It’s early, and the restaurant isn’t open to the public at this hour, so I stay back in the kitchen with the cooks so I can spy on Star while she decorates the tree. “Wish me luck,” I say, hopping out of the SUV. “We’re here,” Kenny says, pulling up to a fancy restaurant that I’d never be able to afford to eat at. It felt safe, and I always tend to lean into that when it comes to my choices. I was able to get some scholarships to get into college, and I got a degree in business because I wasn’t sure what else I should do. No family ever picked me to stay permanently, but I had a few really long runs with a couple of homes. I bounced around the foster system a lot while I kept my head down and did my schoolwork. “You’ll have a family one day, Star,” Kenny says and shoots me a smile. “At least you’ll get to see her.” I try to keep the cheer in my voice, but it can be hard this time of year, especially when people talk about their family. The flight times aren’t ideal for when she’s done with everything, but she’ll at least make it. The paper might hold her up from coming home on time, though. He told me that she’s studying like crazy for finals and has a paper due, but the paper can be turned in later so she’s focusing on her exams first. “Is your granddaughter Kelly going to make it home for the holidays?” I ask when he pulls away from the curb.
“This is wonderful.” I thank him again as I get into the front seat of the SUV. “Okay, but don’t get in trouble because of me.” I take a sip of the hot chocolate and let out a small moan. “What else am I going to do? Sit around?”
He told me I look a lot like his granddaughter who is off for her first year of college, and he’d all but raised her himself. Kenny said that if he was around, he'd be more than happy to help a girl trying to start her own business. He told me he drives for some fancy CEO and that most of his day is spent waiting around to take the man home when he leaves the office. “Are you sure this is okay?” I really don’t want to take advantage of someone who is so truly kind.
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