Thank you to those who find my stories entertaining.
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Kaylee hated living in Bradenton. It was a small town, perfect for middle-aged married people and folks settling into their golden years. She wasn't ready for either of those things. And after yet another argument with her mother—where she had threatened to run away and never return—her very strict very churchly parent had finally agreed to allow her to visit her Aunt Bernice and Uncle Derrick in the big city. Her mother had said it would only be for the summer, but if Kaylee liked it there—and she probably would—then she planned to stay as long as her aunt and uncle would have her.
Kaylee got off the Greyhound at the Dallas bus station. Her father had reluctantly agreed to let her leave, but in his typical cheap fashion refused to pay for an airline ticket. As soon as she entered the building she saw her aunt and uncle in the waiting area. She hurried to them with a big smile and open arms.
"Oh my god Kaylee-girl, you're all growed up," her aunt teased throwing her arms around the petite blonde and hugging her hard. She held her at arm's length, beaming. "Look at her Derrick, our little Kaylee has grown into a beautiful young lady."
"Yes she has," he agreed with a bright smile. His niece barely cleared five feet and had the same hair and skin color as his wife—she was perfect. He opened his arms wide and Kaylee went into them a little shyly. Her Uncle Derrick was so handsome. She closed her eyes and inhaled his wonderful masculine scent. Her heart gave a little flutter; she had been carrying a tender for him since he married her aunt when she was ten years old. He was one reason she hadn't did a lot of dating in high school—no boy ever seemed to measure up to the fantasy of her Uncle Derrick.
He gave her one final squeeze and stepped back. Kaylee didn't show it by so much as a flicker, but she was reluctant to let him go. She liked being held by him, it made her feel all warm and tingly.
"Let's get your bags," he said in that relaxed way he had of speaking. She imagined a particular gleam in his eyes, then told herself she was being fanciful as they strolled to the baggage claim area.
They made their way outside the bus terminal directly into to the parking garage. When Kaylee got her first look at the vehicle her aunt and uncle were driving, she grinned ear to ear with excitement. "Oh my gosh! Is this your car?" she exclaimed in a high pitched squeal, eyes agog as her uncle unlocked the expensive luxury car. Husband and wife exchanged grins at their niece's excitement. Bernice was particularly amused—her sister and brother-in-law would never allow their offspring to take the Lord's name in vain. "Here, why don't you sit in the front with us," she offered as Derrick stowed Kaylee's bags in the trunk.
Kaylee happily got in first and slid to the middle as her uncle got behind the wheel. "Jeez, it even smells expensive in here," she murmured to herself. Her eyes lit up at the extravagant interior and high-quality deluxe features. She was feeling too much exhilaration to relax against the posh cushions of the front seat. Her head swiveled this way and that as she gleefully absorbed the glittering sights of the bustling metropolis. Her uncle maneuvered through the city traffic quite impressively, Haylee didn't think she had ever seen so many cars in motion at one time. Her aunt asked her if she was hungry and offered to stop for something to eat. Kaylee said thank you, but declined, explaining that she had eaten during the last rest stop before the bus had arrived in Dallas.
She was surprised to learn that her aunt and uncle actually lived one of the many small subdivision twenty minutes outside city limits. They drove through an affluent neighborhood and pulled into a long driveway lined with low shrubbery and a three-car garage at the end.
"Oh my!" Kaylee whispered in wonder. The house was a spectacular two-story glass and stone contemporary. It was as sleek and luxurious as the expensive cars that were parked inside the garage. "I can't believe you live here! Mom and dad said you were loaded, but I never dreamed..." Realizing what she was saying, her hand flew to her mouth in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. That was so rude of me. I didn't mean—"
Her Aunt Bernice waved her words away and hugged her again. "Don't be embarrassed. Your uncle and I do very well, we're not shy about that." She held Kaylee's hand and followed Derrick into the house through the kitchen entry. "You will have the best guest bedroom in the house." As they followed her uncle through the house and up the stairs, Kaylee looked all about her, blown away by the splendor of the place.
At the top of the stairs her aunt danced ahead and opened a set of large double doors at the very end of the hall. "This is our room." She stood aside as Kaylee looked in, once again her jaw dropped. "And that is your room." She pointed to a room closer to the stairs. They strolled back in that direction to see that her uncle had sat her bags on the bed. He smiled at his wife, winked at Kaylee and left. "It's late and you must be tired. Unpack, shower and rest. In the morning we'll have breakfast and then I'll give you a tour of the house."
Kaylee threw her arms around her aunt, her eyes shining with joy and anticipation of all the new experiences she was sure to have. "Thank you so much Aunt Bernice. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you talking mom into letting me to come for a visit."
"That's what family is for, kiddo."
They said their good-nights and Kaylee was left to happily explore her beautiful new bedroom, decked out in pinks, grays and white. There was a vanity, writing desk, matching bookshelves, large flatscreen TV and entertainment center, walk-in closet and her very own bathroom. She had never been in a room, let alone a house, so grand.
Back in Bradenton, they had an average three bedroom home. In an average neighborhood on an average street. Everything about her family was average. She had enjoyed having a simple uncomplicated life when she was younger. But something happened...something that would forever change how she saw herself and her existence in the world.
When she was fifteen she overheard her parents arguing. Her father wanted to tell her she was adopted, but her mother was worried it would be too difficult for her to handle. Her mother had won and it wasn't mentioned again. She never told her parents that she knew. Her mother had been right...she didn't want to deal with it. In the three years that followed Kaylee's burning need to get out of Bradenton and see more of the world had only gotten stronger. She no longer wanted to be an average person living an average life.
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In the blink of an eye her summer vacation was over and words could not describe how devastated Kaylee felt. Her aunt and uncle had done so much to make her feel as if she was theirs. They bought posters for her wall and other accessories that made the bedroom feel like it was truly hers. They barbequed and swam in the big pool in the backyard, or simply laid on the chaise lounges sunbathing. Kaylee loved making homemade ice cream and cooking meals with her Aunt Bernice and Uncle Derrick; they were very playful with one another and often included her. They took her to their club for rounds of tennis and golf—she was horrible at both but she enjoyed herself. They visited museums and tourists attractions, went to concerts and played Frisbee in the park. She liked doing it all, but mostly she liked family time together playing board games and watching TV.
Now, it would all be over in a matter of days. Kaylee had cried herself to sleep at the thought of having to give it all up and return to her dreary existence in smalltown USA.
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The day before Kaylee was to return home, her aunt found her in the little room they called the reading room quietly crying. "Kaylee-girl, what's wrong?!" she exclaimed, pulling the girl into her arms. Kaylee tucked her head against her aunt's shoulder and cried as if her world was coming to an end. It took some coaxing, but Bernice was finally able to get the girl to tell her what had caused her such unhappiness. "Oh sweetheart, we have enjoyed having you with us; so much so, that we were going to ask if you wanted to stay."
Kaylee blinked at her with wide shimmering eyes, "What?" she croaked doubting what she had just heard.
"Your uncle and I love you very much. We've never had children of our own, and having you here has been such a wonderful experience for us. We would love for you to stay with us for however long you want to be here."
