Keith had to make all this SEC trouble go away, quietly. He tried to flush those other possibilities from his mind as he drove home to meet up with Karina, home for winter break. She’d been here all week, and it was one of the best visits they’d had. They went ice skating at the mall and drove over the Bay Bridge to see the city lights at night. He took her to the driving range a couple of times and gave her some pointers on her swing, which had deteriorated after not playing for so long. “You live in Santa Barbara,” he said. “How can you not make it onto the golf course once in a while? It’s right on your campus!”

Karina explained she’d been busy with classes and a research project at the Botany Lab that might lead to publication, which would be great for her graduate school prospects. He bought her a thick GRE prep book and she seemed interested, flipping through it every day. She even had a few prospects for summer internships near campus. On her last night with him, they got pizza from their favorite spot and he poured himself a nice cabernet, as well as a touch in a second glass for Karina.

“You seem really happy, honey,” he said. “I trust that young man’s treating you well?”

Karina shook her head. “James and I broke up.”

“Oh,” Keith said. “Well, this is the most . . . ,” he paused while he searched for the word, “. . . contented I’ve seen you in a long time.” He smiled at her, placed his hand over hers and squeezed.

“Thanks, Dad.” Karina smiled back. “I am really happy.”

“Good, you deserve it,” he said. “And I’m sure that James didn’t deserve you.” He winked at her. “Listen, before you go to your mother’s tomorrow, I want to give you a head’s up on something.”

Karina sat back and took a sip of her wine, looking more like a woman than he was prepared for. Keith took a deep breath. “Your mother has been following a guru—one of those self-proclaimed holy men from India who travels the world giving lectures and attracting followers. Probably harmless,” he assured Karina when he saw her eyebrows rise in inquiry. Keith had been alarmed at first, when Jaya had mentioned the whole thing to him a few months ago, but he’d since noticed a positive change in her. She sounded calmer when they spoke, less anxious.

“Seems legit, from what I’ve read,” Keith added. “She’s not giving him money, I don’t think, or not much. She went to his lecture when he passed through San Jose, and she listens to his CDs at home. It’s given her a bit of a community, actually, getting together with these other . . . devotees, I guess she calls them.” He exhaled heavily. “To each his own, I suppose. Anyway, just wanted you to know so you’re not taken by surprise.”