"Let's walk to Mellie's house."
"That's a long walk." Olivia said.
"It's not that far."
"It's too early for anyone to have company. The park is closer. We can walk there."
Fitz pushed the stroller. He wasn't putting himself in any conversation about Karen going to Mellie's house.
"We should go walking every day. Our house is boring."
"You can make friends in the neighborhood. You don't have to stay in the house all day."
"You said I can't leave the backyard without you or dad."
"Do you want to do gymnastics?"
"I want to be a ballerina."
"Okay, I'll sign you up for that and you can make some friends."
"Look there's Annalise!"
Karen left Olivia and Fitz and ran to Annalise.
"Are you trying to lose weight?"
"You are funny Karen."
"You walked all the way here?"
"No, my car is in a shopping center parking lot."
"Where are your kids?"
"They're at home."
"You left your kids?!"
"They will be okay for a few hours. They're big kids."
"How old are they?"
"16,15,14 and 13."
"How old are you?"
"I am 56."
"You're the same age as my grandma. Why don't you have grandkids?"
Annalise laughed. Olivia and Fitz waved and smiled until they were close enough to speak.
"She can be grandma's friend."
"Okay Karen. I know Annalise wants to continue jogging. You can call her later."
"It's such a beautiful day." Annalise said before continuing her exercise.
When they arrived at the park, Karen immediately noticed Mellie sitting on a bench with a textbook. Kelly was in her stroller.
"Mellie!"
"Hello Karen."
"What are you reading?"
"It's a science book. I signed up for college. I'm going to be a nurse."
"That's cool!"
"Hello Olivia and Fitz."
"How do you like DC?" Fitz asked.
"I love it."
"You're going to be a nurse." Olivia said.
"Yeah, I want to be a good role model for Kelly. I know she will have more than a trailer and a restaurant job. I want to show up to career day at her school in my scrubs."
Karen pulled the blanket off Kelly's face. "You can be friends with my babies."
"That's cute." Mellie said.
"Mom, can I go play now?"
"Yeah."
"See you around Mellie." Olivia said.
Fitz followed Olivia with the stroller.
