Free Soul Mates by Thomas Melo Page A

infatuation for Lilith, dismissing it as nothing more than classic school-house puppy-love, like the song says. As far as the grades declining, of course they were concerned, but just when the apprehensions reached their proverbial flash-point, his grades would improve…with eerie timeliness. 
    As the years passed and high school graduation crept closer and closer, Tyler had mentioned his desire to apply to take civil service exams in order to become a police officer…the words that  no  parent ever wants to hear, solely out of trepidation. Perhaps, according to parents, it was even worse than hearing that their child wants to join the military. After all, the military is only dangerous during times of war; and while anything could change at any time, the country was currently enjoying a period of peace and prosperity under President Patrelco, an Independent (moderately Republican) from Arizona. 
    Truth be told, Tyler’s parents had hoped that he would become some type of scientist or a teacher; an academic.
    Ray and Cindy agreed that growing up, Tyler took enough licks from his peers and that while they would remind their son that it was important to work up to his potential, they would cut him some slack. Many would agree that this is not an area in which a parent should concede and give a degree of latitude, but parents pick and choose their battles like anyone else and live with the consequences of those choices. 
    They actually discussed this issue in their backyard next to their fire-pit with drinks in hand, enjoying a little alone time while Tyler “stayed over a friend’s.” 
    “I mean, he still makes honor roll most quarters, and all things considered, he really doesn’t give us much trouble. We’re very lucky parents, you know,” Ray explained to his wife as she sipped her cold white wine. 
    “Believe me, I know we’re lucky. I just want him to do his best in school and what Mr. Colabza said the other day concerned me a bit. I know that he wants to be a police officer, and that he can get his sixty credits in two years at a community college, but that’s no reason to slack off either,” Cindy said.
    “I know, believe me, I was raised to work up to my full potential too, same as you, but all I’m saying is that he has had quite a bit of grief earlier in his school career, and he finally seems to be enjoying himself a bit these days. Let him enjoy the rest of his time in high school, within reason. He’s in a better mood when he comes home from school, and generally a happier kid. Don’t you think?” Ray said.
    “Yes, and I think it has a lot to do with that girl Lilith that he hangs around with. What do you think of her? Also, he  does  seem happier, yes, but he also seems to be out in space a little. You don’t think he’s using drugs, do you?” his wife asked.
    “I don’t know her very well. They don’t really hang out around here too much. She seems fine though. And no, I don’t think our son is using drugs. High school kids are supposed to be a little spacey. They’re shot from the four-year trek through the process,” Ray laughed. As far as what he felt about his son’s relationship with Lilith, Ray thought that his son was extremely lucky with his score…among other things. But this would be omitted from the conversation, regardless of how many bottles of wine they went through in front of the fire that night. 
    “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being a typical mother, you know, the “no one is good enough for my boy” sort of thing.” This got Ray laughing again, and hard. 
    “I understand, babe, but, while your intentions are sound, I don’t think Tyler would want you chasing  this  one away,” he tittered with lips looser than he had intended. That was as close as he would come to telling his wife what a sex-pot he thought his son’s girlfriend was. 
    So, not only was Mr. Colabza aware of this hiccup in Tyler’s school career, but as you can see, so were