Читать книгу The Monster Within - Sheldon Cohen M.D. - Страница 4

Steve and Betty headed toward Arlington Heights to the home of a good friend from their class. Their friend’s father allowed a professional photographer to take pictures of all the prom goers for sale later to the families. Arlington Heights, a suburb about five miles Northwest of Morton Grove was the site of the hotel where the senior prom was scheduled, plus the restaurant was also near the hotel, This event was well planned by the students themselves to keep travel at a minimum. Alvina would have nothing to worry about; these prom goers knew what they were doing.

“Who gave you the lecture,” asked Steve.

Betty laughed. “My mom. She wanted me to make sure I didn’t drink alcohol and to watch for wicked men who might put a roofie in my drink and take advantage of me.”

Steve sighed. “Oh, nuts, your mom’s wise to me. How did she know I’m carrying roofies tonight? What the hell are roofies?”

“They’re little pills that knock girls out so some bad man like you can take advantage of them. And my mom said, not to drink any alcohol either.” Then she asked Steve,” Who gave you the lecture?” asked Betty.

“My mom gave it to me too,” Steve answered. I guess that means we’re going to be safe now, especially since there won’t be a drop of alcohol in sight.” They laughed.

Steve added, “Oh, I forgot—my mom gave me the roofies.”

“Ha ha, funny.”

Steve said, “Do you think we’ll be giving the same lecture to our kids?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Betty said, “Our kids? Is that what you said? Sounds like a proposal to me,” as she stared at Steve with crinkled eyebrows and a sideways glance.

Steve stared back crinkling his eyebrows to mimic Betty’s. “A proposal? Hmm. what year is this?” he said with a quizzical look.

“It’s 2013,” she answered confused at the question.

“Oh, damn,” he said, “I thought it was 2021 when I’ll propose.”

“Hmmm, 2021…why 2021?” asked Betty.

“That’s when I get out of medical school—if I ever get in that is.”

“Hmm, I bet there are plenty of married medical students,” Betty suggested. “Are you stringing me along? Anyhow I could work and support you—that is if you’re still interested or if a better offer doesn’t come around.”

“There’s no better offer than you, Betty.”

“Aww, that’s sweet, but…what makes you think I was talking about you? I was talking about me, a better offer for me!”

Steve put his head back and smiled. “Good one lady. You’re too smart for me, but what you just said is impossible, because there is no better offer than me…Got it…none. You got the cream of the crop—understand?”

“Yes, master. I know that. Every night I say a prayer thanking the Lord for letting me meet you at the sign in table when we were freshmen. ”

“That’s more like it,” said Steve. “Anyhow, here we are and we made it safe and sound. Your mom and my mom would be proud.”

Seven couples, sparkling in their tuxedos and gowns, all good friends and classmates arrived at the house where they would all meet, talk, have a few refreshments and have their pictures taken by a professional photographer. The parents had set up hors de’ oeuvres plates plus a large bowl filled with a non-alcoholic beverage.

“They must have been talking to your mom,” said Steve after sipping on the beverage.

Then the photographer took pictures of all the girls in a line, the boys in a line, the couples together and then shots of individual couples and single shots of each individual. There would be plenty to choose from. They had a restaurant appointment at 6:00, so would have to leave at ten minutes before six since the restaurant was only a few blocks away.

“We’re going to have to go to the restaurant soon,” said Steve when he and Betty were sitting in the living room with several other couples. They all got up and started walking toward the door—all except Betty. And when Steve saw that she did not come along, he turned his face back toward the couch and saw her sitting there with eyes closed. What the heck, he thought as he went to her, put his hand on her shoulder, said “Betty,” and gently shook her. She lifted her head up and stared at him with an expression that said…who are you?

“Betty, were you sleeping?” said Steve with a questioning look.

She stared at him speechless before she managed, “I don’t know. Was I?”

“I think so,” he said concerned over the blank look on her face, something he had never before witnessed.

Her shoulders slumped. She bowed her head, then lifted it up and stared at Steve, saying, “I probably was. I…I…I…”

Steve interrupted, “We better go. Everyone’s left already. Let’s talk about it in the car.” They walked hand in hand to the car with Betty holding on tight. On the way to the restaurant, Steve said, “Boy, I must be a boring guy if my date takes a nap when she goes out with me.”

“I don’t know. For the last week or so, I’ve fallen asleep sitting on the couch. I could be watching TV at five o’clock when it’s light outside, and the next thing I know, it’s dark and a different program is on. It happened two or three times. I don’t get it.”

“That sounds like my grandmother,” said Steve. “She sits down on the couch and the next thing you know, she’s snoring. And here I thought you were only 18. Could you be so tired that you drop off anyplace? Don’t you sleep at night?”

“I do sleep as far as I know. I go to sleep about 10 or 11 and wake up to go to school. Yeah, and last week I fell asleep in class once. Another kid woke me when class was over.”

Steve shook his head. “Beats me, are you okay otherwise?”

“As far as I know, nothing else changed except for this sudden tiredness that hits me like a tsunami, and out I go.”

“Maybe you should get it checked out.”

“I’ll see how it goes after finals. Whoops, and don’t forget to turn; the restaurant’s around the corner.”

“Right. I guess your brain works okay—I think.”

“Funny, comedian,” laughed Betty.

After dinner they all went to the hotel. The ballroom was filled to capacity with about 200 seniors from Maine East, all coifed and dressed like they never had been before. An eight piece band played all the latest music giving the kids an opportunity to dance before their friends and volunteer teachers. A long table with two large punch bowls offered some liquid non-alcoholic refreshments.

“Better watch for the alcohol and roofie guys.” said Steve to Betty.

“I’ll keep my eyes open, or are you just trying to distract my attention so that you can roofie me? That’s it, I should have known.”

“Ah…you found me out. Care to dance lady?”

“I’d love to.”

After about a half hour of dancing all manners of dance, including some old-time stuff giving the kids a chance to snuggle their heads on each other’s shoulders, Betty said, “Let’s sit down for a while.”

“Sure, is everything ok?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s talk, we’ve got to plan our trips to the University of Illinois near the Loop starting in August. I have some ideas,” Betty said.”

“Let’s hear your ideas. We’ll probably have to make the trip maybe every day, so what are you thinking?” Steve asked.

“Just that we should rotate cars. I’ll drive one day and you drive the next, so we will half our gas expenses.”

“Except for the day that one of us might not have classes,” said Steve.

“Well when that happens, the one who is driving to school just goes alone. We’ll rotate cars on the days we both have to be there.”

“What a genius, am I lucky or what?” said Steve.

Betty answered, “You are lucky, but not as lucky as I am to have you, Steve. Are you ready to dance again?”

“I’m always ready to dance with you.”

And they did until well after midnight when the seven couples departed for another friend’s house where they sat, danced and talked the night away.