Chapter 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 the shutters, anticipating the late season storm. In the same breath, Jim remained curious about Luis and Karen's relationship.

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

"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 her 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 in recent times, she appeared more 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."

"Make sure you get some sleep and stay focused."

Naturally, Luis grimaced.

Arm in arm, his parents retreated into the living room, where they'd linger together, relishing each other's company. To the same effect, Luis retired to his bedroom, thinking of Karen, and their 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 as they gathered outside. Wherefore, he unfastened the casement, allowing the humid night air to pervade his pores.

Favorably, Karen had apologized, but the sentiment lacked sincerity. In relation, she seemed emotionless, so a regression of her affliction appeared plausible. Come what may, he watched over his parents, feeling more contented than he had in months.

Cross the city, Alex finished prepping as his excitement for the upcoming semester flourished. More importantly, his parents loved having him home, despite the exhausting efforts to maintain the peace. Parallel to this, Jessica's verdicts had altered numerous aspects, but Diana and Stephen accepted Karen anyway.

At this stage, the evening was becoming colder, so Alex and Karen huddled together, talking about everything. And despite the recluse behavior, he seemed delighted to have her home. In most cases, retaining an intimacy had shown precarious, but the bond stood resilient, and direct communication had proved beneficial. Within this framework, Alex again conferred with his father, while Karen helped Diana with the dishes.

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

Rotating, she tittered.

"Yes."

Throughout, Diana remained cautious of Karen's ever-changing outlook, because despite a sociable disposition, she could become mentally erratic. Based on that, she wanted to protect her from the world.

"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 her hands on her hips.

"I didn't mean to push."

In kind, Karen scoffed and held her 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 peril Jessica had caused, she remained skeptical.

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

That said, 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 the two moved into the living room. A place where the family often gathered for hours, discussing life and the future. That way, bonds and dialogues became 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 seemed docile, but unknowingly 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 upon his expression, 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 the incessant pursuit of authority. Too, everyone recognized her history and the complications that came with it. Whatever the case, Karen was acting pretentious for unsuitable reasons, and despite separating from Luis years before, she remains obsessed.

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