KENDRA LAY STRETCHED ACROSS THE SECTIONAL SOFA IN THE lower level, laughing at Despicable Me. She and Molly had gone Netflix crazy today, watching one movie after another, though Kendra had fallen asleep during parts of them.
She thought they’d get kicked out by now. Lance had a photo shoot late morning, and he liked to edit his pictures right away. She’d warned Molly they’d have to take a break once he got back. But it was early evening, and she hadn’t yet seen him. In fact, she hadn’t seen him much yesterday either. As much as she’d coaxed him to get out and live his life, she didn’t think it would feel so weird when he actually did.
“That’s so sad,” she said, back into the movie. “All those little girls want is to be adopted.”
Molly lay on the other end of the sectional. “I remember I wanted that too.”
“Wanted what?”
“To be adopted.”
Kendra paused the movie. “Were you in foster care or something?”
“No, nothing like that,” Molly said. “But we didn’t have much, and I used to dream that a rich family adopted me.”
“Where did you grow up?” Kendra asked.
“Near the Ozarks,” Molly said.
Kendra had read about the high poverty in that part of Missouri, but she’d never met anyone from there. “So what did you dream of having?”
“A car that didn’t break down all the time, for one,” Molly said. “New clothes, that kind of thing.”
“Did you live with both your parents? What about siblings?”
“Yeah, Dad did odd jobs to make ends meet. Mom ran a home day care. I’m the oldest, with a younger brother and sister.”
Kendra was silent, taking in what she’d said. “So, I’m curious how you got to Wash U. I mean, clearly you’re smart, but there are a whole lot of smart people who want to go there. And it’s stupid expensive.”
“Life was hard,” Molly said, “but school was easy. I had a teacher who really got behind me, wanted me to succeed. She said I tested at ‘genius level,’ whatever that means. She and the principal helped me get an academic scholarship.” She paused. “But if I had it to do over, I wouldn’t come.”
“Why not?”
“Too much pressure to have things,” Molly said. “I took out loans the first two years to buy clothes and a car, lied about my background. I wanted so badly to belong. Even dyed my hair blond—which I don’t even like—to fit in.” She saw Kendra’s eyes graze her current shade. “I know. You’re thinking, okay, you like electric blue over blond?”
“Nope,” Kendra said. “Just listening.”
“The thing is,” Molly said, “when my little charade blew up, it was my way of acting out, saying I’m just going to be me.”
“Well, what happened?”
“Everything unraveled when my parents came up to visit. I told them not to, but they just had to surprise me.” She shook her head. “One of the girls in my dorm—I couldn’t stand her—talked to them like she was my best friend. Then she told everybody I was a fraud.”
“Oh, Molly . . .”
“Trey knew my story from the beginning though,” Molly said. “If it weren’t for him . . .” She lapsed into thought. “He’s really been there for me.”
“You’ve been there for him too,” Kendra said.
During chemo on Thursday, she and Trey had done none of the things they’d planned. Instead they simply talked, and Kendra had been grateful to her brother for opening up and entrusting her with the things he’d been going through. She’d never felt closer to him.
Kendra continued. “When Trey didn’t trust anyone else, he trusted you. You’re a true friend.”
“I told him we need shirts that say ‘Dynamic Duo’ or something.” Molly got a text and looked at it. “Speaking of Dynamo Man, he’s back from the grocery store and wants me to help cook.” She looked at Kendra. “Be afraid. Be very afraid.”
Kendra laughed. “I’m more afraid of Trey’s cooking than yours.”
“Will you be all right down here?” Molly said. “I can help you up.”
“Thanks, I’m okay,” Kendra said. “I’ll upload some photos I took this morning and take a look at them.”
Since apparently I have time to use the computer . . . since Lance is who knows where . . .
“I’ll help you over there then,” Molly said.
Molly helped Kendra stand, knowing she’d been woozy and fatigued, and Kendra grabbed her camera from the coffee table.
“Thanks, girl,” Kendra said, sitting in Lance’s chair.
Kendra shook the mouse to wake the computer, then took the media card out of her camera. Ready to upload, she looked at the screen and paused. Lance must’ve been editing earlier, from yesterday’s engagement shoot. But why was there a picture of Adrienne on the screen?
Curious, she started scrolling, seeing dozens of shots of a woman and, presumably, her fiancé in an area of Forest Park. Then she came to one of Adrienne with the woman. Okay, they’re friends—and Adrienne just had to go to the engagement shoot. No need to wonder why.
Lance had taken four or five of the two women, which wasn’t a lot given the total. There was another of Adrienne alone, a close-up. But Kendra’s heart stuttered when she saw the next—of Lance and Adrienne. They each had an arm around the other’s shoulder, laughing, and in the next, were making funny faces at the camera.
Kendra’s hand came off the mouse, a mixture of emotions swirling. Why was she feeling this way? What was she feeling? Hadn’t she told him to ask Adrienne on a date? That’s probably where he was right now, again today, out with Adrienne.
She chided herself. Of course he should be out with Adrienne. Why wouldn’t he be out with Adrienne? The sky was the limit. They could hang all day, plan exciting ventures. Shoot, they could plan months and years out, no problem. They could plan their lives together. And Lance deserved nothing less.
So why the need for this little conversation with herself? Why was she feeling so—
The back door opened, and Kendra wished she could sprint upstairs. She did what she could though, switching the computer window to photos she’d already uploaded.
Lance came around the corner. “Oh. Hey.”
“Hey.” Kendra gave him a glance and saw he had on a nice pair of jeans, ones she hadn’t seen. Nice top too. “I’ll be out of your way in a quick sec,” she said.
“No rush.”
“I was headed up anyway.”
“Okay.” He paused. “When you’re ready, let me know. I’ll help you.”
Kendra exited from her photos. “It’s okay,” she said, pulling out her phone. “Molly’s right in the kitchen.”
Molly was down in a flash, and Kendra moved as quickly as she could back up the stairs.