Chapter Text
Karen watched Arthur scratch the nose of his horse and whisper sweet nothings to her, eyes filled with pride and affection. At the end of each ride he made sure to care gently for his stead and see that she got everything she needed before looking after himself. He sure did love that animal.
If only Sean treated her like that.
Sighing, Karen turned back to the stew she had laddled into her metal bowl. Being cooped up in camp was her least favorite past time and often led to bad decisions. Sometimes she wished she was more calm, like Tilly or Mary Beth. Neither of them had any trouble finding things to do like reading or sewing, Those activities bored Karen to death. She didn’t mind helping out and pulling her weight, but more often than not she was running away from Ms. Grimshaw instead of towards her, and straight into the arms of her ever faithful lover, drinking.
Not that she was an alcoholic by any means, but the sweet release Karen found in the comfort of a bottle was unrivaled to anything else. It loosened her joints, lightened her attitude, and put a blanket of warmth all around her body. It was much too early, but she stared at the unopened bottle of Husky whiskey and longed to pop open her favorite brand.
It was a beautiful label with lace and green vines spelling the title out, then decorating the edges with delicate designs. It felt fancy, like one of them Saint Denis people would drink it and give a sparkling laugh while throwing their heads back. Karen may be no writer like Mary Beth, but she could daydream with the best of them.
Usually it was about what her life could have been. Karen always dreamed of being a singer, but never had the training. Her voice was light and a little raspy. It made for a good show and Karen was quite the extrovert, always able to hold a crowd or get the attention of their latest target.
That was part of the reason she had joined the gang in the first place, was to live a life of excitement and be the center of attention. Which she was for awhile. Then other women joined and she sort of blurred together with them, like one of those oil paintings that never set correctly. Not that Karen resented being around other females, but in a camp full of men there is a certain attention that blossoms overtime and is hard to give away. She felt drunk on the power that came along with it.
Sean sauntered over later holding a bottle suggestively, and enticed Karen towards him with a wink. She giggled and took his hand, following the man through camp and up into the woods, knowing exactly what was on his mind. He produced a bottle of her favorite whiskey which they made quick work of, passing it back and forth until it ran dry. Sean leaned over, admiring the label.
“Ay, I’ll be husky for you if you want, girl. You just tell me when and where.”
Karen laughed and pushed him to the ground, answering huskily, “You’ll be exactly what I say you will. Now hand me that bottle before you get hurt.”