Post by cam83 on Oct 8, 2003 3:24:37 GMT -5
Chapter Twenty-Five
Dad's health was failing, and he stayed at home most of the time. He had some difficulty walking, and so he preferred to stay in the comfort of his own home. Agnes was by his side, for most of the time, so Karen didn't see too much of her Mom, which was a good thing. Agnes was the final authority on everything and made her opinions well known to anybody who would or wouldn't listen. Agnes was going thru a lot with her husband's failing health, and so she was not in the greatest mood. Karen got a glimpse of the earlier Agnes coming back out. She complained and nagged at Karen, who was so busy with final recording sessions and meetings, that Karen wasn't there for her Dad. It bothered Karen as she was once again caught in between the middle.
She got into a huge fight with her mother, when Karen stopped by to visit them at Newville Avenue. Karen had bought take-out Chinese food, which they all loved. Agnes started in on Karen right away. "You should have called Karen!" berated Agnes to her daughter. It wasn't the best of days for Agnes, as Harold was not his usual self, and Agnes was worried.
"Mom, I'm sorry, but I thought we could have some Chinese food, so that's why I brought some. I didn't have time to call. I just came from the studio, and dropped by to pick this up. It's been a hectic day to say the least," explained Karen, hoping that her Mom would snap out of it. Not so.
"And where's your husband?" asked Agnes sarcastically, "Or is he too busy to come and visit us?" said Agnes, looking Karen square in the face. Karen was shocked. Her old mother was back. How could she say something like that? Agnes thought of Jonathon with respect.
"Mom! He's out of town! He can't be at two places at once. He'll be back in a week!" stated Karen in a defensive tone. Suddenly Karen felt very weary, and old. Her energy seemed to just drain away, and she had to sit down. She felt like she wanted to faint. So she sank into the couch, as Agnes looked on.
"Just like Tom! Always leaving you alone, and with you expecting. He should be with you! In my day, Harold was with me during my pregnancies. That's the way it should be! But of course, you know what's best! Never mind what my generation says. We don't matter anymore," said Agnes in an argumentive tone, leaving no room for any response from Karen.
"How dare you compare Jonathon to Tom! There is just no comparison! I cannot believe that you just said that. Jon is a good husband! He takes care of me! And stop making me feel guilty! I'm a grown woman, and you are still treating me like a child! I came here to spend a nice evening and I just can't seem to get anything right!" Karen said in a tone that was almost seething in anger, but trying to control it.
"Well, you can just leave! If any daughter of mine will talk to me like that, I don't want her around. Come back when you apologize, and until then, Goodbye!" Agnes burst out in immense anger.
Unknown to Agnes, Harold had just come down the stairs, and had heard them fighting. He didn't say anything, as Karen glanced at him sadly. Agnes turned swiftly into the kitchen, and Karen went to hug her father.
"I'm sorry Dad! I didn't want to get into a fight. I just wanted a nice evening…all of us," said Karen as she began to cry softly into her Dad's shoulder. Being pregnant sure switched her emotions haywire, and this was not one of her good days. She was just tired of it all, and wanted to be in Jonathon's arms, but he was gone. She missed him so much.
"Don't worry Karen! I am glad that you came. Your mother is just not herself, and she is so worried for my health," said Harold, but quickly added, when he saw the concerned look in his daughter's eyes. "I'm fine. I'm just getting older, that's all," chuckled Harold as he let go of Karen.
"I am so sorry Dad, but I cannot handle the way that Mom treats me. I am a grown woman. I am soon going to have a baby, and still she treats me like a child. It can't go on like this anymore. I deserve better," Karen tried to explain to her father. Karen was so proud that she let her Dad know how she really felt. That was one sign that Karen was so much healthier. During those awful anorexia years, she could never let anyone know how she was truly feeling. Starving brought her some relief, or maybe it was just a temporary…it didn't really do anything, except hide the problem, until all her problems gushed to the surface, which meant that she had been in deep emotional problems.
Karen left, and went to her Auntie Bernice's to get some comfort. She didn't want to go home to an empty home, and be alone. She was glad that she went to Bernice's, who gave her lots of gentle and affectionate mothering. Bernice understood how her sister could be. She loved Agnes, but wondered what went on in Agnes' mind. They were so different, it was quite amazing. How could she treat her only daughter like that?
Bernice's place was nice. It was a 5 bedroom house, with a nice living room, which was quite cozy and intimate. It brought a lot of memories to Karen of growing up, and when they used to visit their auntie and uncle's place in Maryland. Even though, this was a different home, there was still lots of momentos which brought a lot of memories in Karen's mind. Bernice urged Karen to spend the next few days here, until Jonathon came home. Plus, a pregnant woman should not be alone. Karen agreed, and she tried her best to lift her spirits but it was hard. She wished that she and her mother hadn't fought, but she was not going back. She meant what she said to her mother, and she was standing up for herself. She wouldn't take that. She deserved so much better.
Karen called Jonathon that night, and explained the days happening, and started to cry all over again. He did his best to comfort her. Inside his mind, he was quite angry at Agnes for how she treated her daughter. He had never told Karen, but he just never clicked emotionally with her. Sure, Agnes was polite and nice to him, but he felt that was maybe just for Karen's benefit. He could see through the whole situation, and the weird family dynamics. The months passed by, and still the rift between Karen and Agnes had grown. Agnes was very stubborn, and wouldn't have anything to do with Karen. Inside, she wished that Karen and her were talking again. She missed her daughter, but for the world, she would not admit her mistake. Everyone tried their best to heal the gap, but to no avail.
It was especially hard on Karen. It was already October, and the baby was due in just a few weeks. She wanted everything to be fine. Maybe she should make the first move, but it always seemed to be that way. If she gave in again, it would just show that she was the bad daughter, coming to her Mother asking for forgiveness.
The LOVE EVERLASTING album came out in September and was already # 1 on the Christian Contemporary Charts in Billboard Magazine. Her single with the Boone Girls was already # 1 on the Gospel Charts, and on the Top 100, it peaked at # 18. The song LOVE EVERLASTING was an upbeat praise and worship song, and the voices were tight in harmony. The pulsating beat of the drum was thanks to Karen, and it added to the song. Karen was so pleased to say that beside the production credit, she saw her name Karen Carpenter.
Meanwhile the Carpenters new album, A NEW DAY was getting great reviews. Their debut single A NEW DAY (HAS ARRIVED FOR US) was already in the Top 10 at # 7. This song was co-written by Karen and Richard and was an upbeat song, very reminiscent of ONLY YESTERDAY. The A NEW DAY album was shipped platinum, and by it's first week, had sold over 1.5 million copies and was positioned at # 1 on the album charts.
ENTERTAINMENT magazine review said, "The Carpenters seem to be taking over the 1980's as they did in the 1970's. The only difference is that now, they are more widely respected as wonderful musicians. Karen Carpenter's role seems to have changed, and she offers herself heart and soul into the album, and not just vocally. She has assisted in some production credits, and has co-written on 2 of the tracks. Vocally, she seems to have matured even more so, than 10 years ago, and even then, she was a super singer. Richard's productions skills seem to be more refined, and with a smoother edge than on some of their 70's hits, like SING, CALLING OCCUPANTS, YESTERDAY ONCE MORE or FOR ALL WE KNOW. They are emerging as the Premier Duo of all time in Rock History, and no other group has had the perfect track record as they have. An amazing track record for a group that was told in the very beginning that they would never sell…"
A NEW DAY single soared to the top of the charts for 6 weeks, selling 2.2 million copies, and on the Adult Contemporary Charts it was # 1 for 8 weeks. A video package of the Carpenters' greatest hits was released. The title was CARPENTERS HITS: 1969-1989. They were still on top of the world.
Now the days of waiting were nearly over for Karen and Jonathon. Karen was quite pronounced with child, but was very pleased. She was going to be a mother. Her dreams would be coming true, and for that, she was excited. Everything in their home was ready, and all Karen could do was wait, and catch up on some rest. Everyone was telling her that she needed rest, because when the baby came…well, she wouldn't have time for rest.
Dad's health was failing, and he stayed at home most of the time. He had some difficulty walking, and so he preferred to stay in the comfort of his own home. Agnes was by his side, for most of the time, so Karen didn't see too much of her Mom, which was a good thing. Agnes was the final authority on everything and made her opinions well known to anybody who would or wouldn't listen. Agnes was going thru a lot with her husband's failing health, and so she was not in the greatest mood. Karen got a glimpse of the earlier Agnes coming back out. She complained and nagged at Karen, who was so busy with final recording sessions and meetings, that Karen wasn't there for her Dad. It bothered Karen as she was once again caught in between the middle.
She got into a huge fight with her mother, when Karen stopped by to visit them at Newville Avenue. Karen had bought take-out Chinese food, which they all loved. Agnes started in on Karen right away. "You should have called Karen!" berated Agnes to her daughter. It wasn't the best of days for Agnes, as Harold was not his usual self, and Agnes was worried.
"Mom, I'm sorry, but I thought we could have some Chinese food, so that's why I brought some. I didn't have time to call. I just came from the studio, and dropped by to pick this up. It's been a hectic day to say the least," explained Karen, hoping that her Mom would snap out of it. Not so.
"And where's your husband?" asked Agnes sarcastically, "Or is he too busy to come and visit us?" said Agnes, looking Karen square in the face. Karen was shocked. Her old mother was back. How could she say something like that? Agnes thought of Jonathon with respect.
"Mom! He's out of town! He can't be at two places at once. He'll be back in a week!" stated Karen in a defensive tone. Suddenly Karen felt very weary, and old. Her energy seemed to just drain away, and she had to sit down. She felt like she wanted to faint. So she sank into the couch, as Agnes looked on.
"Just like Tom! Always leaving you alone, and with you expecting. He should be with you! In my day, Harold was with me during my pregnancies. That's the way it should be! But of course, you know what's best! Never mind what my generation says. We don't matter anymore," said Agnes in an argumentive tone, leaving no room for any response from Karen.
"How dare you compare Jonathon to Tom! There is just no comparison! I cannot believe that you just said that. Jon is a good husband! He takes care of me! And stop making me feel guilty! I'm a grown woman, and you are still treating me like a child! I came here to spend a nice evening and I just can't seem to get anything right!" Karen said in a tone that was almost seething in anger, but trying to control it.
"Well, you can just leave! If any daughter of mine will talk to me like that, I don't want her around. Come back when you apologize, and until then, Goodbye!" Agnes burst out in immense anger.
Unknown to Agnes, Harold had just come down the stairs, and had heard them fighting. He didn't say anything, as Karen glanced at him sadly. Agnes turned swiftly into the kitchen, and Karen went to hug her father.
"I'm sorry Dad! I didn't want to get into a fight. I just wanted a nice evening…all of us," said Karen as she began to cry softly into her Dad's shoulder. Being pregnant sure switched her emotions haywire, and this was not one of her good days. She was just tired of it all, and wanted to be in Jonathon's arms, but he was gone. She missed him so much.
"Don't worry Karen! I am glad that you came. Your mother is just not herself, and she is so worried for my health," said Harold, but quickly added, when he saw the concerned look in his daughter's eyes. "I'm fine. I'm just getting older, that's all," chuckled Harold as he let go of Karen.
"I am so sorry Dad, but I cannot handle the way that Mom treats me. I am a grown woman. I am soon going to have a baby, and still she treats me like a child. It can't go on like this anymore. I deserve better," Karen tried to explain to her father. Karen was so proud that she let her Dad know how she really felt. That was one sign that Karen was so much healthier. During those awful anorexia years, she could never let anyone know how she was truly feeling. Starving brought her some relief, or maybe it was just a temporary…it didn't really do anything, except hide the problem, until all her problems gushed to the surface, which meant that she had been in deep emotional problems.
Karen left, and went to her Auntie Bernice's to get some comfort. She didn't want to go home to an empty home, and be alone. She was glad that she went to Bernice's, who gave her lots of gentle and affectionate mothering. Bernice understood how her sister could be. She loved Agnes, but wondered what went on in Agnes' mind. They were so different, it was quite amazing. How could she treat her only daughter like that?
Bernice's place was nice. It was a 5 bedroom house, with a nice living room, which was quite cozy and intimate. It brought a lot of memories to Karen of growing up, and when they used to visit their auntie and uncle's place in Maryland. Even though, this was a different home, there was still lots of momentos which brought a lot of memories in Karen's mind. Bernice urged Karen to spend the next few days here, until Jonathon came home. Plus, a pregnant woman should not be alone. Karen agreed, and she tried her best to lift her spirits but it was hard. She wished that she and her mother hadn't fought, but she was not going back. She meant what she said to her mother, and she was standing up for herself. She wouldn't take that. She deserved so much better.
Karen called Jonathon that night, and explained the days happening, and started to cry all over again. He did his best to comfort her. Inside his mind, he was quite angry at Agnes for how she treated her daughter. He had never told Karen, but he just never clicked emotionally with her. Sure, Agnes was polite and nice to him, but he felt that was maybe just for Karen's benefit. He could see through the whole situation, and the weird family dynamics. The months passed by, and still the rift between Karen and Agnes had grown. Agnes was very stubborn, and wouldn't have anything to do with Karen. Inside, she wished that Karen and her were talking again. She missed her daughter, but for the world, she would not admit her mistake. Everyone tried their best to heal the gap, but to no avail.
It was especially hard on Karen. It was already October, and the baby was due in just a few weeks. She wanted everything to be fine. Maybe she should make the first move, but it always seemed to be that way. If she gave in again, it would just show that she was the bad daughter, coming to her Mother asking for forgiveness.
The LOVE EVERLASTING album came out in September and was already # 1 on the Christian Contemporary Charts in Billboard Magazine. Her single with the Boone Girls was already # 1 on the Gospel Charts, and on the Top 100, it peaked at # 18. The song LOVE EVERLASTING was an upbeat praise and worship song, and the voices were tight in harmony. The pulsating beat of the drum was thanks to Karen, and it added to the song. Karen was so pleased to say that beside the production credit, she saw her name Karen Carpenter.
Meanwhile the Carpenters new album, A NEW DAY was getting great reviews. Their debut single A NEW DAY (HAS ARRIVED FOR US) was already in the Top 10 at # 7. This song was co-written by Karen and Richard and was an upbeat song, very reminiscent of ONLY YESTERDAY. The A NEW DAY album was shipped platinum, and by it's first week, had sold over 1.5 million copies and was positioned at # 1 on the album charts.
ENTERTAINMENT magazine review said, "The Carpenters seem to be taking over the 1980's as they did in the 1970's. The only difference is that now, they are more widely respected as wonderful musicians. Karen Carpenter's role seems to have changed, and she offers herself heart and soul into the album, and not just vocally. She has assisted in some production credits, and has co-written on 2 of the tracks. Vocally, she seems to have matured even more so, than 10 years ago, and even then, she was a super singer. Richard's productions skills seem to be more refined, and with a smoother edge than on some of their 70's hits, like SING, CALLING OCCUPANTS, YESTERDAY ONCE MORE or FOR ALL WE KNOW. They are emerging as the Premier Duo of all time in Rock History, and no other group has had the perfect track record as they have. An amazing track record for a group that was told in the very beginning that they would never sell…"
A NEW DAY single soared to the top of the charts for 6 weeks, selling 2.2 million copies, and on the Adult Contemporary Charts it was # 1 for 8 weeks. A video package of the Carpenters' greatest hits was released. The title was CARPENTERS HITS: 1969-1989. They were still on top of the world.
Now the days of waiting were nearly over for Karen and Jonathon. Karen was quite pronounced with child, but was very pleased. She was going to be a mother. Her dreams would be coming true, and for that, she was excited. Everything in their home was ready, and all Karen could do was wait, and catch up on some rest. Everyone was telling her that she needed rest, because when the baby came…well, she wouldn't have time for rest.
