Doctors by Erich Segal Read Free Book Online

Barney, Sandy Leavitt (as the beanpole’s full name turned out to be), and a third, barrel-chested sophomore, Hugh Jascourt, were measured for uniforms. Official practice would start next Monday, but their satin team jackets—that irresistible lodestone for the co-eds—would not arrive for three weeks. But, hopefully, the
Argus
would publish the good news before that and Barney’s social life would move into high gear.
    He sprinted off to tell Laura.

FOUR
    L ate in the second half of the Midwood–New Utrecht game, the scorekeeper pressed a button. A buzz reverberated across the gym and into the annals of history. For it was followed by the announcement: “Midwood substitution, Number Ten, Livingston.”
    There was perfunctory applause from the stands. And one delirious war whoop, “C’mon, Livingston!”
    With four minutes left, the New Utrecht boys were getting careless. Barney was able to intercept a pass and start a fast break downcourt, finally handing off to captain Jay Axelrod, who sank the lay-up.
    Then, with only forty seconds to go, an enemy player charged into Barney, incurring a penalty. Barney took a deep breath at the foul line. He had been there so many times in his imagination that summer in Riis Park. Now it was for real. He took careful aim … and sank it: his first Varsity point!
    Laura cupped her hands and cheered, “Way to go, Barney!”
    After the game, as they stood side by side under adjoining showers, Jay Axelrod congratulated Barney on his performance, adding, “That Laura Castellano must be your one-man fan club. You dating her or something?”
    “No, no,” Barney gargled, as he let the warm water spill down his throat. “Why do you ask?”
    “I’d sorta like to ask her out.”
    “So what’s stopping you?” Barney inquired.
    “I don’t know,” the captain of the Midwood basketball team replied with sudden diffidence, “I mean, she’s so good-looking and …”
    “Want me to introduce you?” Barney offered.
    “Gee, wouldja, Livingston? I’d be really grateful.”
    “No sweat, Jay. She’ll be waiting right outside. You can meet her tonight.”
    “No, no, Barn.”
    “Why not?”
    “I’ve gotta get a haircut first.”
    During the ride home, Barney told Laura of the honor about to be bestowed on her. She laughed.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “Suzie Fishman came over to me after the game and asked if I’d introduce
you.
”
    “Suzie Fishman?” Barney answered, wide-eyed. “She’s one of the best-looking girls in the school. Why does she want to meet me—I mean, I only scored one point.”
    “She thinks you’re cute.”
    “Yeah? Really? It’s amazing what a Midwood uniform can do, isn’t it, Castellano?”
    “Oh,” she said, smiling, “is that all you think you have to offer?”
    Inspired by the arrival of his shiny new basketball jacket, Barney began a rake’s progress to win the hearts of the Midwood cheerleaders. The team ate lunch together, their conversation filled with erotic braggadocio. If there had been even a modicum of truth to the claims made over tuna fish sandwiches and milk, there was no girl over sixteen in Flatbush—perhaps even the entire borough of Brooklyn—who was still a virgin.
    Laura had been dating Jay Axelrod regularly ever since Barney introduced them. They made such a handsome couple that Barney jokingly referred to them as “Mr. and Mrs. Midwood.”
    That winter Laura took an audacious political step. Instead of just running for junior class president, she entered the campaign for treasurer, the third-highest office in the entire school.
    “Castellano, you’re really nuts. When the word gets out that a sophomore is running for treasurer, you’ll be the laughing-stock of Midwood.”
    Laura smiled. “Fine. They may laugh but at least they’ll be talking and that’s good publicity.”
    “God,” exclaimed Barney with undisguised admiration, “you really play guts ball, don’t you!”
    “Look, Barn, my dad always says,