh, no,” she said, making a face. “That would be gross. Fortunately, my friends thought he was as disgusting as I did.”
“And if you thought that...”
“I know. It was fun teasing her. Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Did you really like it with me?”
“Yes. Why would you think I didn’t?”
“I don’t know. I guess because you don’t seem very interested in doing it again.”
“Part of it is that I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
“You mean, like I would think you were my boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
“It would be totally cool to have a boyfriend who was in college, but I remember what you said. I mean, if you asked me, I’d say ‘yes’, but I know you won’t ask.”
“Is that something you were hoping for? And I’m not saying it would upset me. I just want to know what you were thinking.”
“At first, when I was thirteen, I had a crush on you, and I wondered what it would be like to kiss you. But then, right before the end of Freshman year, I started having this funny feeling when I thought about you. Kind of like a tickle, and I bet you can guess where!”
I smiled, “I can.”
“One night, it got so bad I started rubbing that spot and holy cow! Once I discovered THAT, I wanted YOU there. I thought about what it would be like to be your girlfriend and be under the covers with you, doing stuff. I was working up my courage to talk to you and then you started dating April Nash. And you guys stayed together your whole Senior year.
“Right after school got out, I heard you broke up with April, but my family went to Canada for a month and by the time I was back, you were dating Emmy and had promised to do it with her when she turned sixteen.”
“She told you?”
“She tells me everything! Anyway, Emmy absolutely forbade me trying to be with you, either as a girlfriend or just have you do what I’d been dreaming about for three years. Then all that stuff happened with Liz and Emmy’s dad found out about Clark being your roommate. She couldn’t see you again, so I told her I wanted a chance. She’d told me about how good it was, and the stuff you guys had done, and I wanted that SO bad I got into your bed naked!
“I was so bummed when you made me leave, but Liz talked to me and tried to explain. I mean, she hated the idea that I would be with you, but she told me about how you treated girls, and how sweet you could be, except to her, and that you were worried about what I was thinking.”
“I hope she’s told you I’ve been nice to her lately!”
“She did. That’s why she’s not upset that we fooled around, and she won’t be upset if we keep doing it. She said you deserved a reward!”
I laughed softly, “I’ll remember to thank her.”
“Anyway, your mom was really stern with me about staying away from you, but that only made me want you even more.”
“One day parents will figure out that the quickest way to get a kid to do something is to tell them not to do it!”
“Except it doesn’t work that way,” Mindy laughed. “If my mom were to tell me not to clean my room, I’d just say ‘Cool!’ and not do it!”
“I was thinking more along the lines of things they don’t want us to do. Sex being the main one.”
“When you have a tickle like I had, it’s not like what my mom or dad said mattered AT ALL!”
“I believe it!”
“Anyway, then things changed between you and Liz, so on New Year’s I decided to go for it, without asking you for anything other than to make me feel really, really good. And you did! A bunch of times! It was like a dream come true. My fantasy was fulfilled, and I wanted to keep doing it forever. You know, never, ever get out of bed!”
“Food? Water? The bathroom?”
“OK! For those! And probably showers!”
“And to wash the sheets.”
“OK! OK! It’s not practical, but you know what I meant! I told Liz how good it was and later I bragged to Emmy about doing it all night!”
“Of course you did!”
“Do you know she thinks you’re better than Clark?” Mindy smirked.
“Too much information!”
“Bigger, too!”
“WAY too much information!” I protested, wondering how I could use THAT revelation against my roomie!
There were fingernail scratches at the door, so I got up and opened it. I stepped aside to let Liz and Emmy inside, checking to make sure the lights in my parents’ room were still off. I shut the door behind them, and we all sat in a circle on the floor.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Emmy’s pregnant,” Liz said quietly.
“«Говно»!” I exclaimed, a bit too loudly. I forced myself to whisper, “Clark?”
Emmy nodded, “I think it has to be. What did you say?”
“That means ‘shit’. Usually, I’d use «дерьмо», but «говно» is more emphatic. You’re sure?”
Emmy nodded, “I was with the guy I’m dating before Thanksgiving, but I had my period a day after we were together.”
“And you were with Clark sometime in December.”
“The 11th. I was supposed to have my period right before Christmas. I missed my second one, so I got one of those EPT tests.”
“I’m sure I’m stating the obvious,” I said quietly, “but this is bad.”
Which was the understatement of the year, or the century, or more likely, the millennium. And given what the potential consequences were, there was only one possible solution. A solution I absolutely deplored, but one that simply had to happen. The alternative outcomes were simply too ugly to contemplate.
“You can’t have the baby,” I said gently after a moment’s silence.
“Mike?” Liz asked, her surprise obvious. “But...”
“We can have a theology debate later,” I said firmly. “Emmy, if your dad even discovers you’re pregnant, he’ll go insane. If he finds out who the dad is, he’ll start killing people. I’m afraid he’d kill you first, then Clark, then who knows who else.”
“I know,” Emmy said quietly, a tear dripping down her cheek.
“You can’t tell Clark, either,” I said.
“What?!” Mindy gasped.
“Nobody should know. Heck, I shouldn’t know! I’m sorry if I overstepped my bounds, but I believe having the baby would end in disaster.” I took a deep breath and let it out, “And Emmy, you simply can’t see Clark, either. No more.”
“I know. Will you help me?” Emmy begged, tears running down her cheeks. “Please?”
“I don’t know how it works for sure, but I think from when I took Liz to the clinic for tests, you need a checkup first, then they have a counselor talk to you, and then they schedule it. I’m not totally sure, but I seem to recall that from part of the form we didn’t need to fill out.”
“What about paying?” she asked, sobbing lightly. “I don’t have much money and I can’t ask my parents!”
“The clinic offers some free services if you can’t pay, but I don’t know what that means. You’re going to have to go for a checkup first. If you can’t afford it, tell them.”
“I can help,” Mindy said.
“Me, too,” Liz said.
I wanted to offer help, but that was too close to participating in an elective abortion for my conscience, and I’d have to confess it, and that might cause no end of trouble. I was reasonably sure they weren’t going to charge her, or if they did, it wouldn’t be more than Liz and Mindy could help with. If it was, I might have to reconsider.
“I can drive you,” Mindy said. “Liz, do you know how to get to the clinic?”
“It’s in Rutherford, maybe half-a-mile from A&W, across the street from the hospital,” Liz replied.
Emmy scooted close to me and whispered, “I’m scared.”
I put my arm around her and she put her head on my shoulder. She was obviously frightened out of her wits, both by her pregnancy and by the looming abortion, not to mention her dad’s reaction should he ever discover what happened, even after the fact. I hadn’t specifically been worried about her getting pregnant, but that certainly was a sure-fire way to have her dad go on a multi-county murder spree.
I nearly jumped out of my clothes when the door opened without any warning.
“What are you kids doing?” Mom asked, obvious concern in her voice.
I had to try to deflect questions, because the more people who knew about this, the riskier the situation became. And, truthfully, it wasn’t about Liz, so it wasn’t directly my mom’s business. I wanted her advice, badly, but there was no way I could get it.
“Don’t you knock?” I asked.
“Not after midnight when the girls’ room is empty and your light is the only one on in the entire house! What’s Emmy doing here?”
“Well, given Liz is with us, we sure as heck aren’t playing ‘Spin the Bottle’!” I said with a smirk. “Nor were we having a threesome!”
“Don’t be «некультурный», Mikhail Petrovich!”
“We just needed to talk to Mike,” Liz said. “Nothing is going on.”
“In his room? After midnight?”
“The walls have ears,” I said flatly. “Or rather the heating vents do.”
Mom gave me a hard look, but Liz was laughing, which I was sure indicated to Mom that Liz already knew.
“I see you shared my secret,” Mom replied tersely.
“Remember when I said that I love my sister? I do.”
“Mom, seriously,” Liz said. “Emmy needed some friends so she came to talk to me, and then we came to talk to Mike.”
“Mom,” I said gently. “Emmy and I aren’t involved at all. And I told you Mindy was good when I was home at Christmas.”
I kept a straight face, but both Mindy and Liz were struggling to do so, but Mom couldn’t see their faces directly because they mostly had their backs to the door. And Emmy was in no state to laugh.
“What’s wrong, Emmy?” Mom said.
“Just some stuff at home,” she sniffed.
“Well, if you need help, ask. We’ll do our best. You kids should really get to bed. Is Emmy staying, Liz?”
“I can’t,” Emmy said. “If my dad finds out I’m here, he’ll be really angry.”
“I went and got her Mrs. L,” Mindy said. “I’ll take her home before I go to bed.”
I was wondering how Mindy knew to go get her, but realized they could have arranged it earlier so Emmy didn’t have to call. And it made sense because Liz could send Mindy when Mom and Dad went to bed, and the timing lined up, at least as best as I could guess.
“OK.”
“I need to talk to Mikey,” Liz said. “I’ll go to bed when Mindy gets back.”
“All right,” Mom said, giving me a look which told me I’d get questioned in the morning.
She closed the door and the four of us stood up. Emmy hugged me tightly and I kissed her forehead, and then she and Mindy left my room. Liz closed the door behind them and we sat down, leaning against my bed.
“When did YOU get like that, Mikey?”
“Like what?” I asked with a grin.
“‘Mindy was good when I was home at Christmas’?” she laughed softly.
“A true statement. I can’t be responsible for mom’s misunderstanding, can I?”
“Too funny! And a threesome? YOU? No way!”
“Excuse me?” I replied in mock offense.
“I just can’t see my Big Brother doing something THAT crazy.”
“Neither can your Big Brother,” I said. “But not for lack of multiple opportunities!”
Liz laughed softly, “Maybe I should go to college after all!”
“I thought there was only Paul!”
“I was teasing. I was looking at junior college, and maybe getting a primary education certificate. I could teach kindergarten or be a substitute. And maybe later get my degree and be a full teacher. My other option would be accounting.”
“I think either of those would be a good plan.”
“Paul suggested them.”
“Then Paul has more brains than I thought,” I replied.
“You get all moral on him for cheating on his wife, but you tell Emmy to have an abortion? And you’re clergy!”
I took a deep breath and let it out.
“First of all, ‘Reader’ is a minor order, which means that in the scheme of things, I’m a tiny fish in a big pond, and my ‘clerical responsibilities’ are limited to making sure the books are arranged correctly on the reader’s stand, making sure the readings and hymns for the day are marked, and reading the Epistle. There is NO pastoral care which is even permitted! Heck, even deacons only have limited pastoral care responsibilities.
“Second, Emmy isn’t Orthodox, and while that doesn’t change the character of what she’s going to do, it means she isn’t viewing me as clergy. And that’s important, too. If someone THOUGHT I had that kind of responsibility or authority, and I gave that advice, then I’d be responsible directly to the bishop for giving that advice. But ANY advice on spiritual matters would be problematic, not just something like this. It’s above my pay grade, as they say.”
“That sounds like a copout.”
“It’s not, really. It’s explaining why your objection based on my status as ‘clergy’ isn’t relevant. Does Emmy even know I was tonsured?”
“I didn’t tell her, no. But you think abortion is murder, Mike!”
“It’s more complicated than that,” I said gently. “First of all, do you know what an ectopic pregnancy is?”
“Sure. From health class.”
“Would an abortion be wrong in that case?”
“Obviously not because both the mom and the baby would die if something wasn’t done.”
“Exactly. And do you know what happens if you have a miscarriage?”
“No.”
“Probably the exact same thing that happened when you had your abortion. And that means, no matter what, I feel I HAVE to learn the procedures. Can you imagine if a woman came into the emergency room after a miscarriage and had complications and I had to say ‘Sorry, I have no idea how to fix that’?”
“That would be really bad.”
“No kidding. I discussed it with the bishop. I HAVE to learn the procedures in order to be able to save a woman’s life. And as goofy as it might sound, Emmy having an abortion is all about saving her life. And probably Clark’s. And maybe mine. And yours. And Mindy’s. And whoever else Len Nelson might go after if he found out that a black man had impregnated his teenage daughter.”
“I hadn’t thought about that. It’s strange seeing you act this way and hear you speak this way. It’s almost like you’re thinking like a doctor, not my brother.”
“One thing is sure,” I chuckled. “You’ll always be able to call me your ‘idiot brother’ for as long as we live, because I guarantee I’ll do something you think is dumb plenty of times!”
“So you’re OK with her having an abortion?”
“No, I’m decidedly NOT OK with it. But that doesn’t mean it’s not the best solution for Emmy. And as a doctor, I’ll have to always consider what’s best for my patients. It’s why I didn’t give you any grief about your abortion, Liz. As painful as it is for me to say, it was the right decision, given the situation. But that doesn’t make it any easier to accept.
“But there’s something important you need to hear from me. I don’t hold YOU in any less regard. It’s not my place to judge you. I love you, and I know you had to do something I consider terrible. But that doesn’t make YOU terrible, Liz. Not at all. I love you and I’ll always do my best to care for you and help you.”
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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,...
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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...
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...