The Dark Society

82

 Luis and Sabrina prepared for their first date and their parents' initial meeting. Granted, Luis appeared calm, having already shared his feelings with Tim and Julia. Sabrina, however, was under extreme stress and needed a relaxing evening. Thus, she chose a sleek, form-fitting black dress paired with harmonizing two-inch heels.

"You look beautiful," Luis said.

"So do you," she whispered back.

Sabrina's newfound eloquence conveyed a rekindled sense of style and maturity. A characteristic Luis admired.

"Sabrina, these are my parents, Jim and Caroline Mortensen," he announced, gesturing. "Mom, Dad, may I present Sabrina Kole."

Jim and Caroline approached, and their resemblance to Luis was uncanny.

"You're everything Luis said," his mother remarked as she and Sabrina exchanged pleasantries.

They appeared distinguished, but didn't exhibit pretentious or conceited behavior. As a result, Sabrina felt a wonderful sense of relief. For, it was always difficult to relate to others due to an invariable awkwardness. Meeting Luis's parents felt special, because Jim and Caroline befriended her antisocial parents. And with that, it helped them rediscover a sense of hospitality.

Sabrina turned to her parents.

"We're going."

They stepped onto the porch and welcomed the evening. Everyone experienced the changing of seasons before, but now viewed the world differently.

"How do you feel?" Luis inquired, taking her hand.

"Overwhelmed."

Luis smiled.

"Tonight will be perfect, I promise."

Later that evening, everyone savored lighthearted conversation over glasses of chosen brandy. Discussing children was delicate. So, they chose dialogues carefully.

"Sabrina's beautiful," Caroline declared while sampling her cocktail.

"Thank you," Julia replied. "May I say, your son is handsome."

Caroline agreed with a smile.

"I'm sorry for intruding, but we couldn't wait to meet Sabrina."

Julia grinned.

"Don't worry about it. Besides, it's nice to have guests for a change."

Caroline giggled.

"They remind us of Jim and me when we were young."

Julia nodded.

"Isn't it funny how life imitates art?"

Over the next few hours, Julia and Caroline delved into details of their ancestry. Not knowing their conversation would reveal a connection neither expected.