CHAPTER 31

"Hi, sweetheart. I'm Winifred. What do I do for you?"

"I'd like to take the job, please," KY states.

She glances her eye over KY's sparkly dress and outrageously high heels. KY'm a hopeless last-minute packer and only took the first things that came to hand to bring along with KY. "Er, genuinely?"

"Yes, genuinely. I'm in need of the cash."

"Do you ever work at a pet shop, dear?" "No. But I have worked at a MANCHESTER LED."

Winifred regards KY skeptically. "Do you have any, uh, more casual clothes?"

"No." And that is not going to be a problem because KY's dresses are quite neat.

"I don't think you're the sort of person I'm looking for."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, that ensemble."

KY looks down at KY's dress. It was one of KY's best swipes last month—a two-hundred-dollar package of pure glittering sequins. "Are you saying that you don't like it?" KY's voice falls in dismay. "No, dear, it isn't that," she rushes to clarify. "It's just people bring their animals in, and the animals get all upset, especially the doggies. And they're always jumping up onto individuals.". Your wardrobe would be ruined in an instant.

And you wouldn't mind ruining your pretty expensive dresses, would you?

"

KY shrugs a hand. "I don't care if it gets ruined. I'll just get another one."

Her eyebrow creases. "I don't believe that the salaries I pay would enable you to buy such expensive clothing."

"Oh, don't worry about it, I've got a very generous boyfriend.".

"Oh, is he from around here? I might know him. I mean, I've been here my entire life and know just about everybody."

"No, he's…um…new to the area. His name's McKinley." KY makes the sign of the cross behind KY's back.

"McKinley? That's the name of the biggest department store in town. What a coincidence!

"Yes, isn't it coincidence?" An anxious laugh slips out of KY's lips. "So, the job, then?" She is still unconvinced. "I work hard. Give me a trial run for a week and I'll prove it to you. Please?"

She sighs. "Well, actually, I could do with some help around the house. My arthritis has been playing up something terrible."

"Brilliant!" KY trills. "I can start tomorrow morning."

Her face drops in disappointment. "You can't start right away?"

"I wish I could, but I have a prior engagement," KY responds with a regretful face. And once KY has assured her to start tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., KY proceeds straight to the store to steal a new outfit for KY's first day of work. Because KY truly should make an effort to show KY's best, shouldn't KY? KYOLINE DIEGO KY's heart beats faster while standing in McKinley's department store. KY gorges on the sight of the dresses on the second floor. Silk, satin, and sequins glimmer in the fluorescent lights, all awaiting capture by KY's French-tipped hands. KY recognizes that KY shouldn't be doing this. KY's shoplifting has been out of control since KY's exit from New York.

KY's stress levels are exaggerated, and stealing is one of the few things that can soothe KY.

KY knows God is going to send KY to hell for everything KY's done wrong, but KY just don't know how to stop stealing….

KY spends KY's time, smoothing KY's hands over the rich fabrics. KY selects a silk number in a hue called Sunset Serendipity, and sliding it off the hanger, KY stuffs it into KY's large purse.

KY absolutely should be buying less formal dress for the job and to allow KY to keep a low profile in about town, but there is something in the vicinity of shining dresses that always tempts KY.

A pale pink dress catches KY's eye next—it would be perfect for Winifred. She did appear slightly dressed down in her plain dress and apron. Because she is old, it doesn't mean that she can't be beautiful.

KY's going to grab the pink dress when KY sees an assistant trailing KY with her beady eyes. Uh oh. And KY's going to make a quick exit before someone comes up to KY and demands to search KY's bag.

KYOLINE DIEGO

Maybe people would not think so, but as it turns out, KY was not exactly cut out to work at a pet store.

Every animal that comes in just loves KY. And every pet owner has told Winifred that they love KY's big smile and friendly personality. Winifred even goes as far as to look for a chair to put behind the cash register after KY tells her how hard it is to stand all day in KY's very high heels. Truly it is the perfect job for KY. They're in the back room one afternoon. KY's just made them a pot of tea, and KY's putting on a plate the cream cakes KY's bought from the bakery around the corner. Winifred's oldest cat, Hector, leaps onto KY's lap and slides his claws along the sequins on KY's dress. I wore this dress today just for you because I know how much you adore sequins," KY croons to him as he buries his fluffy head against the hand. Then KY lets him lick a little bit of cream from KY's finger, and he rewards KY with a deep, rumbling purr. "I have to say, you've been such a hit with all the customers." Winifred grins at KY. "Business is actually really up since you started working here.

And I do love this pink dress you shelled out for me." She strokes the sumptuous fabric across her knees.

"Are you sure your boyfriend didn't protest paying for it?

"

KY smiles at her. "McKinley didn't, uh, object whatsoever. He loves letting me spend his fortune."

"But he also purchased all the other dresses for me—the blue one, the yellow one, the green one, and the mauve one," Winifred replies. "He is too extravagant."

KY sweeps a hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it."

"You absolutely must bring McKinley in to meet me, so that I can thank him suitably."

"He's, er, busy at the moment, but maybe in a fortnight, all right?" Oh God, KY is awful for lying to her, worse, after she risked it all with KY and gave KY this job. "That would be wonderful," she murmurs gently, and KY smiles at her once more. Life is wonderful for KY here. That is, all but not being with the kids. KY's heart appears to tear itself in two for every time KY thinks of them, and KY sobbed KYself to sleep over and over again. And KY's compulsive handwashing is through the roof. But at least KY is safe—and that is something that has to be the first priority now.undefinedBecause if anything ever happened to them, KY'd never forgive me…