"Well, we had a small disagreement, and now she won't pick up my calls. I have been trying to reach out, but she isn't willing to even listen to me. I came to physically apologize because maybe that's what she wants," Carey explained, crossing figures that Cheryl buys his story.
"She moved out. I was told she went to Angie's," Cheryl said, buying the excuse.
"Thank you so much. Do you have the address?"
"No, but I could ask for it."
"No," Carey said, and Cheryl looked at him questioningly before he added that he wanted to surprise her and that asking Karen for the address would spoil that.
"Yes, true that, but I could ask Carol for it by pretending that I am the one in need. She wouldn't suspect anything then," Cheryl said, "Carol will definitely know where she is. The two are damn close."
"Carol has made it clear that she doesn't love me. I don't know what I ever did to be on her wrong side," Carey joked.
"It's not only you. She is so hard to please," Cheryl said laughing, then moved aside and made the call, and before long, Carey was on his way to Angie's.
Val had kept true to her word and recommended Karen for the job. Because of the recommendation, Karen secured the job. She had shared the news with Angie over the phone since she was at her parents'.
"I'm so happy for you," Angie had said though her voice didn't sound enthusiastic like Karen had expected.
"Are you okay? You sound low?"
"I'm okay, but my dad isn't."
"Sorry to hear that? What's wrong?"
"He's been sick with cancer. They didn't know. We went for some checkup yesterday, and the doctors said it's in the final stages."
"Oh, Angie! I'm so sorry to hear that. Is there any way I can help?"
"No, just focus on you. I will be back sometime so we can celebrate your new job," Angie said.
After the call with Angie, Karen felt so sad. She felt guilty that she was celebrating and that the anchor she had during the months she was jobless was crying alone in pain.
She looked at Angie's and felt nostalgic.
She was waiting for her to return so that she could leave and get a place of her own.
Evans had gone to the hospital with Calvin and Peter, who had come to pick him up.
Before he left, Karen had heard him make a call, and from how the conversation started, she knew it was Angie.
But minutes into the call, the tone had changed, and Evans' jovial mood turned sour.
"That's what I want to do" Evans had said.
"Who the hell do you think will pay for that?"
"Relax, I didn't ask you to pay. I just wanted to inform you of my decision."
"Why would you decide to tell me that? What am I supposed to do? Right now I am more concerned about my father who needs me."
"Yes, you had told me about that. Honestly, Angie, I know I have been on half-pay, but I do have savings. I will be okay. My parents are also willing to help with the bills," Evans reasoned.
"They better do and don't call me asking for help. I won't help..." Angie started, and Evans disconnected the call, which infuriated Angie the more.
In his naïve mind, Evans had thought that Angie was just being snappy because of the stress and pressure that her dad was unwell.
He didn't know that everything had been cooking for a while and that illness was just a guise for Angie to blow up at him.
~
Karen had planned a meet-up with Sam. She was waiting for him downstairs, having received a message that he was nearby.
Frank was well-dressed as well. Those who would see them out together would assume that they were a family because they were all at their best, and they were just like small perfect families were.
Sam drove into the compound, got out of the car, and went towards Karen to hug her.
Another strange car drove into the compound, and Karen thought that it was a neighbor's.
"Let's get out of here," Sam said, holding Karen's and Frank's hands and leading them towards his car.
The other car drove towards them, and the three stood, all curious to see the driver.
He was enjoying the attention, and his foot stepped out before he finally revealed his full face.
"Carey?" Karen asked in shock. "How did you get here? What are you doing here?"
"Is that what you will ask me first after not seeing me all this while? What is he doing holding my child's hands?" Carey asked, moving towards Sam.
The two men looked at each other, sizing the other and Karen knew that one would end up in hospital if lucky.