Like Water Lost in the Sea
Jess shoves his hands into the pockets of his black jeans.
It is September. It is a bit cold for September.
Like God left the window open all night.
Am I forgetting anything?
I have my keys. My phone. My bag. My books.
I turned the coffeepot off. I locked the door.
He is standing on the front stoop of his Philadelphia brownstone; the tree in front of him, its leaves burning, burning bright fiery orange and red and yellow. It is almost noon. He made himself wait until noon.
Eleven forty-five. That's almost noon.
It takes me about four hours to get to Stars Hollow.
I don't want to get there before she's there.
I want her to be there when I get there.
He grabs the mail out of the mailbox. There is a plain brown package.
It is addressed to Jess Lucas Mariano.
He immediately recognizes her handwriting.
He's suddenly warmer.
He smiles.
I'll open it in the car.
A black Honda five-speed, that's what he drives now. It's nice enough. And it doesn't backfire. Basically, he sorta loves it.
What is this?
He opens the package.
There's a mix CD. There's a brand new tube of chapstick with a post-it stuck to it.
"Because I accidentally stole yours :)" it reads.
There's a short note written on yellow legal pad paper.
Hey Jess. I made you this mix and hopefully your Philly -- Stars Hollow drive will be a little more fun. I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked...because they didn't have good music to listen to on their mini road trips. I cannot wait to see you. Can you tell I wrote this while I was bouncing up and down? Well, I practically am. You have my heart. Love, Rory. PS: Yes, I know I forgot to include the track list. It's more fun that way right?
He puts the chapstick in his pocket and the CD in the CD player and starts the car.
The first song?
"Here Comes Your Man" by the Pixies.
Soon, he is on the highway.
He is driving and driving.
He smokes.
Maybe I should quit?
Maybe I should quit for Rory?
I'd prettymuch do anything for Rory.
We'll see.
I-95 North. En route to Stars Hollow, Connecticut.
His beating heart, bloody and thumping so quickly...carefully pinned to the sleeve of his thin, navy blue jacket.