Karen and Bellia were at the balcony, each enjoying a sweet sugar biscuit and having a fun conversation. “Night-night, Ka-rin. I’m going to bed,” Honey says, waddling to the balcony, “Bye, Bellia!”
Henry comes to the balcony too and says, “Me too, bye bye, Ka-rin. Bye bye, Bellia.”
Hopper crawls in, “Nappy time for me, bye Ka-rin and Bellia!”
Karen and Bellia wave bye as the babies leaves. “How come they call you Ka-rin?” inquires Bellia.
Karen answers calmly, “Let me tell you a story, Bellia.”
*FLASHBACK TO WHEN DAVID AND KAREN JUST ARRIVED A FEW WEEKS AGO*
“Good afternoon, Karen. Could you help me out and give the babies a wash? Honey and Hopper got sticky from donuts...again,” Heidi asked.
Karen nods, “Of course!”
As Honey was dipped into the warm water, Honey asks, “What your name? My name Honey Hopscotch rabbit.”
Usually one would be offended for living at the house for a few weeks already, but some still don’t know your name. However, Honey was just a young, cute baby, so Karen didn’t mind. “My name is Karen Doughty Chiffon Dog,” she replied.
Honey giggles, “That be long name.” “You can just call me Karen,” claims Karen.
“Sure, Ka-rin!”
“It’s Karen, not Ka-rin,” Karen said, impatiently.
Honey replies in a cute baby voice, “I know that, Ka-rin. Your name is Ka-rin Donut Cheffun Dog.”
“No, it isn’t! It’s Karen Doughty Chiffon Dog!”
Honey starts wailing and Karen quickly calms her down with her favorite bath toy, Ballerina Bunny.
After the bath is done Honey quickly returns to her twin brother, Hopper. Since the Chiffon siblings had just arrived there were no other babies in the house. Just the Hopscotch Rabbits and the Chiffon Dog siblings. “Her name is Ka-rin,” Honey informs her brother.
Hopper smiles and greets Karen happily by saying, “Hello, Ka-rin! Nice meet you!”
Karen fumes, “My name is Karen! Ugh!”
Karen storms off to the balcony and sighs. Her name was simple to pronounce, why couldn’t they say it correctly?! Karen thought to herself, everyone back home could say my name.
For the next few days, Karen was in a bad mood. She didn’t eat much, say much, or do much. She just stood dully at the balcony staring at the mountains.
“Karen, stop being so upset. Honey’s only 1 years old, you shouldn’t be so mad,” reasoned Bell, Karen’s best friend in Cloverleaf Corners.
Karen replied simply, “Bell, I just want to be alone right now. There’s a lot on my mind.”
“You have always been the smart one, think rationally here,” ridicules Bell.
“I am perfectly rational right now,” Karen argues, “I want to be alone, please.”
Bell understands and leaves. A few minutes later, Karen hears the footsteps of someone approaching and says, “Bell, I already said I want to be alone right now.”
“I’m not Bell. It’s me, David. I think we need to talk, Karen.”
“Sure,” agrees Karen, “What do you want to talk about, dear brother?”
“This isn’t just about being called, Ka-rin, now, is it?”
Karen just nods. “Let me guess, this is about home sickness? Am I right?” asks David.
Karen nods again. David comforts his younger sister, “Karen, I’m always here. Mom and Dad are just a phone call away.”
“I still miss home,” Karen claims.
“Me too. However, you should stop being mad at the babies. They’re really young and they are just trying.”
“I know that, they just reminded me of our younger baby siblings and I wanted to be alone, so I could think about them.”
David comforts his sister and says, “Come here, you need a hug.”
“Thanks,” chides Karen, warmly.
“Anytime,” assures David.
*FLASHBACK TO THE PRESENT*
“And that’s the origin story behind my nickname,” informs Karen, “Sometimes I still get annoyed, but that’s it. Not crazy mad or anything.”
Bellia states, “You got a friend in me, Karen. I’m always here to talk.”
Karen thanks Bellia happily, “You’re an awesome friend. Thank you! Everyone has been so welcoming here.”
“Of course! That’s the country and city way! No matter what!”
The babies all come to the balcony, “I can not sleep. Tuck meh in, Ka-rin?” asks Hopper.
“Ya, meh too!” Henry agrees.
Karen nods, “Okay, come on, let’s go!”
“Okay, Ka-rin!” cheers all the babies in unison.
Bellia sighs, she had never known this much about Karen. She smiled and joined her friend. Everything would turn out alright.
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