Kyle, Sharon and Carol sat by the dining table. ‘What’s up with mum?’ Carol asked, stirring the chocolate powder in her cup of milk.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6i5pGbVD1
It was nighttime and Karen had already gone to sleep. The three children were lit by the flashlight feature on their phones, unwilling to turn on the kitchen lights and risk awakening their mother. The room still reeked of lavender and honey, which would be nice if it wasn’t so potent. Karen had a habit of leaving the oil diffuser on for hours.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L3sMq2yzI
‘It’s that dumb business she’s started,’ Kyle answered, slamming his fist against the table.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrarGzQ0c1e
Sharon nodded. ‘She tried to put oil in my ear last night. Claimed it could help me get to sleep. As if I could sleep if I’m worried about getting shit poured in my ear.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMSo8MNQKm
‘So… what do we do?’ Kyle asked. The other two shrugged, then Carol took a sip of her homemade chocolate milk. Sharon absentmindedly tapped the placemat in front of her. They collectively sighed.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AChVF5XLY
The next day, Karen came home from work with bags under her eyes. She collapsed on her bed but forced herself to take out her phone and check her WonderLiving page on Friendful.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJQRGw0uDC
Kyle, Sharon and Carol burst through the doorway to her bedroom and Kyle stood in front of the door to block Karen from leaving. Carol and Sharon swooped to Karen’s side.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89xHgjIsRt
‘What are you guys doing?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQh6IaQoJj
Sharon ‘Well… you see, we’re concerned about-’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK1sIArUF7
‘Your new business sucks,’ Carol interjected.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PyvbxoT6z
Sharon slapped Carol’s shoulder. ‘Carol!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5OLjiwtgu
‘What? It’s true. Mum, you keep saying you can’t buy us stuff because you’re trying to get your business off the ground. Why do you even need it? What are you even selling?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOucoJ3qjS0
Karen started her rehearsed spiel about the benefits of WonderLiving essential oils. Kyle’s eyelids quickly began to lower.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF8mmFWcvH
‘Are you making any money from these oils?’ Sharon asked.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcMkWbD6ks
Karen paused, then shook her head. ‘But I’m sure soon the money will start pouring in!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5FAYEYy7v
Carol groaned. ‘Why did you need the extra money? We were fine before you joined this Wonder… whatever.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu8TPpTVzg
‘Well, you know how expensive groceries are now, since I had to change where I shop.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCr8dpITCm
‘Just apologise to the supermarket,’ Sharon suggested. ‘That was ages ago.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVG3kQZGLq
Karen crossed her arms and was silent for a moment, her face a blank slate. ‘I may or may not have had another… outburst… in front of the same manager.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezNEoZ7uS6
‘Then apologise to that manager.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFuQezx54m
‘No way am I talking to that temptress Frema again!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcFHzfP46K
Carol raised an eyebrow, noting the redness of Karen’s cheeks. ‘Temptress?’ The memory of Karen’s behaviour upon first meeting Frema lit up like a lightbulb in her mind. She held in her laughter and looked at her siblings to see if they had any clue what was going on.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi3y5F3FER
That question brought Karen to her feet. ‘Get out of my room,’ she said as she reached past Kyle to grab the doorknob. Kyle stood resolute, not budging an inch.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6DvraEeZP
‘It’s okay,’ Carol said to Kyle, who moved on command. Despite Karen telling her children to leave, she was the one who exited the room.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE5aTsm6S3
Sharon sat down on the bed. ‘What was that all about?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI1dWEmsxj
Carol paused to think. Was she crazy? ‘Temptress… did this manager tempt mum? Into what, exactly?’ She looked to her siblings to see if they picked up on her cues.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqyD9IdgVf
Sharon lifted her legs until she was sitting cross-legged on the bed. Her eyes grew three sizes and her jaw hit the floor.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9vmC3Oj5N
‘But Mum’s not a lesbian!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5KjEq2too
‘I never said she was.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBVW2r3PoB
‘Wait, Mum’s a lesbian?’ Kyle asked with the face of an F-grade student given the Mensa test.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ2vIakLZ7
‘Either way, we need to talk to this manager,’ Carol said, her eyebrows low with determination.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuGqQdZmzl
Sharon pointed out, ‘And get her to do what? Even if Mum goes back to the supermarket, she might still want to stay in that company.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDiAe157vi
Kyle looked at his hands like they were fading away. ‘Woah, woah, woah. But if Mum’s a lesbian, then how was I born?’ He patted down his body to check it was still there.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9HLQncdM3
Carol ignored him to continue discussing with Sharon. ‘Well, if my deduction’s right, then this manager might be the last person left who can talk some sense into her. She might listen. Or hell. She could be tempted to leave Wonder-whatever.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBby9C16zi
Sharon shook her head. ‘We don’t even know when this woman’s on her shift. How do we find her and convince her to help?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwDHlM6a3J
‘Listen to me!’ Kyle yelled. Carol and Sharon turned their heads. ‘Is Mum a lesbian?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaiCpGOdqm
The twins shrugged in perfect synchronisation. ‘Anyway,’ Carol said. ‘Time to make a plan.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrobvljIjUE
Frema pushed the trolleys into each other, struggling to get all of them to fit. A single drop of sweat slid down her forehead. After wiping it away, she smiled at customers and began visiting each aisle to inspect the employees’ recovery work.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe79VBvA5S
A bland and repetitive but vaguely upbeat pop song played through the speakers. This should have been fine, as Frema was no music snob despite her personal tastes. That being said, hearing it for the fifth time in an hour would turn anyone into a hipster who funnel-chugs lowercase ambient albums.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJFqVhxqCd
Sunlight burst through the windows and glass doors but the building was still a little chilly, thanks to the frequently opened but rarely closed fridge doors in the frozen produce section. As she made her way through the aisles, she made sure she closed every single one of those fridge doors.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwm6uiMdcZ
This was a rather average work day.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTda8vTtO1X
The company phone buzzed in Frema’s pant pocket. She immediately took it out. ‘Welcome to Wilco’s. Frema speaking. How may I help you?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH8RZm3q7d
‘Oh, you’re there,’ Carol said. ‘How long will your shift last? We’ll be there as soon as possible.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaj4kCw7zW
Frema’s eyebrows met in confusion. ‘Could I have your name? I’m afraid I don’t recognise your voice.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yx0pPwSpd
‘Oh, you probably don’t remember us.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLB9K8L3Q0
Kyle had to butt in the conversation. ‘We’re Karen’s kids.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzmoqVWF5s
‘I see… is there anything you need?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT7SGnXrOz
‘Nope!’ Sharon replied. ‘We’ll see you soon.’ She hung up.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7DOC5YC5N
Frema stared at the phone in her hand, dumbfounded. She released a quick chuckle before pushing the phone back into her pocket and continuing her inspection.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJuvvYVkoc
It wasn’t long before the three kids arrived. Carol asked a staff member where Frema was. Frema wound up recognising the three pretty quickly. They were the spitting image of Karen.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95SRtmycnl
‘Can I help you?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AZMqxwUSO
Kyle said, ‘Maybe.’ His face was still shocked as he tried to understand what his mother’s sexuality was.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaXTzHlrZt
‘Yes!’ Carol yelped, stepping on Kyle’s foot. Kyle yelped even louder at the shoe on his foot. He glared at her but she ignored him. ‘We need you to get Mum to leave a company she keeps spending money on.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrus75iAF1
Frema raised a single eyebrow and wore an awkward grin. ‘I’m not sure I’d be much help with that. I doubt she’d-’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7x3qt4Kr1
‘But you have to try-’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQunufSJc78
‘I did. I can’t deal with her anymore.’ She pulled a line of items forward on the shelf. ‘She doesn’t listen to reason.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyoGIXSEKz
‘But you’re a temptress!’ Sharon argued a little too loud. She lowered her head as shoppers turned theirs. ‘I mean, that’s what Mum said. Can’t you tempt her to leave the pyramid scheme she’s in? She won’t hear what we have to say.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEaId3SGZi
That word shot into Frema’s brain like a pinball, bouncing around it faster and faster. Temptress. What a word. Frema’s heart couldn’t help but grow wings and gently fly up. She closed her eyes and thought.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCy5eboPWq
Following half a minute of deliberation, she spoke. ‘Fine. I’ll give it one more shot. Where’s your mum? My shift ends in a few minutes.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7czFtntDnC
Once her shift was over, she drove the kids to Karen’s home. They walked up to the front door and Carol knocked on it.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXtXnxyFWd
When Karen opened it, her face went through the entire spectrum of emotions. She eventually settled on fear and began to close the door. Frema held the edge of the door with the grip of a coconut crab. Karen may have been an unstoppable force, but Frema was an immovable object. The result turned out to be an explosion.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XLriFMvEd
‘Leave me alone!’ Karen screeched.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeJkxzTdHX
‘Not until I have a good talk with you!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuSzOYAXgD
‘And what? Judge my life while you live the worst possible lifestyle?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCoYazYjOI
‘Coming from the woman who called me a temptress!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyHoIr6H56
Karen gulped. She sighed, looked at her feet and opened the door. A voice unfamiliar to Frema entered her ears from behind Karen.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk8lDt4ZU4
‘Oh, is someone late to the party? You’re not going to give the whole presentation again, are you? That’s a common rookie mistake.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN93M86eZ6
Something about that voice and its platitudinously plastic tone ground against Frema’s ears. It was a sensation akin to hearing the familiar squeak of a roller shopping basket scraping against the floor. She looked up and saw a middle-aged woman, taller than even Frema herself, with a blonde bun whose tightness highlighted her extensive use of botox.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEFHph64bh
Behind her, a gathering of similarly aged women stood in the living room like they were surrounding a water cooler at work, wine glasses in their hands. Most of them had a haircut eerily like Karen’s.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaWEW5OwaI
The bun-wearing woman, herself holding a wine glass in one hand, shook Frema’s with her other. Her smile was positively Stepfordian.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAyu57Srio
‘Nice to meet you. I’m Brenda. Did you want to try some of Karen’s products?’ Her wine flipped like a pancake in her glass as she swung her arm towards a full table of WonderLiving products. ‘There are still some left to buy.’ Despite keeping the same plastic smile, her voice smirked when she said that last part.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx8Fiyaaq9
Frema finally stepped through the door, inadvertently pushing it into Karen. ‘Frema. You must be Karen’s upline.’ The air between Frema and Brenda was like the surface of still water. Karen’s shoulders felt much the same way. She smiled big enough to show her teeth but not enough to be convincing. The only movement she could make was turning her head from Frema to Brenda and back again like she was watching a tennis match.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxP2jLzuKI
Brenda blinked her wide but dead eyes. ‘I see you’re already familiar with network marketing. How wonderful! You seem like you’d be a good fit as a distributor like Karen.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38mKieiqRz
‘Oh, no, I really couldn’t-’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8vMh8yA8z
‘Anyone can! That’s the beauty of working at WonderLiving.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU46u0ryHP
Frema laughed but its lack of ugliness caused Karen’s body to clam up even more. ‘Well, you know the saying. Just because they can doesn’t mean they should.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bOw8ToBdk
‘Where do you work? I’m sure you could use some extra cash.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobFAxjSU86
‘I’m a supermarket manager.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkFN5uKSfe
The smirk transferred from Brenda’s voice to her face, finally showing itself. ‘Well, you definitely sound like you should work at WonderLiving,’ she said as she took another sip of her wine. Her words cut deep, surprising Frema. She should have been used to this kind of thinking by now, and yet-
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfRkeQhp6d
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhWl2FwjWQ
The two battlers turned their heads towards Karen, who looked akin to a deer angry at the headlights.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD2OEgsYzJ
Brenda swallowed the wine in her mouth. ‘Well, who would want to work at that kind of place when you could be your own boss and earn a lot more? A supermarket manager…’ Brenda shivered before stepping towards a finger food table. She wiggled her fingers but decided not to eat anything Karen had prepared. ‘Though I guess you can tell a lot by the company you keep.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPauptyVua6
Karen’s shoulders rose, she spluttered drops of wine left inside her mouth and she began lending a magpie’s eye to the nest that was her table of essential oils.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHubMtt4FxI
‘A supermarket manager is a perfectly fine job!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UqJDtg4Yx
‘Do you really believe that?’ Brenda asked.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprIyirvK5Q
‘Of course, I do! Frema works hard and is making a life for herself, unlike SOME people! You don’t know her, so stop talking shit!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXBGMfikdn
The crowd of bob-haired women gasped. Even Brenda was taken aback. ‘How dare you talk to me like that. Let’s not forget who helped you gather people for this Pharaoh’s Court. You couldn’t do it without me.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG8uI4nvV9
Karen looked down in shame. Then she felt Frema’s comforting hand on her shoulder and looked back up with fire in her eyes.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiozERizLb
‘Yeah, you’re right, and I think it’s time for them all to leave! Go! Shoo! Shoo!’ She stormed into the middle of the gathering and shooed them away just as she said. She looked at the essential oil table and raised her arm to push them all to the ground. She saw Frema’s embarrassed stare and brought her arm back to her side.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRho1DspKRQ
After closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths, Karen said, ‘I’d rather not share my home with someone who doesn’t appreciate hard workers like Frema.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6A9CglMJa
Brenda glared at Frema before grabbing her purse and shutting the front door behind her. Frema opened her mouth but Karen held up her pointer finger with her eyes closed again and her lips pursed.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6UAC5cr4r
She said nothing but led Frema to the study. There was no way in hell she was going to take her to her bedroom.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUzHmAspmX
Naturally, once the kids finally walked into the house, they kept their distance from the study but listened in. Karen, to their luck, didn’t notice. ‘What do you want? Did you enjoy ruining my party?’ she asked Frema as she plopped down onto the swivel chair.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEnIkeJcRZ
‘I want you to be honest with me.’ Karen swirled in her chair until she was facing away from Frema. ‘I’d also like you to be more mature, but we can’t have everything, can we?’ A groan jumped out from Karen’s lips. ‘Why did you join a pyramid scheme?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM4BbdVosq
Karen whipped back around to face Frema. ‘It’s not a pyramid scheme! It’s network marketing. Pyramid schemes are illegal!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhsLh9g24R
Frema considered arguing over this point but decided to move on. ‘Okay, then why did you join a network marketing company? And don’t give me a sales pitch.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1peS67Qur
Karen started to turn back but Frema grabbed the top of the chair and pulled it towards her. She leaned down until their faces were inches apart. Karen couldn’t form words when confronted with Frema’s horrifying beauty. All she could do was stare silently at Frema’s lips.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjNVwjwYvB
Frema’s whispers tickled Karen’s own lips. ‘What changed in your life to make you decide that?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRQbUlGOdG
Before Karen could think, she kissed Frema. The other woman’s lips were soft and the kiss was delicate, as if they both feared the other would disappear if they went too hard.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv2tIZvxuN
Frema broke the kiss almost immediately. ‘Nope. Less kissing, more talking.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMgVGWKQ5C
‘I knew it!’ Carol exclaimed. Karen’s eyes popped out of her sockets. Frema slid open the door fast enough to make a thud against the frame.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K3gjnCs4c
‘Shoo! Get outta here, you weirdos!’ The three kids obliged. With a sigh, Frema shut the door again and rubbed the side of her face. ‘Your kids are… something else.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX4chSeOjR
Karen nodded, her head hung in the greatest shame she had ever felt. ‘They know… they can’t! I’m not even…’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgIqjbfd2q
Frema kneeled down and placed a soft hand on Karen’s. ‘It’s okay. You don’t have to come out as anything if you’re not ready.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc94kCz6snh
Karen shook her head. ‘I was supposed to forget. I was supposed to do something, anything, to forget about you.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyzoNX56QE
‘What makes you think you could forget this ugly mug?’ Frema’s gorgeously awful laugh returned.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh5X6yVSCC
Karen gradually joined in despite disagreeing, then gradually stopped. ‘I haven’t known you very long. I barely-’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2GhLpQgSw
‘And that’s completely fine,’ Frema replied, slowly sliding her hand up the other woman’s arm. ‘We can get to know each other over dinner, maybe. Just, please leave that company. I beg you. Your kids are so worried and I hate what it turned you into.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy1YDgZdkI
Karen pushed Frema’s hand away. ‘Turned me into? You already had every reason to hate me. I’m a mess who can’t handle any change. All I can do is knock things over and leave.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtNI2mwTYn
‘Can’t argue with that. But you know what I discovered when you complimented my jacket?’ Frema brushed some of Karen’s hair behind her ear. ‘Even the worst customers can change, and maybe that means I’ve been able to change myself. Trust me, you’re not the first bad customer I’ve run into. When they left, I always saw them as complete scum who could never be redeemed. But you listened to me when I was complaining about my life. No one’s really done that for me before. Hell, look what you did just now at your party!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnVyC0Tedd
Tears rolled down Karen’s cheeks and Frema wiped them away. Karen asked, ‘But what about all the stock I bought? No one wants it.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWATh78MJgj
‘I’m sure we can figure something out. But buying more stock won’t solve the problem.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcdUlkhlsm
Karen nodded and wrapped her arms around Frema’s neck, pulling her closer. She continued sobbing as she whispered thank yous and sorries into her shoulder.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6GTi4qrSj
She could not sell the stock, but she concluded that the essential oils smelled nice enough to use in moderation. She diffused a bottle of oil every couple of days, enough to lessen the stock without polluting the air her children breathed.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7erfNBhNf
Every weekend or so, she and Frema would go on a date. They spent a chunk of their time together whining about their lives, but they both listened to each other intently. By the end of the date, they had moved on to chatting about anything that brought them joy, from a new tv show to a series of photos Frema was proud of taking. It was as if they had forgotten what they had whinged about at the start.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOHDrQjlAT
After seeing sparkles in Karen’s eyes when she talked about the things Carol and Sharon had built, Frema suggested that she try woodworking again. At first, Karen shook her head and laughed awkwardly.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF9ig2xoPW
‘I couldn’t.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggIyWB7P2O
‘But do you want to?’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YhKJIYyub
Karen couldn’t help but nod.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dm5ON1ixH
A few days later, she invited Frema over without telling her what she wanted to do. As soon as she came in, Frema was greeted by the smell of wood chips. Karen handed her a hammer and led her to the backyard, where the whole family was building a dollhouse.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsqQmW0PCH
‘If I sell these, I can make back the money I spent at that....’ Karen’s words trailed off and a blush appeared on her face.’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQfyhAAVlx
‘That pyramid scheme?’ Carol asked with a chuckle.
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cJHKXHXZf
The blush got redder. ‘Yes, that pyramid scheme. Now quiet down and do your job!’
600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUsPYcymjm
The three kids snickered. Frema chuckled and gave Karen a comforting kiss before joining her in hammering nails into the dollhouse. It took a couple of hours, but they eventually created a little home for themselves
ns216.73.216.25da2
