Chapter 785: Tree Hill High School
Wednesday, March 29th, Noon
His lunch break nominally found him eating lunch in his office. Usually, he would work on his students' assignments. During basketball season and its buildup, he would work on the next season, game, or practice. It was the off-season, and he should have been working on it. It wasn't a normal year, and he was letting his assistants do the work, just in case.
There was a knock on the door. Lucas looked up to see his mom standing at his office door. She still maintained the same strong stance and hearing she always had, but she had aged, well, but still aged; her once dark hair was now white.
"Mom? When did you get in?" Lucas asked.
"Last night," Karen said.
"Where are you staying?" Lucas asked.
"I have a hotel suite; I didn't want Andy to open the house yet," Karen said.
"You could've asked Brooke," Lucas said.
"She already has a full house. Did she really take in another teenager?" Karen asked.
"Yes, Callie, she's a good kid, shit parents," Lucas said.
"That's not nice to say," Karen said.
"They kicked her out because of her preferences," Lucas said.
"Even if it's true, it's still not nice to say," Karen said.
"Some days, I'm beyond caring anymore, Mom," Lucas said.
"Lucas Eugene, I've taught you better," Karen said.
"What, Mom?" Lucas asked.
"You're leaving your mother standing in the doorway," Karen said.
"Oh, sorry," Lucas said, standing up, "Please, come in."
"That's better," Karen said, walking in and sitting in front of Lucas's desk. Lucas sat back down.
"So, how long are you here for?" Lucas asked.
"Until you're up and mobile after your surgery," Karen said.
"Mom, you don't have to do that," Lucas said.
"Lucas, I look after your sister all the time; now I'm going to look after you," Karen said.
"Mom, you don't have to do that," Lucas said.
"Lucas, you're still my son," Karen said.
"You're right," Lucas said, sighing.
"Always remember, your mom is always right," Karen said.
"Yes, Ma'am," Lucas said.
"So, on to a darker topic," Karen said.
Lucas looked at Karen and cocked an eyebrow. "Darker topic?" Lucas asked.
"What will happen with Sawyer? If, well, just in case," Karen said.
"That's morbid," Lucas said.
Karen sighed, "I wouldn't normally ask, but you know," she said.
Lucas grimly nodded, "I know," he whispered.
"So, Sawyer," Karen said.
"Sawyer," Lucas said.
"What would happen to her?" Karen asked.
Lucas sighed, "Either Keith or Brooke will take her in," he said.
"I could take her in," Karen said.
"Sawyer's too deep into high school to move up to Connecticut, and I don't think it would be a good idea to separate her from Keni," Lucas said.
Karen nodded, "Those two are close," she said.
"Almost like sisters," Lucas said.
"You relocated Candi in high school," Karen said.
"I had no choice," Lucas said.
"Still, you did," Karen said.
"We know how that turned out," Lucas said.
Karen nodded, "So, either Brooke or Keith," she said.
Lucas nodded, "It would probably be best with Brooke, but if it has to be family, Keith is the most stable," he said.
Karen nodded, "So, speaking of my oldest granddaughter, have you talked to Candi recently?" she asked.
Lucas nodded, "Yes, this morning," he said.
"That's good. On the computer?" Karen asked.
"No, across the breakfast table. She's in town, helping with my appointments," Lucas said.
"So, she did come back," Karen said.
Lucas nodded, "Yes, and been mother-henning me since she got here," he said.
Karen smiled, "She's a good daughter; my granddaughter, The Doctor," she said, teasing.
Lucas chuckled as the bell rang. Lucas sighed, "I have a class," he said.
Karen nodded, "That means I'm off," she said.
"Call Brooke. She'll love to have you over for dinner, and you can see four grandkids," Lucas said.
"Four?" Karen asked.
"Keith's back," Lucas said.
"Keith's back?" Karen asked as Lucas stood up.
"Yes, he got back last week, and he's settling in before moving back to Leighton," Lucas said.
Karen followed Lucas out of his office. "I'll have to stop by and see him," she said.
"Alright," Lucas said, "This is where I leave you."
"I'll see you soon," Karen said.
Lucas smiled, "I know," he said.
They hugged and parted ways. Lucas went to his classroom, and Karen left the building.