Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2002 23:01:25 -0400
From: Sequoyah <sequoyah@charter.net>
Subject: The Obrerlin Five--Chapter 19

		  ASP--The Oberlin Five--Chapter Nineteen

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				 Comments

This chapter is one of three in the editing process when The Concord Five
went into hiatus. When these have been posted, The Oberlin Five will also
enter a haitus of indefinite length.

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ASP--The Oberlin Five--Chapter Nineteen--Eugene

The combo had not taken any gigs after Thanksgiving, since we were all
super-busy getting ready for finals and making sure all assignments were in
on time. Matt was practicing every minute he could squeeze in, and would
have been sleeping little except Luke would not permit that. Luke stayed up
and studied while Matt practiced at night, but at the stroke of midnight
practice was over. Matt only tried to argue with him once, and I think only
then because Paula and I were using the computers and Matt thought he could
get away with not closing the shop, but that didn't stop Luke. Luke also
insisted that Matt run every morning unless it was pouring rain.

Truly, after the "Saturday of Freedom" Paula ordered, things in the house
were on a much more even keel. Actually we were generally happy and relaxed
afterward, even with the pressure that finals were placing on all of us
and, even with his recital ahead of him, Matt was pretty relaxed. Paula
debated asking her chorus teacher to attend a choir practice at St. Anne's
for her directing grade. "With the old organist it won't be as good as it
would have been with Matt," she said, "but it would take some pressure
off."

She finally talked to Matt and then Fr. Manville. Both thought it was not a
good idea to push the organist aside, even for one practice. Paula saw the
logic of their position and went ahead and asked her teacher to attend a
regular choir practice, and she agreed. After Paula refused to be cowed by
her earlier, the choral teacher and Paula had actually came to appreciate
each other. Since Paula knew the choir inside out and had picked music that
was both good and within the choir's capabilities, it went well.

I decided to try the same tack, and asked my instruments teacher about
attending a practice session of the combo--we still practiced each week, in
spite of agreeing not to do any gigs--and she agreed. Afterward she asked
me to come by her office.

When I got to Professor Grace's office, she asked me to sit down and relax,
"You're not here because you are a naughty boy," she laughed. I didn't
realize I was uptight until she said that. I laughed and relaxed. "Eugene,
you mentioned liking jazz and considering switching to a jazz
program. There will be little problem with you doing that. I have looked
over your program carefully and can tell you many of your classes would be
essentially the same. The focus of some would shift and a few would be
different, but you have neither wasted this semester nor would you be
behind if you switched now. You can still get in all the courses you need,
so you could get a teacher's certificate if you desire."

"I thought about you and your combo when I got an inquiry about a combo to
play for a summer place on the lake, east of Cleveland. They are looking
for a group that can do some jazz, but mostly oldies, nothing really
difficult. I didn't have anyone in mind, but when I heard your combo
practice I thought that might be a possibility. Are you interested?"

"I would be, but I know that Luke won't be available as he is touring with
an exhibition of his works, and I'm sure Paula is planning to go back to
the camp where she worked last year. I don't know about the others. Larry
is going to India and Nepal--he hasn't been officially notified yet, but
his mentor knows that he will be with a film crew there this summer--so I
am definitely looking for something, since we will be separated."

"Larry is ... ?"

"I guess I thought everyone knew. Larry, Larry Watley, and I are
partners. I'll need something to take my mind off him being way this
summer. This sounds like a good way to spend the summer. I'll check and see
what we can come up with. Also, I need to talk with my advisor about
courses for next semester, since we register before the holidays. Thanks
for thinking of me."

At dinner Thursday evening, I told the household what Professor Grace had
said. "Paula, Kent, what do you think about the summer?"

"Don't think so," Kent said. "I have taken on the garden down the beach. I
sure don't want to mess up being the landscape designer and gardener for
that house."

"Yea, I can see that. But if you could commute."

"It's not very realistic, Eugene," Kent said. "I'd have to be here five
days a week and would be pretty bushed, then have a seventy-mile
commute. That kind of commute looks out of the question as I would not get
back here until the wee hours of the morning. I doubt the gig would pay my
transportation."

"You're right, of course," I said, "but it sounds like a golden
opportunity."

"It would be if I was a music major," Kent replied. "My garden is my golden
opportunity."

"Maybe Rachel would be interested," Matt said. "I think you'll agree she is
capable of being drummer."

"That's true," Kent said. "Yea, Eugene, ask her. What have you got to
lose?"

"How about you, Paula? I asked.

"I planned to go back to the camp and do music therapy this
summer. Thinking about the job I had last year, I really couldn't even if
the summer place was next door. Sorry."

"Look, it seems to me you need to get a group together who can handle the
job this summer and work with them. I don't see the present combo taking
the job," Luke said. I had to agree with him, but everyone encouraged me to
get a group together and I thought I'd see what could be done.

We all had appointments with our advisors Friday before finals, and got
pre-registered for the second semester. Because of the AP courses we had
taken in high school, and the class load we had all carried the first
semester, Paula, Matt and Luke were sophomores second semester and Larry,
Kent and I were ahead of the game, but not quite sophomores. We all got the
classes we wanted. Matt even managed to keep two days free for Holtkamp,
but they would be Monday and Wednesday. Paula would start courses at CWRU
and be going in with Kent Tuesday and Thursday for morning classes, since
Kent was able to get his Tuesday and Thursday classes in the morning as
well. Luke and Larry would also be going in to CRWU Monday and Wednesday.

The weekend was a quiet one, since we were all preparing for final
examinations which started Monday.


ASP--The Oberlin Five--Chapter Nineteen--Luke

Eugene had been asked about having the combo play at a kind of adult summer
camp on the lake, but east of Cleveland, a good seventy miles away, it
turned out. It would involve playing during dinner each evening and for a
Saturday night dance. Easy enough, and the pay wasn't too bad, but when the
combo got together and discussed it, there was no way it was going to
happen--because of commitments already made or hoped for. Sheila and
Marshall, the bassist and the keyboard player, were interested. "If Rachel
is interested, and can get permission to come, we'd have a nice set-up,"
Eugene said.

"Think she might be a vocalist as well," Matt said. "She was singing very
nicely when she was here."

When Eugene called Rachel, she was very excited and asked Jacob's dad if
she could do it. After she assured him she would be protected by Paula he
agreed. "Just a little fib," she had said. She did say she had done vocal
work with a group she had played for before her parents split. "How about a
sax player?" she asked. "Jack's not bad at all and I'd sure like to have
him around. He's such a teddy bear."

"We'll have to figure out when we can get together and be realistic about
doing the job," Marshall said, and Eugene agreed, but they decided to let
everything ride until after finals. "We'll all be here through Thursday
evening, so we can discuss it further then," Marshall said.

There was one development which surprised us. Although he had never offered
before, Marshall said he could do some vocals.

Wednesday evening, Kent said the combo had a gig Saturday night if they
were interested. Some of his CWRU buddies had heard the combo play in a
club, and asked about them playing for a fifties-sixties after-finals party
in one of the frat houses. "Don't see why not," I said. "We'll all be
finished with finals, so we can practice Friday and even Saturday morning
if necessary. Everyone in the house will just be rattling loose, since
we'll be waiting for Matt's recital before we all leave. Sure, why not?"

We all got home in mid-afternoon or earlier during the examination
period. As soon as we got home, we hit the kitchen for snacks, to rehash
the exams and relax for a while before preparing for the next day's
ordeal. We were all finished with exams by Wednesday so, while Matt
continued to prepare for his recital, the rest of us gave the house a good
cleaning. It wasn't really bad, but things had been allowed to slip during
the semester. "Since we're all leaving before the holidays, I guess we're
saved from the Christmas tree/Chanukah bush conflict," Kent laughed.

Thursday we all turned in our end-of-semester projects. Fortunately, each
of our teachers was available to sit down and discuss them. At dinner we
talked about those. Of course, Paula and Eugene had already gotten a
favorable report on theirs, and Matt still had his to do. Kent's landscape
design professor had asked if he'd be interested in taking on another
landscaping project, after seeing his final plan for the beach-front garden
he had planned.

"It's a great deal smaller than the one on the beach but more demanding,
since the space is small and the owner wants a design that will be striking
all year 'round. That's important since it is outside a wall of glass in
the master bedroom. He wants it to appear as though one wall of the bedroom
is open to the outside. Money is no object and I can tell you he will
change his mind a few dozen times, from what the designer who did the major
landscaping tells me. If tearing something out and starting over is a
problem for you, don't do it. He'll not place the blame on you as though
you had done something wrong. If he does, remind him he approved the design
and he will back off. Also, he will pay to have it redone until he's
satisfied. You'll surely learn how to deal with people who do change their
mind, and will never make the mistake of changing something without being
paid," Kent had been told.

Larry had gotten a call about the India-Nepal project. The pay was good and
he was told where to go in Cleveland to purchase clothes, supplies,
everything he would need. "Be sure to take your school photo ID,"
Mr. Hampton told him. "Just show that and they will know what you need and
see that you have it, and in the right size. You'll need very little
besides what you'll pick up there. Go ahead and pick it all up and start
wearing anything that you can. You'll want everything broken in, and if
there is a problem with anything, it can be solved here. The cold weather
stuff for the high elevations in Nepal you can wear here now, but I guess
the lightweight clothing will have to wait until spring. Other than what
you pick up in Cleveland, all you'll need to pack are your toiletries and a
casual dress outfit, nothing else. Oh, do you have a decent 35 mm camera of
your own? If so, take it. If not, spring for a really good one, but without
a lot of extras to lug around. Don't worry about film, we'll have plenty of
that!"

He was also told that arrangements for getting shots, and anything else he
needed so far as health was concerned, had been made at Cleveland Clinic's
travel clinic. "Probably will cause no problem but, just in case you have a
reaction to something, I'd wait until after the holidays--but start as soon
as you can. Give the clinic a call to set up specific appointments."

I had an appointment with Ms. Jamison, my art teacher at Oberlin, on
Thursday afternoon to discuss my paintings. She had raved about everything
I had done, so I was not surprised when she did the same for my semester
project work. She was actually frustrating me because she raved about
everything, so I wasn't sure whether my work was improving or not. When I
went in, she had the painting of Paula and Kent with the apples and asters
on display in the student gallery, along with one I had done of Matt from
sketches I made at the river on the afternoon we had spent with the van
Hooks.

"Luke," she said, "you are frankly out of my league. I'm a good, solid,
drawing and painting teacher for students who aren't too advanced, and who
never intend to make studio art their major life project. I know that, even
though you may doubt it." She looked at me and I didn't know what to say. I
would have had to agree with her and I wasn't sure I wanted to do
that. "You don't have to respond to that, Luke. I know it's true and have
been around you enough to know that you are a southern gentleman and would
lie through your teeth rather than even appear to show disrespect to a
teacher. You have a tremendous talent. I understand you will be traveling
this summer with some of your work."

"Yes ma'am, I will be."

"Great! I'll expect to see it assembled and on display here before it goes
on exhibition elsewhere. As I said, I'm a good, average, studio art
teacher, but you are ready for more, you need more. I have talked to your
advisor and the two of us pulled some strings and called in some IOUs. It
is going to cost you a bit more than Oberlin--because we couldn't get you a
full scholarship--but as of the end of this semester you will no longer be
a student at Oberlin. You have been accepted at the Cleveland Art
Institute. We did wrangle a remission of tuition scholarship, so you'll
only be responsible for your fees and supplies. Your advisor assured me you
could handle that."

I didn't know what to say. I had hoped to transfer the following year,
maybe, but it had happened already. I realized I was just staring at my
teacher with my mouth open. She finally laughed and said, "You can close
your mouth, and a simple thank you will suffice."

I did close my mouth, grabbed my teacher and hugged her as I said, "Thank
you, Ms. Jamison, thank you, thank you!"

"I take it you are pleased," she laughed. "If there are courses outside
your art you need, and they are offered here, you may take them here. But I
suspect you'll find being on campus at the Art Institute will work out
better."

As soon as I heard that, my heart sank. "On campus", that was the reason I
was at Oberlin in the first place. The Art Institute required first-year
students to live on campus. "Ms. Jamison, I thank you very much, but I
can't take the transfer."

"Why not? I thought that's what you wanted."

I explained that my partner and I lived together and the reason I was at
Oberlin was so we could live together. "Next year I will jump at the chance
to transfer, but I can't live on campus with Matt living in our house
here."

"Luke, I know all that. I understand the two of you actually had a kind of
marriage ceremony."

"That's right. No-one would expect a husband and wife to live apart and, so
far as we are concerned, we are married even though no-one recognizes it."

"Luke, you are thinking in terms of a nine-month school year. The Art
Institute thinks in terms of semesters. So far as Oberlin and the Institute
are concerned, your next semester is next year. You will be a
sophomore. You just did a year in one semester because of the credits you
brought with you from high school."

"Then I am ready for a transfer. Yes! Again, thanks."

I was on cloud nine as I drove home. The household was still in the kitchen
when I got home, devouring snacks and telling horror stories about their
exams. When I walked in I said, "You all are sitting there celebrating when
I just got told I am no longer a student at Oberlin." Five faces stared at
me in disbelief.

"You're kidding!" Eugene exclaimed. "There has to have been a mistake. Tell
us about it and we'll get together and decide what to do. Who has Lem
Aldridge's phone number? Let's retain him right away!" Yes, Millie had
definitely rubbed off on Eugene.

It was all I could do to keep the pitiful look on my face. Finally Matt
looked at me and started laughing. "Luke Larsen, I don't know what's going
on, but you sure aren't upset. I can see that tell-tale glint in your
eyes."

"It's true. I am no longer a student at Oberlin. I am now a student at the
Cleveland Art Institute!" There were shouts and high-fives all around. Matt
just kept hugging me.

"Wow! Good news!" Kent said.

"Don't have my schedule yet, but Ms. Jamison is taking care of registration
for me. We'll have to redo transportation when I do get my schedule."

"Small problem compared with the opportunity, Luke," Paula said.

Thursday evening we had the combo over for dinner. Larry and Matt finished
preparing dinner while the combo practiced. It was quite a festive affair,
since we all had done well on our projects and grades had been posted for
everyone except Matt--and Professor Larkin had told him he had an A unless
he really messed up his recital. We all had As with a B sprinkled here and
there--Kent made a B in his humanities class and the rest of us had Bs in
our math classes, otherwise it was all As.

After dinner the combo took a break while Eugene, Paul, Richard and Sheila
talked about the possibility of playing at the lake resort. Eugene had
talked with Rachel and she was up to joining the group. Jack was
uncertain. They planned to get together after Christmas and practice in NC.

Saturday morning Matt was as jumpy as a cat. About nine, I suggested we go
for a drive and he was all for it. We drove out into the country and when
he suggested we visit the van Hooks, I asked him to call and see if it was
convenient for them. He called our house and got their number. When he
called the van Hooks, they were delighted and asked that we come.

We had a great visit. We didn't have snow to shovel because there had not
been snow since Kent and Larry had gone out to clear the van Hook's walks a
few days before, so we just visited. Matt had already called them and let
them know he had gotten one of the summer series. Both said they hoped to
get to hear him play one day, and that was one reason I wanted to see them
that day. "Matt's playing a recital Sunday afternoon at 2:00. If you two
would like, I'll arrange for someone to pick you up and bring you back
after the recital." Both were excited about hearing Matt play.

That afternoon, Matt and I went for a walk on the beach. It was very cold
outside but there was no wind, so we were comfortable enough bundled up as
we were. We said very little because Matt was getting more and more
uptight, and I knew that what was best was just to be with him. Any attempt
to talk him out of his concern would backfire.

When we got back to the house, the combo was packing up, getting ready to
go to Case Western Reserve for their gig. Eugene has asked Larry to go with
him since there was no reason he could not go and enjoy the party. Matt was
left alone when we left at five. After a long, deep kiss, I made him
promise not to work too hard or get frustrated. I knew he was getting
up-tight about the recital and thought about asking him to go with me but
knew that, even though he might, he would resent it.


ASP--The Oberlin Five--Chapter Nineteen--Matt

I had very mixed feelings about Luke playing a gig Saturday night. I
selfishly wanted him to stay with me, but knew he was needed by the
combo. I was afraid he'd ask me to go with him and I knew I wouldn't feel
comfortable going, or not going if he asked. I think we both knew I needed
to stay and do little or nothing Saturday night and not be out until one or
two in the morning.

After everyone left at five, I dressed warmly and went down to the beach
and sat watching the waves on the lake. Even dressed as I was, I started
getting cold and knew that would not be good for the fingers and legs which
I needed to be in excellent shape the following day. I got up and walked up
the steep path to the house.

When I got back inside, I made a mug of hot chocolate and went into the
family room, lit the logs and sat reflecting on the past months, my first
semester at Oberlin. It was hard to believe so much had happened in what
had been, really, a short time. It sounded foolish, but I missed Luke. He
had been gone less than two hours and I was missing him.

We'd had a few rough spots, but I thought very few for newly weds. After
the fantastic night we'd had the Saturday before, we both knew that we had
been skating on thin ice in allowing ourselves to get too busy to spend
time with each other. Sex Saturday had been absolutely perfect because we
took our time and we also had gotten very playful. As I thought about it, I
remembered how Luke and I had kinda envied Michael and Mary Kathryn--who
seemed to have being playful built in, while Luke and I had to--what?--to
relax enough to be playful.

I decided I'd fix myself something for supper, eat, and then play through
the music as if I was actually performing the recital. After I had a
sandwich and some fruit, I sat down at the organ, turned on the recorder
and closed my eyes, imagining I was in Finney Chapel, and then started
playing my opening piece, "Fanfare for the New Year" by Calvin Hampton. As
I finished each piece, I paused briefly then started the next one. I wanted
to have the recital come very close to an hour, and certainly not over an
hour and fifteen minutes--and that included encores if those were
warranted. When I finished playing the program proper, I found it had taken
sixty-nine minutes. I could keep the whole thing under seventy-five minutes
with my encores, an organ reduction of Sousa's "Stars and Strips Forever"
and a second one if needed, Robert Elmore's "Donkey Dance". Of course I had
timed it before but I just wanted to make sure, and each time I came out
with almost exactly the same time.

I then listened to the tape and found that there were small mistakes. "You
are still human," I told myself, "but you are damn good." I was surprised
when I looked at my watch and saw it was not nine yet. After having been at
the books getting ready for finals, I couldn't relax. Each time I did, I
started feeling guilty and anxious, thinking I needed to be doing
something. I paced the floor awhile and finally decided to call Mom and
Dad. They had talked about coming up for the recital and I thanked them for
asking about it but suggested they not. "You can hear it at St. Mary's," I
told them.

"We saw an announcement in St. Mary's newsletter," Dad said. "It just said
you'd present a program Sunday afternoon, Christmas Eve."

"Millie asked that I play my recital there and, since St. Mary's has been
good to me, I was delighted to do it. I'll play at two and then the altar
guild and helpers will decorate the church for the midnight Christmas
Mass," I said. We talked for half an hour about nothing in
particular. Before we hung up, Mom said, "I hope you feel more relaxed
now," and laughed.

"Can't fool Mother Greywolf, can I?" I responded, and said goodnight.

I put on a favorite CD and picked up a book to read--a McCaffrey
fantasy--and got absorbed in it. I was so absorbed, I was surprised when
the phone rang and saw it was 10:30. When I answered it, Luke asked, "How
you doin' Dark Angel mine?"

"Missing you."

"Missing me? I haven't been gone long enough to be missed."

"Don't care, Luke, I miss you. I guess I have started winding down a bit
and... anyway I do miss you. Had a long talk with Mom and Dad--nothing
important. I'm just kinda at a loss here by myself."

We talked for a few more minutes then Luke said, "Got to run and charm the
ladies with this wonderful voice of mine".

"Charm all the ladies you like, but no guys. You belong to me."

"Sounds like a song there somewhere," Luke laughed then added, "Not to
worry, Babe, there's no-one but you, now and forever. Call you at the next
break."

I started reading again, then put my book down to watch the late news. The
weather forecast was for more snow. I didn't know what was meant until I
looked outside and saw the ground was covered with fresh snow. Lake effect
snow was expected to pile up several inches in the next couple hours. Luke
called again at midnight and said the snow was really coming down and the
crew had made arrangements to spend the night in Cleveland. "The roads will
be cleared in the morning so I don't think we'll try to come home tonight."

"Miss you, but rather have you later and in one piece," I said. "I'll dream
about you, light of my life."

'And I of you, Sarang Hanun Pomul. Goodnight. God, I love you."

"Goodnight, and I love you."

Well I would have the bed all to myself and I didn't like the thought, but
I went upstairs, got undressed, put on my robe and flopped down on the
couch to read. I dozed off to sleep sometime and woke up at three in the
morning, slipped off my robe and crawled into bed.


ASP--The Oberlin Five--Chapter Nineteen--Larry

I helped the combo get set up, then found a comfortable chair in a dark
corner and collapsed. I had done really well--much better than I had
expected or even dreamed--my first semester in college. I had to admit I
had worked hard and Eugene wouldn't let me whine about being too dumb to do
the work. I had proven I could, so I guess I was stuck with doing well from
now on. Being selected for the filming trip to India and Nepal was a real
surprise. Eugene and I had talked about that. We had planned to have the
summer together but, as he said, if I turned down this offer there might
well not be others. If this one turned out as well as he and Mr. Greentree
thought it would, it could open a lot of doors for me. We both agreed we
had to spend time with Matt and Luke talking about avoiding what had
happened to them the summer before. It was going to be hard being separated
after living together--sleeping together--for nine months, but we had four
more months before we were separated.

When the combo took its first break, Eugene found me and brought two
Cokes. He sat on the arm of the overstuffed chair in which I was sitting,
and we were just chatting when Paula and Kent came over with another
guy. "Eugene, Larry, this is Nathan Shapiro. We worked together in camp
last summer," Paula said. We shook hands and I could see Kent was not
exactly pleased with having Paula being around this fellow. I had never
thought about Kent being jealous, but if he wasn't jealous, there was
something going on.

We were engaged in idle, meaningless chit-chat when Luke walked up. "What
you been up to, as if I didn't know?" Paula asked. "How is Matt doing?"

"He misses me and, more than that, he can't get over feeling he is supposed
to be doing something. I was surprised. He said he had played the recital
through and that was it. He's reading a Pern tale and then going to bed."

Some fellow walked in and said, "Man is it snowing outside".

Luke called Matt again about midnight and told him we would be staying in
town. "Told Matt I was sure the streets would be clear in the morning, but
we'd stay safe tonight. I talked with the frat president and he said he'd
make arrangements for us here."

We played a short set--our last--and, as we got ready to start packing our
equipment, Nathan handed Paula a Coke. She took a long drink and he said,
"If you guys don't need Paula, I'll show her where she can sleep. She can
show Sheila later."

"Thanks," Richard said.

As the two left, Kent picked up the Coke Paula left and downed most of
it. Not five minutes later, he collapsed on the floor, barely breathing.

"Someone call 911," Sheila shouted as Eugene, Richard and I started working
on Kent. Everyone was running hither and yon, no-one sure what anyone was
doing. Eugene whipped out his cell phone and dialed 911 and gave the
operator instructions. When he closed the phone, Sheila asked, "Where's
Paula?".

"She left with Nathan," I said, then the world collapsed. "My God, Kent
drank the rest of her Coke, but she has downed a good bit of it. We have to
find her NOW!". James, the frat president, was standing over Kent when I
spoke. "James, where could Shapiro have taken her? That Coke was intended
for her."

James spoke to several guys and they rushed out of the room looking for
Paula. The EMS team from Cleveland Clinic arrived minutes later and, when
they reached Kent, James said, "Fellows, I suspect this is a date-rape drug
case. If you can treat him right here and give us a few minutes, I suspect
we will have a young woman as well."

"James, the library was locked so we broke the door down. The young woman
was inside--alone--passed out," one of the guys yelled.

"I hate to be this way, but I suspect you will need your rape kit," James
said, as two members of the EMS team rushed to the library.

Five minutes later, Paula and Kent were on their way to Cleveland Clinic
and we were all in shock.

"I'm really sorry this happened," James said. "I hope you don't think we
condone what was done to Paula and Kent. We don't. I have had my eye on
Shapiro for some time, because a couple times he seemed to go a little far
with women, but nothing I could really put my finger on. You have your
equipment together, just leave it here and I'll see that it is safe. I
suspect you'll want to go to the hospital. As soon as I have your equipment
safe, I'll join you there."

"Don't we need to call the police?" Richard asked.

"No, the EMS team did that before they left."

We had Eugene's car and Luke's truck, so we drove both to the
hospital. When we got there, a policewoman wanted to talk to us
immediately. We told her what we knew and what we suspected. "I hope you
kept the Coke can the two drank from," she said.

"I don't know that anyone did. We were too upset to think straight," Sheila
said, then asked, "Paula was raped, wasn't she."

"I'm probably not supposed to tell you but, yes, she was. She'll get the
best possible care because there is a rape crisis center here. But she's
going to need a lot, a whole lot, of support for heaven only knows how
long. Does she had any support here?"

Luke told her about our living arrangements and that Kent was her
boyfriend.

"I hope he won't push for sex for a while. It's going to take time for her
to feel free to have sex again."

"Think you are making an invalid assumption," I said. "I don't think Kent
and Paula were having sex. In fact, I think you will find she was a
virgin."

"That usually makes the trauma worse, because she may well feel she is
soiled and dirty and is cheating her boyfriend because she was saving
herself for him. Response to being raped is always bad, very bad. It's
great she has a group of supportive friends. And you think this Nathan
Shapiro is to blame?" We all nodded.

We were still talking to Officer McDonald when James arrived. He was
carrying a Coke can very carefully, a Coke can he had placed in a plastic
bag. "Officer, this is the Coke which Paula and Kent drank. I have very
carefully not touched it and managed to get here without spilling the small
amount of drink left."

"Great! I was afraid someone had make the can disappear," she responded.

A doctor came out and talked with us. He told us the two were out of
danger. He talked about the date-rape drug and the fact that it can be
fatal, cause real mental problems, loss of memory, and was difficult to
detect. "I think we got to your friends before any medical damage was
done. I doubt that the young man will have any emotional problems caused by
the drug. Well that's not true. I was told he is the young woman's
boyfriend. Correct?"

"Correct," I said.

"I am sure there will be emotional problems because of what has happened to
her, but nothing directly related to the drug. Since Miss Wright was still
unconscious when she arrived here, she had done nothing to destroy the
evidence of a rape. If this Shapiro is guilty of having done it, there
should be an airtight case against him. Since there's nothing you can do
here, I suggest you go home and get some rest."

"You said the drug would be difficult to detect?" James asked.

"It is if the test is not done quickly as this one will be. No, there's no
question about detecting it if it was used."

"I doubt that any of us will want to budge. If we want to stay?" Luke
asked.

"Make yourselves at home, as nearly as you can. We'll see that you are kept
posted."

When the doctor left, we had a family meeting. "Look, all of you know we
can't go home and keep this a secret from Matt, and he will be a wreck when
he needs to be as worry-free as possible," Luke said.

"But how do we explain not going home?" Eugene asked.

"I told him we would be spending the night in Cleveland. I don't know which
would be worse: me going home in the morning and risk him finding out, or
not being at his recital."

"Look, why don't you go in the morning, Luke--only a few hours away I just
realized--and tell Matt that there was bad food or drink at the party and
Kent and Paula ate or drank something which made them sick," I
suggested. "Or you can say Paula, Kent and Eugene got sick and I was
staying with them and you came home for the recital. Then you can tell him
after the recital."

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Luke said. He stayed until the doctor told
us both Paula and Kent were out of the woods, then went home, leaving
Cleveland about nine Sunday morning.


ASP--Chapter Nineteen--Luke

By the time I got home, Matt was worried half-sick. He calmed down when I
told him the bad drink story and, since it was true, I guess he suspected
nothing. "Kent and Paula will be ok, but it seemed best for Larry and
Eugene to stay with them to make sure they were out of the woods. Eugene
said he'd rather hear you at St. Mary's anyway. 'It's home,' he said and
Larry agreed."

For one time I was glad Matt was thinking about Matt and his
recital. Nothing I said was a lie, but if Matt had not been so absorbed
with thinking about his recital, he would have spotted something amiss I
was sure.

I told Matt I had to call Fr. Manville and managed to get away from him, so
I told Father what had happened and asked prayers for all of
us. "Especially for Kent and Paula, but for all of us as well because of
what happened to them, for Matt's recital and our trip home. Oh, I just
thought of something. I was supposed to pick up our friends, the van Hooks,
for the recital."

"The elderly couple who live out in the country?"

"Yes, you know them?"

"I do indeed. I met them several years ago. I'll see that they get in. They
have friends at St. Anne's."

Fr. Manville was pretty sharp. He mentioned Kent and Paula in prayers for
the sick, Matt in general intercessions and all of us for those who travel.

After the Eucharist, Matt was practically attacked by the choir asking
about Paula. I was glad they saw him as the obvious person to ask, because
a couple times during the celebration I felt tears ready to betray my
"everything's ok" attitude. Fr. Manville helped me slip away to his office
so I could call the hospital.

I called the waiting room and got Eugene. Kent was doing ok and would be
released. A rape counselor had just gone in to see Paula. "It took major
efforts to control Kent when he was told," Eugene said. "The doctor came
out to get us because Kent was tearing up jack. We finally got him calmed
down, but I'm glad Shapiro is not around. The police had an officer,
Officer Kaye, come by this morning to talk with Kent. She told us they
haven't found Shapiro yet. Larry is talking to her now across the room. I'm
having a hell of a time with him as well. He is reacting to Kent's
reaction. I have a call in to our counselor. He just kept saying, 'Shapiro
did to Paula what I did to you,' and crying as soon as Kent was calm. Hate
to say this, but Larry getting upset wasn't all bad, because Kent turned
the tables and helped get Larry calm. He actually asked me to leave so he
could talk to Larry. We sure got a winner in that guy. We've yet to see
Paula. The rape counselor wants to talk with us before we do, especially
Kent."

"Has anyone called Sandra?"

"Not directly. I called the Greywolfs just after you left, after I was
assured again that, physically, the two were ok. They were going to call
the rabbi and the three of them tell her. They called back a few minutes
ago and said Marc would bring Sandra and the Greywolfs up as soon as they
are ready. He's also planning on taking them back. Kent plans on calling
his parents after he has seen Paula. He wants Paula and Sandra to stay here
until they are ready to go back, and he is definitely going back with
Paula."

"I convinced Matt to go out to Sunday dinner, and Fr. Manville told me of
an elegant place where we could be semi-private and it would be quiet. By
the time dinner is over it will be time for him to go to the
chapel. Fr. Manville will be at the recital, of course, and offered to be
with us when I finally tell Matt. I suspect Matt will want to hightail it
to Cleveland." As I spoke, Fr. Manville knocked on the office door, and I
said goodbye and walked out to see Matt headed toward me.

"I made reservations for dinner for you two," Fr. Manville said, "so you
have a cover for being in the office." To be honest, he was sharper than I
would have given him credit for. "It's also on me," he added. When Matt
walked up, Fr. Manville said, "Matt, I just had Luke checking on your
housemates and making reservations at Erie House for Sunday dinner. On me."

"How are the guys?" Matt asked. "Apparently Kent and Paula got the worst of
it," I said. "Kent is being released this afternoon and he, along with the
others, will be home as soon as they can. Well, Kent may not be, since they
are keeping Paula a little longer. But they will all be ok. Of course it
will take time to recover after a bout, but not to worry. I am
relieved. Guess for one time I was lucky for not wanting to drink anything
except water when I sing."

Erie House was a turn-of-the-century place, very much like ours, but not on
the lake. It was in the middle of a section of Oberlin which looked like
New England transplanted. It was a bed and breakfast, but also an elegant
restaurant serving dinner only during the week, but famous for its Sunday
brunch. When we arrived and said Fr. Manville had made reservations for us,
we were shown in to what had been the ladies' parlor, a small room with
floor-to-ceiling windows and two tables. The other table was occupied by an
elderly woman and a couple in their forties or early fifties. The man was
facing the door and, when we walked in, got an expression on his face which
clearly said, "How dare they put two teenagers here with us!". I was
surprised when the elderly lady spoke to us.

"Good afternoon," she said. "Nice to see young men dressed for Sunday
brunch."

"Nice to have such elegant company," Matt replied as he bowed slightly in
her direction. As we were seated, Matt whispered, "I'm glad I am not in her
son's or son-in-law's shoes!" and smiled.

We had a magnificent meal and Matt proved, once again, food is the second
thing on a teenager's mind. I think the recital was completely forgotten as
we ate. Fortunately, although there were several courses, the portions were
properly small so he didn't eat too much.

The trio sharing our room finished before we did and, as they prepared to
leave, the elderly lady walked over to our table--using an ebony cane with
a silver head, I noticed. She really did remind me of Millie. "Gentlemen,"
she said, "I am Sylvia Barrington and this is my son, Rudolf, and his wife,
Eugenia. He was sure we were being invaded by noisy teenagers when you came
in, and was greatly disappointed. It is obvious you have been taught
manners."

"Thank you, Mrs. Barrington," I said as we stood. "I am Luke Larsen and
this is my partner, Matthew Greywolf." Mrs. Barrington didn't bat an eye
when I introduced Matt as my partner. Her son couldn't hide
his--negative--reaction.

"If you have the afternoon free, there is to be an organ recital in Finney
Chapel at Oberlin you might enjoy," Mrs. Barrington said.

"Thank you. It sounds like something we might attend," I smiled.

"If you do, you might better get a move on. It starts in forty-five
minutes."

"I'll bet they'll wait until we get there," I said, smiled, and then looked
at Matt who was about to lose it.

"Don't depend on it," Mrs. Barrington laughed.

As the three walked out, her son said, making sure it was loud enough for
us to hear, "Arrogant snot," and his mother slapped him one upside the
head.

We did have to get a move on. As soon as Mrs. Barrington mentioned the
time, Matt started getting antsy. I had planned to get him to the chapel as
late as possible, but we had to get moving.

It was 1:30 when we got to the chapel. I expected maybe a dozen people, as
recitals are a dime a dozen at Oberlin. I guess Professors Larkin and Moler
had worked to get out the troops, because there were people all over the
place as we walked in. Professors Larkin and Moler were waiting for Matt,
in what served as a green room, when we arrived. They told him how sorry
they were about the rest of the crew. "Larry and Eugene told us what
happened. We met them as we came in a few minutes ago," Professor Larkin
said. She and Professor Moler assured Matt that he would do great and they
were looking forward to the recital. They seemed to hang around longer than
they should--I guess because I wanted to be with my babe. "Luke, come with
us. We have a place reserved for you."

Remembering what Professor Moler had told Matt about kissing, and the fact
that I didn't care, I took Matt in my arms, looked into his black almond
eyes then kissed him slowly, passionately, broke the kiss, gave him a soft
tiger growl and said, "Go get 'em, Silver Wolf".

Matt returned my kiss and said, "Think I'll have to add a name, Tony
Tiger".


ASP--The Oberlin Five--Chapter Nineteen--Matt [Author's note: Matt's
program in text will be found below.aand is posted as Chapter 19A in HTML.]

I waited in the green room for the signal to start. I really didn't have
time to get overly nervous and concerned. Luke had kept me occupied very
well, so there was little time to get upset. I did wonder a few times if
something was going on, because he seemed distracted, but I guess it was
just concern about the rest of the crew. Since Larry and Eugene were out
front, things must be ok.

I got the signal to start, crossed myself, and said, "Matthew, make it
good". I walked to the front of the audience, bowed and headed for the
organ, then did a double-take. Seated in the middle of the front section
were Mom, Dad, Millie, Woody, Eugene, Larry, Marc and Keith. The
Barringtons were sitting with them, as were Professors Larkin and Moler,
Luke and the van Hooks. When I did the double-take, Mrs. Barrington raised
her cane and saluted me. As she did, I saw Fr. Manville come into the back
of the chapel. I was on top of the world.

I seated myself at the organ, re-checked the registration and started
Calvin Hampton's "Fanfare for the New Year". I am sure there were tons of
mistakes in my playing that Sunday afternoon, but it seemed flawless to
me. Not only was I playing well, but I was enjoying myself tremendously. I
played the two pieces I had prepared for an encore, to thunderous applause,
and took a couple bows afterward. Finally I stepped in front of the
audience and, in a little-boy voice, said, "Please, Professor Larkin,
Professor Moler, can I go home now?". I could hear the roar of Professor
Moler's laugh above all the others. There was another scattering of
applause and people starting moving, some toward me and some toward the
exits.

Luke was obviously frustrated, since he was having a hard time getting
through the traffic to reach me. When he did, he grabbed me, lifted me off
the floor and, in front of God an everybody, gave me a Luke-special
kiss. By the time he released me, Dad grabbed me in a bear hug. I got
passed from one to the other until I was sure I would be sore the next day!
Even Professor Moler hugged me, as did Mrs. Barrington. "I guess we would
have waited for you to arrive, Mr. Greywolf," she laughed. "We were honored
to be invited to sit with your friends. You are some organist, young man!"
She turned to Luke and said, "And you are the good man behind the good man,
obviously". She turned to Mom and Dad and said, "You have a delightful
treasure in your son". Which caused a general outburst of laughter.

Millie took Mrs. Barrington's arm and said, "I'll explain."

There was a reception following the recital. As we entered the room,
Professor Moler said, "Matt, you better start developing a taste for
punch," and laughed.

Luke stood with me in the receiving line, holding my hand. He really had
decided he didn't care what people thought. I wasn't quite to that point
yet but, here at Oberlin where people knew us, I didn't care, and loved the
feel of his hand in mine. As soon as we could leave the receiving line we
did, but I still hadn't had a chance to talk with my family and special
friends, as everyone wanted to talk with me. Half an hour after the
reception started, most people has paid their regards and gotten on with
their business. Luke and I were finally able to walk over to where our
friends and family were standing. As we approached, Mrs. Barrington said,
"You two are two kewl dudes," and laughed, which broke me up, releasing a
lot of tension I didn't realize I had.

"How did you happen to get up with the family?" I asked.

"My son was helping me up the steps when I spied another cane and waved
mine in that direction. As I did, Millie shouted, 'Sylvia, you old
lady!'. I didn't recognize her until she spoke, and I'd recognize that
voice anywhere after a hundred years. Millie and I were classmates here,
but hadn't seen each other since. She went back south and I went to Europe
with my new husband. Our paths hadn't crossed again until today."

"And just how did you happen to be here, Mrs. Millie Willingham?" I asked.

"I flew up to spend time with Woody and we decided we could postpone
love-making for an event as important as this one," Millie laughed, and
Woody blushed. "Actually, since you were playing today, and Woody and I had
some things to talk over, it seemed worth a trip instead of a phone
call. Matt, you do know how to make an old lady--not too old
though--proud," Millie said as she hugged me again. "And I'm glad to see
the two lovers are still together," she said as she hugged Luke.

"Stinky wanted to come, Matt," Woody said, "but he came down with a
terrible case of the flu last week and is still in the hospital. He may be
discharged tomorrow. You gotta send him a tape. He will be pleased."

I finally got to Eugene and Larry and asked, "How are Paula and Kent?".

"Kent's been released, but he stayed because of Paula. She should be
released later today," Eugene said.

"They need to get home so we can celebrate," I said. When I did, Larry and
Eugene both got a strange look on their faces, I thought.

"Marc, Keith, why are you two here?"

The two guys blushed and Marc said, "Hey, any excuse to get with hot-pants
Bad Man Lewis," and kissed Keith on the cheek.

"Mom, Dad, I thought you were going to wait until I played at St. Mary's."

"With seats on Marc's luxury liner? No way."

"Well, let's get back to the house. I'm ready to celebrate."

"Sure," Luke said, then asked, "Father, can you join us?". Fr. Manville
nodded.

"Woody and I will be along later, I'd like a visit with Sylvia," Millie
declared. Then, turning to Mrs. Barrington, she said, "Remember when we
managed to sneak out of the dorm and join Willingham and Barrington for a
trip to a speak-easy?" Millie laughed. Mrs. Barrington nodded, and the two
old college mates walked off, laughing and waving their canes.

____________________________________
A note to Sequoyah at sequoyah@charter.net will be appreciated.

			     An Organ Recital
				    by
		    Matthew Sarang Hanun Pomul Greywolf


Fanfare for the New Year				Calvin Hampton

Yankee Doodle with Variations				Edward Little White

Concert Variations on "The Star Spangled Banner"	Dudley Buck

Variations on "America"					Charles Ives

Jerusalem, My Happy Home				Arr. Charles Shearing

Wonderous Love: Variations on a Shaped-Note Hymn	Samuel Barber

Prelude and Fughetta on "St. Kevin"			Seth Bingham

Suite for Organ: III. Air with Variations		Leo Sowerby

Go Tell It on the Mountain				Arr. Charles Callahan

Prelude on "Greensleeves"				Richard Purvis

Meditation on "Silent Night"				David Conte

____________________________

The Composer Comments on Sweat Lodge

As a person of mixed heritage--my father is Lakota and my mother Korean--I
have shaman in both ancestries.

Within the last year, I have studied under a Lakota medicine man (shaman)
and his medicine-man son. Important to my studies and personal health and
development is the sweat lodge.

My mentor, Professor Isodore Moler, has encouraged me to continue a work I
started as a result of looking at my Lakota heritage. The result is a
four-movement work-in-progress based on the chants, prayers and symbolism
of the sweat.

The first movement corresponds with the First Endurance of the sweat lodge,
Wiyopeyate, the endurance of the west. In this endurance, participants
beseech the spirits to join them in the lodge and be their spirit
guides. The movement arises out of a chant beseeching the spirit guides.