"She could use a bit of lightening up."
I finish off the joint and then hand the tiny stub to Julien.
Kate moves, lifting up her head for a moment, her eyes still closed.
"Get me a smoke."
Julien makes a surprised face.
"The sleeper awakens. Yes, dear Kate. A cigarette for my little lady." He grabs the pack of cigarettes and lights one, then places it between Kate's fingers. She just sits there with it in her hand, not even bothering to smoke it.
Julien and Reynolds talk about the research and I just sit there, listening. I'm starting to feel the pot, my body feeling languid, liquid, my limbs filled with a pleasant heaviness, my mouth a bit numb. I lean back and close my eyes as well, enjoying the feeling of euphoria despite my best intentions.
"Ah, Kate. Isn't she just the life of the party?" Julien says to Reynolds. "A laugh a minute is dear Kate."
"Stop it," I say, the words slipping out of me almost without my knowing it. "Just stop it."
A silence. "Excuse me?"
I open my eyes with great effort.
"You made your point." When I see Julien's expression, I shut them again. Damn.
"Oh?" His voice is amused, that lopsided grin on his face. "And what point was that?"
I shake my head.
"No," I say, waving at him, my arm feeling like it's made of cement. "We're not getting into this now."
"Into what?"
"You know very well what."
"No, I don't think I do. Why don't you explain to us what this is?"
"Nope." I shake my head, which is a bad idea, because the room spins.
"Oh, I think you better."
"Uh, uh."
"Colonel," Julien says, his tone one of exaggerated confusion. "Do you know what Ms. Hayden is referring to?"
"I have my suspicions."
"Oh, that's right. You're a psychiatrist on top of being a grunt. So tell me, what do you think she's talking about?"
I open my eyes and glance beside me to Reynolds. I shake my head.
"Don't."
Vasily speaks up.
"I thought pot supposed to make people happy. Is not working."
"Whatever do you mean, Vasily? Why, I'm happy as a lark, here with little Kate by my side."
I stand up again.