tinseltown • cih

Chapter 2

LAX

1982

"Can this space possibly get any smaller?" i waited for my mom to get up and get our carry-on bags. i slept basically the whole entire way.

Looking out the window is insane. it looks nothing like Jersey. It's not gloomy ,or dirty or sad looking. it sounds bad. it is.

"Okay sweetie you got everything?" my father was packing the taxi trunk with some of our belongings.

"Um ,yeah I..think so." i looked around and jumped into the back seat.

I am completely mesmerized as we drive down the streets of Los Angeles.

The Hollywood sign is in plain view and it's even more beautiful than I imagined it to be!

"Ma ,look! the Hollywood sign!" i felt like I could do anything. absolutely anything.

Living here is gonna be so amazing I can feel it! I can feel all the opportunities I'm gonna come across.

We pull up in front of medium sized building. it isn't too fancy but has many lights. it overlooks the walk of fame and seems decent.

Dad starts to unpack the trunk of the car as my mother helps. I grab whatever I have sitting on my lap and follow them into the apartments.

"You have apartment number 222. here's your new key, and if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call me ,my number will be inside of the little book that's on top of the nightstand in the master bedroom. Oh and my name's Joyce, I'm the manager here at Sunset & Vine."

She politely shook my mother and father's hand and gave me a small wave.

"Thank you very much." My mother, always the friendly type ,pulled Joyce in for a big hug. Joyce was caught off guard by this but eventually warmed up.

We headed upstairs to look for our brand new home.

We were only on the second floor which was strange.

Wouldn't 222 be on a higher level?

Anyway. We made it to the door, I was standing there expecting the worst, judging by how it all look on the outside but was surprised when my father opened the door ,revealing a beautiful living room.

The walls were white with orange throw pillows on the tan couch.

The television wasn't huge but it'll do.

So far, it doesn't seem too bad.

I put the bags I had in my hands on the living room floor and made my way to look for my room.

I could hear my parents muffled voices as I got further away from them.

I look into one room. It's huge, it has a king sized bed, two nightstands ,a television and its own bathroom.

Yep. This isn't mine.

The only room that was left wasn't as big as my parents' room but a little smaller. The bed was queen sized and had a much smaller t.v. in it.

I could just see it now, all the posters that'll be up on my wall. Led Zeppelin ,The Doors, Janis Joplin, all the legends!

I plopped down on my bed ,looking up at the ceiling, trying to process everything.

No school. My mother and father decided on home schooling me until I actually find some work around town somewhere.

Work. It'll be so hard to find something. But for now, I'll settle for anything. Movies ,shows or even commercials ,it doesn't matter as long as I'm doing what I love and I'm supporting my family.

"So. How do you like it here so far sugar?" It's been about a week or so since we moved in. My father was taking care of me while my mother was out looking for a job.

"It.. Seems fine. I'm just not used to it yet."

My father had recently found a job as a writer for the Los Angeles Times. We were all excited about this because it's a pretty big job to handle.

And getting that kind of job when we barely moved here is amazing.

And then there was me. Also stuck with having to work.

I just need to actually find work first.

"Find anything yet?"

"No ,not yet.. I'll let you know when something comes around though. But until we find something for you, and since you're not going to school, you need to find something else to do so you're not here at home doing nothing all day while me and mom are at work. Okay?"

Me and my dad had been looking into Variety Magazine to see if we could find something. Anything.

I nodded, feeling a little hopeless.

I know we just moved here and all, and that I shouldn't expect to get a job so fast but ,I'm a little bit desperate here. I can't wait until I can actually make things happen.

A few minutes passed by and we heard a key in the lock ,unlocking it.

"Mom! Did you find anything?"

I ran up to her giving her a hug.

"Oh mom, I missed you so much, I can't live without you, don't ever leave me again!" She teased.

My father got up and greeted her with a kiss and a hug.

"Hello mother ,I missed you. Now did you get a job!?"

"Well, I went around a few places on Sunset to see who was hiring and I came across this little flower shop ,cutest thing ever, and I spoke with the lady who worked there and she said that she would love some help. She asked me a few questions. I start Monday."

"Oh honey that's great." My father congratulated.

"I was telling Missy here ,that she needed to find something to do while we were at work. Something that'll keep her busy in between finding some work and her summer vacation." Damn it. Why does my dad always have to talk to my mom about stuff like this. Once he has an idea, my mom always agrees with him and what am I even supposed to do anyway?

Do they want me to act for money on the sidewalk on the walk of fame?

No thanks.