Song of the South

Conversations over breakfast

Once Lane had been changed, she gave him a pacifier and put him back in the stroller so she could get the little ones dressed. Daisy was still back there with them. When she saw her big sister coming, she headed up front. Kinsey asked Jesse to find himself something to wear while she got the other two kids ready. He nodded his head sleepily before sliding off the bed. Kinsey was already digging through the kids’ bags to find them clothes.

Not needing to be “dressed up”, she opted to put Bella in some simple jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. Hayden wanted to wear his denim coveralls so that’s what he got to wear along with his Farmall t-shirt and sneakers. Jesse had wanted his denim painter’s pants, sneakers, and Metallica t-shirt. Once everyone was dressed, she shut the door so she could get ready as well. Distressed denim jeans, some black and pink Adios, and a simple white tank top was her choice of clothing. Satisfied in their appearance, she opened the door so they could all head up front.

The three children raced up front, excited to explore this new space they found themselves in. Kinsey returned Kellie’s warm smile as she grabbed the stroller and follow the children off the bus. Eric had already de-boarded and was on the phone with someone. Kellie was the last to exit the bus. The small children told their big sister how hungry they were and Kellie watched as Kinsey tried to calm them down. The elder woman told the small group that they were here to get some breakfast.

They were a large group and needed a big table. The waitress was kind and brought a high chair for Lane. Eric and Kellie found themselves surrounded by children. It was a dream come alive even it wasn’t really true. Daisy wanted an omelet while Kinsey opted for French Toast, eggs over easy, and bacon with Orange Juice. Bella, Jesse, and Hayden she ordered pancakes and sausage with milk. Kellie kept the conversation light, especially with others in the restaurant, and got the kids talking about school and their farm.

Eric couldn’t help but watch with fascination, sadness, and awe as Kinsey cut up the pancakes for Bella and Hayden so that the bites weren’t too big for them. She fed Lane through his bottle but gave him a few very small pieces of her French Toast that didn’t have syrup on it. He really loved seeing this motherly side to her but at the same time he hated knowing that for the last 5 years she had been forced into this role. She cared so much for her siblings and it definitely showed!

She was wiping Hayden’s face with a napkin when Bill called him. This was the call he had been anxious to get from his manager. He put Bill on speaker so Kinsey could hear what he had to say.

“I called in a favor with one of my friends. He’s a doctor and came down to check out Kinsey’s father. The man is in bad shape. The Pneumonia has gotten worse. My friend said he would be better off in a facility where there would nurses to watch after him 24/7. They would be able to get medicines easier for him, as well.” Bill stated

Kellie and Eric both looked over to Kinsey. She was taking in what this man had just told her.

“What will happen to us if my Dad is put into this facility?” Kinsey asked, looking around at her young siblings

“I would strongly advise getting with him to get a living will set up. That way you and him both knows what he wants to happen to the children and the farm. If he is put into a facility without this living will then CPS will come in, it’s standard practice so don’t worry, to figure out what to do with them.

If they talk with you they’ll probably decide to let you take custody of them. More than likely you’ll get Power of Attorney so you can deal with your house and farm the way you see fit.” Bill explained

Once again she sat there contemplating what she’d been told.

“So either way, I’m better off getting with him to make a living will?” Kinsey asked

“That’s right, Sweetie. I can help you get that set up too if you’d like. I want to make sure your father is well-taken care of. The facility my friend suggested is very good. I’ve done my research on it. I’m certain he’ll be taken care of the way you would want him to be. Their BBB rating is exceptional.” Bill explained

Kinsey sighed. This was too much for her to decide! He was her father, wouldn’t a good daughter be the one taking care of him?!

“Bill, I’ll text you any questions she has a little later. I think she’s starting to feel over-whelmed. Let us finish breakfast and we’ll be back on the road. I’ll talk to you later.” Eric stated as he saw the emotional state the young woman was in

Bill bid them a goodbye so he could continue on his mission. He figured this would be a hard decision for Kinsey. He’d hired some people to dig into her life. She had been taking care of her father for a long time. The children she was looking after were only half-siblings. Her mother had gotten knocked up then more or less abandoned them with her husband and oldest daughter. It was a sad case, really, and one that seriously pissed the elder man off. He couldn’t imagine treating his wife or child the way this woman was.

Daisy didn’t understand what was going on. Kinsey was brought out of her thoughts by Hayden so she turned her attention back to the children. Kellie just wanted to hug the young woman. She was having to make decision she should not be forced to make at such a young age! Everyone finished eating, so Kellie suggested they get back on the road. Kinsey got quiet as she picked up Lane in her arms and followed the children following Eric out to the bus. Kellie put on a, kid-friendly, movie in the bedroom for the four biggest of the children. While she was doing that, Kinsey was spreading a thick blanket on the floor for Lane.

Kellie told her ex-husband she would drive so that he could focus all his attention on Kinsey. They wanted to get the whole story of what had happened to her no that the smaller kids were otherwise preoccupied. Eric was sitting on the couch just watching Kinsey as played with Lane on the floor. He knew she really didn’t want to talk about it but they did need to know exactly what happened so they knew how to help her.

“So, tell us what really happened the other night. We’re friends, we’re not going to judge you or look down on you. This wasn’t your fault.” Eric sweetly and calmly told her

Kinsey looked down, embarrassed. She really didn’t want to tell them about her family and what had transpired between her parents and between her mother and herself. When Eric reached over, grabbed her hand, and gave it a reassuring squeeze, tears sprung to her eyes. With a deep sigh, she began by telling them how her father came to be disabled. It was vital to the rest of the tale.

Eric sat back and listened to how her father was disabled and how her mother treated him because of it. He hated hearing what a true bitch this woman was but at the same time he really liked the sound of Kinsey’s voice. It was clear from the way she spoke that she truly loved her father and subconsciously sided with him in the whole ordeal.