While I was disappointed with her response, I wasn't surprised. "That's great! You're being honest. Good start. Any questions before I take my turn?"
"Where are we going?"
"We're going to stroll around Boston Public Garden and feed the ducks." The weather was beautiful and the temperature even nicer than the prior day. Karen nodded her approval and we drove into the city in silence. Whether it was my nervousness or Karen reticence, no words were exchanged until I parked beneath the Common and began to walk past the beds of beautiful tulips. She picked up her pace and tried to put distance between us.
"Any real questions?" I asked breaking the silence. She took time before answering.
"Will you keep all the help or fire some of them . . . like Miss Iverson?"
"When the time comes, we'll see. But that may be a long way off."
She stopped in her tracks. "Why?"
"Because I may not marry your father for years. That's up to you."
That statement got her attention. She pivoted to face me. "What do you mean?"
I grabbed her shoulder, startling her, and pulling her to a stop. I read the surprise on her face. I marched her to the closest park bench and sat her down. "Let's get a couple of matters straight. I love your father. Period. He asked me to marry him and I will, I just don't know when. I told him I would not marry him if that caused any problem with his children. Am I being a martyr? Hell, no! But I'm no fool. I know none of us would be happy in a house filled with constant tension. This is a very important day for me, for the rest of my life. Your father thinks you're agreeable with his marrying me, but you and I know differently. He's just listening to a twelve-year-old girl who tells him what he wants to hear. I want to hear the truth." Karen looked frightened to death though she tried to hide it. "Let's stop the bull shit and be honest with each other. You didn't hear that word."
"What do you want me to say?"
"I won't tell you what to say. I just want it to be honest for once. Come on. I need a cup of coffee." I grabbed her hand and pulled her across to Boylston Street.
I ordered coffee and hot chocolate for Karen but she insisted on having coffee too. In spite of the tension, I had to smile at this girl's gumption. I changed the order to two coffees, thereby further contributing to the delinquency of this minor.