down the hall.
"You look like you need a beer!" Park called at Shani.
She closed her eyes. "Don't bother me, I'm asleep." And she must have been for the next few minutes.
When she opened her eyes next, everyone was back in the living room. This party would go on forever.
Sol was sitting on a chair next to Robin, offering her his mug of beer. Lena was planted precariously on the arm of the chair. Angie was on the floor at their feet with Park, whispering in his ear. Bert was lying face down on the carpet. Kerry was sitting on his butt, her back to Shani.
"We've got to get Robin drunk," Park announced. "It's our duty, our God-given duty."
"How are you going to lose your virginity if you won't let a guy get you drunk?" Sol asked, nudging Robin with his half-full glass. Shani wondered if they had spiked it with whisky. It looked darker than ordinary beer.
"Yeah!" Park cheered.
Robin blushed and took the glass, weighing it in her hands. "You won't believe this, but I've never even tasted beer before."
"You haven't missed a thing," Shani muttered.
"Sleeping Beauty's awake!" Park said. "Did I ever tell you guys how she messed her pants in fifth grade?"
"In kindergarten," Shani said. It came to her then how the mood of the room had changed. They had had drunken dancing, bursting bladders, spilled food, frustrated seductions, sharp arguments, and none of that had seriously dented the upbeat feeling of the party. Yet now, even in her dull condition, she sensed a building tension, as tangible to her as if a foul stench were being pumped into the room. She studied her friends, finding no explanation.
"Finish it in a gulp," Lena advised her sister. "You'll be a new person."
"I don't know why you're badgering her," Kerry said. "If she doesn't want it, she doesn't want it."
"I'd better not. It will just put me to sleep."
"Wimp," Lena said.
"To the eternal virgin," Park toasted with his empty glass.
"I guess you're going to be the one to drive us home, then," Sol said, lighting another cigarette.
Angie whispered in Park's ear, his eyes widening. She said out loud, "One drink, it won't kill you."
Shani sat up with a start. Afterwards, she would be unable to clearly explain to the others why. She did not believe in precognition, and her foreboding did not necessarily require its existence, for her nose may simply have picked up the poison and triggered a subconscious warning. Yet if that were so, Robin, who was closest to the glass, should have smelled it also. In either case, to Shani the room seemed suddenly permeated with death. She was afraid and she didn't know why. Robin picked up the mug, took a sip.
She frowned.
"This tastes awful."
"Finish it," Lena said.
Like a hardened guzzler, Robin did so, in one continuous swallow. Perhaps she thought that would impress them. But they only laughed. Bert rolled over, spilling Kerry, taking interest. Robin put the glass down, touching her stomach, staring straight ahead.
"So, what do you think?" Park asked.
Robin coughed, hard, twice. "Tastes awful," she breathed.
"Are you okay?" Shani asked, nevertheless beginning to relax. She must study about these impending-disaster sensations when she went to college. They came and went like lightning. Robin nodded, smiled weakly.
"Was that enough to get me drunk?"
"How do you feel?" Sol asked.
"Weird."
"Then it was probably enough."
Robin wiped her forehead. She was sweating like after dancing - heavier. "I think I'll stick to Coke.
Does it always leave such a bad taste in your mouth?" She leaned back in her chair.
"I've never noticed," Sol said. "Kerry, you still want a ride home?"
Lena butted in. "Robin and I are giving her a ride home."
Kerry yawned. "I'm so tired. Maybe I'll just spend the night."
"You're welcome to," Angie said, "if you'll give me a hand cleaning up."
"Okay."
"How about you, Park?" Angie asked. Lena left for the kitchen. Sol had to use the toilet. Bert rooted his face back in the carpet.
"Count me in! Are we still going to go - "
"Shh," Angie said. She leaned over, spoke in his ear. Park nodded eagerly. Shani required no ESP to know what she had said. How could they swim nude with Robin present? But then she understood.
Robin had gone to sleep. That was quick. Angie and Park headed for the front door. Shani stopped him.
"Park?" she called.
He spun around. "Yes, madam?"
"Robin just passed out."
"So?"
Shani stood. "She was awake a second ago."
"She drank too much."
"As if she had a choice. She only drank one