Post by Rick Henry on Aug 18, 2005 2:07:49 GMT -5
Once again this story is completely fictional. Parts of this story are loosely based on some real experiences. But for the most part this is just a story of events which never happened. Enjoy.
(March 1979)
It's Saturday afternoon and Karen is spending a leisurely day re-potting and pruning her house plants. Karen pays a great deal of attention to her plants. Each one has a name and she lovingly speaks encouraging words to them.
Just as Karen is misting her hanging ivy the phone rings.
"It's the phone Ella," Karen says to her ivy as she sets the spray bottle down to answer it.
It's Frenda Leffler on the other end. "Hi Karen! Hey there's a great party in Malibu tonight. Everybody's going to be there. Michael McDonald, Don Henley, Barbra Streisand might even show up."
"That sounds like fun Frenda," Karen responds, "But you know me I'm really not the party type.
"Karen," Frenda says in an authoritative voice, "You need to get out. Right now Ed is out of town and I thought this would be a good time for us to get to have some fun. Just the gals. You need to broaden your social life Karen."
"I have a social life," Karen comments.
Karen your social life is your work," Frenda answers back. "You need to get away from the lights camera action and just mix and mingle and have some fun."
"Okay, okay," Karen says, "Maybe you're right Frenda. I'll go to the party."
"Now that's what I wanted to hear," Frenda excitedly says, "I'll pick you up at 7:30 tonight."
After speaking with Frenda Karen finishes tending to her plants. Then she walks into her huge closet to choose her outfit for the party. This takes Karen over an hour and a half as she has a large wardrobe of beautiful clothes. Some outfits dating back to 1968. Though, Karen usually doesn't wear the older out of style clothes she still keeps them for her own sentimental reasons. Karen finally decided on a smart outfit which Bob Mackey designed for her. It includes a waist length charcoal jacket. It has thin lapels and is made of a glossy finished voile. The slacks match the jacket. The slacks are straight legged and fairly high waisted with a narrow white belt. Under her jacket she's wearing a plain white collarless buttoned blouse. Her white shoes are a medium high slingback pump with a peekaboo toe. She's also carrying a miniature white clutch. Karen looks very modern and new wave in her own sweet and adoring way.
Once again in front of her vanity, which she has jokingly referred to as her best friend. Karen is blowing drying and teasing her hair. After she's finished she looks at herself in the mirror and says, "Here's looking at you kid," and blows herself a kiss.
Once at the party Frenda and Karen are greeted by Justin Hayward of the classic rock group the Moody Blues.
"Karen Carpenter," Justin says as he extends his hands toward her, "You are a vision of beauty. I have always loved your voice."
Karen looks back at Frenda with a puzzled look on her face.
"I'm Justin Hayward," he exclaims to Karen.
Karen smiles and grabs his hands, "Justin Hayward, oh, you are one of my favorites. I just love "Nights In White Satin".
After speaking with Justin for a few minutes Karen and Frenda continue into the party to mix and mingle. Karen was drawn toward the artwork hanging on one of the walls. while Frenda struck up a conversation with Jayne Morgan (Jerry Weintraub's wife).
While Karen was examining the paintings a man in his early twenties approached Karen.
"Hi, Karen," he says as he nervously smiles, "My name is Bill."
Karen turns toward him and smiles back. "Hi Bill. Thanks for coming over to say hi."
"I hope I don't come of sounding like a star crazed fan or anything. I mean I'm in the music business so I'm around a lot of big time musicians. But I've been a fan of yours since I was thirteen. I am so happy to meet you."
"Thank you Bill," Karen answers back, "So what's your music business?"
"I was recently hired into Capitol's A&R department. I've been there only three months."
Karen responds, "You seem very young to have a job like that."
"I guess it helps that my dad is a vice president with the company." Bill says, "He's met the Beatles and the Beach Boys."
"Very interesting Bill," Karen says, "I love both the Beach Boys and Beatles."
"I've met them all too, Bill comments, "but you Karen have always been my favorite of favorites. There's no else quite like you. But you know what I admire about you the most?"
"No," Karen answers with a blushing smile, "What would that be?"
Bill says, "After all your fame and world tours and platinum records you are still so down to earth. I mean look you're talking with me. And you have such a good close relationship with your family. I can see in the pictures in the newspapers and magazines. I can tell you and your mom are like best friends."
Bill continues speaking as Karen loses concentration on what he's saying. Her mind wanders into her own thoughts. Karen thinks, "My family? Good relationship? My mom? Oh how I wish we were friends. I wish so much that I could sit down and have a real conversation with my mom. I wish I could tell her what I feel and think."
Right then Bill pats Karen on the shoulder, "Do you want a glass of Chardonnay?" He asks her.
"Uh no no," Karen answers like she was in a daze.
"Are you alright?" Bill asks in a concerned manner.
"Oh yes, I'm okay," Karen answers, "I just need to find my friend Frenda. It was very nice talking with you Bill."
"Likewise," Bill comments back.
Karen moves on to find Frenda. For the remainder of the party Karen tagged along with Frenda and really didn't join in much with the conversation. After about another hour they left to go home.
On the drive home Frenda said to Karen, "Are you alright Karen. I noticed you seemed very quiet tonight."
"Oh I'm just moody Frenda," Karen answers, "I'm starting my period."
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