Chapter 2

Karen was thinking about the memory when it started to drizzle. Then it got a little harder but she didn't move. She jumped a bit when she heard a voice behind her.

"Would you like me to throw you some soap so you don't have to shower later tonight?"

Karen turned to see Will standing behind her. She gave him a little smile before speaking. "Hey Wilma, what are you doing here?"

"I didn't come here to get all wet, I can tell you that much. Why don't you come inside?

Karen got up and walked into the library. She sat on one of the couches and looked up at Will. "Ok, now what?"

"Are you ok?" he asked, concerned

"Of course; why wouldn't I be?"

"I was just at Krispy Kreme and I saw Stan eating them out of business. When I said hi he seemed a little down. When I asked him if he was alright he said he might be, but he might not be. That didn't really tell me anything so I came to see if you were ok. Are you?"

"Of course I am." Karen tried again. "Now go away."

"Are you alright?"

"Will, stop it."

"Are you alright?" Will knew something was wrong and he wanted to help.

"Will" Karen said warningly

"I've been here for five minutes and you haven't insulted me at all. Now tell me what's wrong."

Karen had enough of Will. She didn't want to talk to Will even if it was a good idea to talk to someone about Stan. She started for the door and almost made it when Will stepped in front of her.

"Move"

"Not until you talk to me."

"Why do you even care?"

"As much as I hate to admit it, I care about you. Now either start insulting me to prove me wrong or tell me what's wrong."

Karen moved back to the couch and sat down. She stared at her hands for a few seconds then simply said, "Stan proposed."

"What? That's great!" Will smiled, until he saw Karen's expression. "Why isn't that great?"

"Because I don't know if I love him."

"Then why did you take him back?"

"I don't really know. Maybe I do love him. Maybe he's just familiar."

Will watched Karen watch her hands before he spoke. "I don't mean to be mean…" He knew this was serious and Karen need someone right now, "…but is it about the money?"

"It's not mean; it could be the truth, but its not. Stan said if I left he would keep me in this lifestyle."

"Do you want to know what I think?"

Karen hesitated a moment, "Yes"

"I think that you and Stan fought a lot. I think that you saw him as a never ending bank account. I think that he saw you as trophy to show off to all his friends."

"Gee Will, could you be any meaner." Karen interrupted.

"I think you fought so much that everything was always out in the open." Will paused, "I think that's what made your marriage so strong." he looked at Karen. She was looking at the ground so he continued. "In the past few years you have tried to find someone to replace Stan, and failed. You need to think of all the pros and cons. I can't make the decision for you. Nobody can."

"Well…I wanted you to tell me what to do. Not give me more to think about." Karen said

"I'm sorry I can't. Just ask yourself one question; when were you happiest; before or after Stan?"

"He cheated Will."

It amazed Will how small and innocent Karen was. There had been no signs of the shrill, bossy, socialite he knew. He would hate to be in Karen's shoes right now. She had to make one of the biggest decisions of her life and Will truly didn't know how to help. He just wanted her to be happy. Everything he had told her were things he pulled out of the blue. He had no idea how to help with somebody's marriage.

"How do I know he won't do it again?" Karen continued on, "It killed me the first time. I don't think that I could handle it again. I did love him, but now I'm not so sure."

"How do you know he will cheat again? You can't know the future."

Karen gave a small laugh, "When did you get so smart?"

"Law school, I learned how to talk to people." Will smiled back. "So what are you going to do?"

"Think; I'll talk to you late honey."

"You're going to leave me hanging like this?"

Karen was at the door about to walk out when she said, "I'm leaving myself hanging too." Then she was gone.