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3/1/1999 Civilized Dinner10:45 a.m. Daniel was watching Arthur this morning, and a subplot involved a take-off on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He asked about the book, and I described the plot to him. Somehow the discussion then evolved into our first anti-drug talk. "But why does Jekyll drink the potion if it does bad things to him?" Daniel asked. "Because he becomes addicted to it. People can get addicted to stuff that hurts them or that can even make them do bad things. People who start smoking often get addicted to the cigarettes and then they can't stop smoking. That's why, if anyone tries to get you to smoke or take drugs, don't do it. Because you don't want to get addicted." I never imagined I'd be telling this to a 5-year-old. I was never even offered pot until I was in high school. I don't know how much of it he even understood. But I know kids encounter drugs at a far younger age now, and I'm sure this will be the first of many such conversations we'll have in the years to come. Tonight Tab and I are going to dinner at Marie and Thomas's house, and Stephanie will watch the kids. Marie is the secretary in Tab's office. She and her husband are an older, childless couple who came here from what used to be Czechoslovakia thirty years ago. They love to entertain, and they do so with finesse. Eating at their home is like being invited from steerage up to first class. At our house we eat on chipped plates and drink from plastic cups, none of which match. Marie and Thomas serve wine in heavy crystal glasses, different ones for red or white wine. They set their table with an exquisite china service and a heavy damask tablecloth and napkins. Marie has also invited Janet, another co-worker, and their boss, Colum. I am looking forward to a dinner in such civilized surroundings among adults, for a change.
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