Chapter 20: Birthdays and other catastrophes.

I botched an experiment Friday morning--I had gotten distracted, and lost count of... let's just say that I added too much of something in the first few steps of an experiment, and it ruined the entire thing. Unfortunately, I realized this at around two in the afternoon, when a preliminary test turned up the wacky results. Feeling rather disgusted with myself, I set up a few culture tubes to grow over the weekend, and spent the afternoon going over drafts of a paper I was writing. The results from my summer's work plus a few recent Morgan-assisted experiments were starting to stack up, and I wanted to get some of the grunt writing work done first.

Maddie called at around six. "When did you want to head over to the party?"

"About seven-thirty. I'm leaving in a few minutes for home though, since I want to get cleaned up and grab a bite to eat first."

"Sticking to your 'never go to a party on an empty stomach' routine, I see."

"Less embarrassing that way. I thought you might appreciate it."

"I do indeed. So, we should leave around quarter after seven or so. Where do you want to meet?"

"I'll be outside my building, under the rain shelter."

"Sounds good. I'll see you then."

"Bye."

I left about ten minutes later, and went back to my apartment. In case you're wondering, I've had bad experiences with going to parties on an empty stomach--it's difficult to be sociable when you're busy stuffing your face. Minor detail. I went down to the lobby at ten after seven. Maddie pulled up promptly five minutes later, and we headed off to Amy and Liz's place.

When we got there, Maddie stopped me before we left the car. "You're not drinking tonight, are you?" she asked.

"Don't think so. Why?"

"Good. You can take the keys." With that, she handed me her keyring, and stepped lithely out of the car. Shaking my head, I followed her as she headed into the building.

Amy and Liz lived on the second floor of an apartment just outside the city. As I said before, both of them needed a place near Hopkins for the year. Still, for a temporary place, the place looked wonderful. I paid my respects to the hosts, and after introducing Maddie, wandered for a bit. Caught up with a few people I haven't seen in weeks, and so on. Maddie seemed to enjoy being in the thick of things, so I let her socialize while staying on the periphery, as I was wont to do.

After reminiscing with another former student and assembling a decent plate of hors d'oeuvres, I found Maddie sitting on the couch, sipping from what I thought was a Coke. "How are you... whoa, how much rum is in that thing?" I asked as I sat down beside her.

"A little more than half. And it's my second one!" she said brightly. Too brightly. Oh boy. "Um, Maddie, mind if we switch drinks?" I deftly exchanged my cup for hers before she could say a word, then handed her my food platter. "Here, try some of the meatballs. They're amazing!"

So went the rest of the night. I think I managed to intercept (without being overbearing, mind you) about half of all the alcohol she was going to pour down the hatch. Yes, she was a minor, but I could care less about that. If we were in France, it wouldn't even be an issue. My main concern was to ensure she enjoyed herself without going overboard. Not the most entertaining way to spend the evening, but what else could I do? At least she didn't toss her cookies. Giggly and slightly uncoordinated, certainly. Big hangover when she woke up, oh, Saturday afternoon? You betcha. I stayed by her side after taking her home and tucking her in--I didn't think that she drank enough to throw up, not with all the food I sent her way. Still, a few college experiences have shown me that better safe than sorry with regards to drinking was definitely the way to go. Fortunately, Maddie's parents were out for the weekend, while Erin and her brood haven't moved in just yet; I don't think I was quite up to explaining to an angry family member how I let Maddie get drunk at an 'adult' party.

I woke up around ten with a bitterly complaining back (I had fallen asleep on the beanbag in her room). Oh, and from the muffled moans emanating from Maddie's bed pleading for someone to turn off the lights--I couldn't actually see Maddie, buried as she was under the covers. A blanket draped over the venetian blinds reduced the ambient light to a more tolerable twilight, and I tiptoed out of the room to get myself cleaned up for the day.

A hot shower took care of my back, and a glass of orange juice cleared away the last of my morning cobwebs that the shower missed. Caffeine doesn't really help me in the morning, since I seem to have a long lag-time for caffeine. I'm serious--a few Cokes in the afternoon will keep me up all night, whereas a cup or two of coffee before I hit the sack usually ensures me waking up bright and early. Great alarm clock, right? Well, sort of--I wake up, but getting out of bed is another thing altogether.

After eating breakfast, I decided to let Maddie sleep a bit more. Plenty of time between now and the concert, I thought. Flipping on the TV, I took in a few cartoons, then switched over to HBO to watch 'She's the One.' Nice cutesy movie to pass the time. When the credits started rolling, I checked upstairs. Still sleeping. It was already four, so I decided (after some agonizing) to call Rachel. She answered on the first ring.

"Hello."

"Hi, Rache. It's Jordan."

"Hey, I was just about to call you guys. When did you want me to drop off the Savage Garden tickets?"

"Well, that's the thing. Maddie's still out from last night, and I don't think she'll be up to a concert tonight when she comes to. If you know anyone who'd like to go instead, go ahead and give them away."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Oh. Okay. Is Maddie all right?"

"I think so. She didn't drink enough to hurl or anything, but she'll have a lovely hangover when she wakes up."

I could hear her tsking away. "Trying to corrupt that poor innocent girl, aren't you? Getting her drunk so that you can have your wicked way with her."

"Very funny. In fact, so funny I forgot to laugh. I'm sure you have a bright career in stand-up in front of you."

"Oooh, someone's touchy today!"

"So noted."