Page 121 of Charlie
“But that’s just the thing. Atlas isn’t studying to get some degree or title. He doesn’t care about that sort of thing. All he wants to do is search for answers. The rest is just noise to him.”
I gaped and then I scrunched up my face. “That makes no sense, Lumi.”
“It makes complete sense. A degree is a useless external validation while the knowledge you’ve obtained to get it is what truly matters.”
“I don’t understand. What’s wrong with a degree?” Kit asked.
“It’s redundant,” Lumi declared.
I snorted. “No, it’s not! It’s proof to everyone else that you’ve mastered the knowledge you’ve been studying.”
“But Atlas has no interest in others knowing what he studied. Learning should be about getting answers and finding a deeper understanding. Not getting a certificate to show off your degrees. Right now, he’s working his way through class after class to understand.”
“To understand what?” Kit shook her head. “What is he searchin’ for?”
Lumi looked at her as if Kit were slow of thought. “Answers to why it happened, of course.”
Kit looked confused. “Is Atlas trying to find answers to why his father behaved and acted the way he did?”
“Yes.”
“But I thought that he studied history.”
“Yes. More precisely, he studies dictators throughout history. He wants to understand what makes people follow psychopathic narcissists like Conor.”
I crossed my arms. “As I’ve told him, I can see his fascination with that subject, but if he wants to understand the dynamics of persuasion and mind control, he should study psychology.”
Lumi brushed her hand over the towel on her sunbed. “He’ll get to that. He’s working his way through every class that can offer insight into what happened. Unless of course, he’s kicked out of school first.”
Kit looked to me. “Can’t ye have Charles talk to Atlas?”
I nodded and it made her turn back to Lumi.
“Did Atlas say anythin’ about how he’s liking Harvard? Does he have a girlfriend yet? Someone told me that American women love a man with a British accent; is that true?”
I chuckled. “Don’t look at me like that, Kit. I don’t know what all American women like. We’re as different as Irish women.”
Lumi answered in a matter-of-fact tone. “Atlas gets his fair share of attention from females. He just finds them all insufferable, but he did tell me that he made a new friend.”
“Did he?” I lit up. “Who?”
“Some professor in astrophysics.”
“Nooo…” I bit my lip. “We really need to get him to socialize with the other students.
“Are you sure you want that?” Lumi bent one of her long golden legs and adjusted a blue ankle chain. “Atlas just turned seventeen and according to him many of his classmates are binge drinking on the weekends and smoking pot.” I knew Lumi said it to get a reaction from me, but I wasn’t taking the bait.
“He doesn’t have to drink or smoke to go to a party. He can just socialize and get to know people. It’s a part of the American college experience, which you would know if you went to one.”
“No, thank you. Trinity College is plenty crazy for me.”
“Is it?” I tilted my head “Then how come you haven’t been to a single party yet?”
“I don’t know, let me see.” Lumi tapped her lips. “Could it be that the wordpartyhas bad connotations for me? I remember a party from last year where champagne was served and people had this party game where they shot themselves and left for another world.”
I drew a deep sigh. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. I’m talking about a fun party with people your own age.”
“All right. I’ll make you a deal. When Atlas and I have our own company and we’re making a million a year, I’ll throw a party. How about that?”
