Quaaludes and Kindness

Methaqualone was a popular medication used primaily for sedation purposes several decades ago. It has long-since been banned due to extensive abuse versus actual therapeutic use and benefit.

Quaaludes, Ludes, 714s, Sopors, as they were known were popular among many and on one occasion I took one (or two - I really can't remember) before going to a party of a classmate. I do recall that her father was there and seemed fine with all the mayhem and debauchery associated with the large number of party goers.
I ended up so wasted that night and eventually crawled into a friend's car parked in the driveway. Later, when he had to leave, I simply "slept" on the concrete driveway for a while until I somehow made it to a couch in the basement of the home.

Many of the details of that night are forever lost to the drug-induced haze and it is probably for the better but I clearly remember someone sitting next to me on the sofa showing great concern for my situation. She was a few years younger and wasn't someone I knew very well. My stupid impetuous younger self never thanked or even acknowledged her concern for my well-being.

Years have passed and while much of that night has faded away, I still revisit this kindness with ineffable appreciation.