Betty, a ‘heck of a tennis player, number one on the Maine East team, and a big brain.’ Both Betty and Steve were headed for the Chicago campus of the U of Illinois where Betty would major in Health and Exercise Science with a career as a physical therapist in mind and Steve would major in neuroscience with a hoped for career as a physician.
A match made in heaven thought Ezra and Betty. They were thrilled with Betty’s friend, had hoped the relationship would persist, and judging from their long-lasting friendship, it looked like their wishes were being fulfilled.
Then Betty appeared at the top of the stairs leading down to the living room from the upstairs bedrooms. Five heads turned upward, all smiling as Scarlett O’hara first stood at the top of the stairs and then walked gently down the staircase in her gorgeous, off the shoulder, light-blue, full length gown to meet Rhett Butler. The twins smiled and Alvina and Ezra did likewise, but with moist eyes as they watched Steve put the corsage on Betty’s left wrist. Alvina, standing with hands clasped across her chest, fixed her eyes on the tender scene and stammered, “Have a great time, kids.” Ezra, with moist eyes, was busy snapping pictures on his cell phone starting from Betty’s appearance at the head of the stairs until his daughter and date drove away.
“And don’t forget, Alvina, I helped Steve pick out his used car last week, and I could guarantee, after I checked it out, it’s in perfect working order.”
CHAPTER 2
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
