Chapter 6

February 1995

"Miss Karen, you're going to do fine at the club. Would you stop pacing? You're gonna wear a hole in the floor."

Karen and Rosario were both standing in the closet Stan had set aside for her. Many of the shelves were bare because Karen still felt awkward spending Stan's money to buy clothes, but there were several rows of lovely dresses and dozens of shoes for Karen to wear when she had to go out with Stan's society friends.

After the New Year's Eve party, Karen's confidence had grown. She didn't need anyone else's approval, she had Stan. She loved him, and he loved her.

After choosing a simple black dress with a red shawl to drape around her shoulders, she walked out of the closet to put the finishing touches on her hair and makeup. Stan was taking her to his country club on Shelter Island for some important Valentine's Day dance.

Just as she was walking out, Olivia came skipping through the bedroom.

"You look really pretty, Karen."

Karen stopped and smiled at the seven year old. Ever since the zoo fiasco, both Olivia and Mason had considerably warmed up to Karen.

"Thanks, honey."

Olivia smiled back at her and continued skipping into the closet to talk to Rosario.

"Hey Rosie!"

The maid turned from rearranging several pairs of shoes. "Hello Miss Olivia."

"Guess what? I know a secret!"

"Really? About who?"

"Daddy and Karen."

Rosario raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

Olivia jumped up and down. "Uh-huh. You wanna know what it is?"

Before Rosario could answer, Karen walked back into the closet.

"Okay, we're gonna go now. How do I look?"

"Perfect, Miss Karen."

Olivia nodded. "You look like Ballroom Barbie."

Karen furrowed her eyebrows, leaning down to Olivia's eye level.

"Is that a good thing?" she asked in a whisper.

"Uh-huh. She's the best Barbie there is!"

"Oh, well in that case, thanks Curly."

Karen left the closet as Rosario and Olivia followed her. They waited at the top of the stairs as Stan and Karen left for Shelter Island.

"Bye Daddy! Bye Karen!" Olivia shouted down the stairs.

Stan turned to his seven year old. "Bye Princess. Be good for Rosario. And no more tricks on the staff, from you or your brother!"

"Okay." Olivia said, sounding defeated.

As the door closed behind them, she turned back to Rosario.

"Wanna know the secret, Rosie?" She asked, bouncing around again.

Rosario nodded. She knew Olivia wouldn't stop jumping until she told someone whatever it was she knew.

"Karen's gonna be my new mommy!"

Rosario looked confused. "What makes you say that?"

Olivia looked around the hallway, making sure they were alone, before she spoke again.

"Because Daddy bought Karen a ring!"