The Dark Society

14

 Succeeding dinner, Jim labored to compose a lecture, while Luis drafted seminary calendars. And despite not attending his father's class, he valued the obligation. Simultaneously, the day was waning, though distant rumbles suggested showers. In this regard, Caroline opened shutters, anticipating a late season storm. In the same breath, Jim was curious about Luis and Karen's relationship.

"You're still worried?" he questioned, elevating stares.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't." His father retorted.

Gaping, he sneered.

"We haven't spoken much and don't plan too."

Expectedly, Jim listed and crisscrossed his arms.

"Well..." he asserted. "You have the same major, so you'll see each other at some point."

"You have to trust me."

Pitching forth, he nodded.

"You know I do."

Drawing near, Luis noted his mother's unsuspecting grimace.

"You look troubled."

Awkwardly, she gawked.

"You know me."

Now, and again, it wasn't unusual for Caroline to express opinions, though recently, appeared reluctant to do so. Noticing this, Luis wanted to put her mind at ease.

"Don't worry..." he emphasized. "I have everything under control."

"I know..." his mother responded. "By the way, what time's your first class?"

Casually, Luis fetched the registry and examined it.

"8 am."

Arm in arm, his parents retreated into the living room, where they lingered together, relishing the morning. To the same effect, Luis retired to his bedroom, thinking of Karen, and the unlikely reunion during enlistment.

Another thing, having Alex back in his life felt like a godsend, because for as much as he'd matured, he hadn't changed at all. Sometime later, Luis overheard his parents outside, so opening casements, he allowed humid air to pervade every pore.

Favorably, Karen apologized, but sentiments lacked sincerity. In relation, she seemed emotionless, so a regression of the affliction appeared plausible. Nevertheless, he watched over his parents, feeling more content than ever.

Across the city, Alex organized for the upcoming semester. More importantly, his parents loved having him home, amid efforts to maintain the peace. Parallel to this, Jessica's verdicts altered numerous aspects, but Diana and Stephen accepted Karen anyway.

At this stage, evenings were becoming colder, so Alex and Karen stayed huddled together, talking about everything. And amid reclusive behavior, he was delighted to have her home.

In most cases, retaining intimacy was precarious, but bonds were resilient, and direct communication proved beneficial. Within this framework, Alex again conferred with his father, while Karen aided Diana with dishes.

"Looking forward to tomorrow?" she inquired, placing plates.

Rotating, she tittered.

"Yes."

Throughout, Diana stayed cautious of Karen's ever-changing outlook, because regardless of a sociable disposition, she could become mentally erratic.

"As I often tell Alex..." Diana stated. "Stay on track and don't get distracted."

Slowly, she set the cloth and laughed.

"If you're referring to Luis, don't worry, I'll manage."

Unexpectedly, Diana sulked and placed hands on her hips.

"I didn't mean to push."

In kind, Karen scoffed and took a hand.

"Relax, I've already spoken with Luis, and there wasn't a problem."

Coincidentally, Diana felt reassured, knowing Karen wouldn't lie. Even then, with the perils Jessica caused, she felt skeptical.

"I'm glad your mother changed her mind."

At once, Karen lamented.

"It's not like I gave her a choice."

Gradually, Diana fixed a final dish into the cupboard and shut the hatch.

"Even so..." she added. "I hope everything gets better, because you deserve it."

From there, Karen emptied the last of the wine.

"What do you say we join the boys?"

Right away, Diana agreed, and they moved into the living room. A place everyone gathered for hours, discussing life and the future. That way, bonds and dialogues felt more profound.

"And, what are we talking about?" Diana questioned as she and Karen relaxed.

"Oh, you know." Alex responded, raising a glass.

Right away, Karen fixated on Alex.

"Riding in with Luis tomorrow?"

"I wasn't aware he's stopping by..." Stephen interjected. "You should've said something."

Altering, Alex glimpsed.

"Yeah, we're grabbing breakfast and heading in, nothing major."

All of a sudden, Diana beamed.

"Why don't you stay and enjoy a home-cooked breakfast?"

"Not a bad idea..." Alex retorted. "I'll message Luis."

Straight away, his mother rushed to the kitchen and started sifting. Generally, everyone seemed thrilled by the gesture, everyone that was, except Karen. Yet again, she acted docile, but unknowingly, felt daunted and excluded.

"You all right?" Stephen questioned, swaying.

"I'm fine."

Like a shot, he rose and followed.

"Where are you going?"

Indiscernibly, Karen moved onto the porch.

"Thank you for dinner."

To his regret, Stephen said nothing, but based on expressions, Diana and Alex knew what'd happened.

"What else can we do?" his father challenged as Diana regressed to the kitchen.

"Nothing..." Alex inserted. "She's ascending, and enraptured with obtaining dominance."

Ultimately, she couldn't abandon her love for Luis, nor incessant pursuits of authority. Too, everyone recognized history and the complications that came with it. Whatever the case, Karen was acting pretentious for unsuitable reasons, and despite segregating from Luis years before, remains obsessed.

More than that, knowing he still loved her broke Karen's heart, because with everything, she adored him. In which case, confidence grew, because amid Jessica's intervention, fate brought them together again. In the same vein, Karen resented her mother's fleeting and self-serving agenda. Thus, stayed defiant, blinded by an intimacy she was determined to rekindle.