“What do you meaning, Cult?”
“Well I feel that any organization who takes your money, and preaches how you should behave is a Cult. Granted some people may need that, personally I don’t. I feel that I am a spiritual person, and I treat others as I want to be treated. I would never knowingly hurt anyone. I don’t believe in any of that born again Christian crap, or especially that Baptist Holy Roller nonsense. I had an experience in South Carolina when I was with my Mom and her new family for the first year. I was in my junior year of high school. One of the boys from school asked me out. We went and got a bite to eat. He wanted to go parking afterwards. I asked if there was any place to go dancing. I love to dance.”
“Aye, I gathered, and you do it well.”
“So he said, no that it was against his religion. I had to laugh, it was against his religion to dance but it was ok to go parking? I immediately told him to take me home. …. Now that is a mixed up religion.” She managed a laughed. “I feel that all clubs, cults, religions etc. are just another way for the powers to control the masses. I feel that I am a free thinker, and don’t want that taken from me.”
“Well I can see that you have never had the Catholic experience from Ireland. It is completely different than what you describe. Aye, it does have the guilt teachings what religion doesn’t, but it is much friendlier than your experience. Father O’Malley was quite a character; he made our Sundays very entertaining indeed. When he passed on, we were all very sad, but then Father Donavan took his place and we soon had a new form of Sunday entertainment, and Father Donavan remains there today.”
“It sounds wonderful; you make life sound wonderful Rian, thank you for listening to me and sharing a small part of your world with me.”
A white security car pulled into the square where they were parked. Rian spoke first. “We’d better get going, before they ask us to leave.”
“Yah, …. We should go.” Kareena said. “It’s getting late, and I have to work in the morning.”
“Ok, then!” He gently kissed her forehead and released her hand. They drove back to her apartment in silence.”
Well. She thought, it’s been nice knowing you. Maybe I said too much. He won’t want to see me again. Well if that’s how he feels, so be it. She sighed deeply.
As they parked in front of her apartment he took her hand again. “Would you like to go to the theater next Saturday night?”
Oh! ….Well, I didn’t expect that! “Ok, I’d really like that Rian. I love the theater. …. You know our high school had a theatrical department that I though was exceptional. They showed Annie Get Your Gun, Our Town, Arsenic and Old Lace, and my favorite, The Miracle Worker. We had some very talented student actors in our school. I guess it was the Summer Theater influence here in town.
“Well that makes two of us. Shall I pick you up at six? We could have a bite before the theater if you like.”
“Yes, that sounds great.” Her heart was pounding again at the thought of seeing him again.
He leaned over and kissed her. She felt her heart do that fluttering thing again. She could feel his pulse quickening as hers did the same. She didn’t want the kiss to end, but it was getting late. She pulled away, and reached for the door.
“Good night Rian.” She said “Thank you again for listening.”
“It was my pleasure, and I mean that my sweet. Good night, Karenna. See you Saturday.”
She walked across the street, and waved as he drove away. She took in the star lit night and the cool fall breeze. She could hear the leaves rustling in the wind while a sigh escaped her lips. Wow, that went better than I thought. She smiled and took the three steps to her door. She looked back. He was watching her as she unlocked her door and walked in. He gave a little wave. She waved back.
Comfort
Rian picked Kareena up at six on the dot. He didn’t like tardiness. They drove to the 1896 House for dinner. Originally built in 1896, go figure, as a milking barn, complete with bullpen. It was turned into a famous restaurant in 1939 and enjoyed an unparalleled reputation for excellence for approximately 73 years. The draw was so great that a lodging facility was built in 1951 to accommodate the patrons.
Rian ordered Filet Mignon, Kareena ordered Dover Sole. They talked all through dinner. Kareena never talked much with anyone except Diana or Genna. She was more of a listener. She was always fearful of making a fool of herself. She felt if she said too much people would think her stupid. She knew she wasn’t, but seemed to have this uncanny defect that stopped her from pulling facts form her brain that she knew damn well were there. She just couldn’t seem to get out what she really wanted to say. And since she was held back in second grade for failing reading, she’d developed a complex. She saw others as always being smarter than herself.
Genna, her three brothers, and two sisters were like family. They accepted Kareena as she was, and never ridiculed her like her older brother did. Kareena’s Mom, Maggie and Genna’s Mom, Katelyn were best friends. Genna’s Mom met with a horrible accident two years back, and Maggie always felt that if she hadn’t been off with her new family. That the circumstances would have been completely different and Genna’s Mom would be with us today. She always felt a special closeness to all of Kate’s children, and felt the need to look after them in any way she could.
But Kareena didn’t feel shy with Rian. She and Patrick did talk but it was more of a low key chit chat. They were like kindred souls who felt comfort just being close to one another. Rian was a whole different entity, more worldly, and this fascinated Kareena. And his kindness Tuesday night had really overwhelmed her.
Rian talked of his family and how he and his Sister Magan would run and play in the fields of Killarney, and swim in the lake with their friends. He missed the country, and that is why he really loved this town, although he couldn’t quite figure out why his father wanted him to attend Williams. He had to admit it had its special charms, such as the beautiful countryside, and the rolling expanse of lawns as you drove down Main Street with their old well-maintained buildings on campus. He loved history, and even thought the history here was relatively new compared to Ireland’s rich and ancient past, he enjoyed taking it all in.
He filled Kareena in on some of his family’s entertainment. “My Da, always started the family discussion at the dinner table. Sometimes it would be politics, sometimes sports, almost any subject would get our family going. He would then sit back and watch as we all went at each other in a heated exchange. That was his form of entertainment.”
Kareena loved hearing all these stories of Ireland; it was so different from her own family. Her Mom and Dad did love each other, but the drinking her Father did always frightened her, she would cower in her room at night when he would come home drunk, and the fighting and bickering would begin. She hated it so much she even planned to run away once, as a small child. She would place an article of clothing in her suite case each night very quietly, and was planning on running across the street to her friend, Susan’s house. She didn’t think much past that part of the plan. Of course the plan never came to fruition; Maggie came in to the bedroom one night when she heard some stirring. That was the first time she realize how the bickering disturbed her daughter. That didn’t stop the abuse though, even though she spoke to Kareena’s Dad about it. As long as the drinking continued so did the abuse.
Kareena spoke to Rian about this. “I would never tolerate a man laying a hand on me like my Dad did my Mom. That would be the end of it, I would walk away.” Rian also had strong feelings on that subject “I feel that any man who raises a hand to a women is not only a louse, but a coward as well.” Rian stated with a serious look on his face.
Kareena smiled. “I’m very happy you feel that way.” They continued seeing each other every weekend for the next couple of months. They listened to music, soft, slow and romantic. Kareena’s favorites were some that Rian introduced her to from Ireland. Her favorite was a young Irishmen by the name of Declan Galbraith who starte
d singing as a boy, and is quite popular in Germany and Great Britain. His voice: velvety smooth and beautifully angelic, his range extraordinary and the instrumentals, nothing short of amazing. His music made Kareena’s heart soar, and made being with Rian all that more special. Being the artist she was, she really appreciated quality in music. And of course she came to love Paolo Nutini, a Scottish soul singer and a genius with a lyric, who sings with so much feeling it’s almost painful to watch. They both enjoyed the music and it added all the more magic to there relationship.
Both Rian and Kareena knew that they would have to part ways sooner or later. Rian would be going back to Great Britain when he graduated. But they truly enjoyed what time they had together. They had a great time at the Summer Theater, only seeing a couple of shows, before the Theater closed for the winter. But it was truly a treat for Kareena, and the fact that they saw the shows together made the experience all the more enjoyable. Rian drove Kareena home after the theater and walked her to her door. He kissed her softly, and told her he would see her following Saturday.
Brothers
The "Honor Society" fraternity brothers
(Rian McKay O’Connor) Rian = Little King)
Ireland, British Isles (Old money, much of the family’s wealth came from shrewd investments in pharmaceuticals and commodities)
Major: Law/Political Science and Economics. Extra credits: biochemistry Rian is of Irish decent born in Killarney, Southern Ireland. His family owns a large estate in Gillingham, Great Britain, an estate in Killarney, Ireland, and a huge mansion in Palm Beach. Rian’s family hails from a long line of Wealthy Aristocrats. His great, great, great Granda was a Chieftain. He loves to party, but when it comes down to his studies, he is quite serious. Learning comes easy to Rian, which allows him all the time he needs to play. South Florida was a hot spot for fun and entertainment and he was able to enjoy his life to the fullest.
His family being unable to control his outrageous behavior was the reason they sent him north to college. That is what he was led to believe anyway. Rian was initiated into Alpha Capa Phi two years earlier, and now acts as the president of the fraternity.
(James Edward Murphy) James =Supplant: to supersede (another) by force or treachery
Of English decent, born Boston, MA, USA (Family money from the Steel Industry)
Major: Business Economics and Political Science
James is of Irish decent born and raised in Palm Beach, FL. His family owns a large home in Palm Beach, and another in Boston. James’s descendants arrived in the US in 1635 in Peabody and received 1,000 acres of land. They sold off much of the land through the years but James Dad still holds the deed to 400 acres. His father had always planned to send him to Williams, as this is his Fathers Alma Mata. James and Rian met at Williams in their freshman year and became very close.
( Hale William Walter) Hale = Ruler of an army
Of European decent (Germany) (Auto Industry) Major: Economics and Business
German born, Hannover, Germany, Halle is the eldest of two siblings, his sisters always were in his way, and he didn’t like looking after them, but it was his duty as their older brother. His family made there millions from the Steel Industry. At a young age he excelled in military school and was then sent overseas to college.
He wanted to stay in military school and go on to serve his great country of Germany, but his father had other ideas. At times he wanted to rebel and go off on his own, but he knew if he did that he would be disinherited and left with none of the wealth from his father’s old money. So he endured and continued his education overseas. Hale was initiated into the fraternity last year.
Rian, James and Hale were among the 6 boys on hand to help with the initiation. It was a Friday night in December the evening was young, the air had a hint of winter, and a light drizzle fell on the front lawn. Rian was looking forward to the weekend with Kareena. But tonight he was in charge of the annual hazing ritual at his fraternity. The new freshman recruits were a mixture of ethnicity.
The Roster read: New Pledges:
(Dario Gomez Cruz) Dario = Affluent) Of Latin decent (From South America) (Family money from the Textile industry and Gold trade) Majors: Language & Psychology
Born in Argentina, Dario attended school in Villa Maria, south of Cordoba. Dario’s family always kept a low profile and did not flaunt their wealth. They had a mission and their second son was to be the saving grace in the family since Dario’s older brother Felipe (Lover of Horses) was killed in a horse riding accident, at age 16. Dario wanted to attend college in Cordoba, a few of his school friends were going there, but his father insisted he go to a college in a small town in New England. Dario tried to fight his father on this because he could not see any reason he should go north to this school in the United States. His friends had never ever heard of this college. What was his father thinking?
(Khalid Mustafa Dajani) Khalid = Eternal
Of Mid Eastern decent (Saudi Arabia) (Family money from Oil) Majors: Law/Political Economy
Khalid born in Bahrain Saudi Arabia. Khalid has attended school and studied the Qur’an in Bahrain; his family is of royal decent. Money is no object and he is able to attend the best schools. His family is sending him to the United States to go to college. This is so far removed from anything he is familiar with, but he is an obedient son and will go where ever his father feels he should. His father says Khalid needs to see the world, so he is looking forward to the experience. His five brothers will attend schools in other parts of the world, but since he is the first in line, he was chosen to go to school in the United States.
(Razi Turay) Razi = Secret Of African decent (Africa) (Family money from Ivory) Majors: Political Science/Sociology.
Razi was born in Bambari about 50mi south of the Central African Republic. Rasa’s father holds a high position in the African Embassy. His paternal grandfather died last year and his father was left with the old family wealth, and the obligation of overseeing his business ventures. Razi needs to learn the business, but first he needs to attend a college in the United States which will position him as the next hare to his family fortune.
(Karachi Xin) Karachi = Storm
Of Asian decent (Japan) (Family money from Import Exports)
Majors: Mechanical Engineering/Business Economics. Karachi born in Tsukuba Japan, 30 mile northeast of Tokyo finds the city to be all he could ever hope for. His father’s family money allows him to enjoy the city. He has a love interest and doesn’t want to leave, but his father has other ideas. He wanted to send Karachi to the United States to college. Karachi is thinking of taking Shamara away with him and never looking back. He knows his father means well, but he can’t bear to leave his love. Of course his father wins out in the end, as he always has.
Each year the hazing ritual becomes a little more bazaar. Hale was the only recruit who passed the initiation process last year. They were required to consume five live gold fish, down a pint of Jim Bean, and crawl naked thru a gauntlet of leather straps hitting there backsides. Hale passed with flying colors and asked for more. His fraternity brothers thought he was a little crazy and treated him with reverence and respect after that night.
Tonight a whole new ritual was to be performed. The stage was set in the cellar. Candles were lit. The air was damp with a dank musty smell. The four recruits were led blindfolded down the stairs to the DUNGEON as the brothers called it. They were then told to strip and each was tied to a ceiling beam by a leather strap. They were made to recite the fraternity pledge while cold water was pored over them. Then they would be paddled and made to drink a concoction of beer and puréed shrimp. The blindfolds would then be removed and they would remain there for the next hour while the brothers partied upstairs. But something went wrong.
Tragedy
It was Saturday night. Rian didn’t show to pick up Kareena as planned. After a half hour she began to worry. It wasn’t like him to be late never mind a no show. She tried to call his dorm, but the line was busy.
She tried his cell. Voice mail. She chewed on her cuticles while watching the seconds slowly tick by. Each passing car would make her heart race until it passed and her mood would sink again.
She couldn’t drive to his dorm; Genna had the VW she had to work the night shift this evening. Should she walk? She contemplated. It really wasn’t that far. But what if she missed him, she decided to wait a little longer and turned on the radio. Music always made her feel better, she relaxed a little. After the first set of music, the broadcast went right into the weather “Thirty Eight degrees and drizzling. The Mayor held a fundraiser for the democratic committee and it was a great success. Kareena was just about to change the station, when she heard “Alpha Capa Phi”, Wasn’t’ that Rian’s fraternity? “The tragic death of a college student at Alpha Capa Phi is being investigated by police. So far the only information being released is that they believe it was an allergic reaction.”
Kareena turned off the radio with such force that it fell off the table with a crash. She didn’t stop to pick it up, just pulled the plug. She grabbed her coat and purse and flew out the door. She was half way up her street before she got her arms in the sleeves of her coat. The drizzle was light as she headed west on Main. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it would burst. She prayed to herself. Oh God, please don’t let it be Rian. I would just die. Please let him be ok! She ran the rest of the way.
There was a police cruiser outside the fraternity which caused Kareena to hesitate for just a moment. She finally knocked on the door and was met by a man she had never seen before. He had a disturbingly familiar manor. “Is Rian here?” she asked.
Humorlost (Humorlost Book I of III) Page 4