“I did that for two years, and then I got the full-time job at the diner. It was an adjustment since I can’t read or write well. But I learned a lot from the other waitresses, and sometimes my usuals would bring me easy books that I could use to learn to read.” Kinley shoved the last bit of pancake into her mouth.
Kinley paused, thinking, chewing.
I can’t imagine the last time they must have had a decent meal,Darla thought as she sipped on her coffee again.
“And now, here we are with you in this fancy hotel in your fancy clothes,” Kinley finished, and Jenkins nodded his head once in agreement with his sister. Then, he flashed a bright smile at Darla. She relaxed her shoulders, glad that Kinley was done talking about their sad backstory.
It is time for us to all look forward to the future. Not back at what happened, but at what can be changed. The future is what we want to make,Darla thought as she looked between the two kids sitting on her king-sized bed.
Their dirty clothes were crumpled up on the floor. Darla decided they would be left behind for the trash pile. New clothes would need to be acquired before resuming their trip.
Once she felt that it was time to do so, Darla rose to her feet to go get herself dressed. There were many miles to cover until their next hotel destination, and she didn’t want to be driving at night again.
“I am going to take you shopping for clothes today. You can’t put that uniform back on, Kinley. Where you go from here, needsto better represent who you are as a person. In the performing arts, even your life is a stage, and everyone but you are in the audience.”
Darla waved her hand with a flourish. “So, you need to always look and feel your best. And Jenkins, I will find something that we can make work until we get you new clothes as well. We might need to wait until we get to Los Angeles.”
“I don’t have any money. I can’t buy anything.” Kinley crossed her arms. Darla felt her body tense as she fought the urge to be annoyed by the teenage attitude. It was vital that Kinley continued on this journey with her willingly. The VanHugh debacle had just about pushed Darla over the edge in her previous switch.
“I know. That is why I am going to be the one to buy. But that also means you have to listen to input that I might give. I know what’s stylish. I know what will help you stand out and also blend in. I am going to start coaching you once we hit the road, and by the time we get to Los Angeles, I hope you will be ready to start going out on auditions.”
Kinley wrinkled her nose as she considered the offer. Darla watched as a progression of emotions played out until a final nod of satisfaction was given. Kinley moved from a seated position to her knees and gathered the plates into a pile.
“Come on, Jenkins. Grab those plates over there and put them here with mine.” Jenkins moved in response to her command.
“Where do I need to take them to get these washed? Should I clean them in the bathroom sink?” Kinley worked to grab anything within reach as she asked the question.
Darla laughed, and she laughed hard. These sweet innocent children were experiencing the life of luxury for the first time, and it made her appreciate her success all that much more.
“What’s so funny?” Kinley kept stacking, urging her brother to do the same.
“Come on, just leave them there. We don’t pick up our dishes in a hotel room. Someone will come by after we leave and clean all of this up.” Darla glanced at the clock on the wall and moved toward her suitcase. “We need to get back on the road, but we need to get you a few outfits first until we can get back to Hollywood and do some real shopping.”
Darla walked over to the telephone on the nightstand and carefully dialed the number for the front desk.
“Good morning. We are ready to check out. Would you please send someone to bring our suitcases down? Thank you so much.”
Jenkins hopped off the bed, and the bathrobe bunched up around his feet. After one step, he fell, landing hard on his hands. Kinley rushed over and helped him upright.
“Is there anything Jenkins can change into before we leave?”
Darla dug around in her neatly-packed suitcase until she found a pair of pajama bottoms and a tank top. The stretchy material looked small, but when worn, it hugged him like a second skin. In the desk, she found scissors. Darla took a deep breath before cutting the bottom of the pants so that they hit just above his ankles.
“It’s not ideal, but this should work until we can get you some new clothes. Now, let's get going.”
Once in the lobby, Darla dropped off the room key and retrieved the valet ticket from her purse. By the time her car was brought around, the suitcases had arrived.
After a short drive, they found themselves in the bustling downtown area, complete with boutiques with a variety of clothing shops and restaurants. People seemed to be out enjoying the tepid weather. The sky above was overcast and threatening to downpour at any moment.
The trio ducked quickly into a small children’s boutique that boasted in the windows that all the most fashionable children shopped here. It didn’t take Darla much time to put together some stylish outfits for Kinley.
Jenkins clung to his sister’s arm as they weaved through the clothing racks. Despite Kinley being the main focus, Darla managed to find a decent outfit for Jenkins, at least enough to get them to L.A.
Kinley walked out in one of her new outfits, a pair of navy wide leg slacks and a striped white and navy striped button-up shirt with a large collar. Her new shoes clicked against the ground, causing her to walk with her head held high.
She didn’t look fourteen anymore. Suddenly, she looked like she was eighteen.
I’m not sure how I feel about that. But I can deal with that later,Darla mused as Kinley’s shopping bags swung happily, and they made their way back to the car.
