Chapter 19: Goodbye

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Monday. June 10th.

I lock my car door from afar as I walk into Touchdown Wings. I’m not in uniform, nor am I on the schedule. Kevin leaves the kitchen soon as I enter. He furrows his brow and goes to me with a smirk. “You don’t work today.”

I smirk back. “No, but I need to talk to you.”

“Want to go to my office?”

“Yes, please.” We head to the office and Kevin shuts the door.

“Did you enjoy your vacation?”

“I did, actually. I little too much.” I sit down.

Kevin sits in his chair. “What do you mean?”

“I’m moving to California.” I blurt. “Only for a short amount of time, but I want to see what it’s like to live there.”

“You’re moving there? Wow. When are leaving?”

“In two weeks. I have a beautiful place to stay and a job there.”

Kevin nods slowly. “I hate to get personal, but what about Moeko?”

My face softens. “She’s not going, but I’m coming back for her. This job will make me a lot of money. I can’t tell you what it is out of privacy, but Moeko won’t have to worry about finances once I’m back.”

“Okay ... How long will you be there?”

“Six months. Just in time for me to be there when my child is born.”

Another nod. “I can’t tell you what to do. If this is the best plan for you, I wish you luck, Vehren. I find it weird you won’t tell me what the job is, but I won’t pry.”

“Don’t. It’s personal and I don’t want to talk about it. It’s not only you who doesn’t know. Moeko knows what I’m doing.” I stand up. “It was nice working with you, Kevin.”

“You’ll still have a job when you come back. Just reapply.”

“Thank you.” I open the door. “See ya later.”

“Bye, Vehren.” Kevin watches him close the door and shakes his head. I leave the kitchen not talking to anyone. I see Moeko by the server station and walk slowly over to her.

Moeko notices me and makes a weak smile. “Hi.”

“Hey.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “Got a second?”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“I need to talk to you after work.”

“About what?”

I look around and land back on her. “I’ll be going away for a while.”

“What do you mean?”

“California. I’m moving there for a bit. I’m going to make money for us. People do it all the time with jobs. I’ll be back before the baby is born.”

“Are you kidding? What if I need you?”

“For what?” I chuckle. “I’ll send you money over time.”

“Not your money, Vehren! Your presence. What if something goes wrong? What if I want you there at the appointments?”

“I’m securing a future for us, Moe. I don’t have money for a baby. I can afford rent, food, weed, and gas. That’s until I started doing porn. Do you know how much I have saved and how much more I could save? It’ll be just for our daughter; do you understand that?”

“I understand what you’re saying. But I don’t want you to go. California? Who’s in California?”

“I already made friends, believe it or not. And I have a place to stay.”

Her head shakes and she raises her hands. “Whatever. We’re not together. Do what you want.”

“I will. Just know I am thinking about you. All of the money I make will be saved, Moeko. All of it. And I’m going to make a lot. I’ll have her college fund ready by the time I’m done.”

“And if you don’t do well?”

“We’ll have to see, won’t we? If I fail, I’ll be right back here. No harm done.”

“Whatever.” She looks at a family sitting down at a table. “I have real work to do. I’ll see you later, Vehren.” Moeko peels away from the conversation and greets the table. I stare at her for a second then leave the building. In my car, I watch the wind push the trees and sigh occasionally.

At the apartment, my luggage is already packed. I plan on buying new clothes once I got to Los Angeles. Kendryck isn’t home, we’ve already talked about me leaving. (Though, he’s under the impression I have an apartment ready for me.) Sitting on my bed with Lucci by my side, I wonder if I should talk to his dad. I don’t want to; he should be in the dark for as long as possible. Alma should know, my brothers and Aidan, too. Vittar stood in the way of them, I wasn’t going to even try.

For two weeks, I lounged around the apartment and made videos for PornCentral and OnlyFans. I hung out with Kendryck on his days off, going to the club one more time before my departure. The day came for me to leave. Kendryck drove me to the airport. I’m leaving my car and most my belongings behind, except for my laptop and piano. Lucci was coming with me, she sat on my lap during the car ride and the flight.

A one-way ticket to California, I wasn’t nervous. I felt a bit stressed leaving my life behind, but new adventures awaits me. I texted Fontaine before the flight, telling him to be ready for me once I arrive. This time, I mostly slept while listening to music. Flying isn’t so bad once I got comfortable. The five hours flew by quickly, I was in Los Angeles before I woke up. The pilot speaking snaps me out of sleep, but not Lucci.