The Blossoming of a Nightingale

By Sharon Brindley Katana

For Irene ONeill breaking free from her sheltered childhood and strict father is not a choiceits a necessity. After promising her father shed focus solely on her studies, Irene packs her bags for one of the most prestigious hospital-based nursing programs in America. Little did she know how utterly unprepared she was to enter the progressive and fast-paced world in Manhattan and Bellevue Nursing School.

Irene stumbles, bumbles and bluffs her way through classes and scenarios she doesnt completely understand and finds herself mistaking bedpans for food trays and syringes for IVs!


But can Irene manage to keep her promise to her father and focus only on her studies in the midst of all Manhattans distractions? She tries hard to hold true to her morals but Bellevues biggest temptations, a male nurse and a stockbroker who seem focused entirely on her, make this promise almost impossible to maintain.

For the first time in her young life, Irene finds herself trapped in a love triangle between her patient and sweet colleague, Ray and the smooth and powerful stockbroker, Steve.

Will this inexperienced Nightingale lose herself amid New York Citys wild 60s? Will Studio 54, war protests and free love change the woman she saw in the mirror for her entire life? And will one of these men win her heartor will they end up ruining her dream of becoming a successful nurse?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 30, 2009
• ISBN: 9781453565643

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

It was an unusually cool September morning, bleak and depressing. Despite the weather, Irene O’Neill couldn’t help but feel excited; after all she was gaining her freedom! Irene was moving into a dormitory at the toughest nursing school in Manhattan. In fact, Bellevue School of Nursing was considered the most difficult training program in the country. Each dorm room accommodated one student and was equipped with locks and phones just like a miniature apartment.

Irene had been sheltered all through her childhood, so she specifically chose a diploma training program over college for only one reason: it was mandatory to live on campus. This was the only way, short of marriage, that this young girl could escape her over-protective dad. Courage don’t fail me now! If I cry Dad will never allow me to go off to this school. Mr. O’Neill was against the idea from the very beginning and he presented all the negatives countless times. All of his objections were defused by Irene. I will be safe Dad, even though it is in lower Manhattan . . . . .that’s why we have to live there. Tuition wasn’t an issue because Bellevue was a N.Y.C./N.Y.U. sponsored scholarship program. After the registration fee was paid, your education, room and board were free. The students were even given a small monthly stipend. Once I start, my education won’t cost you anything. I’ll even get spending money!, Irene insisted. Young Ms. O’Neill even worked at her sister’s office the summer after graduation and reimbursed her parents for the original registration fee.

New York City! Irene couldn’t believe it. This was a trip I was NEVER allowed to make unchaperoned and NOW . . . . .I’ll be living on my own in that ‘City of Sin’, as Dad calls it. She couldn’t wait, yet trepidation was cracking her composure. The girl’s body was starting to feel icy cold and her movements were becoming slow and rigid like when she played too long in the snow.

Irene would be leaving behind an older sister, Noreen. That filled her with remorse every time she thought of Nor still trapped in that oppressive, overbearing home. Actually there was nothing terrible about their father. He was just a very rigid, untrusting parent. The man always reassured his girls that it was not them he mistrusted but everyone else. And that was the reason she and her two older sisters were not allowed to date or ‘hang out’ with boys. Peter O’Neill would end his lecture the same way: Some day you’ll thank me for saving you a lot of heartaches; and the joker you marry will treat you like a princess.

The man missed one vital point-if you can’t go outside the house, you can’t find your ‘prince’! On a lark as a high school senior, Irene started growing her hair long. By Fall of ‘66 her hair was almost to her waist. It was thick, shiny and naturally wavy, causing it to bounce and sway in rhythm with her hips. Jokingly, she’d complain to friends, Call me Rapunzel, since I’m locked up I might as well look the part.

I will not cry! She vowed to complete nursing school, make enough money and get her own apartment. That way she and her sister could live together. Noreen, although older, was too insecure and timid to ever leave home alone; but going with Irene was more reassuring. The fledgling nightingale whispered as much in her farewell. Hang in there for a little while. When I graduate we will get a place together! These Celtic sisters were only 14 months apart and had always shared a bedroom. This would be the first time they would be sleeping alone and Noreen actually looked more frightened than her baby sister.

Climbing into the back seat of the family sedan, Irene felt completely alone. Suddenly, there was a knot in the back of her throat. It was only seven A.M. Noreen was staying home to get ready for work so when Irene raised her hand to wave she could only get her fingers to move. Indeed this petite lass was frozen with fear.

Irene knew she didn’t have the normal high school experiences to help in her social adjustment. Unlike her two older sisters, this lassie did not fight with her father to gain social privileges; instead she tried everything to please him. If the patriarch said he always wanted a daughter to sing in the church choir, then she joined the choir. Once he said he wished his child played a musical instrument so Irene joined the marching band in elementary school. On and on it went since she was ten years old. Big Pete, as her dad was called, once told an uncle that he always wanted his kids to attend Catholic high school, so the scheming child went to one of the hardest, most prestigious Diocesan schools in the borough of Queens. Poor Irene reasoned, If I go to the school he wants, then maybe he will let me go to extra-curricular events AND maybe even dances! Her plan backfired!

Pleasing him made her his ‘favorite’ and the greater his love, the stronger his hold. The little bit of liberty she received came purely by accident. Irene was given permission to join the Junior Varsity Cheerleading squad; that is, if she made it through auditions. Big Pete signed the permission slip fully expecting that his little girl would be eliminated in the first round of try-outs. This man always underestimated his children’s talent and determination.

Mater Christi was a large diocesan high school. It occupied four full city blocks and the students traveled from all over the Catholic Diocese of Queens. Some kids spent two and a half hours commuting by trains and buses. Irene had to take two trains or a bus and train to get to school herself and her trip took one hour, that being a fairly average commute. The school was co-institutional, meaning one wing of the building was for the boys and the other for the girls. In each graduating class there were approximately 1000 girls and 750 boys.

Cheerleading was one of the few extra-curricular activities that shared the gym with the boys. Hence, every girl who could simultaneously walk and chew gum tried out for the squad. Irene’s goal was purer than that. She just wanted to be able to stay out after school and have some fun. Boys were not a consideration because a date was unattainable. Junior Varsity was acceptable to her dad since all practices and games were held immediately after school. However during the first Varsity game of the year, one of the cheerleaders broke a leg and the three best J.V. cheerleaders tried out for the slot. Irene won the position! Even her strict father couldn’t deny that accomplishment. But it was only after Sister Mary Regina, her coach, spoke with him that Irene was permitted to join the Varsity squad. She was allowed to go to Friday night basketball games only because her brother agreed to pick her up afterwards.

Pete was four years older than she and was also the sibling Irene was most like and most attached to. He was still living at home but worked full time and attended college four nights a week. Pete was never home. To help him out Irene did his Spanish homework and he actually received a C in that course. Young Ms. O’Neill was taking Spanish in high school so with her rudimentary knowledge she was able to keep a borderline B/C on all his homework assignments. These two siblings would do anything for each other.

*     *     *

As their family car crossed the 59th Street bridge into Manhattan, the foreboding inky blue sky turned to pinkish/yellow hues. Finally Irene’s misgivings started to fade, at least, until their arrival at Bellevue.

The young girl was most attentive to getting her father to turn into the correct street. She remembered her admission interview. Ms. O’Neill had entered the building complex one street up and found herself in the Psychiatric Emergency Room. There were men and women of all ages keening, screaming and talking to no one! They were in various stages of undress, bordering on indecency. Her eyes were enormous but it still hadn’t dawned on her that she was in the wrong place. When Irene inquired at the admission desk she heard the nurse yell to the staff, We hooked another one! A doctor or possibly a male nurse called back, If she stays after this, she’ll probably make a good nurse.

They all seemed to be enjoying the young girl’s discomfort and in Irene’s opinion they were not kind or empathetic. These are qualities she felt should be required of health care providers. No! We can’t enter into that bizarre atmosphere . . . . Jeez, he’ll lock the car and my education will be over before it begins!

She successfully directed their car to the dormitory doors where her parents were not allowed out of the car. The students hurriedly gathered her luggage and gave her folks ‘the bum’s rush.’ Irene leaned into the passenger window and gave her mom a quick kiss goodbye and a brief wave and brave smile to her dad. Then they were told to pull away and make room for the next car as Irene was led by the sleeve of her jacket into the school lobby. Secretly Irene was glad, a long farewell would have cracked her composure and she didn’t want her mother to worry about her.

Irene looked around to see many girls crying. Oh! How she wanted to cry but she wouldn’t; that was not considered ‘proper behavior’ for her family. So the young lady raised her head, bit her bottom lip and entered the building.

The lobby was huge with high ceilings, marble floors and white walls. A bulletin board stood alone in the middle of the atrium and a desk manned by two matron nurses stood guard at the apex of the corridor leading to the living quarters.

The place seemed cold and alien; even the air smelled different! The air in the lobby seemed to sting her nose. The only other time she felt that way was when her family moved to a different part of Queens. Don’t be stupid, she admonished inwardly, the funny smell will go away once you settle in here. Just like Woodside, it smells like home now and soon this will too. Her pep talk wasn’t working. If Irene didn’t clear her thoughts of home she would soon cry, so she started scanning the lobby for anything to focus her attention on.

*     *     *

The minute Irene entered the building he noticed her. The only freshman not crying, but she looked forlorn and lost. Her chin was quivering slightly to maintain control and those eyes were big as saucers and as blue as the sky! They were hypnotic. She had strawberry blonde hair to her waist, the fairest of skin and a flawless complexion, like the ‘Breck Girl’ shampoo ads. He liked what he saw. This male nurse was distinctly a ‘boobman’. Some guys like a well shaped leg or tight round ass or pretty face and although all those features should be pleasant, for this man deficiencies could be overlooked as long as there was enough in the breasts. Man this girl is the total package!

He was not considered a tall man but next to her appeared to be a giant. The male nurse guessed her height at five feet, if that, slim back and shoulders but with a surprising swell of her bust and seductively curving hips. Irene was one of the few classically dressed in a pleated skirt, which came to just above her knees and the exposed leg was exquisite—a dancer’s leg! After a quick perusal of the lobby he realized most of the girls wore jeans or miniskirts but this girl’s attire and composure was regal. At one glance Ray knew she was special.

He, along with the other straight, unattached male students volunteered for welcome committee to ‘scope out the fresh meat’. There were only twenty male nurses who attended the Mills Nursing School, while six hundred female nursing students attended Bellevue School of Nursing. The schools were one and the same. The male nurses were mixed in with the females in classroom and clinical rotations and they even lived in one wing of the dormitory but the schools had separate Boards of Directors. That was the only distinction. Ten of the male nurses were gay and four others were in committed relationships. That left six healthy heterosexual males to peruse and sample the six hundred students and one hundred and twenty female graduate nurses who lived in the dorms.

One other male nurse spotted Irene at the same time. Jaime McDougal was a devastatingly handsome man with a fierce, piercing stare that was almost a scowl. Ray had had a couple of run-ins with him to help his female friends get the Irishman off their backs. His classmate was jealous and possessive to the point of cruelty. Once a girl dated McDougal, she couldn’t get free unless someone like Ray was willing to force the issue.

This beauty is too refined to be bullied by the likes of Mac. Ray’s desire to possess and protect jolted him into action. He managed to reach Ms. O’Neill’s luggage a split second before Jaime and still looked aloof and debonaire.

Only Carol, the freshman’s assigned mentor, noticed the competition and relief on Ray’s face. She smiled and was glad because she liked Koop a lot. They had been friends since their own freshman year and she knew that he was really a caring, sensitive guy, even though he was having a ball playing the field. Now looking at this young man’s face and seeing the determination to prevent Mac access to this quiet girl she knew he was smitten, even if he didn’t know it yet. The ‘Big Sister’ introduced Jaime by first name only then she quickly turned to Ray.

Irene, this is Ray Koopinski, we also call him Koop. He is a senior and he is going to help you to your room. I’ll be up after I check you in. Ray looked at Carol, smiled rakishly, winked and took all three bags. He knew his classmate wasn’t supposed to let a male nurse escort a female to the rooms alone, but he also knew that Carol was aware he wanted a few minutes with this alluring creature.

To Irene, his smile was all too alarming and his wink made her nervous. She didn’t exactly know why, she wasn’t sure what it meant but she didn’t think it was respectful. Ms. O’Neill really didn’t want anyone ‘taking care of her’ anymore. She was independent now and on her own; so as they left the lobby the Irish lass offered, You know you don’t have to carry all the bags. I’m very capable.

To Koop her tone sounded a little judgmental; as if she thought he was trying to show off like those idiot bodybuilders at the beach. To correct her machismo impression Ray stopped abruptly. That was definitely not him! He was a well-meaning gentleman and pitched in wherever help was needed. He was old fashioned regarding his belief that no woman should open a door or carry any heavy bags. Putting down the two large bags and without saying a word he unceremoniously plunked Irene’s cosmetic bag into her arms. Smiling he added, Never let it be said that Raymond Koopinski isn’t a Renaissance man.

The freshman blinked once, backed up two paces then regained her composure and responded, Okay, great then smiling wryly added, Thanks. She made sure to stay well outside this stranger’s personal space. Being close to the boys in school or her brother’s friends never before made her nervous. What’s wrong with me? she wondered. Incorrectly, Irene assumed that she did not like this young man.

Ray sensed the girl’s reticence and wondered, What’s this about? Is she afraid of me or just too snooty to stay near me? He didn’t think it was the latter. She seemed more fearful than superior. I don’t think she’d chew on her bottom lip; it makes her look nervous not superior. Being a natural tease Koop decided to goad her. Every few feet this male nurse would stop, turn and look back at Irene. Each time the girl would stop abruptly rather than move closer to him but she always offered to trade for one of the larger bags. After halting a third time Ray smirked and shook his head, Am I walking too fast? I’ll wait for you to catch up then I won’t have to shout.

Oh! Ok, she said taking seven quick steps to his side but still at arm’s length. Ray just chuckled and looked at the girl quizzically as if assessing her character, then ordered This way, with a nod of his head.

Mr. Koopinski began explaining the geographic set-up of the school. The front side of the building was the dormitories while the back side held the classrooms, with an Olympic size pool and an eight-lane bowling alley in the basement.

Irene’s room was on the first floor of the North Wing. Ray informed her that his room was on the sixth floor of the West Wing and it would be very easy to visit by going through the basement. He spoke with one eyebrow raised in a conspiratorial fashion while leaning into her personal space.

Irene’s heart began to pound against her rib cage. Her face froze, eyes became huge and she stepped back from him stammering, You, you can’t . . . . It’s a girl’s dorm . . . . no boys allowed! Before he thought about his reply the upper classman said in a silken voice, I’m no boy. But he could see she was shocked, maybe even scared so his original intention to plant a hot, sensual kiss on her small rosebud lips fled. They were standing outside her door and Irene was fumbling with the key. Finally Koop covered her hand with his own warm palm and gently slid his hand over Irene’s fist taking the keys from her trembling fingers to unlock the door. Swinging the door wide he placed one hand on her back and swept his other arm forward in a invitation for the girl to enter. For a brief moment she did not move so he applied gentle pressure on the small of her back to guide her into the room.

Again the girl stayed across the room. Ray explained the amenities of the dorms, told her where the kitchen and communal room was located; but when he mentioned the bathroom the senior noticed a full scarlet flush spread across her face. Normally Ray did not like shy, prudish girls but this one-this one-had his blood boiling. She would stare into his eyes and be attentive to his banter as if she was drawn to him but if he moved closer she immediately found some pretense to move away. When she moved to the window he rapidly closed the space between them and tenderly kissed the top of her head. As she looked up her eyes were wide and her mouth fell open. Irene seemed aghast but not offended and she didn’t pull away. That gave him hope. She isn’t frigid, he thought, she’s probably just a little inexperienced. The thought crossed his mind that he would change that.

The Irish lass still hadn’t moved from his grasp. Despite the fluttering in her stomach and the tingling in the lowest region of her abdomen, Irene felt warm and safe inside his embrace. She liked, yet didn’t like these urges. It never occurred to her to stretch up and kiss him. Irene would rather die than initiate a kiss. What if he didn’t like me like that!? Maybe he likes me the way my brother’s friends do-like a ‘big brother’. But her body did not respond to his touch in a platonic way. Due to her inexperience she didn’t recognize this tension as arousal. Koop laughed knowingly and pulled her into a loose but gentle embrace. The girl had a clean fresh fragrance, no heavy, musky perfumes. She smells of strawberries but that’s preposterous!

That’s how Carol found them, with Irene nestled in Ray’s arms, his eyes closed and chin resting on her head.

What’s this? Have I arrived in the nick of time! The all too knowing classmate hustled Koop out of the room, chuckling and clucking her tongue, No guys allowed up here after nine! Pointing at her watch she said, That means you!

Sighing he turned in the doorway and looking directly at those enormous blue eyes said, I can come back later, if you like? Irene gasped in shock and not knowing what to say, her cheeks colored crimson. She was so embarrassed, what must Carol think of her! A feeling of triumph washed over Ray and he grinned. Carol quickly shooed him out the door, all the while good-naturedly talking about what a nice guy he was.

Ms. O’Neill wasn’t sure he was such a nice guy. After all he grabbed me and kissed me! He doesn’t even know me, she moralized, we’ve never even been on a date and he kissed and hugged me!

The ‘big sister’ was still chattering about the day’s itinerary. She had two other students to meet so Irene had time to unpack and settle in. The orientation group would meet at the North elevators to go to lunch. When Carol turned to say good bye she must have noticed the look of panic in Irene’s eyes because the senior reiterated, Of all the guys in this school to be interested in you, Ray is the best. You have nothing to fear from him.

Then she quickly added, Now if that were McDougal I’d tell you to lock your door.

Ms. O’Neill spent the morning unpacking and decorating the room to make it her own. But she couldn’t get Ray out of her mind. Every time she pictured him her stomach did flips. The girl envisioned his straight dirty blonde hair cut short to the collar and worn sweeping across the forehead in the popular Beatles style. His eyes were light green with brown flecks and they had a forthright and honest look. Koop’s nose was straight, nothing like her own ski-slope nose, which led to his lips—oh, those lips! The best part of his face, so she thought. Not too large, slightly full, but not pouty.

In fact, his lips always seemed to be formed in a slight teasing smile. Remembering his kiss on her head, his hands on her shoulders, sent tremors thru her spine! Oh God! What’s happening to me?

Just then two girls popped into her room introducing themselves and chatting amicably. Irene was glad for the distraction. The freshmen took turns going to each other’s rooms to admire the decorating styles. This is starting to be fun. She liked the girls on her floor; they were relaxed and outgoing. Ms. O’Neill was always quiet, shy and reserved. Never having had a boyfriend or even casual dates, Irene had very little to add to the small talk. So she agreed or disagreed whenever it seemed the correct response and none seemed the wiser.

Eleven, forty-five came too soon, everyone returned to their respective rooms to freshen up and fix their hair. The jitters returned to Irene. Will I see Ray at lunch? Will he touch me, or worse, kiss me! Do I want him to? She didn’t think so . . . . the butterflies in her stomach said no, but the faint quivering in what she thought was her lower abdomen seemed to mean yes. The lass finally resolved, I will just be polite but reserved and maybe he will take his cue and keep his distance.

Lunch went fine, in attendance were the freshman class and their ‘big sisters’. However just before lunch ended a new batch of students entered. These were the senior boys or really they were men for most of them had completed their military obligations. Ray was one of the youngest having not yet been drafted Carol informed her group. The upper classman continued while looking directly at Irene, He enlisted this year as a 2nd lieutenant and senior year counts as one year of enlistment.

Very admirable Irene thought, and smart-go in as an officer; and much to her dismay-very appealing. She was, after all, a ‘Hawk’. Hawk was the term applied to the people who supported America’s participation in the Vietnam conflict. Those who lobbied for withdrawal were called ‘Doves’.

Irene noticed Ray scanning the room and they locked eyes. Immediately a hot flush rushed up her spine, feeling flustered she started stacking her dishes to leave, no flee4 But she was too late—he was already standing behind her! As the girl tried to rise Koop gently pushed her shoulders down and pressed her butt back in the seat. He ran his soft, warm hands down her arms and leaned his chin on her head; all the while talking amiably with Carol and meeting the other students. The other freshmen were dumbstruck and Irene was scarlet. When Carol rose Ray released his prey, for she certainly felt trapped. He pulled out her chair and speaking in a casual yet sultry tone he asked, Is your room ready for visitors, Pumpkin?

Mortified, blushing and not able to meet his gaze Ms. O’Neill stammered, Y-Yes, uh no, I mean I finished unpacking. She hurried away trying to not look back at this insolent man yet sensing his eyes traveling all over her body.

The classmates were all abuzz asking if she knew him before today. It certainly did appear that way so they continued to babble about how friendly and informal he was. The girls were trying to get their new friend to admit knowing anything else about the Senior. Finally Carol caught up and quickly diverted their attention to the school tour. Carol is an angel, she thought, grateful to her for taking the focus of conversation away from her embarrassment. Could she possibly know how insulted I was with his familiarity?

That night after orientation the mentor took Irene aside to speak privately about her friend, Koop. She reassured the freshman that he was one of the nicest guys she would ever meet. He is not a phony, he doesn’t play any dating games; what you see is what you get, she said.

Irene mustered all her courage and asked, If he is so great, why aren’t you dating him?

She had the nagging feeling that Carol wanted him as more than just a friend. The friendly senior confessed that she had her chance and turned him down to date Jaime. Ray was the one to intervene and protect her from McDougal’s abuse. It finally came to blows between the two men. Honestly, she sighed if I didn’t love my fiancé I’d be going after Koop myself. If he calls for a date, she advised, give him a try. She also warned against the other guy, He is mean, jealous, possessive and physically abusive. Be smart-stay away. He’s trouble.

CHAPTER 2

Lying in bed that first night Irene didn’t miss home at all. She had too much to think about and it wasn’t academics. When she closed her eyes she could see Ray’s smiling, teasing face and his beautiful tan arms against her ivory skin. Even though the chair back had been between them it felt like such an intimate caress!

Then Carol’s encouragement to go out with him. What had Ray said to her at lunch? Had he confided that he will ask me out, she queried. Irene was panic stricken, she knew she would accept but was afraid. He is already so informal with my body . . . . what will he do at the end of a date?

This young woman had never been kissed, an absurd state of affairs for this day and age. The world was in the midst of a sexual revolution and she was, in the truest sense of the word, a virgin! I have never been kissed, never been touched or even hugged (except for today) by a boy my age, she bemoaned. Irene resolved to date college boys before going out with this man. She realized, rightfully so, that dating a young man who tends to naked female patients all day long might be a little too much for her to handle. Ms. O’Neill fell asleep praying that he wouldn’t call her for a few weeks.

The problem solved itself for the first week. The freshman schedule never coincided with the seniors. The only upper classmen her class had contact with were their big sisters and their assistants. The first week was very busy with evening meetings to orient the girls to the rigors and routines of life as a nursing student. The older girls shared the inside scoop on the instructors and the quirks of the different head nurses. The mentors told stories of bloody and funny training mistakes. The purpose was to season the new nightingales to the horrors of working in the hospital. The meetings were held in various rooms and lounges around the school. Carol reserved a loft room that overlooked the lobby so for every male nurse that entered or crossed the vestibule she would interrupt their discussion to tell them all the personal statistics, like his grade, who he does or did date, the branch of military he may have been in and if and why he was a nice guy or a creep.

The night Ray entered the lobby he stopped to talk with three female students. He seemed to be just as relaxed with those girls as he was with her. While joking he would put his arm around a girl’s waist or tickle one of the others. The nurses seemed to be enthralled by his attention and leaned against his arm whenever they could.

While Carol talked Irene felt like she could not take a deep breath. She felt lightheaded and tingly on the back of her neck and shoulders. To try and disguise her emotions the lassie did not look too long at Koop; she would glance down on him and then scan the girls in her group. A couple of times Dolores caught her eye, nodded his way and raised her eyebrows several times. Irene rolled her eyes and blushed trying to portray disinterest but of all the girls she met so far Dolores seemed to have meshed with her psyche. It felt like Dolores knew what she was going to say before she said it.

After that first week whenever Irene was in the lobby or cafeteria her stomach would churn. She kept scanning the area for Ray but the girl wasn’t sure if she was hoping for him or looking to avoid him. Whenever she saw the young man the fluttering intensified and her heart felt like it would explode. Ms. O’Neill always turned her back toward his direction and slowly maneuvered into the middle of her group.

Wednesday while waiting for her close friends to assemble for lunch Koop noticed the Irish lass. Pretending not to notice him Irene angled her back in his direction but that did not deter the male student.

Ray strode into the crowd of freshmen, greeted the group and exchanged amenities as he took hold of Irene’s shoulders and pulled her closer to kiss the top of her head. Still the senior never missed a beat of the conversation even though his groin was tightening. God, she smells so good! Strawberries again? Koop had to consciously restrain himself from burying his face in her hair.

Irene said nothing just stood frozen with crimson cheeks. She couldn’t have managed speech even if she wanted to. Her heart was racing, pulse pounding in her ears and her stomach was in her mouth. The only thing she managed was a side glance and a whispered, Bye.

One of the girls mentioned Ray’s familiarity but Dolores dismissed her with, Naw, just watch him, he does that with a lot of girls. It means nothing. Right, Irene?

Grateful for the assistance she responded with an affirmative nod and a steady, Right! The nightingale flashed Dolores, or Dee as her close friends called her, a small grateful smile and the friend just shrugged one shoulder as if to say, It was nothing.

Irene tried to believe what Dee had said, since anytime she saw Ray with other girls he was relaxed but she never saw him kiss anyone else.

*     *     *

Besides being available to the new students for advice the big sisters initiated the freshmen into the sisterhood. One night the seniors raided each of the freshmen floors. In one bathroom the toilet seats were covered with saran wrap, so anyone who went to use the restroom at night ended up sitting in their own excretions. Irene’s ‘sisters’ smeared peanut butter on their toilet seats. The girls who went to the bathroom during the middle of the night were fuming the next morning, but the students with big bladders enjoyed the prank as much as the seniors. Irene was grateful to her strong constitution.

None of the freshmen were allowed to go home for the first weekend and all the upper classes voluntarily stayed to participate in the festivities. Most of Irene’s friends had steady boyfriends so they were complaining about missing their loves. Irene was feeling blue because that Saturday was her eighteenth birthday but the school activities turned out to be a lot of fun. In fact, the festivities felt like a birthday party complete with games and competitions and to top off the celebration that night her group went out to commemorate her majority.

Saturday was a day full of competitions between the freshmen orientation groups. Irene’s big sister signed them up for the pie-eating contest. Blueberry! Irene groaned while thinking about how much she hated that particular flavor. It was also a messy and embarrassing contest. Ms. O’Neill was so shy she was not able to eat in front of strangers so the Irish lass vowed to eat slowly and in a lady-like, dainty fashion.

That was when she encountered Jaime McDougal, he was one of the judges. He kept squatting behind Irene as she knelt with her hands behind her back. Mac was so close her hands would brush the inner pant leg of his shorts. Each time he squatted she would inch a little closer to the pie so as not to touch him anywhere. McDougal whispered encouragements which were really just outright rude and mean degradations.

At one point he hissed in her ear, You’re acting frigid, come on attack that pie like it was your man’s mouth.

The nightingale was near tears. Everyone in the bleachers, seniors and juniors alike, could see what he was doing to her and no one stopped him! Then she remembered Carol’s warning. No one wants to confront Jaime because he is mean and even dangerous. So Irene just closed her eyes during the whole competition and bore the humiliation. Toward the end of the game he started pushing her face into the pie, laughing and saying she wasn’t messy enough.

When the bell rang Ms. O’Neill, without thinking, stood taking the pie with her. It would have landed on Mac’s head had Ray not intervened. Wrapping his arm across her shoulders and grabbing the pie he twirled her away from his classmate so Jaime could not see what had almost happened to him. She’s furious with a purple stained face and yet she is still adorable, he thought.

Koop wanted to stop her from tangling with a bastard like Mac, she could never handle him. Keeping her in his embrace he escorted Irene out of the gym. In consolation and warning he said, You really don’t want to do that to him, Pumpkin. Go up and wash your face, you’ll feel better, and chuckling added, You’ll look better too.

She was near tears and what made it worse, he knew it! Once in her room Irene couldn’t muster up the courage to return to the festivities. Her group’s burlesque skit was coming up soon. Finally Dolores came running in and pulled Irene to the gym just in time for her entrance.

Her performance was to parade provocatively across the floor and deliver the punch line of the skit. Face ablaze with color, Irene was dressed in a very snug sweater so that her more than ample bust was very noticeable. Her derriere was barely covered by a micro mini skirt and her only salvation was the black tights covering her legs. Koop was one of the judges so she could not avoid his eyes and she could tell he enjoyed what he saw.

Ray was laughing and kibitzing with the other judges. Another man was visually devouring her body but in a menacing and lascivious manner. His look made her skin crawl. It was so unlike Ray’s appraising and inviting gaze, his eyes made her feel warm, tingly and beautiful. After the skit Irene ran off the stage away from the leering McDougal. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Koop clapping and smiling broadly as his stare also followed her. Ray wondered why she ran off the opposite side of the stage. It was closer to use the stairs near his seat. Is she avoiding me? Maybe pursuing her will be a waste of time. But damn that walk, the way her hips swayed . . . she looks very flexible . . . and that mischievous twinkle in her eyes! Bet she is great in bed.

Together with her two good friends, Dee and Valerie, she squeezed into the crowd on the floor. They too were aware of Jaime’s smoldering glare, Man did you see how he stared at you, Irene! Ugh, gives me the creeps, Valerie commented.

Dolores gave Val a ‘lock your lips’ motion but Irene intervened, It’s alright Dee. I did see him and looking at him gives me the creeps too so if you don’t mind, could you keep an eye on him for me. If he starts to approach tell me and I’m going to run for the bathroom.

She was relieved his look made her cringe. The friends watched for her and when Mac began his approach Irene fled to the bathroom. McDougal passed the loyal friends with a predatory scowl and when the coast was clear Val went to get the shaken friend.

During the awards presentation the threesome was so engrossed with spotting the ominous McDougal that they didn’t even hear when Ray knelt down in front of Irene. To get her attention he had to clear his throat before proceeding to compliment her performance, and assuring her that this make-up was more becoming than blueberry pie. Everytime he looked at the girl a brilliant flush colored her neck and face, thoroughly embarrassing Irene. Finally Koop asked for her phone number and reluctantly she gave it to him. A little surprised he commented, You don’t seem to want me to have this . . . . if so I won’t use it.

Irene’s heart did a complete flip and she was stunned to realize just how much she wanted this man to call her but the girl was afraid Jaime would get it. Not able to meet his searching gaze and looking up demurely thru thick lashes she pleaded softly, Please, I don’t want my number on the men’s bulletin board.

Laughing and completely enjoying himself at her expense, the male nurse replied in a husky voice, I see you’ve been listening to rumors. What else have you heard about me?

Her face was the color of a red rose. Her discomfit was palpable so he cupped her chin in his hand and lifted her face to his. Locking eyes and smiling kindly he reassured, "Only the girls I’m not interested in go on the bulletin board. Believe me, yours is for my eyes only, okay?"

All she could do was shake her head. She was spellbound! After he walked away this burgeoning woman whispered breathlessly, Girls, I’m going to marry that man. Val and Dolores were flabbergasted. They asked how and why she felt that way but Irene honestly couldn’t answer them. I don’t know! It’s just a feeling I have deep inside me. Could this be what ‘love at first sight’ feels like?

The two friends mumbled ignorance and shook their heads in disbelief. Ms. O’Neill was angry with herself for blurting out her feelings. She was usually much more discrete than that.

*     *     *

The second week of school was overwhelming, with tons of homework and many tests. Chemistry was giving Irene trouble, something she was not accustomed to. Good grades always came easily to her and complicating her life was the fact that the girls had chosen her room to congregate in so she had taken to studying in the Beau Parlors. These were small rooms furnished with a loveseat, coffee table and one chair. They were throwbacks to the late nineteenth century when the female nurses would be visited by a suitor and his chaperon. The guardian sat in the chair while the couple conversed on the sofa. In the mid-twentieth century they were used for ‘necking’ and later for ‘making-out’. Now, however with no doors, the rooms didn’t provide enough privacy for what young 1960’s couples engaged in, so they became study halls.

One evening while engrossed in Chemistry Irene noticed a shadow in the doorway of her parlor. Looking up, her stomach wrenched when she saw Mr. McDougal. She was actually nauseous, even afraid. Sidling easily into the room he asked, What are you studying?

Chemistry, I have a test this week and I’m just about finished, the girl said while standing and slapping the book shut. Jaime took the book and while leafing thru it he smiled and stated, Good, you have time to spend with me now. His smile was more of a sneer and his comment more of an order.

Irene knew she had made a mistake admitting she finished her work. Since she was already standing the shrewd student sat in the single chair. Feeling confident again and thinking she had ‘bested’ him she answered, Sure, what do you want to talk about?

Laughing Jaime reached the girl in two steps, grabbed her by the wrists and forced her down on the seat next to him. "I said nothing about talking." With that he pushed her down, wrapped his arms around her back pinning her arms to her sides. Mac proceeded to ravish her mouth with his hard lips, pushing her clenched mouth open with his tongue. Irene was dazed and wondered what he was doing invading her mouth with his tongue! Having no dating experience, she did not know there was such a thing as ‘French kissing’.

When he slid his hand into her blouse she was jolted into reaction and started squirming and protesting. All she could think to say was, No, stop! You have no right to do this. I didn’t come here for a boyfriend.

At that time she saw a tall figure pass quickly past the door. Please be the security guard, she prayed but the shadow kept going. She was repulsed by these sensations and wondered if she would feel the same way if this was Ray.

Jaime was not pleased with the way she was acting. His countenance was stern and foreboding and Irene was very frightened. Finally he growled, If you just relax you’ll be squirming in ecstasy. What did he mean by that? But Irene took this opportunity to slide out from under him and shrieked, We are not even dating, I came here to study not be mauled by you! The tall figure passed the door going the other way and this time stopped but he did not turn to face the doorway. Oh God! It is Ray. She was frantically buttoning her blouse with one hand while pulling the other free. McDougal was still holding her wrist.

Koop said nonchalantly, The game starts in five minutes, Mac. The guys sent me to remind you. He never looked into the room giving them privacy. It was humiliating; Irene was sure he would never ask her out now that he thought she and Jaime were an item.

Ray could tell that was his Breck Girl in the room. He wasn’t sure how she had gotten into that predicament but felt certain, from what he had heard, that McDougal had not been invited. He could see out the corner of his eye that she was standing now and her long golden mane was cascading in front of her face. Irene’s features were not visible but she was still struggling to free her arm. Koop was furious with himself for not asking her out earlier. He wanted to be cool and not seem too eager. But if he had claimed her Mac would have backed off and she would not have been pawed by this letch.

Ray tried once more to get his classmate to release the girl, You were the big winner last time, Jaime. If you don’t show up Rick will be real sore and you know what that means!

Begrudgingly McDougal let her go and rising said, Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.

Irene was left in the room. Her rescuer turned toward her but she couldn’t look at him. How could she? She was so embarrassed! Her clothes were askew, her hair a mess. What must he think I was doing with that monster! Retrieving her books she passed by with her back to him and mumbled a quick thank you. The young man responded, I don’t think it is a good idea for you to study down here alone.

Clutching her books to her chest and still gazing down she stopped next to him. Irene really did not want to move. She felt his warmth and felt safe and cared for. The only thing she could think to say was a lame, Right.

Irene was elated! From what he said he knew she was studying alone. That means he knows she wasn’t on a date with Jaime. She didn’t want Koop to think she was a slut who would screw around in public. This girl didn’t even know what screwing was, she just knew her friends talked about other girls who did it flamboyantly as cheap tarts. This sheltered girl was in nursing school and in one month would be giving men bed baths. She would finally know what a man looked like. Her father was a stickler for modesty. Everyone had to be fully clothed until they went to bed. She had never even seen her brother in underwear, although in many families that was common practice.

How will I ever manage? I have to! This is my only hope for happiness now that I found my true love! If she left school she would never see Ray again. NO! I want to see a man. I CAN do this! Maybe then all this terminology like ‘screw’ and ‘hand-job’ will make sense to me. The night after her rescue Ray called for a date. They had to make it for Sunday evening because Ms. O’Neill was going home for the weekend. He teased her about being a freshman baby and not yet able to stay away from home. She took it good naturedly, partly because it was true, but mostly because she was in love with him; at least she thought she was.

CHAPTER 3

After a long and agonizing weekend Irene couldn’t wait to get back to school. Her mother was elated to see her baby had adjusted to being away from home. The matriarch had less to worry about if her daughter was not homesick.

It was decided that the student would travel to school on the subway, that way no one had to waste an hour transporting her. Irene was fine with that, it gave her a good excuse to get back in time for her date. This burgeoning woman wanted to be radiant and a little sexy for Ray. The last time he had seen her she was a mess! She hoped to be alluring but not too much so; she did not want to be a ‘tease’. She already knew what that was and thought it very unfair. Irene wished to convey her interest in him as a man but when the time was right and when it was proper. She finally chose a plain brown A-line dress with white piping trim. Her hair was sleek and shining and hung down her back, held in place by a white headband. It was a very preppy look and she approved.

In the meantime, up on the Mills floor, the guys were all trying to find out who Ray had a date with that evening. He was being very tight-lipped about this one. It was so unlike him.

The rogue usually joked about this attribute or that anatomical part well before the fellows did. He also didn’t spend any money on his dates. Out of financial necessity Koop had designed the ‘perfect date’ and didn’t even know it. The young man took his date sightseeing going by subway to Battery Park. The round trip subway fare for one cost thirty cents. He usually sat talking while viewing the Statue of Liberty and to absorb some of the evening he would purposely miss the first outgoing ferry. Round trip Staten Island Ferry cost ten cents each. Over on the island they walked around and again missed their return ferry thus chewing up even more of the evening. Upon return to the dormitory he bought two cokes for ten cents each and sat in the Recreation Room talking and getting to know his date. The entire night cost one dollar but the girl was always entranced. He titled it his One Dollar Date.

Ray made one mistake when planning Irene’s date; he used it only for the out of town students. He thought, erroneously, that the NY girls would be bored on a ‘tourist’ date. Mr. Koopinski missed one key point; a ferry ride to Lady Liberty was a standard part of the high school prom date and it was very romantic. Irene, however, he was taking to dinner!

With this young lady Ray was feeling very protective, especially since the incident with McDougal. He didn’t know why but one comment about her pert little ass or her ample tits would make him blow. They were his breasts and he couldn’t wait to fondle them and make her nipples respond to his touch.

Koop kept reminding himself to slow down. She was only a freshman and she may even be under age which is a felony should he misjudge and overstep his bounds. That could become an ugly situation. Ray recalled her wide-eyed, innocent stare when he just kissed her head. No, this one is definitely young. I will take my time with her, he vowed.

Ray couldn’t stop thinking about her. While showering his member grew hard as he pictured her long silken hair. It smelled like strawberries. Each time he kissed the top of her head he would inhale, close his eyes and get lost in desire. When not