Paulette slowly downgraded to weeping as she removed her head from PJ's shoulder and returned to the present.
"What's the next exam?" she asked, for, at the present, she was too sorrowful to remember.
PJ answered, "We have only one exam a day, tomorrow is English. There is no exam for swimming, and then we have Psychology, we have no Lab exam. On Friday, we have the Art Exam, and then we get to go on Fall Break."
Paulette smiled a real smile when he said "Fall Break."
"That's what I was hoping for," remarked PJ, "my girl is back with her beautiful smile."
"Why don't we pick up our suits and head to the indoor pool for some exercise?" suggested Paulie. "I think a dip will help my concentration and ease my anxieties."
"I like that," agreed PJ. "We can go from the pool to the meeting at Wesley and afterward split a pizza, you think?"
Paulette agreed. PJ started his moped and Paulette climbed onboard. Off they ran to the dorms for their swim gear, and then over across campus to the indoor heated pool. Each walked into the separate changing rooms and appeared through the opposite side by the sidewalk surrounding the heated pool. Paulette had dunked her hair under the shower to rinse the hair products off her hair so she wouldn't contaminate the pool. She was smoothing her hair into a low ponytail when PJ approached her at the poolside. He, too, had dunked his head, although his hair was still braided compactly in his plait.
PJ looked to Paulette and said, "Race?"
Paulette nodded, and they both dove neatly into the water, swimming quickly in hopes of reaching the other side first.
PJ was first to emerge from the water and tap the side of the Olympic sized pool. Paulette came up out of the water like a sprite, droplets falling from her shoulders and hair. She wiped the water from her eyes and said, "You had the jump because you knew we were going to race."
PJ laughed and said, "Okay, best of three laps. Let's race to the end, touch, back, touch, and then to the other side AND out of the water onto the sidewalk."
Paulette said, "On the count of three, 1, 2…" and into the water they dove.
This time, Paulette was mentally prepared and physically ready for a win. She pushed herself hard as she swam dolphin-like across the pool. She tapped the side and turned underwater, heading back across to complete the next lap. PJ was slower on the turns but passed her in the lap because of his longer reach. They were head to head as they were completing the third lap to the forefront of the pool. Paulette heaved herself out of the water and onto her forearms, twisting her body to sit on the pool shelf. She scrambled to get her legs underneath and her body up so she could be declared the winner. PJ did likewise, just a fraction of a second behind Paulette. Paulette danced on the side of the pool as she declared to the room, "The Winner!" PJ bowed to Paulette as they laughed at their competitive spirits.
The rest of Exam Week passed in a blur of packing and studying, with a swim and an AA meeting every night. Paulette was holding her own, but she still had not been honest with PJ or her AA group about her drinking habits. Because of her dishonesty with everyone, she was ripe for a fall into relapse.
On Friday, the Art Exam was Paulette's worst nightmare come true. She looked at the collection of slides on display and oscillated between Manet and Monet, Degas, Hopper, and Homer. She couldn't recall the term pointillism, instead substituting pixels. She knew she was doomed.
PJ finished his art exam and waiting for Paulette to leave the building. He saw her sad face and prepared himself for another meltdown into tears. To his surprise, Paulie just shrugged and asked quietly to be taken to the dorms. When PJ dropped her at the dorms, he said goodbye for the week and kissed her gently on the lips. She waltzed into Richardson Towers reveling in her first kiss with PJ.
As the day drew to a close, Pauline was exhausted from the tension of the week, and the time she spent in the library worrying about her grades. Taylor came by to announce the last mixer of the first half of the semester, and this time, Pauline was ready to party her troubles away. She didn't have any alcohol to contribute, but she had brownies from her mom, and several bottles of 7-Up soda. She added a big bag of Tostitos and some cheese dip that she had made in a crockpot for her supper. Down she tripped to the second floor with Taylor, knowing PJ wouldn't see her as he had already left for Fall Break. Paulette had to wait until Sunday for her ride as she was still scheduled to work Saturday at the Library.
When Taylor and Paulette entered the room, the party was in full swing. Many of the students had started drinking afternoon. The Resident Mother was nowhere to be found; the rumor was she left campus at nine a.m. for the week. Officially, the campus was now closed, and residents were supposed to be evacuating their rooms.
This group was nowhere near ready to leave campus. The music was flowing, and so was the juice. Paulette quickly poured a 7/7 over ice and gulped it down, then put her glass down for more. She forgot about exams, grades, papers and reports. She also forgets she never ate breakfast or any other meal that day. She was thoroughly trashed in minutes. Within the hour, Paulette had passed out on the couch. The other students left her on the sofa, covered her with a blanket, and partied throughout the night. Early in the morning hours, Paulette awoke with a hangover and the desire to throw up. Whether the desire was triggered by her binge drinking or her self-loathing, she was unsure. She toddled up the stairs to her dorm room and set the alarm for 8:30, leaving just enough time to shower and run to the library to work.
On Sunday afternoon, Paulette was packed and dressed for her transport back to St. Ives. Paulette was both chagrined and ashamed of her now total relapse back into her addiction. She wished she had PJ to talk with, but she figured he would break up with her when she announced her lost sobriety. She intentionally avoided his phone calls, even though his special phone ring was often and loud. She finally turned her phone completely off and just waited on the curb for her parents.
When her parents arrived at the dorm, Paulette was ready to go home. She helped her Dad place her bags in the trunk, then climbed into the back seat for the two and a half hour drive. As soon as they left Memphis, she immediately fell asleep. Her parents exchanged amused looks at their college student sleeping like a toddler on a road trip in the back seat.
Monday Paulette had the luxury of sleeping in, and she enjoyed the bliss of having clean sheets, clean laundry and clean room, all taken care of by her Mom. She loved the home-cooked meals and family time around the dinner table. She told her Mom and Dad of how much she had enjoyed the art practicum and how Biology was not her favorite subject. She had really enjoyed Psychology, another surprise, and discussed with them the possibility of becoming a Psychology Major. She didn't have to declare a major until the end of her fourth semester, as it took that long to complete the undergraduate prerequisites. Her parents encouraged her to wait until the end of her sophomore year to declare her major for her studies.
When she began to tell stories of her time with PJ, her voice took a soft, warm tone of affection.
Paulette's mom immediately noticed the difference in her stories and the feelings conveyed in her voice.
"Are you serious about PJ?" she asked, a little on the concerned side. She wasn't sure yet that Paulette had mature judgment, given the fiasco of the past summer. Lauren's death had taken a toll on Paulette and her mother. Her mother had moved closer to Lauren's mother, but Paulie had run to alcohol instead.
Paulette answered, "I could be. We are not at that stage yet; we've only exchanged our first kiss. We are at the "I really like you stage now." Paulette did not inform her Mom that PJ attended AA or that they were dating steadily. She didn't mention her relapse either, thinking those days were over.
Mackenzie, one of her old drinking buddies, dropped by that evening to invite her down to the river. Paulette saw her mom lingering in the kitchen to eavesdrop, so she shook her head towards her mom and said, "No, I'm just going to relax here at home." Then she mouthed at Mackenzie, "What time?"
Mackenzie held up eight fingers. Paulette said "not tonight," but did not voice it aloud. Mackenzie got up to leave, and Paulie hugged her goodbye. Paulie whispered into Mackenzie's ear, "I will come one night, but not tonight. We're having company tonight."
Mackenzie and Paulette said their goodbyes aloud, and then Mackenzie went on her way. Paulette's Mom came back into the living room and asked, "What did she want with you?"
"She wanted to invite me to a welcome back party, but I told her I wasn't interested. She said okay and went on home." Her mom nodded in relief.
"I'm glad you told her you weren't interested. I don't want to see you back with that crowd," remarked her mom.
Tuesday was another lazy day at home. The temperatures were crisp and cool; duck hunters were in the marshes and riverbeds and the sound of gunshots echoed in the early morning hours. Her father came in with a cooler of ducks, dressed and ready for the freezer. Paulette was fantasizing about glazed duck when her dad challenged her to a game of Scrabble.
Thanks to her increased education, and many games of Words With Friends online, Paulette soundly tromped her dad at Scrabble. They placed the game back in the cupboard, and everyone agreed on an after lunch nap was on the agenda.
When Paulie awoke, her mail was placed on her bedside table. She picked up the letters and placed them aside, for two of the envelopes came from the U of M. She hurriedly tore open the envelopes, eager to see her grades from the exams. The first was from English, where she made an A. Hurray! The second was from the Psychology Department, where she scored another A! This was good!
Paulie went leaping down the stairs to share the news with her parents. She briefly thought about calling PJ but decided to wait until the rest of her marks arrived.
Wednesday morning was drizzly and cold. Her Dad still went hunting but came back chilled and grumpy. There were ducks everywhere, but he couldn't see them for the rain. He feared his total take for the morning was going to be pneumonia. He wrapped himself in a blanket and went to nap in the recliner.
Paulie ate a big breakfast of bacon and waffles, her favorite, and then placed the Scrabble game board onto the tabletop.
"Dad?" she inquired. "Are you ready for revenge? I bet I beat you again."
Her Dad groaned as he crept to the table. He really felt sore and tired from his morning hunt, not like himself at all. He began to stack the tiles on the table in preparation for the game.
Paulie drew and was the winner of the opening move. She placed her tiles on the board and smiled at the 96 points she made. She had a BINGO the first play! Way to go!
Her Dad looked at his tiles and then placed his hands on his forehead. "I really feel tired and achy," he remarked. "My head hurts, too." He closed his eyes for a minute. "The room feels like it is spinning."
Paulie jumped up and placed her hand on her Dad's forehead.
"Dad!" she announced. "Your head is burning up. You have a fever!"
"A fever?" Paulie's mom echoed. "Is your Dad sick?"
"Yes, Mom," Paulie replied. "I think you need to take him to the doctor."
"Paulie, will you call the doctor's office while I gather his things?" asked her Mom.
"Yes, ma'am," answered Paulie. She picked up her cell phone and pushed the speed dial for her family doctor. They had no doctors in the small town so she knew her mom would be driving about twenty minutes to reach the office.
She spoke into the phone. "Yes, he needs to be seen this morning. He seems to have a fever." She paused, listening to the nurse on the phone. "No, I don't know how high but he has a headache also. Yes, ma'am."
Paulie turned to her mom, "She said bring Dad right in and give him two Tylenols before you leave the house."
Paulie helped her Mom and Dad load into the car, and then she went back into the living room to play a few games on her computer and check with her friends on Facebook. She thought about Skyping PJ but then the doorbell rang.
Paulie opened the door, and Mackenzie was standing on the threshold. Paulie left the door open and said, "C'mon in Mack."
Mackenzie closed the door behind her and asked, "Where did your parents go? I just saw them headed out of town on my way in."
Paulie stated, "My Dad had a fever and Mom rushed him into the county seat to go to the doctor. It's not like Dad to get sick. I'm a little worried."
"Hopefully, it is just something little," remarked Mackenzie. "Can you come to the river tonight? We're going to play some new tunes that the group brought back that went to college. Did you get some new music?"
"Not much," replied Paulie. "It takes everything I make to pay the school bills and pay for my eats and such. I don't think I've bought a single CD since I started this semester." She thought back over her music collection. "Nope, nothing new here."
Mackenzie stood to go. "We have lots of new music and stories to tell. C'mon down tonight at 8, after you know your Dad is okay."
Paulie shrugged. "I dunno. We'll see." Paulie thought about how the night would inevitably turn to a drunken blowout, and she wasn't sure she could handle that temptation well.
Mackenzie left, and Paulie walked her out to get the mail. She had three more envelopes from the U of M, and one letter from PJ. She opened the official letters first. The first letter was her Biology exam grade, and she had made a D. At least she passed, but it wasn't a very good mark at all. The second letter was her exam grade from Art. Just as she feared, she had totally bombed the Art final and received an F. Then she opened the third letter. She wasn't expecting another exam grade so she wasn't sure what would be enclosed.
The letter was written on official U of M stationery. Paulette opened the letter and read:
Dear Ms. Paulette Rogers:
We are writing to inform you that you are now on academic probation. You will be allowed to keep your work-study job, but cannot attend any official social functions while on probation. At the close of the semester, we will evaluate your academic progress and determine if your scholarship is still intact, and if your probation can be lifted.
Sincerely,
Dean of Academic Affairs
Paulette sunk onto her bed and began to cry. Her phone began singing the theme song to "Friends" and she answered her mom's ring.
"Hello, Mom," she said dully.
"Honey, your Dad, has a bad case of the flu, along with an upper respiratory infection, the doctor wants him to stay overnight in the hospital for observation and fluids. Will you be all right at home alone?"
"Of course, I will, Mom. I've been staying alone in the dorms. You stay there and take care of Dad. Do you have everything you need?"
"Yes, dear," answered her Mom. "I packed a small suitcase when we came to town. I have found it is better to pack and not need than to not pack and be IN NEED."
"Okay, Mom. I love you. Tell Dad I love him, too." Paulie turned off the call and placed her phone in her pocket.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Around 8:00 p.m., Paulie donned her U of M sweats and grabbed a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red from the cupboard, placed it in her backpack, and trotted down to the river. Her old buddies were all there, from Wayne and Dwayne (the Sheppard twins) to Mackenzie and Deena, the last two counterparts of the fearless foursome they had once been.
A fire was lit by the riverbank, and folding chairs were placed around the fire pit. There were picnic tables at the side loaded with food and several bottles of liquor and beer. Paulie spied a cooler of ice on one of the picnic tables, alongside two tall stacks of red solo cups. On the table beside the cooler were packages of hot dogs, buns, condiments, and marshmallows.
"Where are the coat hangers and sticks for roasting?" she asked.
"On the next table, open your eyes!" Dwayne called to her.
Paulie smiled and picked up a wire coat hanger to unwind. She next opened a package of hot dogs and placed two on the coat hanger, end to end like train cars. She snatched two hot dog buns and packets of mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup (she liked all three), and then pi
cked a good seat at the fireside. Someone hooked up the music to a speaker, and the party was on.
At first, it was just a time to get reacquainted. Some of this gang Paulie had not seen since she entered rehab in June. After she had finished her 30 days' time in rehab, she left immediately in July for her Volunteers in Mission trip. When she came back at the end of July, her parents watched her closely until it was time to report to the U of M campus for the Fall semester. For the freshmen, that meant around August 15 or so, because they had to complete Student Orientation. Then she had the first eight weeks of the Fall semester away, so a total of five months had passed, and in some ways, a lifetime. The longer Paulie visited with the gang, the less she saw in common with them. By the time they broke out the booze, Paulie was entertaining the thought of just leaving for an early night at home.
Mackenzie interrupted her thoughts, "Did you bring anything to share, Paulie?" Now she was stuck. If she answered "no," she would look like a mooch. If she answered "yes," she would have to drink with them.
"Yes," she answered. "I have a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red in my bag. Let me get it for you."
Mackenzie grabbed the bottle and held it aloft. "We got some good stuff here!" she shouted. "Party TIME!"
Paulie went to fill her cup with ice and soda, but when the bottle was passed around to her, she topped off the cup with the whiskey. After she had finished her first glass, she filled the cup again. After her fourth glass, she passed out on the riverbank. Her drinking buddies weren't as kind to her as the dorm buddies. They continued to party and deserted her there in the damp for the entirety of the night.
When her parents returned the next morning, Paulie was nowhere to be found. Her mom checked the cupboards and noticed the missing whisky while her Dad read the three letters from the U of M that was trashed on the living room floor. Her parents went back to the car and began the search for their missing daughter in crisis. The first stop was the riverbank, but it went for several miles, and they were unsure of the exact location where the kids gathered.
Last Leaf on the Oak Tree Page 4