The Dark Society

9

Luis had struggled to wake up again this morning, but after entering the kitchen he leaned against the doorway watching his mother in amazement.

"Do you ever take a day off?"

Caroline quickly turned and opened the window blinds.

"Not if you want breakfast."

Luis wasn't feeling energized initially, even despite a long heart-to-heart with his father, but everything seemed to be headed in the right direction.

"Is Dad awake?" he asked while grabbing the morning paper.

His mother chuckled.

"You know your father--slow to get moving."

Setting sections aside, Luis smiled as Jim wandered into the kitchen.

"Good morning," Caroline greeted as her husband settled into a chair.

"What did I miss?" he asked while reaching for a cup.

"Oh, nothing much," she replied with a giggle.

"How's my favorite graduate this morning?" Jim asked while taking a sip of coffee.

"Tired, but looking forward to a relaxing summer."

Jim settled and gathered the discarded sections of the paper.

"What's the plan?" he inquired. "Are you registering this week?"

Luis looked up with concerned curiosity.

"This morning if I can avoid the crowds."

Jim stood and helped Caroline.

"The earlier the better."

Luis appreciated his father's honesty more often than not, but several unusual gestures had caught his attention. Then again, Jim was often full of surprises, so Luis stayed alert.

"You're more animated than usual," he observed.

"I have every right to be," Jim replied as Caroline suddenly looked concerned.

"Jim--tell him."

Luis looked at his father skeptically.

"I've spoken with Stephen," he admitted.

Luis thought for a moment.

"Littleton?"

His father nodded.

Luis hadn't seen Alex since an abrupt transfer to Birmingham, so he felt excited by the news.

"Has he returned to London?" Luis asked.

"And transferred to Imperial," his father answered.

"What about Stephen and Diana?"

"Stephen's the superintendent for the telecom division of Lattice Group in London, so with the promotion they've moved back to the city."

Luis appeared calm despite his obvious excitement.

"So Alex will be registering soon?"

Jim composed himself.

"Yes, but I'm sure he'd like to see you beforehand."

"How?" Luis asked.

"Simple. I'll contact Stephen and set up a time."

Caroline's expression suddenly changed while arranging the breakfast dishes.

"Mom, what is it?" he asked.

She turned to Jim.

"You should tell him everything."

"What's going on?" Luis interjected.

Jim hesitated, because despite his best intentions, there wasn't an easy way to say it.

"Someone else is attending Imperial this semester."

"I'm listening," Luis replied.

Jim's gaze fell.

"Karen."

After that, Luis walked to the window and parted the curtains.

"She's come home too?"

Jim remembered their history, so he remained sensitive to Luis's feelings.

"As far as I know--yes."

Luis didn't speak or react as the possibility of seeing Karen again became real.

"You all right?" Jim asked gently.

Luis faced his parents.

"It was going to happen at some point," he said. "Besides, I can't avoid her forever."

Jim looked regretful.

"I didn't want to upset you, but I thought you should know."

Every man encounters only one true love in his lifetime, and for Luis, Karen was his. But due to circumstances beyond their control, they had been kept apart.

As it turned out, Luis often tried to forget, but his love for her was enduring. However, he was determined to focus on the future despite any lingering emotions.

"The past should stay in the past," he announced.

Caroline lovingly embraced him.

"Sounds like you've grown up."

Luis felt nervous about seeing Alex because of his connection to Karen. They had shared intimate history, and though time had passed, a lifetime of friendship remained.

Then again, any past relationships, whether personal or professional, were always complicated. For this reason, Luis knew that his relationship with Karen would feel scrutinized.

More importantly, the breakup had taught him invaluable lessons that had enhanced his self-awareness--one of many qualities Luis appreciated and practiced in everyday life.

Finally, his parents had remained supportive despite Luis's changing moods. In the end, he had been allowed to succeed, and it was a challenge he had accepted. This meant he was eager to start the next phase of his life.

"Where are you off to?" Jim asked.

Luis grinned while grabbing his keys.

"I'm following your advice."

"Really?" Jim said with amusement.

"I have to move on at some point, don't I?"

"So you're going to campus?" his father asked.

"Yeah," he confirmed. "I need a closer look."

Luis said goodbye and headed out.

"What do you think?" Caroline asked as she and Jim watched from the window.

"He's strong," Jim admitted. "And if he stays focused, there's no way he can fail."

"What about Karen?" she wondered.

"He still loves her," he answered. "But given the complications, he'll need to be careful."