Jenkins gave her a final, brilliant smile before he opened his car door. Just as quickly as the sun lit up the back of the limo, Darla found herself surrounded by the darkness of the black leather interior once again.
Jenkins, I have cancer. I plan to switch with someone. But I don’t want to burden you with this knowledge. I want you to mourn me and move on with your life.
She watched as Jenkins strode confidently towards the crowds of students all wearing their backpacks and carrying stacks of textbooks. Just as she lost sight of him, the limo pulled away and headed back to Los Angeles.
Darla spent the entire drive home staring out the window. The book she brought to pass time sat ignored in the seat next to her.
Not telling him was the right thing to do. Telling him adds too many complications.Darla leaned her head back, and tears fell slowly.
The tightness in her chest, that had started when Jenkins left the limo, grew tighter. Her breathing became shallow as she struggled to take full breaths.
The sun was fully below the horizon by the time the limo arrived back at her mansion. The fountain in front of her walkway was lit up and made the water splashes sparkle in the night air.
A familiar white luxury car with smooth edges around the tires idled in her driveway. Betty came out with Darla’s home wheelchair and assisted her out of the limo. Pamela exited her car and leaned against the smooth metal, lighting a cigarette.
What a disgusting habit,Darla thought as Pamela approached her.
Her blond hair was pulled back into a slick high ponytail. Her tall slender frame was draped with a light pink silk halter dress. It slunk against her body until it hit her hips and it flared out and pooled around her feet.
After a few quick puffs of her cigarette, she dropped it to the ground and stepped on it with her silver platform shoes.
“So, he really left, huh?” Pamela’s sing-song voice sounded raspy, and her eyes were swollen. Darla could see clearly, even in the dark night, that she’d been crying.
“Hi, Pamela. For someone who just wants to be friends with him, you sure are upset.”
Pamela huffed out all the air she had and crossed her arms. Despite her attempts to look five years older, she looked very much like an eighteen-year-old.
“He’s my best friend. He’s supposed to be here to support me while I chase after my dreams.” Pamela waved her arms in the air, her voice raising loud enough to cause a neighbor's dog to start barking.
Darla sighed. “Come inside and we can talk.”
Pamela crossed her arms again and breezed past Darla, not waiting for her to be wheeled inside first. A soft fire in the fireplace filled the dimmed lounge with an orange glow. Pamela lowered herself into a green bowl chair and pulled her long ponytail to lay across her chest.
Darla was pushed to her normal spot, across from the fireplace with Pamela to her right side.
“Would you like something to drink?” Darla asked.
“Whiskey.”
“Pamela, be serious.” Darla rolled her eyes.
“Fine, just water.” Pamela crossed her leg under her silk dress and kicked her leg. Betty stood nearby, and Darla gave her a nod to bring in some glasses of water. Darla spent a few minutes regarding Pamela.
The girl who had taken Jenkins under her wing shortly after he had arrived. Who’d helped him adjust to his new life of wealth and fame. Who now sat next to her spoiled rotten, expecting Jenkins to bend over backwards for her.
I wish there was a way I could guarantee Jenkins doesn’t end up with this terrible woman.
Betty brought in the water and handed it directly to Darla. Her shaky hands wrapped carefully around the glass and nestled it on her lap.
“What about Jenkins’s dreams?”
Pamela scoffed. “He can’t do that here in L.A.?”
“I mean, he could, but he’s going to the best place for pre-law.” Darla sipped the water, letting the words sink. Pamela stopped swinging her leg and leaned forward.
“He doesn’t need some fancy job. I could take care of him so he could do some small job and spend all his free time with me. He would also be close to home for you as well. You need to convince him to come home.” Pamela leaned forward further, closing the gap between them. Her hand lay gently on Darla’s knee. Her lip quivered as she stared deeply into Darla’s eyes.
“Please. I need him to be here with me.” Pamela’s voice dropped low. Darla wished she could keep Jenkins close to home. But her cancer diagnosis threw a wrench in her plans to stay as Darla as long as possible to continue a relationship with Jenkins. Once the switch is made, they would become strangers.
