21. The Replacement
Jenkins leaned casually in the limo, as though he were born to live in the upper class and not a boy who used to live in a trailer with his abusive uncle. Under Darla’s care, he grew several feet, his limbs no longer lanky but suited to his fully-grown torso.
Darla watched him as he looked out the windows. She could still picture him as a fourteen-year-old boy, how gentle he was with her as she recovered in the hospital. He continued to care for her at home alongside her live-in nurse Betty.
When she was fully recovered, she made good on her promise and enrolled him in the best private school, got him the best tutors and ensured he surpassed all his classmates. Now she was taking him to his freshman year of college.
I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. Darla wiped away a tear before it could fall. She needed to find the right words to say. She’d had months to tell him, to just say the words. But it had been all college talk.
Jenkins, I have cancer.
At her last appointment, her doctor had told her, “Even if you need to shout the words, just get them out. But he needs to know.”
She’d spent time trying to figure out a plan to switch. She procrastinated and now she was running out of time.
“You okay mom?” Jenkins regarded her, his bright blue eyes shone with care. She smiled at him before patting his cheek.
“Just remembering what you were like when you were fourteen. So scrawny and kind.” He smiled, the skin around his eyes crinkled.
“Ah yes, the dark days as I like to call them. The time before you.” He sighed. “I wish Kinley was here. She would’ve loved going off to college.”
Jenkins, I have cancer. The thought kept invading her mind. Now images of Kinley dominated the space, and she allowed a few tears to escape.
“She really was special. Strong, and wise beyond her years.” Darla’s voice was soft, full of sadness.
“I wonder what she would have majored in.” Jenkins attempted to smile, keeping his voice light and optimistic.
“Acting probably. That was my original plan for her. To teach her everything I knew. Get her connected to the right people. Fast track her career.”
Jenkins, I have cancer. But I have a plan to switch with someone. Oh, by the way I can switch with people and have been around for 156 years. Her stomach knotted up, a lump forming in her throat, that prevented her from getting the words out.
Jenkins let a dry laugh escape. “Yeah, she did always have the flair for the dramatics.” A stillness settled in the car. The hum of the wheels driving them forward filled the silence. “Are you going to be ok with me gone?”
Darla looked over at him, her heart swelled, and it took every ounce of her strength to not throw her arms around him and beg him to stay home.
He needs to be able to live his life. Away from me. I won’t be Darla much longer anyways. She looked down at her hands, the translucent skin tender to her touch as she twirled her fingers together. A new habit she acquired since her diagnosis.
Jenkins continued when she stayed silent. “I can take a year off and stay home with you.”
Darla shook her head. “No. I have done so many selfish things in my life, and I swore to myself that I would do whatever it takes to give you the life you deserve.”
Jenkins, I have cancer. I plan to switch with someone and if you can be ok with it then we can stay in each other’s lives.
“I will come home for the holidays and as many weekends as I can manage.” Jenkins ran his fingers through his hair and looked back out the window.
“Are you sure you aren’t planning that many trips home to see Pamela?” Darla tilted her head trying to see his reaction. Jenkins snorted, a small smile playing on his lips.
“No, she is just my friend. I know she wants it to be just friends, too. I can have a female best friend.”
“That’s smart. She is nice enough, but she seems to have a wild side to her, always out partying.
Her pictures are always in those gossip magazines.
She’s not the kind of girl you settle down with.
” Darla leaned back into her seat, the leather sticking against her warm skin.
Even with the A/C in the car, the California heat penetrated the interior of the cab.
“Okay, Mom. Well, she’s going down one path, and I’ve chosen another.”
“Ah, yes. She wants to see her name in lights, and you want to help people as a lawyer. What is it called again?”
“A public defender.” Jenkins shook his head at his mom. “Look, I can see the campus!”
White buildings began peeking through the trees, their signature red roofs stood boldly against the bright blue sky.
I’m running out of time. Jenkins, I have cancer. But if you can be okay with it, I plan to switch with someone, and we can still be in each other’s lives.
“You don’t have to walk me in. I know it’s hard for you to get around easily, and I want to do this on my own.
” Jenkins unbuckled his seatbelt and turned his entire upper body toward Darla.
His blue eyes bore into hers, saying a silent goodbye.
He leaned over and wrapped his arms around her frail body.
“I love you, Mom. I’ll call you later, okay? ”
“You mean you don’t want to push me around and introduce me to all your potential new friends?
” She playfully nudged his arm. “No, that sounds good. I know that Betty made sure that your room was all set up for you so you should be comfortable. If you need anything else, just call.” Darla let go of him and wiped her face free of the tears.
“Now go on. Get out of here before I change my mind and escort you around campus.”
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.