King's College
Chapter 35 - Buckle Down
Choy's food was as good as it had always been. They had egg drop soup, spring rolls and a variety of three entrees. Three was a good number for eating Chinese. There were always enough to ensure no leftovers and this time was no different. Martin, in his romance with noodles, ordered vegetarian Lo Mein. Rosemary went for cashew chicken and Chris ordered Mu Shu pork.
"Mate," said Chris. "I don't mean to be invasive, but I've noticed that you seem to be put off by meat lately. Are you becoming a vegetarian?"
Martin didn't know exactly how to answer that. "No, you two, I think that cutting down on meat is probably good for me..probably good for all of us." He didn't want to share the hideous nightmares he'd been having lately of blood and vomit and confinement in some unknown small space. It had put him off of red meat in particular.
Rosemary looked much better. She ate as best she could and her vision was much clearer. Besides that she seemed in good spirits and her sense of humor had returned. "So how are classes going you two? I'd love to be there with you. Are they saving my seat?
Your seat is waiting for you whenever you think you are ready to come back and I'm saving any materials that are distributed. I could bring them to you anytime," said Chris. "The piles are quite the tome."
Martin was always the pragmatist. "If I was to suggest a course of study for you to pursue this term my recommendation would be to concentrate on Physiology first. You probably know a good bit from secondary school and sixth form and the textbook is excellent. The other thing would be histology. I will bring you my microscope and all the slides you need. It will take discipline, but as long as your vision is stable it's very appropriate for independent study. I would be happy to help you. Biochemistry is getting a bit esoteric and all the rest can be done in its own time."
"I would like that, Martin, Chris. I need to have a focus because I'm not ready to go belly up quite yet. I'm living week to week right now and I simply don't want to think about the future." Rosemary started breaking down.
"OK, back to your place, Rosie…we need to watch a couple stupid programs on telly and then Mart and I better get back to work. I'm bloody going to be up until 1 am finishing worksheets and getting ready for a histology quiz. That's if I last that long."
The friends forced Martin to watch two episodes of old "Monty Python" programs. He really did not get the humor a lot of the time and would ask questions like, "Why doesn't the cheese monger have any cheese?" These questions sent Rosemary and Chris into fits of hysterical laughter. Martin loved seeing Rosemary laugh so much that he would even act denser than he really was. He didn't mind being the foil of their jokes as long as he could see his friend enjoying herself in the time that she had.
With the promise to bring the study materials soon Martin and Chris took the Underground back to campus. They walked quietly together towards their separate buildings until it was time to say "Good Night".
"Chris," said Martin. "I'm glad we went. It all certainly makes my problems seem very small."
Chris turned the corner towards his apartment. "I knew you would be, mate. It keeps it all in perspective. Good night." And they split to go back home.