by Susan Anne Santo
Rating: PG-13
I’m sorry I had to move this story. The format was incorrect. It is corrected now. This story is a sequel to “The Story of Ken.” Barbie and Ken are human and living in the Real World.
If you happened to be awake early one morning in May and on the Pacific Ocean beach outside Los Angeles you would have seen a young man and a woman walking along the shore. The young woman was a little ahead of him. She stopped and bent down to pick up a conch seashell. When she turned around the young man was kneeling in the sand before her and was holding out a little blue box, his face pleading. He pulled out a stunning diamond and ruby ring. “Marry me,” he said.
Barbie stared at him. “Ken, are you certain?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything,” he answered.
They had spent a blissful month living together after his hospital stay, with endless joyful lovemaking at night.
But her answer was not the one he had wanted. “I have to think about it,” she said. “Give me some time.”
Sadly he put the ring in the box back in his pocket. “I’ll give you as long as you need,” Ken said.
Barbie went to talk to Gloria. “I need your advice.”
Gloria studied her face. “Did he ask you?”
“You knew?”
“I suspected,” Gloria said. “Do you love him?”
“Yes. With all my heart.”
“Love is not all that you need. You need commitment. Commit to staying with him forever as long as you both shall live. Can you do that?”
“I’m not sure,” Barbie said. “How can I know what will happen in the future or how I will feel?”
“It’s a sad thing when marriages break up. It’s called divorce. Both parties end up devastated, but it’s usually harder for the woman.”
“I don’t want that,” Barbie said.
“What about children?”
She hesitated. “I don’t want children. I don’t want to be pregnant.”
“Does Ken know?”
“I haven’t told him.”
“It could be a deal breaker,” Gloria said. “You have to tell him. With some men, carrying their roots into the next generation is very important to them. And this too is important, my dear. Will he expect you to be a stay-at-home housewife? Will he allow you to have a career and flourish? Will he allow you to have friends that are not necessarily his friends? Can you have your own opinions and desires? Talk to him before you decide.”
Barbie found Ken by the beach and they had a long talk.
“Children would be nice,” Ken said. “But I can live without them as long as I have you.”
Barbie was satisfied with his other answers. At the end of their talk she said, “Yes. I will be your wife.”
Ken kissed her joyfully. He put the ring on her finger and they hugged each other fiercely, tears in their eyes.
They married on the beach in front of their friends. The first few months of their marriage were wonderful. Barbie was happier than she had ever been. Then came the incident with Becky, and Ken and Barbie decided they would have children after all. Within several months of trying, Barbie’s pregnancy arrived.
Barbie was miserable being pregnant. She quit her job at the store. As soon as she began to show she decided that she looked fat and would not leave the house, lest she be seen by someone. Ken came home from work late one day to find her sitting in the dark on the couch, not even bothering to turn the lights on. “What’s the matter?” he sighed.
“I’m not pretty anymore,” she said sullenly.
“You’re very pretty.”
“I’m not Stereotypically Barbie pretty.”
“You’re beautiful. You look like a woman who is glowing with health.”
“Health is not beauty. Other people would stare at me.”
“Who cares what other people would think? All that matters is what I think. And I say you’re beautiful.”
She was somewhat mollified. “Thank you for the reassurance.”
“You’re welcome.” He sat down and put his arms around her. “Just remember how much I love you.”
“I’m scared to give birth, Ken. I’m really scared.” Tears rolled down her face.
“I know you are. We’ll get through it together. I’ll be there right by your side.”
As the months dragged on Barbie’s mood grew uglier. Often she shouted at him and told him he could do nothing right. He’d cook her supper and she’d say it didn’t taste right. He’d make the bed for her and she’d say it wasn’t made right. She wanted new pillows and a softer blanket. He bought her maternity clothes and she’d say it was the wrong style. He painted the nursery pink at her instructions. They had decided not to know the gender of the child beforehand. Finally she demanded to sleep alone and sent him to the couch. He held his temper and tried to soothe her.
Eventually the blessed day arrived. Ken drove Barbie to the hospital as she sat in the car, moaning with pain. In the hospital she demanded the strongest painkillers possible. Ken expressed the opinion quietly that this might be dangerous for the baby but she silenced him. “Who is giving birth here? You or me?” He held up his hands in resignation. Seven hours later the baby was born. The doctor held the baby out to Barbie, and she shook her head. It was a boy. The nurse placed the baby in Ken’s arms, and he smiled with delight.
Barbie took care of the baby during the day for three months. The next morning she handed the baby to Ken. “I have a job interview. You take him.”
“I have to go to work,” Ken said.
“You figure it out. I’m busy.” She gave Ken some formula and a bottle for the baby. He took the baby to work with him. Barbie got the job. It was at another store where she would design clothing. They hired a nanny to watch the boy during the day.
The years passed. The boy was now seven; his name was Kurt. There was a younger child, a girl, who was five; her name was Briana. The boy was as handsome as his father, the girl as beautiful as her mother. Both children had shining blond hair and were admired by adults whenever Barbie took them anywhere. Barbie treated Kurt with disdain. She cherished Briana and gave her pretty dresses, dolls dressed in fine clothes, stuffed animals, anything else that she wanted. When Ken bought toys for Kurt, trucks and a Lego set, Barbie said he was spoiling him. Ken loved both of his children equally and treated them well. Ken drove the children to school and Barbie picked them up.
Ken was in a business meeting when an associate came in and said that Ken was wanted on the phone. He picked up the phone. It was Kurt. “Mommy forgot to pick me up again.”
Ken drove to the school and picked up his child. He could tell that Kurt had been crying. “What’s the matter?”
“Mommy doesn’t love me.”
“Of course she loves you.”
“She keeps forgetting to pick me up.”
“She’s busy that’s all.” When they got home Ken found Barbie painting the girl’s nails with pink nail polish. “Why did you forget to pick up our boy?”
“I didn’t forget. I was getting a manicure.” She held out her perfect pink nails, admiring them. “I was thinking you would get him.”
“I was in a business meeting.”
“Well, you’re his father. You have responsibilities too.”
“I took him to school.”
“And you can pick him up.”
After that Ken picked up his son every day, though he was angry at Barbie.
One morning at breakfast Ken announced that he wanted to get a pet.
“You cannot have a horse,” Barbie said.
“I wasn’t thinking about a horse. I was going to say a dog.”
“You don’t need a dog.”
“I want a dog,” Kurt shouted.
“Me too,” Briana chimed in.
Barbie sighed. “It looks like I’m outvoted. But Ken, you will take care of him. I will not be involved.”
They got a male cocker spaniel from the Humane Society shelter and named him Fred. The children adored Fred and the dog loved them. The dog was also very fond of Ken and constantly followed him around. Ken took the dog on a walk every morning before he went to work. Sometimes Kurt went with them. Barbie was annoyed when the dog peed on the new rug or chewed up her designer shoes. But even she enjoyed having the dog on her lap occasionally and petting the soft fur.
Briana liked to play with Barbie dolls and put on their pretty dresses. Ken noticed once that a doll was missing. “Where’s Ken?” The girl didn’t answer. Ken found the Ken doll out in the backyard face down in the mud. He picked him up and went inside. “Honey, couldn’t you treat your dolls better?”
“It’s just Ken,” Briana said, combing her Barbie’s long straight hair.
Ken was disturbed by her answer. He brought this up with Barbie. “Did you tell her Ken dolls didn’t matter?”
“I told her to take good care of the Barbies. I didn’t mention Ken. Don’t look so upset.”
“Those dolls are representatives of you and I.”
“The children don’t know that,” Barbie said.
“Maybe they should know.” He sat the children down. “Your mother and I came originally from Barbieland. We used to be dolls. Then we became human and entered the Real World.”
“Like my dolls, Daddy?” Briana said.
“Yes, only we were life size.”
Kurt seemed fascinated but asked no questions. The next day when Ken picked him up at school he was crying and his face was bruised and dirty.
“What’s the matter?” Ken said.
“The teacher wanted us to talk about our parents. I told the class you used to be dolls. Everyone laughed at me. They pushed me down in the dirt at recess.”
“It might be better if we keep this a family secret,” Ken said. “Here. Let’s get you cleaned up.” He was ushering Kurt toward the bathroom when Barbie came in.
She frowned. “You naughty boy! Have you been fighting again?”
“He’s being bullied,” Ken said. “He told the class about our being dolls.” He took Kurt into the bathroom and washed his face tenderly.
Barbie scolded him later. “You should have kept your mouth shut. Scaring our children with fairy tales. Briana has been talking of nothing else.”
“I’m sorry,” Ken said.
The next day they were called to a teacher’s conference about Kurt. “He is having trouble with reading,” the teacher, Mrs. Jenkins, a nice gray-haired lady said. “He’s behind grade level.”
“What can we do to help him?” Ken asked.
“Read to him frequently. Read lots of books. Have him look at the words and the pictures. Choose books on subjects he is interested in, fiction and nonfiction. Sometimes let him read to you or even to the dog. He knows his letters. Have him sound out words.”
“That is so helpful,” Barbie said, her voice ringing with sarcasm. “And isn’t this supposed to be your job?”
“I am teaching him phonics.”
“Those big words will get him a long way.”
“I will read to him,” Ken promised.
Barbie and Ken went out and got into their car. Ken drove. “You were rude to Mrs. Jenkins.”
“Her advice was crazy! We don’t need to read to him. The problem is that he’s stupid.”
“He’s not stupid. I had problems learning to read too you will recall.”
“Well, you’re not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, Ken.”
He pulled into a grocery store lot and parked, furious. “I am sick and tired of your always calling me stupid.”
“If the shoe fits….”
“What is the matter with you?”
“Drive home.” She put her hand on the steering wheel. “If you’re not going to drive, get out and let me drive.” They struggled. Finally, Ken gave up and drove them home.
He read to Kurt after dinner. Both children sat beside him on the couch, one on either side, transfixed, enjoying the story. Barbie did the dishes, pouting. Afterwards she got out the vacuum cleaner and started to vacuum. The dog chased the vacuum, barking. Ken got up and pulled out the plug.
“Ken, what the hell?”
“They can’t hear me read,” Ken said. “You can vacuum later. The dust’s not going to kill us.” Later he found Kurt crying again. “What’s the matter now, sport?”
“Mommy said she’s not going take me to the circus on Saturday. She promised. She said I have to stay home and do homework.”
“I’ll take you to the circus.”
Ken got Kurt ready to go to the circus, making sure he had clean clothes. Barbie had put a pretty party dress on to Briana. She was taking her to a birthday party.
“What did I say about the circus?” Barbie said severely.
“I promised I’d take him,” Ken said.
“Without asking me?”
“I’m his father. I have the right to take my son to have some fun.” They went out. Ken and Kurt had a wonderful time watching the elephants, the acrobats, the lion tamer, and the pretty girl riding on a horse. But when they got home Barbie refused to speak to either of them. She spent all her time with Briana talking about the party. That night Barbie refused to have sex with Ken. It was not the first time. This had been going on for days.
The next day, Sunday, Barbie went with Gloria to have lunch at a nice restaurant. “How’s your marriage going?” Gloria asked.
“Not well.”
Gloria got more serious. “How are things in the bedroom?”
“Nothing’s happening there.”
“Whose idea was that?”
“Mine,” Barbie said.
“Men don’t like it when their wives withhold sex.”
“I don’t care if Ken likes it or not. I don’t feel like it. And I’m tired.” She drank a sip of iced tea. “I’ve joined a professional women’s organization. They’re having a luncheon and fashion show next week, and I’m in charge of the fashion show. I’ve been designing clothes, sewing clothes, and working late every night.”
“Ken will think that you’re punishing him if you’re not having sex,” Gloria said.
“I am punishing him. He never agrees with my ideas on child rearing. He doesn’t respect me.”
“You know,” Gloria said, “a man like Ken would find it very easy to find another woman. You think you’re the prettiest woman in the world, but there are a lot of attractive women out there. That’s all I’m going to say about that.”
They finished their lunch in silence.
The next Sunday when Barbie got up she looked in the bathroom mirror. Ken heard her cry out.
“What’s the matter?” He leaped out of bed.
“I have pimples!” She came out of the bathroom, teary and desperate.
“Is that all? You can hardly see them. Jesus, Barbie, you scared me.”
“Will you come with me to the event?”
“I thought you didn’t want me to come.”
“I need moral support.”
They went together. Gloria came over to the house to babysit the children. Ken was wearing a black shirt and pants, Barbie a stylish bright pink dress.
When Barbie and Ken arrived at the dining room of the convention center the thrice divorced Estella Morgan, the attractive fortyish president of the organization, came over to greet them. “Well, I can’t believe Barbie’s been keeping you under wraps,” she said sweetly, holding her hand out to Ken. Ken gave a shy smile. He had no way of knowing this made him twice as beautiful as before. He took her hand. Estella held it a moment longer than Barbie deemed necessary. “Break a leg, Barbie,” Estella said. “I’ll watch over your husband.”
I’ll bet you will, Barbie thought, as she walked toward the line of young women in their costumes for the fashion show. She had to make sure they were ready and put them into the right order.
She heard someone say, “Who is that gorgeous man? Is that Barbie’s husband?” She looked over and saw Estella holding Ken’s arm as they sat down at the table for lunch side by side. They were talking animatedly. Estella brushed a lock of stray golden hair from Ken’s cheek. She leaned over and whispered something into his ear. Her face was naked with lust. Barbie could see he was blushing.
She got ready to give her talk. The room was crowded with women and curious onlookers. The mayor of LA was there as well. This was an important occasion. She cleared her throat. “Women, citizens, Mr. Mayor, I’d like to welcome you to our fashion show. Our first outfit is –“ And then her mind went completely blank. She swallowed and looked over at the first young woman, managed to describe the outfit. “This cute miniskirt and flowered top is great for casual days out on the town.” Somehow she got through the event, with long pauses as she had to check out each costume. “This maroon evening gown is wonderful for formal occasions.” Finally the ordeal was over. She went and pulled Ken away from Estella and led him outside.
“That went very well,” Ken said, trying to offer support.
“I’m glad you think so. I will never forgive you for this,” she hissed.
“What did I do?”
“You flirted with that horrible Estella woman.”
“I thought you said she was the president. I was just trying to be polite.”
“What did she say to you?” Barbie said.
“She said there were things she wanted to do to me.”
“And you let her talk that way to you?”
“What was I supposed to do?” Ken said, growing angry.
They went into their house shouting. Their quarreling grew ugly.
The children came running over. “Were you going to hurt Mommy?” Kurt asked Ken after Ken raised his hand to Barbie when she called him stupid yet again.
“Of course not.” But he had been angry enough to do it, though he’d held back and didn’t strike. He tried to push his anger away and focused on the children. He picked up the little girl in his arms and patted the boy on the head.
After Barbie had refused to have sex with Ken again that night he reached out. She pushed his hands away. “I’m not in the mood.”
“You’re never in the mood. Do you know how hard it is to lie beside you without being able to make love to you?” Ken said.
“Then go to the guest room.”
“If I do that, the children will know there’s something wrong.”
“Then keep quiet. I’m trying to sleep.” She turned over and lay not facing him.
He lay there quietly, fuming.
The next morning at breakfast neither of them spoke to the other. Ken got breakfast for the children while Barbie went off early to work.
Evie came into Ken’s office to give him some papers. She was still working there after all these years and as pretty as ever. He stood up from his desk, caught hold of her, and kissed her lips. She pushed him away and slapped his face. “You had your chance. I’m getting married in two weeks. I’m resigning my job. We’re moving to Washington, DC.”
“Oh,” he said.
“You’d better make up with Barbie, Ken, whatever’s wrong.”
I married the wrong girl, he thought miserably, as Evie went out.
That night Barbie went off with her friends for the night for dinner and a double movie, the children were spending the night at their friend’s houses, and Ken was alone with the dog. He was feeling very down. He sat down and the dog put his head on Ken’s knee. The doorbell rang. He got up and opened the door to find Weird Barbie standing there. He was surprised. “What are you doing here, Barbie?”
“I came to see how you’re doing, Kenny.”
He burst into tears. She put her arms around him and went with him into the house. They sat on the couch, and he sobbed in her arms. What he really wanted was to be mothered. She held him and he felt loved and cared for.
“I had a feeling all was not right with you,” Weird Barbie said, stroking his hair.
“She hates me. She won’t make love to me. She hates our boy. I don’t know what to do.” His head was buried in her breasts.
“Let me stay here for several days. Maybe I can help.”
He started to answer. The door began to open. Ken and Weird Barbie sprang away from each other.
Barbie was standing there, holding her keys. “Weird Barbie! What a surprise!”
“She’s our houseguest for a few days,” Ken said. “I’ll make up the guest room for her.”
“Thank you, Kenny,” Weird Barbie said. He went upstairs. Weird Barbie stepped outside and pulled in her suitcase.
“Kenny?” Barbie said suspiciously.
“Kenny and I go way back.”
“I seem to recall a time when you were interested in him.”
“Oh, that was a long time ago,” Weird Barbie said lightly. “I’m here as both your friends.”
“Really?” But she let it go. “I’m holding a party in three days. I expect you to be gone by then.”
“Oh, that will be no problem.”
The children adored Weird Barbie. She played with them and the dog. She was always ready for a good time and made them laugh.
Barbie was not as enamored. She noticed that Weird Barbie was always touching Ken. She would grab hold of his hand as she walked by him and give it a squeeze. She would give him a friendly pat on the shoulder or on the back. Once she even slapped him on the hip. Barbie glared at her, and Weird Barbie just smiled. Ken acted as if nothing at all had happened.
The evening of the party came. Weird Barbie was nowhere in sight as Barbie put out the refreshments and decorated the house. Guests began to arrive. Gloria arrived and Barbie hugged her. “Thank you, everyone, for coming.” Barbie looked beautiful. She had on a stunning pink dress with a short skirt that showed off her tanned legs. She was wearing make-up. Everyone was talking and eating and having fun. Barbie was relieved that everything was going so well. The children were upstairs with Ken. The dog was going from person to person, being petted. Then the door opened and Weird Barbie came in.
“I thought I told you to leave,” Barbie said.
“I thought I’d make an appearance. It would be a shame to miss a good party.”
They were standing right by the refreshments. Just as Ken was coming down the stairs and Gloria was entering the room with a tray of snacks Barbie gave Weird Barbie a hard shove that almost caused her to lose her balance. In return Weird Barbie grabbed hold of the punch bowl and dumped the punch over Barbie’s head. Barbie shrieked. “My dress! You’ve ruined my dress.” She grabbed hold of Weird Barbie and the two women fought. Ken tore them apart and got between them. At that moment all three of them slipped in the punch and fell on the floor while the dog ran around and around, barking. Barbie was cursing. “You goddamn bitch, Weird Barbie.” They got up.
“Go upstairs and get changed,” Ken said to her.
Barbie ran up the stairs, sobbing. Gloria followed her.
Ken took hold of Weird Barbie’s hand. “Let’s get out of here.” He grabbed his car keys and a wallet. They went outside, got into his car, and he drove.
“Where are we going?” Weird Barbie said.
“I need a drink.”
“What about the children?”
“Gloria will take care of them. She wouldn’t leave Barbie alone.”
He stopped at a bar and they got out. They went inside and sat down. He ordered Weird Barbie a mojito while Ken had three martinis. Finally he’d had enough. He paid and they went out, into the hotel next store where Ken reserved a room for Mr. and Mrs. Handler.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Ken said. “I know what I’m doing.”
“Are you sure about this?” she asked.
“Completely.”
They went into the hotel room. He pulled her onto the bed and began unbuttoning her blouse.
“Kenny.” She kissed him hungrily.
He pulled off his shirt, and she caressed his chest and abs, then kissed his stomach. He kissed her breasts. She bruised his mouth with her own. Weird Barbie could not have intercourse as she was a doll, but she gave Ken oral sex. They made love as if they were the only couple in the world and this night was theirs alone. Afterwards they lay in each other’s arms the rest of that long night. Weird Barbie took his hand and kissed the tip of each finger. “You have beautiful hands, Kenny.”
He looked startled. “Thank you.”
“I want to take care of you. I want to make sure no one ever hurts you again,” she said tenderly.
“When I’m with Barbie it hurts. But when I’m away from her, it hurts even more,” Ken said.
Her hand grew still on his. “Why is that?”
“We have some sort of deep connection, despite everything.”
“I want you to stay with me forever,” Weird Barbie sighed, holding him.
“I can’t,” Ken said. “I can’t leave Barbie. I still love her. Besides it would mean leaving my children, and I would never do that.”
“Then you have to make up with her, Kenny. It’s not going to be easy after tonight.”
“I know,” Ken said. He lay there in the dark, thinking, stroking Weird Barbie’s hair.
The next morning when Ken went into the house Barbie was there, sponging off the kitchen table. “I took the children to school,” she said. “I’m not going to work. Where were you last night, Ken?”
“I was with Weird Barbie.” He wasn’t going to lie to her.
“Did you have sex?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, god.” She threw the sponge down, sat down at the table, and started to cry.
He sat down beside her and tentatively put his arms around her. “Don’t cry, Baby. Don’t cry.”
“You cheated on me. I would never cheat on you.” She pulled away.
“You won’t make love to me. I don’t even know if you love me anymore,” he said desperately.
“Of course I love you.”
“You’re always calling me stupid.”
“Oh, Ken. I can’t help it if men are inferior to women,” Barbie sighed.
“There. That’s your problem right there,” he said triumphantly.
“That’s what being in Barbieland taught me. Even when you brought masculinity to Barbieland, it wasn’t nearly the glory that womanhood could be.”
“I was wrong to do that,” Ken said.
“You never apologized for it.” Barbie’s tone was accusatory.
“How could I when you Barbies treated the Kens like dirt? You still treat me like that sometimes.”
“I don’t mean to.” Her voice broke. “It’s just old habits die hard.” She stroked his shoulder.
“Can we please try to treat each other better? Will you forgive me for last night?” Ken said, looking into her eyes with his blue trusting eyes.
“That depends. Where is Weird Barbie?”
“Don’t call her that. And she went back to Barbieland. I told her that I love only you.”
“Well, that’s something at least.” But she smiled through her tears.
“Barbie, please tell me you love me.” He reached out and took hold of her hands.
“I love you.” She put her arms around him and hugged him. “Despite everything.”
“I’m sorry for hurting you. And I love you madly, Baby. Please believe me,” Ken said.
“I do believe you,” Barbie said. “And I forgive you.”
They stood up, kissing passionately. Then they went hand in hand upstairs into the bedroom and made love. Will this marriage survive? What do you think?
Discussion Questions
- What could be done to improve Ken and Barbie’s marriage?
- Do you think that they love each other? Why or why not?
- Do you blame Ken for having an affair with Weird Barbie? Do you blame Barbie for not having sex with Ken? Why or why not?
- A friend once said she thought Weird Barbie was a better mate for Ken than Barbie. Do you agree?
Copyright 2024 by Susan A. Santo
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