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by Susan Anne Santo
Rating: PG-13
This brief story takes place toward the end of “The Story of Ken.” Ken is released from the hospital where he has been recovering from a gunshot wound to the chest. This is what happens next (before Barbie and Ken’s wedding).

Ken was finally sent home from the hospital. Barbie moved in with him to take care of him while he was healing. Every morning she gave him a bed bath and changed his bandage. At first he was embarrassed to be seen naked, but after a while he got used to it and came to enjoy the quiet time together. After the bath she gave him a back rub. He was trying to stop taking pain medication, and this helped to lower his pain level. She also did all the cooking and cleaning. He told her she was a good nurse.
The hardest part was lifting Ken’s spirits. He was used to being physically active and now he had to be very still. To cheer him up she bought him a gift every day for the next nine days. Day 1, a book on horses – the cover had a beautiful photo of horses running through the surf at the ocean. Day 2, a blue robe with pictures of horses. Day 3, a pair of slippers that looked like horses heads. Day 4, a slim gold chain to wear around his neck. Day 5, a package of ice cream sandwiches. Day 6, a tie with pictures of horses. Day 7, a beautiful red suit jacket. Day 8, a pair of red pants to wear with the jacket. Day 9, a gray shirt to wear with the suit.
On Day 10 Ken went to the hospital to have his stiches taken out by the doctor. The doctor removed them and smiled. “You’ve healed remarkably well.”
“I had help,” Ken said.
“That lovely young woman who gave you your blood transfusion. There was another young woman who’s shown up here a couple of times asking about you. I told her I couldn’t give information to someone who wasn’t a family member and suggested that she contact you.”
“Evie,” Ken said. “I haven’t heard from her. I suppose I’ll be seeing her at work.”
“I suggest you take another week off and then go back to work part time,” the doctor said.
Ken went home and took a shower. It felt so good to have the hot water streaming over his body. He washed his hair, wrung out the water in a towel, and then put on his pajama bottoms and lay down to take a nap. He got tired so easily these days.
When he woke up Barbie was kneeling over him on the bed, her hands over his eyes. “Surprise!” she cried. She took away her hands. “Welcome to your gift.” She was wearing pale pink lingerie that enhanced her figure. Her shining hair streamed loose down her back. Her feet were bare, and she’d had a manicure and pedicure with pink polish. A sweet scent of perfume arose from her body. “Unwrap me,” she teased.
Ken could hardly believe it. With trembling fingers he began to pull down her lingerie. He kissed her shoulders, first one, then the other. His hands caressed her cool breasts. He pulled the lingerie off her.
“Come on,” Barbie said. “Don’t be shy.”
“Are you sure?” Ken said, hesitating.
“I’m positive. Don’t worry. I’m on the Pill.”
Ken got partway up and pulled off his pajama bottoms. He pushed Barbie down onto the bed so she was lying on her back. She trembled. “It’s my first time,” she said.
“I know. Don’t be afraid,” Ken said. “I won’t hurt you.”
He kissed her passionately on the lips and caressed her all over. She kissed the area around his scar on his chest gently and stroked his abs. She was used to touching his body from bathing and massaging him, but this was the first time she’d experienced the enjoyment of having him worship her through touch. He continued his expert maneuvers until she was ready to beg for him to enter her. And then finally he did. It did hurt a little but it was not too bad because he was very gentle. He continued thrusting and Barbie too began to move. Waves of delight ran through her. When she came, her fingernails dug into Ken’s back. The feelings of pleasure dissolved and left a deep sense of relaxation. “Did I hurt you?” Barbie said. She became aware that he was bleeding. She was bleeding too.
“No. Did I hurt you?”
“No,” Barbie said evasively. She reached out, put her fingers in his hair, and drew his face to hers where she massaged his mouth with her own.
“I love you,” Ken whispered as she drew back.
“I love you too,” Barbie said. She lay in his arms and felt safe and cherished. They stayed that way a long time.
The next day Barbie went to see Gloria. “Guess what. Ken and I slept together.”
“You mean you had sex,” Gloria said.
“Yes. It was wonderful.” She beamed.
“Is that such a good idea?” Gloria said severely. “Do you remember what he did to you back in Barbieland? Stole your house, threw away your clothes, turned your friends against you, tried to turn Barbieland into Kenland.”
“He’s sorry for all that,” Barbie insisted. “He’s not the same person anymore.”
“Are you sure? It would be so easy for you to be hurt by this relationship.”
“I won’t be hurt,” Barbie said. She was certain and a little hurt that Gloria wouldn’t support her.
The next day while Barbie was at work Gloria went to see Ken. He opened the door at her knock. Gloria was glad to see him fully dressed. Perhaps he wasn’t making Barbie nurse him anymore. “There’s something you should know. When Barbie first came here to the Real World to live with me, she told me that she hated you.”
Ken was hurt. “Why would she say that?”
“Think about what you did to her in Barbieland. Do you think you’re being fair in having her wait on you hand and foot and making love to her? In the end she’ll only be hurt.”
“I’d never hurt Barbie.”
“I don’t believe you,” Gloria said.
“I happen to love Barbie.”
“If you love her, let her go.” Gloria left, leaving Ken with a lot to think about.
When Barbie got home Ken said, “We need to talk. Is it true that you told Gloria you hated me?”
“Well, yes. At one time I did. All you wanted to do was kiss me when I didn’t want to be kissed. And you wanted to spend the night when I didn’t want you there.”
“I’m sorry,” Ken said.
“I know you are. You’ve changed a lot since then. That’s why I allowed you to make love to me.”
“I love you so much. But if you don’t want us to be together, you can have this house and I’ll leave.”
“No, Ken,” Barbie said. “I want us to be together forever.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She put her hands on his face and kissed him. “Do you remember when you cried because you found that masculinity wasn’t all about horses and you gave up on Kenland? That was when I started to have feelings for you. But I lied to myself and pretended I didn’t.”
“I wish you had told me,” Ken said. “It would have helped.”
“Would it help if I told you that I’ll never lie to you again?”
“It would make me feel much better.”
“Do you want to make love again?” Barbie said invitingly.
He smiled. “You know I do.”
They went into Ken’s bedroom and found sex was even better the second time.

THE END

Discussion Question

1. Do you think Barbie was correct to want to be with Ken despite what he had done to her earlier? Why or why not?

Copyright 2024 by Susan A. Santo

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