Several hours later, Olivia was still woke staring at the ceiling.
"Why aren't you sleeping?"
"What if you're right about Karen asking to live with Mellie when she is older. How do I deal with that?"
"Do you really want to know my answer?"
"Yes."
"We have three kids together, and they will need a lot of attention. If Mellie can give Karen more individual attention, I think we should let Karen spend a few weeks in Virginia when she's older. You're a great mom Livvie, but there are some things you can't give Karen. Karen is her mini me. You can't be upset that she wants to be around Mellie when they look so much alike. I won't be surprised if Kelly wants to spend time with you, Savannah and Serenity when she's older. There are some things Mellie can't teach Kelly. We really should let all of the kids be happy where ever they want to be."
"Are you saying we should trade Karen for Kelly? She is not our child."
"No, but she might need guidance from a black woman."
"So you want me to treat Kelly like one of my kids?"
"I'm saying you shouldn't push Kelly away if she wants to be around you. Mellie can't do all those fancy hairstyles that look cute on black girls. She might need you for that."
"What about Karen?"
"You will always be special to Karen. Mellie can't take that away from you."
"I guess you're right about Kelly. She might not understand that Savannah and Serenity are Karen's sisters and not her sisters. It probably won't make sense to her because they are all mixed and Karen is white."
"Kids don't care about birth certificates and adoption paperwork. I'm sure Kelly will want to be around Savannah and Serenity. They're the same age and they're mixed."
"I don't want to lose Karen. She's my child."
"I know. Let's deal with it when Karen wants to spend more time in Virginia with Mellie."
"Okay, goodnight Fitz."
"Goodnight Livvie."
