Three days after staying at Angie's, Karen felt she was a burden to her friend. She also got bored whenever Angie left for work, and she was left home alone with Frank, who couldn't keep his hands off anything.
At his age, everything excited him, and he thought whatever was around him was his toy.
He recklessly touched everything, and he had broken some vases when Karen left him for a while to go for a call of nature.
Angie had been a good sport about it, but there was only a lot you could do to test someone.
Karen was also concerned that Evans couldn't comfortably have a sleepover at Angie's and that could their relationship could strain.
She called her parents and told them that she would be visiting for a while.
"You don't have to ask for permission. You know we never chased you out of this place," Jael told her into the phone.
Karen laughed, remembering how often her mom had told her that when she had always insisted on leaving home after college and getting work in a different state.
After finishing her college education at St John's University, Queens, New York, Karen had gone back home for a while to relax and strategize.
During her stay there, Jim urged her to get involved in the family business.
"I know you don't want to, but it could help you kill time and get a little pocket money, instead of just visiting friends and watching TV," he said.
"Mmmh. No thanks. I'll pass. I came back here to relax, not work," Karen answered, laughing.
She knew that once she got involved in the business, it would be very hard for her parents to let go of her. Plus, she didn't have an interest in managerial positions.
Carol and Karen had been close because there was only two years' age difference between them. Carol was 5 feet 4, had green-like eyes, and long black hair that reached slightly above her waist.
It's Carol who had told Karen about the advertisements for secretaries at Mr. Francis' place. For Karen, Carol was her biggest fan and support system.
"This place feels so different without you," Jael said when Karen arrived home.
"Ha-ha. I thought you had gotten used to my absence. You know I won't be staying here for long," Karen said.
All of Karen's siblings were fighting to hold Frank, who was enjoying the attention. Karen and Carol were in the bedroom they shared when Carol dropped a bombshell.
"How is Carey? You haven't talked about him since you came," Carol mentioned, and Karen laughed at how observative her sister was.
"He's pretty fine. He is at work at the moment, so I haven't talked to him."
"So, what are you hiding? I have noticed you won't look at mom and dad directly in the eye when you talk about New York. I thought it was something to do with Carey, but apparently, it isn't. Spill," Carol demanded.
"You can still read through me," Karen said, impressed.
"I only have to look into your eyes and know that you're not okay. Is something about Carey bothering you?"
Karen looked at her sister and shook her head. Carol had always been against Karen's and Carey's relationship.
She had advised Karen to go slow with him before taking anything to the next level, but Karen was in love and nothing anyone said mattered to her.
Part of the other reason she had wanted to leave home was to stay with Carey, whom she had met through a college mate.
She found him charming, loving, and hardworking, and he treated her well, unlike her ex Sam Scott.
"It's not always about him. I lost my job," Karen said and waited for tears to flow freely from her eyes, but none did, and that surprised her as well.
Had she made her peace with it?
She had finally admitted to herself that the money she earned was important to her small family but that she was always on an emotional roller coaster, especially whenever she heard the colleagues bad mouth her.
Carol sat still as if she hadn't heard what Karen had said.
"I'm sorry to hear that. What are your plans?" Carol asked.
She was a planner, and she always had a list of things up her sleeve, such that she rarely got disappointed if things didn't work out as planned.
"I don't know. That's why I came here, to relax my mind as I think of what to do," Karen answered honestly.
Carol thought for a while, then nodded and added that Carey was lucky. He was on her good side.
"So, are you seeing anyone yet?" Karen asked, knowing the answer very well.
"I don't think relationships are my cup of tea. I look at my friends' relationships and decide that it isn't worth it. The stress of commitments. I just can't do it. My goal is to make money, only make money," Carol answered assertively.