Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Kinsley
As soon as my feet hit the pavement of Los Angeles, California, I stopped and stared at the beautiful sight before me. The palm trees, the mountains, and the hustle and bustle of people all around. I took in a deep breath as a man approached me.
“You need a cab, lady?” he asked.
“Actually, I do.”
“Right this way.” He smiled.
I climbed into the back, and the cab driver looked at me through his rearview mirror.
“Where to?”
“I don’t really know.” I bit down on my bottom lip.
His brow arched as he turned and looked at me.
“Have you ever been to California?” he asked.
“No. I just decided this morning that I was moving here.”
“Wow. Okay. So, I take it you don’t have a plan?”
“No. It was rather an impulsive decision. Well, actually, it’s something I’ve dreamed of ever since I was a kid.”
“Ah, something or someone pushed you here before you had the chance to really think about it?”
“Yeah. You could say that. I came here to reinvent myself. Start my life over.”
“Well, then, welcome to the City of Angels.” He smiled. “I’m Reece, by the way.” He held back his hand.
“I’m Kinsley.”
“Nice to meet you, Kinsley. Tell you what. My cousin owns the Coral Sands Motel in Hollywood. I’ll take you there and make sure you get a room. Rates are cheap. You can start there and then figure things out.”
“Thanks, Reece. I appreciate it.” I kindly smiled.
He pulled up to the curb of the Coral Sands Motel. After I paid him his fare, he took my suitcase out of the trunk and walked me through the door.
“Reece!” an older woman from behind the counter exclaimed. “What brings you in here?” She smiled as she hugged him.
“Madeline, this is Kinsley. Kinsley, this is my cousin Madeline.”
“Nice to meet you.” I extended my hand.
“Kinsley just moved here. It was a spur-of-the-moment type of thing. She needs a room.”
“Ah. I see.” Madeline smiled. “I can help you with that.”
“You’re in good hands, Kinsley,” Reece spoke. “Here’s my card. Whenever you need a ride, call me.”
“Thank you, Reece. I will.” I took the card from his hand.
“Good luck. Hope to see you again soon.”
I handed Madeline my driver’s license and credit card.
“The rate is $90 a night, and you will be in room 24, which is on the 2nd level. If you need anything at all, please let me know.”
“Thank you. Do you know where the closest phone store is around here? Preferably within walking distance?”
“There’s one about two blocks from here, but I’m afraid they’re already closed. They open tomorrow morning at ten.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
I pulled my suitcase behind me out the doors to the courtyard and up the steps to room 24.
Once inside, I looked around and was surprised at how nice and clean the room was.
The walls were colored yellow with a double-size bed, two nightstands that each housed tall lamps, a small round table with two chairs, a TV, and a microwave and mini fridge that sat in the corner.
I pulled the drapes closed and went into the bathroom for a bath.
I was exhausted and needed to relax and think about my next move.
As I was soaking, I thought about the events of today.
My eyes swelled with tears as the scene of Krista and Henry played over and over in my mind.
Had I moved here a year ago like I wanted to, I would have already been settled.
Damn Henry for coming into my life. I kept telling myself that everything happens for a reason.
It was what I’d told myself since I was sixteen years old and worked for Mrs. Buckley at the antique shop.
“Kinsley, everything that happens to us happens for a reason. There are no coincidences. Never forget that. Every event and situation will only make you stronger for the next challenge.”
And she was right. I was stronger because of my childhood and life.
She was like a mother to me. This sweet, frail seventy-year-old woman whose life was her antique shop.
Her husband passed away when she was fifty-five, and they never had children.
I worked for her for six years and saved every penny I made for when this day would come.
I didn’t make much, but it didn’t matter because Mrs. Buckley was like family to me, and I loved working for her.
The year she died, I’d finally had enough money saved to leave Indiana.
But then I met Henry, and somehow, he swept me off my feet.
I thought maybe he’d make my life better in Berkshire.
Since I decided to stay, I worked at Freddy’s diner.
A grease pit where I worked for a year as a waitress, being treated like shit and getting groped by the pigs that dined there frequently.
Finding out about Krista and Henry was a blessing in disguise. If I hadn’t, I would be stuck in that small town living a life that never made me happy. But I was here now and today was the start of my new life, and I would never let another man deter me from my plans.
After my bath, I changed into my pajamas, grabbed my laptop, and climbed into bed.
I needed to find a job ASAP. Even though I had quite a bit of money saved, it wouldn’t last long without a job, especially with what things cost in California.
After an hour of searching and just finally applying to a temp agency, I decided to pull up apartments for rent.
Where did I want to live? I didn’t know.
I knew nothing about California. My eyes kept closing, so I shut down my laptop and went to sleep.