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Later on I would wonder if my memories were right or the high had twisted them. I don’t know. What I remember is that he helped me down from the table and the ten miles to the restroom. He even waited while I washed my face, like he was ready to hold me up if I needed extra support.

“What happened?” I mumbled, rubbing my face with cold water.

“I don’t think you’re in shape for explanations, boy,” he said. “The car’s waiting downstairs. Go home, rest, have fun. We’ll talk again on Monday.”

I just nodded. He was right about not being in shape.

Back home, the first thing I did was swallowing two aspirins, because my head was killing me. The way the light and sounds affected me convinced Steph I was having a sight problem. She sent me to bed, all lights off, curtains closed, and found something to do in the living area, to give me an hour of complete darkness and silence.

I thought I’d fall asleep right away, but I was still awake when she came to bed. I pretended to be asleep, though. Sh