Chapter 38

Easter was unusually late in April that year, coming on April 24th. Our annual Blue and White Game would be tucked between Good Friday and Easter. Coach Burton posted the assignments for the game after practice on Tuesday. The whole team huddled around the bulletin board to find our assignments.

Damian and I were delighted to find ourselves teamed with Chip Brinton on the Blue Team. Amir Lee, Aidan Nagy and Jared Cantrell filled the remaining offensive skill positions for our team. Trevor Conwell, Tony King and Josh Bruno headlined our defense. Colin O'Shea backed up Chip at quarterback. Etienne LeBlanc backed up Damian at tailback.

Glenn Korbel would lead the White Team with Christian, Tanner Riggs, Bruce MacCauley and Alex Majerowicz at wide-out. Jibril Sloan and Wyatt Smith would fill the other skill slots on the White Team. Charlie Taylor backed up Wyatt at tailback. Unquestioned leader of the White Team was our free safety Tyler Madden.

Trevor and I looked over the list of people on our team. No obvious juniors stood out as leaders for our team. The two of us exchanged a knowing look. We were the biggest names on the Blue Team. We would need to provide direction and drive to our team. No other candidates were obvious among our teammates.

Chip and I were showering Wednesday after our post-practice passing drills. Chip casually asked, "Do you have a summer job lined up, Kyle?"

"Yeah, I'm going working at scout camp again," I replied. "How about you?"

"I thought I had one lined up until lunchtime today," Chip said. "My boss from last summer called and told me he isn't hiring any summer help. Things are too slow for him."

"That sucks," I said. "What are you going to do?" An idea popped into my head before Chip had time to reply.

"I have no idea," he responded. "Do you know of anything?"

"Yes, actually I do have an idea," I answered. "You were a Boy Scout. How would you feel about working at the pool at my scout camp this summer?"

"Scout camp?" Chip replied. "I hadn't thought about trying for a job there. Anyway, I'm probably too late. When I was a CIT at Horseshoe years ago, I seem to remember applying in the fall, being interviewed over Christmas vacation and being hired in January. Would the camp still have openings?"

"I know we do," I answered. "My brother told me a few weeks ago that we're short one person at the pool. Christian's cousin was supposed to work there but is doing an internship instead."

"What would I be doing?" Chip asked.

"You would be working for me at the pool," I explained. "I have a staff of ten that will work for me, mostly fifteen or sixteen year olds. I need someone older to help me keep the kids in line and focused on their jobs." Chip nodded his understanding. "Do you have BSA Lifeguard?"

"Uh ... sort of," Chip replied. "I got it when I was fourteen. I'm sure it's expired by now."

"We can fix that during staff week," I replied. "Recertifying you won't be a problem. All aquatics staff review all required skills during staff week to satisfy my brother that they remember what to teach scouts the rest of the summer."

"Your brother?" Chip asked. "Andy is in charge?"

"No, my older brother Will is the aquatics director," I said. "I'll get Mr. Holloway, the camp director, to send you an application."

"How's the pay at your camp?" Chip asked. "I remember Horseshoe didn't pay their staff much."

"The pay is crappy..." I replied. " ... but it beats not having any job. The other benefit is you and I will have loads of time for passing drills. A group of us practice every day after lunch and on Sunday mornings after the Cub Scouts go home."

"You're right. Crappy pay is better than no pay," Chip agreed. "How many guys do you practice with? Are they umm ... How do I say this without be a snob?"

"Are they capable of playing at our level?" I asked. Chip smiled and nodded yes. "Ed Fritz is one. Is the #2 QB at Florida good enough?" Chip nodded yes quickly. "The rest of them are talented high school players. I think most of them have the potential to play in college. One of the receivers is Christian's younger brother Josh. Three more are among the best players on my high school team."

"In other words, the level of play is pretty good," Chip said.

"Exactly," I answered.

"OK, you sold me, Kyle," Chip replied. "Anyway, it will be good for me. Working on pass routes with you for half a summer has to improve my chances of being the starter."

"You know you're a long shot to win the job?" I asked.

"I burned a year of eligibility for the team last season," Chip answered. "Coach is giving me a shot to be the starter this fall. I am going to do my absolute best to win the job. I don't plan on sitting on the bench for three years and watch Jay lead the team."

"I guess you have a point," I agreed.

"Get me the application," Chip said. "I'll fill it out and see if they are interested in hiring me."

"If I tell Will and Mr. Holloway to hire you, you will have the job," I said.

"Cool! Thanks for looking out for me, Kyle," Chip said.

Will was enthusiastic when I called him that evening to let him know I had found another person for our staff. Will guaranteed that Mr. Holloway would hire anyone for the spot that he or I recommended. The paperwork was a mere formality.

Trevor, Stephanie, Kelly and I went downtown Friday night for dinner. We had a nice dinner at the Penn State Dinner. Downtown was hopping with students, fans and alumni. A lot of people came on Friday night to avoid the horrible traffic backups on Route 322 on Saturday.

Trevor and I kissed our girlfriends good night after dinner. We had a game plan to study. Coach Schroeder, head coach for the Blue Team, had drawn a regular game plan for tomorrow.

In addition to being a scrimmage, a chance for young players to learn and a PR event for our fans, our coaches put great stock in besting their opponents. I had overheard Coach Schroeder numerous times teasing Coach C about losing last year's game. Trevor and I would do our best to do our jobs.

We spent a couple hours studying the playbook and the game plan. The usual Friday night pregame poker game started up after that. The lounge at the Lasch Building cleared out around ten o'clock when Tyler, Trevor and I sent our teammates to bed. The university expected as many as 80,000 fans to attend the game and watch us perform tomorrow afternoon. Everyone needed a good night's sleep.

The team breakfast was at the Training Table at 8:30 on Saturday morning. The Blue Team assembled in the auditorium in the Lasch Building, thanks to our win last year. The White Team crowded into one of the smaller meeting rooms down the hall. The coaches reviewed the game plans just like any other fall game to help us be ready for the afternoon.

We spent time in the locker room after the team meeting preparing ourselves mentally and physically. Jay huddled with Jon Stafford, reviewing plays with him. Anders and I sat down with Chip and went over the game plans item by item. I wanted my friend to play well and get the ball off to me so I could look good too. Some guys studied, other listened to music and gabbed. Others played cards while a few guys meditated.

The whole team grabbed an early lunch at the Training Table before returning to suit up at the Lasch Building. Buses took the White and then the Blue Team over to the stadium. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, no different than real games in the fall.

Mobs of fans crowded the barricades by our entrance. Trevor and I worked the line of fans, thanking them for their support and signing autographs. Chip was pleased too. Quite a few fans yelled out his name. He stopped and signed the first autographs of his college career. Chip was upbeat as we headed into the locker room.

We headed out to the field for warm-ups. The stadium was filling as we prepared. I stopped by and talked with Kelly, Jen, Bev, Cindy and Mark. They were seated in their usual spot with a Christian's Crew and Kyle's Krazies signs. I stopped off and talked with the guys from East Halls that had the other Kyle's Krazies sign too. They wished me luck in the game.

The Blue Band and the cheerleaders warmed up the crowd before the game started. The Blue Team took the field first to the cheers of the near capacity crowd. The White Team received an equal welcome when they took the field.

The White Team received first possession according to Coach Burton's plan, so Chip, Damian and I stood on the sidelines and watched things begin. Tanner Riggs took the kickoff and picked up twenty-four yards, a decent return.

Trevor, Josh, Brendan and the other seven guys in the defensive front stopped White's running game cold. Glenn was forced to dump off short passes to Christian, Tanner and Jibril to move the ball. His team gained a couple first downs before we turned them back.

I huddled up with the punt return team and reviewed the return right play Coach Ferguson had called for us.

"Make your blocks count, guys," I lectured. "We're going to take this one all the way." I grabbed Matt Frye's facemask and pulled him closer. "Matt, make damn sure you block Byrd. No one else can catch me."

"You got it, Kyle," the freshman answered. Matt nearly equaled Shawn Byrd, David McCall and me in foot speed.

Mitch Jackson boomed a beautiful deep punt that forced me to backpedal half a dozen yards. I settled under the ball, caught it and then scanned my blocking. I made one step to the left and then cut right. The guys were forming a screen between me and the right sideline as planned. I started forward. Matt engaged and pushed Shawn Byrd away as I cut behind his block.

I smiled to myself. Matt was turning into a good football player. I turned on the jets and flew down along the sideline. The first White player with a clear shot at me was the punter, Mitch. I juked Mitch out of position and flew by. I had clear sailing the rest of the way to the end zone. The Lions faithful cheered and applauded my feat.

I noticed Matt and Shawn climbing up off the ground about ten yards behind me. I helped both guys off the turf before we jogged back to our respective sidelines. I saw on the big screen that Shawn had nearly caught me when I faked out Mitch Jackson and had pursued me the rest of the way down the field until Matt blocked him and knocked him down just before I scored. I congratulated Matt on his work. The kid was turning into a good football player.

"Automatic" Andrew Perkins booted the PAT to give Blue a 7-0 lead. I stood on the sidelines with my idle offensive teammates. Tanner Riggs had another nice kick return, picking up twenty-seven yards.

Glenn and the White offense stayed conservative. They moved the ball with quick, short passes – a lot of flares, outs and curls. Wyatt carried the ball occasionally to slow down Trevor's pass rush. They made a couple first downs and continued their patient progress towards the end zone.

The next play was an uncharacteristic. Christian did a hitch like it was another out route. His roommate, G. J. DeLuca bought the fake while Christian turned and ran down the field. He scooped in Glenn's heave twenty yards downfield and turned on his jets. Most of my teammates didn't know about Christian's breakaway speed since we rarely used him that way on the team.

They found out what I knew from high school. It is hell to catch Christian and bring him down in the open field. David McCall did catch him and knock him out of bounds, but only after Christian picked up forty-two yards.

White had the ball on our 18 yard line. Coach Keller, our linebackers coach normally and Blue defensive coordinator today, managed to stop White from scoring a touchdown. Jared Gray, our freshman kicker, booted an easy field goal from the 12 yard line to put the score at 7-3 Blue's favor.

Jared boomed the ensuing kickoff deep into the end zone so I took the touchback and gave my team possession at our 20 yard line. I met my offensive teammates in the huddle to begin our first drive. The first quarter was half gone.

Coach Schroeder had no need to send me on a deep pass early in the game. Coach C and the White Team were well aware of my deep threat. Our team concentrated on running the ball and mixing in short passes. Damian did his job well. Jared Cantrell lined up outside on the weak side while I took the slot. We moved the ball steadily down the field in four to six yard chunks.

The defenders edged closer to the line after each play, as we wanted. When we pushed the ball across mid-field, Coach Schroeder cut us loose. I ran a post pattern out of the slot covered as always by Shawn Byrd. Tyler Madden came flying up for deep support as I sprinted for the goal post.

I anticipated Aidan Nagy would be open underneath me and get the ball since Tyler and Shawn had me blanketed. I was shocked when the ball came my way anyway. I leaped and tried to catch the ball. Shawn went up too. He managed to get a hand between me and the ball and pry it loose when I grabbed it. Ball incomplete.

I chimed, "Hello, I wasn't open," as I gave Chip a tap on the helmet. "Aidan should have been open."

"Yeah, I was," Aidan agreed. "I had beaten Marco." The White Team had put Marco Cuchiella in as their fifth DB on the play. Three years of experience should beat four weeks of experience every time.

"Sorry guys," Chip replied. "I'll do better next time."

Coach Schroeder called more conservative plays the rest of the drive. We used seven plays to push down the field and score. Chip tossed a nice fade pass to me in the corner of the end zone. Shawn and Tyler were plastered to me but I still managed to bring the ball down in the end zone. Andrew Perkins booted the extra point for our team. Score: 14-3 Blue.

Andrew boomed the ball down a couple yards into end zone on the next kickoff. Tanner Riggs decided to bring the ball out in spite of his location. Tanner has been insisting for the past two years that he is as capable of returning kicks and punts as I was. He used this opportunity to prove his point.

Jared Cantrell couldn't fight off his block and lost contain. Tanner scampered by him and accelerated through the crease in our defense. Tanner made a couple tacklers miss before he was confronted by Andrew Perkins. Tanner tried to stiff arm Andrew but it didn't work. Jared is only 5'-11" and 180 pounds but he outweighs Tanner by five pounds. He slowed Tanner enough for a couple other tacklers to catch him and smash him to the ground.

This play was bad for the Blue Team but excellent for the Nittany Lions. Tanner was expected to be the primary kick returner next season. Coach Ferguson expected to use me only in the big games or for emergencies.

Glenn and the White offense took the ball on our 44 yard line. Coach Adams found a gap in our defense on the last series. This series he exploited it. We were soft to medium passing – over the linebackers' heads and in front of the defensive backs. Glenn hit repeated passes to Christian, Tanner and Jibril in the twelve to fifteen yard depth. When Josh, Brendan and Tony dropped deeper to stop the passes, White ran Wyatt or Charlie up the middle on us.

Distressingly quickly the White Team moved down into our red zone. Our defense tightened again when they tried consecutive runs up the middle. They faked a run up the gut again, locking the linemen and linebackers to the front. Glenn fired the ball to Christian as he crossed across the back of the end zone. Jared Gray added an extra point to narrow the score to 14-10 Blue's favor.

Coach C adjusted the White defense and slowed us down more on our next drive. Shawn Byrd and Tyler Madden dogged me every step of the way across the line of scrimmage. Two more deep attempts failed. We had to make do with short passes and Damian's running to move the ball. Our drive stalled near White's 38 yard line. Andrew Perkins tried a 55 yard field goal. He missed just slightly to the left of the upright.

Both defenses were adjusting to their opponent's respective strengths and weaknesses. We traded the ball back and forth for the rest of the second quarter without score. There were two and half minutes left when Jared Cantrell caught Mitch Jackson's punt to our team. Jared's blockers gave him a nice crease. He squirted through it and picked up seventeen yards to give us good field position at our 39 yard line.

We advanced the ball with pounding running by Damian and some short passes. We tried a play fake after we crossed midfield. Tyler Madden bit on the Damian's run fake, leaving Shawn Byrd to cover me one on one. I streaked downfield closely pursued by Shawn.

Chip launched a beautiful high pass my direction. I had to pause and time my leap to get the ball. I out jumped Shawn, got my fingers on the ball and wrestled it to my body while Shawn tried to knock it loose. Tyler Madden blasted into us, intent on separating my head from my body and the ball from my various body parts half a second later as we landed on the ground. The three of us thudded into the turf. I rolled away from the collision, dazed but holding the ball. The referee placed the ball on White's 24 yard line. I had picked up a cool 23 yards.

Coach Schroeder had Damian pound the ball downfield. Four runs later we were on White's 5 yard line. Chip's fade pattern to me on the next play was too high. Amir Lee dropped a pass to him on the goal line on the next play. On third and goal we flooded the end zone with receivers. No one was open. Chip threw the ball to Damian in the flat since everyone else was covered.

Damian pulled the ball into his body and smashed over Jarrell Cook, the linebacker trying to tackle him, and ran for the end zone. Shawn Byrd had the next shot at stopping my roommate. He just bounced off Damian. Tyler Madden dove and tried to trip Damian before he crossed the goal line. Damian high stepped over Tyler and danced into the end zone to the delight of the crowd.

Chip, Aidan, Jared, Amir and I celebrated with my roomie as the crowd cheered him. Six months ago my buddy would most likely have dropped that pass. His months of work were paying dividends.

Damian was hard to bring down between the tackles. If he can get the ball in the open like this consistently he is going to terrorize linebackers and defensive backs in the Big Ten. He is nearly impossible to tackle in the open.

The big smiles on Coach Schroeder's and Coach Goodwin's faces when they welcomed him back to the sidelines told me they were thinking along the same lines as me. Our team has a fantastic weapon that is going to keep defensive coordinators awake at night.

The Blue Team went inside at half time leading 21-10. Coach Schroeder announced that Chip, Damian and I were done for the afternoon. Colin O'Shea would lead the second and third string players on the Blue Team in the second half. He would face off against Jon Stafford and the younger players on the White Team.

I hung out on the sidelines in the second half with "Coach" Voight and "Coach" Hayes. Both of my friends were invited to be on the sidelines to help Coach Schroeder run the Blue Team. I enjoyed bantering with them and listening to their commentary on the game.

The level of play in the second half was uneven. Colin O'Shea didn't make many mistakes but he didn't move the ball well either. He managed a field goal in the second half.

Jon Stafford showed flashes of brilliance. He tossed an eye popping long touchdown pass to Bruce MacCauley. He also threw two interceptions. Charlie Taylor did a good job running in the second half, picking up 67 yards on fourteen carries. The final score was 24-17 in the Blue Team's favor.

TV stations from Philadelphia, Lancaster, York and Harrisburg all interviewed me. Mr. Montgomery from the Lancaster papers as well as the Philadelphia Inquirer's Penn State beat reporter interviewed me too.

It wasn't surprising. My seven receptions for 98 yards made me the leading receiver for the day. Christian followed me closely with seven catches for 87 yards. Tanner Riggs and Damian tied for six catches each. Chip was buoyant about his performance. His 17 completions in 29 passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions was an excellent job. The only question mark about Chip's work was, 'What would Jay have done?' if he hadn't been standing on the sideline with his ankle in a cast. We wouldn't get to compare them head to head until August.

I called Kelly when I got back in the locker room to make arrangements to meet afterwards. We coordinated times. We would meet outside the Lasch Building at 5:15 pm after I had time to shower and change into street clothes. Steph and Bev were outside with Kelly when I came outside. Jay met his date, Molly Reed, outside while we waited for Christian and Trevor. The guys joined us a couple minutes later.

The eight of us decided to go downtown for dinner together. We ended up at Baby's for burgers and shakes. We bumped into Chip, his best friend Austin Dilworth and their dates, a couple girls I didn't know, outside Baby's. We asked the waitress to seat us together when they finally found room inside. The downtown and every restaurant were crowded with fans looking for fun after the game.

Trevor and I had a lot of fans stop by to talk while we had our meal, nothing unusual. Chip was delighted to be interrupted repeatedly by fans complimenting him on his game that day. This game was his coming out party, so to speak. He had been anonymous among our fans until today. He seemed to love all the attention.

Chip introduced us to his date, Whitney Vang. Whitney was a short freshman of Asian descent with short silky black hair. Austin was dating her best friend Shannon Elliot. Shannon was much taller, around 5'-9" with reddish-brown hair and milky white skin. Both girls were studying nursing.

The dozen of us headed back onto campus after our leisurely dinner for Zack Hayes' party. Partiers were arriving at Zack's apartment when we got there. Evan was playing bartender again. The concoction this weekend was screwdrivers. Kelly and I each took one. We mingled and talked with our friends while we enjoyed our first drinks.

Kelly offered to get me another drink when we finished our first. I passed. I did remember my vow last week to curtail my drinking. Kelly went back for another screwdriver.

Jay was in a bad mood that evening. A football game was played and he couldn't be in it. Molly did her best to bring him around. Chip was effervescent that evening. He was undoubted top dog among the four quarterbacks that played that day. It gave his campaign to be next year's starter credibility. Chip's performance and attitude didn't improve Jay's mood.

Chip and Austin did their best to woo their dates into the bedrooms in the back. I had to admit the two friends did have a way with women. They rarely went home from one of Zack's parties unsatisfied. Chip did coax Whitney upstairs to J. T.'s room later in the evening. Austin scored with Shannon downstairs in Evan's bedroom before the night was over.

Jen was spending the night with Mark at his apartment, so Kelly and I were in no hurry to find a bedroom. We had all night back at her dorm room. I grabbed a beer later in the evening. Kelly went through four screwdrivers before she switched to beer.

Kelly wasn't feeling any pain as the party wore on. She was laughing at odd times and talking much too loud.

"What do you say we head back?" I asked. I gave her bottom a gentle pinch. "Isn't it almost time for bed?"

"The night is young, honey," Kelly countered. "I need another beer. You need one. You hardly had anything to drink tonight."

"I'm fine," I replied as Kelly broke away and headed to the kitchen. Kelly returned a minute later with two bottles of amber ale.

"Here you go, honey," said as she handed a bottle to me. She took a big swig before I could reply.

I took a few polite sips as Kelly downed her bottle. I stood behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. "Honey, I can't wait to get back to your room," I whispered in her ear after I nibbled her neck and ear lobe.

"Finish your beer, lover," Kelly agreed quickly. I took a couple more sips from the bottle while holding Kelly with my free hand. My cock turned hard as I held her. I rubbed it against her bottom. "Mmmm ... someone is ready for some fun. Finish your beer quick. Let's go."

"I'm ready now," I said setting my partially empty bottle aside. We headed back to Beaver Hall and some fun.

Kelly was a little tipsy as we walked back. My cock was hard as steel, creating a bulge in my pants as we walked back. Kelly nearly tripped on the curb crossing Pollock Road but I caught her. I helped her up the fire steps when we got inside.

Kelly and I stripped down and hopped in her bed. We kissed for a few minutes and then I kissed my way down to my lover's breasts. I kissed, nipped and suckled at them to increase Kelly's desire. Kelly demanded I flip around so we could do some 69 before we joined our bodies together.

Kelly lay on her back and I straddled her. I dipped my head down and started licking. Kelly's pink, puffy inner labia peeked out. I ran my tongue over them while Kelly licked my hard cock shaft.

I needed about five minutes to bring Kelly close to climax. Usually my lover is quite adept at giving head but not that night. I wasn't close to cumming yet. I licked up and down her slot, tongue fucked her and then licked back up to her clitoris. A few nibbles and licks pushed her to climax.

Kelly bucked and twitched as she enjoyed her orgasm. Kelly spit my cock out as she writhed. I climbed off Kelly and lay down beside her as slowly calmed. I cuddled with Kelly and rubbed her belly as her panting slowed to normal breaths. I kissed her shoulder as I rubbed my steely cock against her back side. I was horny as hell and ready to bury my cock in her hot, velvety pussy.

Her breathing returned to a quiet in and out as she recovered.

"Kelly?" I inquired as I kissed her neck. No response. "Kelly? Are you ready for me?" Still no response. I pulled myself up on one elbow and looked down on my lover. Kelly's eyes were closed.

"Kelly, are you ready to make love?" I asked quietly. I gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Kelly?"

My lover was dead to the world. I groaned and lay on my back beside my slumbering bedmate. My cock pointed towards the ceiling and demanded immediate attention. I used one hand to shake my lover without luck.

Could I make love to Kelly when she was passed out? My poor cock demanded relief. I knew Kelly wouldn't mind me having sex with her if she woke up in the middle of it. I shook my head and put that idea out of my head. You just did not fuck a comatose girl unless you wanted to visit a police station.

I groaned again, grabbed my hard seven incher in one hand and stroked myself until I blasted away my pent up frustration and cum. I wiped myself clean with tissues from Kelly's box on her bolster. I cuddled with my comatose lover for a bit.

I woke up about 10:30 on Sunday morning. Kelly was dead to the world. Feeling lazy, I snuggled up and spooned with her. I enjoyed the warmth and comfort of holding Kelly. It also was nice to wake up on a Sunday morning without a pounding headache. I draped my hand over her side and rubbed her tummy gently.

My cock was trapped against Kelly's bottom. It inflated as I held myself against her soft, warm side. I was still horny from last night. A hand job just doesn't cut it when you were expecting bury your cock in a lovely juicy pussy.

I repositioned my cock after a couple minutes so it stuck between Kelly's legs along her labia. I rubbed along her breasts and slowly sawed my cock up and down along my lover's slot. I was gentle and Kelly didn't awaken. Within a couple minutes my stimulation was affecting Kelly even though she continued to sleep. Her nectar was coating my cock and making the feelings even better.

Kelly's breathing rate increased and she cooed softly as I rubbed against her. Undoubtedly from the extremely realistic erotic dream she was experiencing. Kelly stirred as her eyes fluttered open.

"Ooooohhhh..." Kelly moaned as she awakened. I rubbed her nipple in greeting.

"Do you want a morning quickie, honey?" I asked hopefully.

"Oooohhh ... no," Kelly groaned. "My head is throbbing." Kelly rolled away from me. "Is the aspirin handy, Kyle? I am dying here."

I groaned and rolled out of bed. No morning delight for me. I grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and handed it and the aspirin to my sweetie. She took the pills and drained the sixteen ounce bottle of water.

"I'm going to go get a long hot shower, honey," Kelly said as she slowly rose from her bed. "Meet you at brunch?"

"Sure thing, Kelly," I agreed. I headed back to Hartranft for a shower. Kelly was oblivious to my irritation at missing an opportunity to make love this weekend.

Kelly brought Jen, Cindy, Bev with her to brunch. Jay, Trevor, Christian, Damian, Billy, G. J. and Shawn came along with me. Lunch with my friends was enjoyable. For once I was clear headed on a Sunday for brunch. I observed how my friends had fared last night.