When I got back to my apartment late that afternoon, I discovered that my unannounced absence from campus had caused a great deal of commotion in the brotherhood.
"Where the fuck have you been?" Was Kyle's greeting before I even got the front door closed.
"Not real sure why I need to explain myself but I had an out of town date Saturday night. What the fuck is the problem anyway?" I shot back feeling unusually defensive.
"There are several problems lover. First a damn note would have been nice. Your fucking brothers have been searching campus and town for you. There was a suggestion that you might have been abducted. No one could figure why a pledge would leave without telling anyone on the eve of graduation week. Fucking Christ man, the council is spiting mad," He explained clearly exasperated.
"Fuck, no one told me there was any reason for me to hang around."
"I know, there was a surprise ceremony this morning. We showed up to get you at six expecting you to be in bed snoring. Since everyone of your fucking friends in the brotherhood was in on the surprise we had to start checking other people you might be spending the night with. We pissed off a lot of people with early calls who had no idea where you were."
"Didn't Colin's little buddy in the AOK office tell him I took out a car?" I asked stunned that anything had gotten past the council's gofer.
"No, he didn't think to inform anyone about a routine loan of a car to a brother and no one thought to ask him about you. As far as anyone knows you haven't fucked him yet."
"Well actually I have, but anyway why are you so agitated over this?"
"Because I am worried about the penalty you will have to pay."
"Fuck so my ass gets a few welts.." I managed before he cut me off.
"Damn, I thought you memorized every damn word in those ritual manuals. This is a major offense. You should have known that you were restricted to campus starting at midnight Saturday."
"Yeah, I do recall that. But I figured that since I was so far ahead of my pledge class I wouldn't have any requirements until mid-week."
"Don't explain it to me and I wouldn't try that excuse with the council. Fuck, let's go. Anyone who finds you is instructed to deliver you to the council room immediately."
He made a quick call to Colin so he could call off the search and give the council time to assemble. After I took a piss we headed across campus to the house. I was surprised that there was no life in the house when we arrived. As it turned out anyone that was in the house had been sent to round up the searchers. Kyle led me through the eerily quiet mansion to the council meeting room on the third floor. I somehow knew that this visit to the large ceremonial room would be very different from my previous times up there.
The seven council members sat behind the long table at the front of the room. They wore their robes with the hoods up. Their heads were bowed which concealed their faces from view. Of course unlike my first visit to the room, by that time I knew them all well. Brock sat in the center seat. As usual Eric and Calvin were seated to his right. Next to them sat the newest council member, Randy Aber. He had replaced Ray. On the left side were three seniors, Aaron Nelson, Joe Fields and Stan Graham. Though the majority of the council were friends and lovers, I knew I could not expect special treatment. They would do their duty to the brotherhood even if that included casting out a friend. I stood in the doorway while Colin led Kyle up to the table.
"Exulted council, Brother Kyle comes before you with urgent business," Colin said in a reverent tone. "Do I have leave to allow him to speak?"
I knew from the formalness of the words and tone that I was in for a serious experience. I also knew that whatever it took I would not flinch or deny the power of the council. Full membership was close and far too important to loose. Brock raised his head. Though he was speaking to Colin I felt as if his eyes were boring into my body.
"He may speak," Brock said softly.
Colin withdrew and joined me at the doorway.
"I bring before you the wayward pledge. He returned to our apartment unaware of his misdeed," Kyle said in deferential tones.
I was stunned that Kyle was adding the crime of ignorance of brotherhood rules to my absence. I assumed that he did so to show me that only complete honesty would keep me in the brotherhood.
"It is fortunate that you brought him to us so soon. Have you anything more to report?" Brock asked in an unusually stern tone.
"Only that I deeply regret and fully apologize for his failure as I am sure all of us that were responsible for the pledge do also."
"The others may speak for themselves. As for our judgment of you, that will wait until we speak with the pledge. Please wait in the ante room."
As Kyle disappeared into the small room behind the main chamber, I caught of glimpse of Troy and Dom. I felt sick as I realized that my actions would cause others to be punished as well.
"Brother Colin, have the pledge bare himself and then bring him before us," Brock barked.
I was frightened as I quickly stripped off my clothing in response to the order echoed by Colin. The atmosphere had a somber tone that filled me with dread. The thought that I might actually loose all that had been offered to me weighed heavily upon my thoughts. As soon as I was naked Colin took my arm and led me to the table. The other council members raised their heads and Colin back away into the shadows. I had grown accustomed to being made to stand naked before groups of my brothers. I had been examined, fondled, poked and prodded in places and ways unimaginable not long before I began my pledge semester. But that day was different. I felt as if they were looking past my exposed flesh to my very soul when they lowered their hoods and stared at me.
"Pledge you have been brought before us on very serious charges," Brock began solemnly. "The council has been conferring all this day on these matters. We are disappointed and saddened that a pledge with your promise has failed the brotherhood in such a serious way."
