4

him a hint of the next step that they would take in their
fanciful sexual journey when they returned from the break.
     Robert's parent's home was larger than most of the Frat
Houses on campus. The Tutor style home sat on about five
acres of rolling lawn in the most exclusive section of
Indianapolis.  A servant opened the door and said that
Doctor and Mrs. Carpenter would be returning in about an
hour.  He showed Patty to a guest room, where she unpacked
and languished in the kind of surroundings that she had only
seen on television programs.
     She met Robert in the living room for coffee.  Robert
said, "There's something that I should tell you about my
parents.  My father is obviously a successful doctor, but he
has been somewhat of a womanizer.  My mother has become
addicted to tranquilizers and alcohol as a result.  That's a
very dangerous combination.  She started consulting a
psychiatrist with her frustrations, and he has her hooked on
tranquilizers.  He gets big fees, and my father doesn't
mind.  My mother is placid, so father doesn't get any grief
from her.  It's sad but if she acts strange it's not because
of you it's just her state of mind.  My father almost
married a young nurse once, but she tired of him before it
went through."
     " Don't worry Robert. I'm sure we'll have a fine time."
     Patty looked around the room and compared it to her
parents home.  She grew up in a small apartment sandwiched
between her grandmother's apartment above and her aunt's
below.  Patty called their furniture sticks.  It consisted
of cheap modern furniture and cast off pieces from
relatives.  Patty could remember her father would come home
after stopping a few hours at the tavern.  Patty could not
satisfy him with the way she kept house. She would receive a
beating as her punishment for being the oldest child
responsible for the housework.
     What a contrast, here there were servants to do all of
the work.  The furniture was a combination of antiques and
expensive contemporary pieces.  It was like the houses that
she had seen in magazines.  They really do exist, she
thought, and I'm here, and I'm going to have it for myself.
No matter what!
     Robert said, "You like it here, don't you?"
     "Oh yes Robert.  I've never been in such a lovely
place.  I hope that someday we could have a home like this."
     "My father had quite a hard struggle after his
internship and residency to have all of this.  I have a long
way to go to afford a life like this.  Father has done quite
well financially.  He's in the doctor business.  Perhaps he
could have been a better doctor from a medical point of
view, but that's not what counts today I guess.  He insists
that I know the value of a dollar and doesn't give me enough
money to be independent.  When I was in pre-med, he let me
have plenty of money.  I had an accident with my car, and
purchased a new one without consulting him.  He put me on a
tight budget after that.  I suppose that's O.K., but I feel
that I could do better if I were more financially
independent."
     "We'll be all right Robert, I'll help you.  Everything
here is so gorgeous it takes my breath away."
     "Would you like to see some of the rest of the house?"
     "Oh yes."
     "This is the dining room.  It's not so large, but my
father invites most of the local notables here to dinner. 
They make good paying patients."
     "Don't be so sarcastic Robert.  I'm sure they have
lovely times here."
     "In here is the library.  Father uses it for after
dinner brandy with his buddies.  The leather chairs and
men's club atmosphere make a good stage for him.  I'm sure
that he hasn't read any of the books in here."
     "It is an impressive room."
     "This use to be mother's favorite room.  It has a grand
piano and organ.  She played them very well when I was
young.  She's given it up now.  I set in here sometimes, and
listen to the stereo.  I still enjoy classical music, the
same as her."
     "You are very close to your mother, aren't you?"
     "Yes, I feel sorry for her now."
     "Do you hate your father?"
     "Not at all, I wish everything had worked out better
with him and mother."
     Patty was beginning to understand a little more the
bases for his sexual tact.
     "Does your father still have other women?"
     "He seems to have settled down now.  As I said before,
he was all set to marry a young woman a couple of years ago,
but she decided on a younger man.  It was quite a shock to
his ego.  I do have some understanding for him.  We both
need a lot of sex.  You know I do.  He tells me that mother
is frigid.  It would be hard to live without sex.  You know
I couldn't exist without you."
     "That works both ways, Robert.  I want it from you as
much as you do from me."
     Robert took his cue, slid his arm around Patty, and
kissed her.  His hand moved to her breast.
     "Not now Robert!  You promised.  I don't want to give
your mother a bad opinion of me.  I'm sure that she is very
sensitive to this sort of thing.  I want to be friends with
your parents.  I can't do that if I give them the wrong
impression."
     "Let me show you the solarium."
     They walked into the glass walled room filled with
exotic plants.  The tropic like setting made a sharp
contrast with the cold Midwest November outside where the
leaves had all fallen from the trees.  They had been all
cleared away leaving hundreds of naked black tree limbs
scratching against the gray sky.  Robert looked out the
glass wall facing the front of the house and said,  "Here
comes father now.  Let's meet him at the front door."
     Patty looked at the long black car winding its way up
the driveway, and a new excitement began to build within
her.  By the time they reached the foyer, Doctor Carpenter
was giving his black cashmere top coat to the man servant.
     He was not as tall as Robert, and was a little over
weight, but had a well groomed and polished look, even at
the end of a work day.  A gold frame oil painting hung
directly behind him.  From Patty's prospective the gold
framed his full head of silver hair.  She could not help but
contrast this with the home coming of her own father.  He
would be dirty, scruffy and smelling of stale beer.  He was
always angry, and she feared a beating every evening.  
     "Father I'd like you to meet my friend, Patty.  Patty
this is my father."
     Doctor Carpenter immediately beamed an approving smile.
He took Patty's right hand in his and put his left hand at
her elbow making a small embrace of her arm.
     "It is a real pleasure to meet you, Patty.  Bobby has
told me how lovely you are.  I'm afraid that any words would
be inadequate.  You are so welcome to our home."
     "Thank you for having me."  Patty's eyes locked on to
his intense staring steel blue eyes, as she gave a slight
smile and squeezed his hand.  She continued to say, "The
beauty of you home is overwhelming.  I'm especially
impressed with your library.  It is so masculine and strong.
I believe a person's home reflects their true nature.  Don't
you?"
     "I never gave it much thought, I just know what makes
me feel good."
     Robert interrupted their gaze.  "Isn't mother with
you?"
     Doctor Carpenter finally released Patty's hand, cleared
his throat and said, "She's at her doctor's office.  He was
behind in his appointments.  She'll be along in a taxi.  May
I offer you two a drink?"
     As they walked toward the living room, Patty said,
"Nothing hard for me.  It makes me loose my inhibitions too
easily."
     Doctor Carpenter smiled and said, "We'll have to
remember that.  What would you like Bobby?"
     Robert was becoming a little upset with the attention
that Patty was giving his father, and some of her comments
about his father's masculine nature.  He snapped, "Scotch!"
     "Good, one Scotch and two Perriers it's too early for
anyone's inhibitions to get out of control."
     Doctor Carpenter gave the drink order to Kenneth, the
man servant, settled himself in his favorite chair, turned
to Robert and said, "I've some great news for you Bobby. You
know I've told you about Doctor Cohen's new nerve fusion
operating technique.  Well I've arranged for you to witness
a very special operation.  It's at the Mayo Clinic.  A very
important person is flying in from Nigeria to have the
operation.  He's a tribal prince, or something like that.
Very close to top people in the government there.  The
operation has been delayed for weeks trying to get
permission for him to come.  He can only stay for the
treatment.  A great deal of money is involved.  This
technique is still experimental, but if he gets it worked
out to its final form it will be the start of a great
advance in the entire field.  There's really a lot more to
it than this operation.  It will take years to develop the
entire program.  This is a chance for you to be in on the
start of a new field.  I hope you appreciate what an
opportunity this is."
     "I'm sure it is an opportunity, but I'm not sure that
neuro-surgery is what I want."
     "Don't be a fool Bobby.  There's more to this than
surgery.  This can mean a fortune, if you learn your stuff,
and stick it out a few years.  Doctor Cohen owes me a favor
from way back, and I got him to promise to let you in on
this.  If it weren't for my commitments here, I would love
to be starting in on this."
     "O.K. I guess it can't hurt to see what it is all
about.  When is the operation?"
     "Damn right it won't hurt.  The operation is Friday.
I've booked you on a flight late tomorrow afternoon, and you
can return on Saturday afternoon.  We'll still have our
Thanksgiving meal tomorrow noon.  This will not only be good
for you to see, but Doctor Cohen can be of a great help
getting you a good residency.  You know that it's not that
far away, and good positions are hard to come by."
     "You know I'd planned for Patty and me to spend the
weekend with you and mother.  It is very important to me."
     "Don't worry about Patty.  Your mother and I'll look
after her.  I'm sure that she'll understand.  Besides it
will be an opportunity for us to get to know Patty better.
You don't mind, do you Patty?"
     "Of course not.  I think it's wonderful that you're
helping Robert in this way.  I don't want to impose on you
and Mrs. Carpenter.  I could take the bus back to
Bloomington."
     "Nonsense!  It's only a little over a day, and you can
return to Bloomington with Bobby as you had planned.  I'll
certainly enjoy your company and I'm sure Mrs. Carpenter
will feel the same.  It's all settled then.  Ah, at last,
Kenneth is here with the drinks.  Here's to a good
Thanksgiving.  I think we all have a lot to be thankful
for."
     Mrs. Carpenter arrived by taxi, and seemed pleased to
see Patty, but had little to say during the dinner, and
retired early.
     Patty had a little trouble with Robert that evening in
convincing him not to come to her room, but with promises of
things to come, he finally gave up and went to his room.
     The Thanksgiving meal started promptly at noon the next
day so Robert would have plenty of time to make his late
afternoon flight.  The meal was truly a feast with a
different wine with each course.  Patty was impressed with
the elegance of the table and service.  Doctor Carpenter did
not restrain his wife from having all the wine she wanted
with each course.  Patty could see that she was gradually
taking more than she could handle.  Doctor Carpenter said
more than once that it was a holiday and everyone should
drink up.  After the meal, all of the little group moved to
the living room for coffee.  Doctor Carpenter reminded
Robert to be sure and thank Doctor Cohen for the opportunity
he was giving him.  Kenneth soon appeared and said that had
Robert's luggage was in the car, and it was best that they
leave for the airport.  Doctor Carpenter told Robert that he
had reserved a room at the same hotel that he always stayed
at in Minneapolis.
     Patty walked with Robert to the foyer.  Doctor
Carpenter's chair dominated not only the living room but the
foyer.  As Patty walked into the foyer she looked at Doctor
Carpenter with a small smile, then she turned to Robert and
gave him long passionate kiss.  As Robert moved to the door,
his passion was obvious.  Before returning to the living
room Patty turned to the hall mirror and fixed her makeup. 
She could see Doctor Carpenter watching her intently in the
reflection of the mirror as she slowly applied her lipstick.
     Patty returned to the living room and said, "I hope
Robert has a safe and profitable trip."
     "Oh Bobby will do fine, I'm sure."  Doctor Carpenter
said as he walked toward the table with the drinks on it. 
He turned to his wife and said, "Would you like another
brandy my dear?  I think we can have one more to top of our
meal.  You'll have one too, won't you Patty?"
     Mrs. Carpenter readily agreed to another drink,
although she was almost dozing.  Patty said, "I shouldn't. I
feel a little buzzy, but the last one gave me such a warm
glowing feeling."
     As Mrs. Carpenter took her drink she said, "I'm very
tired, but I'm like Patty it gives me such a pleasant
feeling."
     "Have this one may dear, and then have a little nap
before dinner."
     "Oh, I had so much to eat that I don't think I can eat
anything for two days."
     Mrs. Carpenter was almost asleep by the time she
finished her drink.  Doctor Carpenter rang for her maid and
said, "Jane would you help Mrs. Carpenter to bed?  I think
she could use a little rest.  It's been a big day for her."
     The maid helped Mrs. Carpenter off.  Doctor Carpenter
turned to Patty and said, "I'm afraid that my wife over
indulges once in a while.  I've worked very hard to acquire
this life style.  She and I worked together to get where we
are.  I fear that it burned her out.  When she was younger
she was a very sensual woman, but the struggle to get here
has drained her zest for living.  It's a shame that
financial success has the reverse affect on her."

                          

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