"God, no! I'd never do that!"
I reached across the table and put my hand on her shoulder, before she pulled back. I could feel her bra strap. "Good for you. You're wearing a bra so I guess it fits. How about the other . . ."
"Stop it!"
"I'm glad your father likes your duds but more important, how do you like them?"
"They feel different. It seems funny wearing them but I guess they're comfortable . . . for slumming." She picked up the cup and took another sip of coffee, again making a face.
I smiled. "Karen, you're a great kid . . . person. I love being around you! You keep me on my toes."
"Don't say that! I'm a coward, and I'm a liar; you said so yourself! And I don't like you! Half the time you frighten me, and you talk dirty!"
"I already apologized for saying pissed off, and bitch just slipped out. I'll have to watch my mouth and I'll try not to scare you, but I can't promise I won't come out with worse than that. I don't care if you don't like me; I do care, but I can't do anything about it; but I love you anyway."
"You're lying! You say that far too easily."
I stopped to think. "As a matter of fact, I don't. I've only said that to one other non-relative in my life, and I married him. You should feel privileged."
"Well, I don't!"
I picked up the remaining toast but there was no paper napkin to wrap them in so I dropped them back on the plate. "Damn! I wanted to take them for lunch in case we didn't find a place that takes plastic. I've only got seven dollars left after our treats at the mall." Karen continued to look bewildered. I grabbed the keys and rose from the table, still feeling like crap. "Let's go up to my room. Your father says I have to gargle."
"You do. I can smell your breath across the table."
We took the elevator to my room where I stuffed my purchases in a bag and handed the larger sack of Thatcher's shopping results to Karen.
"Take these back to Thatcher, and see if he can get a refund."
"He won't bother. Just toss them, or leave them for the maid," she said.
I wasn't up to giving a speech on thrift or regular folk economics so I resolved to leave them in the car for someone else's disposal. I used the bathroom while Karen sat on the edge of the bed. When I finished, I picked up the phone. I knew I had to call Suzie though I'd have little time to see her as late as we'd dallied before starting for Connecticut. I turned to Karen.