"Thank you so much for meeting me on such short notice," Val told Karen when they met at their favorite restaurant.
"I was idle, just sitting around. I'm glad you called me here. It feels so fresh being out," Karen said, looking at the serene environment they were in.
The hotel had a swimming pool, and Val had bought swimming costumes for both of them.
They were in the pool. Frank, whom Karen had carried with her, was seated at some kids' corner and playing with kids his own age.
"I have been thinking," Val said, and Karen turned to look at her.
Her friend seemed worried, and she was concerned.
"Are you okay? You seem stressed up," Karen asked.
"Come on. I'll tell you about it," Val said as she left the water and sat on the pool chairs that were there.
Karen followed suit and waited for her friend to talk.
"How are you?" Val asked after a long uncomfortable silence.
"How am I?" Karen asked, startled. She couldn't remember the last time someone had asked her such a question, and honestly, she didn't know how to answer it.
Physically, she was fine. But how was she supposed to say she was okay when she was jobless?
How was she supposed to say she was okay when she didn't know anything about how Carey was and that she couldn't leave to be with him when he seemed to be pushing her away?
Plus, Angie also seemed to need her. One thing that she had read so much in books was that one's relationship with friends should never be affected because of a romantic relationship.
Angie had chosen her and asked her to stay, not caring that Evans might be uncomfortable with that arrangement.
Wasn't she also supposed to choose her over Carey? How was she to explain the kind of relationship she had developed with Sam?
She thought back to how it all began with Sam. She had only wanted a date with him so that he would leave her alone, but that was no longer the case.
She dreamed about him at night, he called her, and whenever she called, he picked up.
He made her feel loved at her lowest. He was changed, not the same Sam she had known all those years back.
Whenever Angie and Val were at work, and she was bored, she would meet Sam, who even allowed him into his office.
She had finally admitted to herself that she needed a man and that if Sam cared for her or even remotely loved her, then he would be in her life.
She was willing to take that risk because of who she was.
Ever since she started dating, Karen had never really been single, and her friends, both in high school and campus, had always joked that relationships are meant for her and she for them.
She got out of a relationship, and weeks later, at most, she was in another.
"I don't know how I am. I'm just so confused," Karen said, almost breaking down.
"That's why I want to help you out," Val said.
Karen looked directly at Val then asked how she would help.
"I will secure for you a job at my office. I heard that one of the secretaries was going on leave and that a replacement was to be recruited. I will drop your papers for you and put in a good word for you," Val said.
"Wait. Are you serious?" Karen asked, moving towards Val to hug her.
"More than I have ever been. I am so glad I can help you," Val said.
"Thank you so much. You don't know how grateful I will be. I will be indebted to you forever," Karen said before realizing that she was counting chicks that were yet to be hatched.
She looked behind at where the kids were playing and smiling, Frank was happy, and she was going to be happy.
It would all be well, she thought.
"You don't look okay, though? Are you?"
Other than the job issue, Val had wanted to ask for Karen's opinion regarding her pregnancy. She was yet to tell Arnold about it.
She loved kids, but she felt she wasn't ready. She didn't, for once doubt that Arnold would be a good father.
He had proven himself beyond doubt because of how he had taken care of Frank at some point and the children at the children's home.
"Of course I am. I just listen to many sad cases of failed marriages that at times it takes a toll on my mental health," Val answered, deciding that whatever the case, the final decision was in her hands.
She also didn't expect Karen to understand her predicament, given she was a mother.