Last Flight to L.A.

chapter ten: breakdowns

"You dream, you gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want something, go get it. Period." 

~The Pursuit of Happyness

Sandy's eyes were almost popping out of her head.

She'd just walked through he door, three shopping bags on one arm, and her duffel bag hanging off the other.

Her eyes were red and bleary and she smelled strongly of alcohol.

Her mouth kept opening and closing as her stare darted from Roadkill, to the gigantic mess in her house, to Ethan.

"Sandy, just take a breath, I can explain," Kelsey said slowly, stepping towards her.

"What...is this..." Sandy whispered. "Why is there a dog in my house?! Why is it a complete wreck? What happened?!" She pointed at Ethan in shock. "Why is Ethan Glenn in my house?"

"He's a friend," Kelsey explained, but immediately regretted it.

"A friend? You're telling me you're friends with—with him?"

Ethan lifted a hand. "Hi."

"Uh, yeah, but don't worry—"

"Are there any other movie stars or—or dogs hiding here?!"

Kelsey glanced at Ethan. "I was just watching Ethan's dog while you were gone. He came by to pick him up. Right?"

Ethan stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Kelsey, I can't—"

"Figure it out," Kelsey hissed, then turned to Sandy with a smile. "I'll explain everything in a minute. Go make yourself some tea, I'll be right there."

She grabbed Ethan's wrist and led him down the hall, Roadkill happily at their heels.

"I'm so sorry, Kelsey, I should've never—"

"You're always getting me in trouble," Kelsey sighed, as she opened her door. "It's almost become rather endearing."

"You're not mad?"

Kelsey bundled up Roadkill's bed and held it in her arms, looking at Ethan with exasperation on her face. "It's not your fault. I'll see if they sell couch cushions on Amazon. Sandy looks like she'd had a bit to drink tonight, so maybe it'll lighten the blow."

Kelsey handed him the blankets and a bag of dog food. "Now get out of here before all hell breaks loose."

She bent down and scratched Roadkill beneath the chin, then hugged him. "I'm gonna miss you, buddy." She looked up at Ethan. "Promise he'll come visit once in a while?"

Ethan nodded. "You have my word."

She watched as Roadkill hopped into the same car that had almost been his demise and as Ethan talked to him excitedly as if he were a person.

Then, she turned to face the house and cringed.

It was bad.

Sandy sat at the kitchen bar, looking dazed as if she'd just survived a disaster. That, Kelsey thought, was almost true.

"Hey," she said quietly, taking a seat on the stool next to her. The smell coming from Sandy's mug was stronger than tea. How much had she had to drink tonight? "I can't apologize enough."