Makarovia! Yes, I Know Where That is! Sophomore Year - 85. A New Direction?

A New Direction?

The club's DJ had said it would become even more crowded. It looked crowded to me now. The Grotto had room to spare, but I wouldn't want to be the one securing that many people. I am no Geologist, but I wondered how it formed. The one they found underground in Stryia was a bubble that formed and solidified eons ago. That one was obvious by the near-perfect round shape. This one wasn't that round. Where the dancefloor and bars were in the widest and tallest of the cave, it was more like an oval. The stalactites said it had been there millions of years ago. Remember, stalactites stick “tight” to the roof of the cave. Stalagmites stick up on the floor of the cavern. Dimitri and Dan had filled the floor with dirt and sand to make it level for the dancefloor. They weren't on any of the power grids, but probably will be in the future. They had generators that needed fuel and added to the cost. I wasn't sure how many watts or whatever was needed, but the lights and I mean all of them; the ones that allowed us to see and the ones for the dancefloor. The sounds from kept us dancing needed power and the video screens...I never saw an extension cord, but the blenders, ice crusher required power. They must do well because there were several bartenders now and they were very busy. All of them looked like they knew what they were doing as drinks were rapidly handed over. They had gotten used to who they were working with as they dodged and swerved to avoid collisions, it almost seemed like a dance behind the bar.

Peter and I danced again, but not the No Touchy, No Feely dance. Mario and Mom danced, but you could tell the style of dance tonight was not what Mario or Mom preferred. Mario had lived out in the world in his twenties and thirties. There were a lot of good songs in the eighties and nineties. He had to go to a night club sometime.

Grandma danced with me, Peter and Olek. Olek did ease up with his caution about Helga and they danced a few times. It took a few minutes for Andreea to relax and be herself. We weren't scary, but Makarovians did put us in a category they set us apart. Remember how hard I had to push to get any of the staff at the palace to use my name and not call me by my title?

Peter got through to Andreea when he asked her what she was going to do if she and Rolph couldn't get divorced again. At first, she was mortified that we knew. Peter's grin told her he was teasing her. I asked about their girls and soon it all laughter from Andreea and Rolph. We didn't care what they did or didn't do.

Grandma smiled when she heard what they did, “Why not? Love is a game we all like to play. Good for you.”

I began to see Andreea is one of the few modern women of the twenty-first century. She had been sent by her parents to live with her grandparents a few winters in Ukraine. She had access to things other Makarovians didn't. But! Instead of remaining there, she was a loyal Makarovian. Then she met Rolph and the rest is history.

A couple of hours passed when Helga asked to be excused for the Ladies Room. The ones last year were barely bigger than a port-a-potty. You know, one of those big blue boxes?

And I don't know what anyone passed along, but...somehow every woman in the world knows to go in packs to the Ladies Room. Helga got up and Grandma, Mom, and Andreea needed to go, too. Guys don't normally do that unless there's a perceived threat or they wanted something in private. Peter and I didn't hide what we did, but we never just went together. In the United States, most guys didn't dare look at the guy in the stall next to him. They'd be labeled one of us! Gay! God forbid! Then I theorized the men that didn't want you to see, didn't have that much to show. Guys with eight inches or more wanted you to look and be envious; gay, bisexual, or straight didn’t matter. It's just my theory; I haven't had the time or free access to any Men's Room and looked at dicks to verify anything. It's my theory; no one else's.

Yes, I scared another rabbit from its hole. Just one more thing, so I'll pursue it. How does a toddler go from “Everybody Poops” where we teach them how to do something every living creature does? Why does it become something we do in private spaces where no one can see or know what we were doing? How did it become dirty and nasty? It all stinks; even for people who were royalty. Okay, I'll let that rabbit go now.

As they left, all the men stood up as it the proper thing to do. This group of Makarovian men was all gentlemen. You had to be in international affairs or we'd make a bad impression. I didn't know it at first, but Olek was briefed before meeting a leader of a country. Someone to tell him what was and wasn't appropriate; if anyone knew.

Olek was grinning at Peter, “I'm so glad I made you go to Northeastern.”

“You made me?” Peter's eyes grew wider, “I seem to remember that a little differently.” He looked me, “I practically begged him for months to allow me to go!” The smiles on their faces told me it was all in fun.

I shrugged, “I'm just glad he came.”

Olek chuckled, “I am simply having trouble believing this is the same Peter. You've really changed for the better.”

I could see why. I know Peter and Olek got along one on one positively as brothers and friends.

I could see the confidence in Peter.

Olek leaned forward and smiled at me, “You've been there every time. I give you credit this change.”

“He's always been Peter, Olek,” I said.

“And you brought him out,” Olek said. “You saw his condition and recommended the correct medical treatment. When I fainted in Boston, you accessed me physically and diagnosed what happened." He gestured with his hands telling me he had come to a conclusion, “You spoke to Helga with knowledge of what was happening. Why is that?”

I nodded and told Olek what I told Peter and why I had left medicine behind.

Olek listened, nodding as began to understand.

Mario was the one to say anything. His expression was more than pity or even sympathy, “How long did you go to school for medicine?”

“I don’t have a degree, I guess about three or four years," I admitted. "I volunteered when I was in high school. I was sixteen and turned seventeen after a month into the school year." I grinned remembering. "You know my family loves rules," I said to Peter. "We don't lie. You could start first grade at five if you turned six in September. My birthday is in October and that wasn't lied about. I started school at six and turned seven." They needed to know the age to understand that. “I worked all summer at the hospital and fell in love.” I chuckled at Olek's surprised look, “I was told by one of the doctors there about a scholastic program with college credits medicine. I could do it at eighteen. My junior year was all blood pressures, temperatures, pulse, and emptying Foley bags of urine.” I chuckled at the turned-up lip of Olek. "No, that wasn't glamorous. I was teamed up with other students and watched carefully that year. John Donkervoet was like Grandma, but…” I sought a word, “more. You know how we are with feelings.” I said looking at Alec who was also nodding with a smile. “The Medical University is an educational hospital. I signed up under Dr. Donkervoet who became my mentor. He is a Psychiatrist. Then Tony was killed and my mother was diagnosed," I shook my head. "It was almost like death was following me. I took anatomy courses, chemistry, and biochemistry. I was going to get my premedical degree and...” I shrugged, “medicine's fascination faded when my mother got sick. I had to get away from it.”

There were more than just "feelings" involved in Psychiatry. No one just feels happy or sad. There is emotional chaos was with happiness and sadness. We all feel sad at times, but other emotions like anger, resentment, betrayal, and loss along with thoughts that gave you those feelings which affected your mind. Jealousy and rage caused chemicals to be released in your brain. Grandma knew that just holding the anger, resentment and all the others kept inside that mood coming. She wasn't a doctor but saw the long term effects on people. Her rule about telling someone the truth about those thoughts helped to smooth out the chaos and it became a symphony of thoughts with emotions. There were also cases of neurochemical imbalance caused by mental illness,

“I understand,” Mario said suspecting something, “but you have a talent for it. There is a passion for it I see in your face and hear in your voice when talking about it. Alla has almost no science in her background. She was a model and doesn't have any sort of degree in medical science. She learned a lot because it was needed.”

"Mom's brilliant!" I argued a bit defensively.

Mario was nodding now and using his hands to tell me to calm down, “She is; without any doubt." He looked at Olek, "She ran a country after your father died and until you could ascend to the throne." Olek nodded, so Mario went on. “She is a Queen. She also used that position to get things done for Makarovia, medically.” Mom apparently spoke to Mario about many things for him to say this. “She will still be Queen, but will be a past king’s wife.” He frowned a little, “I can’t remember the word in English for that at the moment. I don't want her to step down. She loves Makarovia and what she can do for the people. She has mentioned stepping back.”

“Dowager is the word,” I said as Mario nodded remembering. I felt an icy dagger of panic in my heart, "I don't want to be a doctor, nurse, or a nursing-practitioner." I waved at Olek and said, "I promised Olek to help with the safe processing and storage of the uranium. There is no school for Medicine here. It would take me away longer for my residency…”

Mario was again nodding and doing the calm down gesture.

Olek knew what Mario was talking about. “If I understand you,” Olek said to Mario and then looked me, “you don't have to be. When Alla goes to a country to ask for assistance, she researches what can or can't be done. You already know some medicine.”

“He knows a lot of medicine," Peter corrected.

“That's textbook knowledge!” I said.

“So?” Olek asked. “You still come out ahead. Do you keep up with medical trends?”

In the middle of feeling pressure, I was impressed with Olek's use of English. It was probably because we used it so much now. “I do. It's kind of hard not to when something new comes out.” I shrugged, “I want to see how it works.”

Olek smiled, “Can't you use knowledge like that in this case?”

I remembered times Mom went to groups of people like "Doctors Without Borders" in Paris, France, or in Geneva, Switzerland or to oversee the opening of a new clinic.

“Whoa,” Peter said, “Think about what you’re asking. Mom does a whole lot more than that.”

I also remembered she worked a lot with education pushing new schools for children, some were going to be underground! Home computers were coming in and WiFi was spreading and another rabbit stuck his head up. Did we have emergency medical teams out there? It would be hard in the remote portions and with computer access, wouldn’t it ease things if they could talk to someone about a medical emergency? If the kids can go to school online when the weather was bad they could still go to school virtually. No, Bunny! Go on now. Get back. I'll deal with you later. Go back in your hole.

“I'll seriously consider it,” I said.

I wasn't the king! Emergency services? Virtual Classrooms? I wasn't born to this. I did it again thinking: who was I to tell anyone what to do?

"Stop it," Peter said. He pointed at my head. "I know what you're thinking." He grinned. This time, I didn't question if he could read my mind.

My worry was about Makarovia was drastically moving from a near Medieval time that used fire to eat and see by when it was dark to modern technical Makarovia where someone came flicking bright electric lights on. People will get hurt.

Okay, it wasn't that drastic. Every Makarovian knew what television was and saw it occasionally. They saw movies and knew what things were and what they were used for. Just like when I mentioned going to a mall with Peter the first time. He knew what a mall was, but had never been to one. We could cover everything in workshops and classes like we were with computers and how to use it. It would help everyone cut off in the future when the weather was bad. Until the network of tunnels was completed, it would be the best thing.

Suddenly, Rolph, who could see behind us rose and held the chair for Andreea. The ladies returned, thank god. I saw the four of them return and knew it would distract my thoughts. I suspected that only a small percent of the time was actually using the bathroom. I can't prove that because I would have to go in there. I knew anatomy and I'd seen plenty of women's bodies. I never once considered myself in any way bisexual. Gay. Me. One hundred percent G, A, Y. That was why I was asked to do it so often. I apologize a lot and I don't mean to offend anyone, but I just was not interested, even a little. If it interests you, GREAT! Go with that. Have a good time. Just be careful.

Where was I? Oh, yeah, right, the return from the Ladies Room.

I know plenty of guys, gay and straight, consider the Ladies Room a Forbidden Zone.

“Was there a line?” I asked.

"A little," Grandma said. "There were many just using the light and mirrors."

See!? I knew it! They used that time for more than just using the bathroom. There was a lot of primping going on. Then I saw three of those agents that came with us stand in their position to resume keeping watch. They were all men! Those ladies-in-waiting that Mom used for her agents were not here. “Did the agents go in with you?” Grandma and Mom looked a little surprised at me. They were alright, so I explained, “Women can be more dangerous than men! That pirate was a woman.”

Mom smiled, “No, they stood at the entrance.”

Andreea took Rolph’s hand, "I was Rolph this time." She squeezed his hand. "We've been together a while. I've been told what you do many times." Andreea looked at me and then Yuri. "I know if you were concerned about any danger you would have objected. There is only the one entrance, no windows, and the vents were too small to get in and out through. No area where a person could be hiding."

Yuri nodded with a sly smile, “I know.”

Of course, he did! He is Yuri! We had told everyone at this table now we were coming here. I mean the day before we came. He probably had someone look it over or he might have done it himself.

Mercea was impressed, but not by Yuri. “Perhaps you could be another Security Agent, Andreea.”

She shook her head, "One agent in the family is more than enough for me."

It did get more crowded a few hours later. We shouldn't do the surprise visitation again. We could come but needed to prepare where we were going. The ramifications of this economic and technological boon would mean the rise of cellphones and smartphones. That would mean they could let friends know we were here and the crowd would be much bigger. Transportation was less difficult in summer. The many cars in the parking area were proof, but that wasn't a big problem tonight. Those in militaries here had the phones, but if their friend were in Skoal, they couldn't just hurry over. It wasn't that far, but they had to do it if they wanted to.

“There's nothing in Skoal?” Peter asked Olek.

Olek shrugged with a smile, “There were taverns there, but some of the military spouses have opened three.” He shook his head, “I've not been to those, but...” he waved around us at the Grotto, “this one is the most popular in Makarovia.”

Everyone at the table danced. Mercea asked a couple people here that were sort of “wallflowers.” One was male. Mercea wasn't judging them by the gender...and the other guy accepted! Mercea just wanted to dance. We know he has feelings for Mikell.

Then, there was Alec. He looked like he was having a good time, but...you know my Grandma. “I haven't seen you dance once, Alec.”

Alec smiled and began to get flushed, he was blond. Remember? It was easy to see. “I don't dance.”

Grandma smiled patiently at him, “You don't? You won't? Or you can't?” I knew she had Alec assessed quicker than I had.

Now Alec was smiling bigger, but turning a brighter red. “I don't know how.”

“You know what I did and am still doing?” Grandma asked, “I taught dance for years and not just ballet. Will you let me teach you now?” She was using her maternal voice to encourage him. “I was pretty good at dance and instruction.”

Alec consented with a nod and I watched Grandma show him some simple moves and steps which Alec did awkwardly at first, but soon he was doing as well as the others.

It was a few more minutes and the DJ's voice came. “Can we get a repeat performance of that spectacular dance, Your Highness?”

Peter took my hand and we nodded.

“Can I record it to show others?” The DJ asked.

We didn't know if hear us, so we both shrugged. This time the crowd formed a large circle for us to dance in.

No Doubt's Hella Good began and we did it again. We even embellished some moves, such as the near brushing we did to the other's body with our hands and again, No Touchy and No Feely. For those farther back, they could see it on the big screen and the other screens at the Grotto. This song ended like the others. This time the applause, hoots, and catcalls were louder.

Peter hugged me, or I hugged him. We hugged. Panting again, we kissed.

"I love you, Eric Ivanov," Peter said.

“I know,” I grinned, “I love you, Pedro Ivanov.”

“I know.” He said and a look appeared on his face. “We danced enough. I wonder if Boris has any of that cake left.”