Last Flight to L.A.

chapter forty-one: the end and a new beginning

"Where we go from there is a choice I leave you."

~The Matrix

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Kelsey opened the grungy back door to the kitchen, smiling when the scent of flour, burnt oven scraps, and cleaner met her nose.

She turned on the light and surveyed the shining stainless steel tables.

She'd been discharged from the hospital that morning and told to stay in bed for a few days. She'd invited Becca over to stay with her since she still felt shaky once in a while.

But she'd still managed to sneak out when Becca went to bed and decided to come to the one place in L.A. she loved most.

It was funny how she never thought about opening her own restaurant when she worked at the movie set.

She was happy here, in the commercial kitchen, surrounded by other talented chefs who always taught her new things.

A clamor from the front made her jump.

Chef Romano appeared, drying off her hands and propping the broom up in the corner.

Kelsey grinned when she saw her. "Hi, Chef."

Chef Romano looked up and gave the first genuine smile Kelsey had ever seen from her. "Kelsey! What on earth are you doing here?!"

"You know I can't stay away for too long," Kelsey replied.

Chef Romano made her way over, a scowl overtaking her smile. "You should be in bed! Resting!"

"I've been resting," Kelsey explained.

"Ah." Chef Romano nodded once. "How are you?"

"I'm still recovering, but I'll be back to work soon." Kelsey looked around at the kitchen. "Have you been cleaning up at night?"

"Yes," Chef Romano replied. "I cannot have that Vance do it! I caught him trying to steal one of my good spoons the other day!" She growled an insult before examining Kelsey again. "I'm sure your family has been worried sick."

Kelsey felt a blush warm her cheeks. "Uh, no, I didn't tell them."

"Didn't tell them?!" Chef Romano scolded. "Why not?"

Kelsey couldn't meet her eye. "I don't know, it's just that, with everything that happened, I didn't want to worry them."

Chef Romano crossed her arms and lifted an eyebrow. "And the real reason?"

Kelsey sighed. "I didn't want to have to see my mom."

"So you let yourself be on the brink of death while your family is left unaware?" Chef Romano shook her head disapprovingly and tossed a dish towel into the hamper. "That is not you, Miss Harris."

Kelsey looked down.

"Nonetheless, I am glad you're recovering." Chef Romano patted her shoulder. She glanced around the kitchen as if she were checking for anyone else listening before she whispered, "The chefs made you a chocolate cake to give to you when you came back. If you stole a piece tonight, I can blame it on Vance tomorrow."

Kelsey burst into a round of laughter. "Really? For me?"

Chef Romano tapped the side of her nose before making her way to the back door. "Don't let it go to your head."

"Goodnight, Chef Romano."

Something like a kind twinkle appeared in Chef Romano's eyes. "Goodnight, intern."

Kelsey was left in peaceful solitude. It didn't take her but a minute to go to the fridge and open the door.

A beautiful chocolate cake sat on the second shelf, icing wrapped around all three tiers, chocolate ganache dripping from the sides, and curls of dark chocolate littering the top.

Her mouth immediately began to water as she pulled it out.

Once she was perched on top of the table with a large piece of cake in her lap, she gazed around the kitchen.

This was where the beginning of so many wonderful things started.

It was funny how she'd had all these goals in her head when she came to L.A.

She was going to live with Sandy for a couple of years, train under a prestigious Italian chef, and make it big in the city of stardom.

She would never date a movie star.

She would never get along with someone like Becca Lynn or Chef Romano.

She'd expected things to go right as planned, but she didn't know how much the unplanned would teach her.

She couldn't say it had all been good. A lot of it had broken her heart more than she'd ever been hurt before.

But she had learned.

She'd grown.

She was different than the person who'd left Kansas half a year ago.

She'd learned that not everyone was exactly as they seemed. For the good and bad. She'd learned to grieve and love and forgive.

Her heart sunk.

She'd learned that everyone deserved a second chance.

She eyed her phone that sat on the table next to her. A weight of guilt made her shoulders slump.

She licked a clump of chocolate frosting from her fork and picked up her phone.

When she was laying in the hospital, all she'd wanted to do was call her mom. As she'd stared up at the heart monitor beeping next to her head, she remembered thinking about how life was so short. So fragile.

Her thumb hovered over her mom's contact before she swallowed and pressed the button.

It rang twice.

"Hello?"

Kelsey took in a breath. "Hey, mom."

"Kelsey! Oh, it's so good to hear from you!"

Kelsey smiled at the sound of her voice. There was always room for a new start.

"It's been a while," Kelsey said. "So many things have happened, it would take hours to even tell it all to you."

"Kelsey, I have all night," her mom said. "I have all the time in the world for you."

Kelsey closed her eyes, a sense of warmth overtaking her. It was time to embrace the uncertain future, whatever it looked like. She was ready.

"Well, you're going to have to buckle up," she said, digging into the chocolate cake again, "because it all started when this crazy, adorable, wonderful guy got on the last flight to L.A..."

THE END


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Guys...

This has been one of the best writing experiences I've ever had and I can't thank you all enough for following this story along with me. I have to say that this story is more dear to my heart than any I've written before and I'm so grateful I got to share it with you!

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