Lorelai
I can hear the rain pouring down outside the Inn. I still have three more rooms to clean but the sound of the storm makes me tired. I sigh. "Don't run through lobby, baby" I say following behind my three year old. She giggles to herself. "Rory, do you hear me," I warn.
"Mia," she sings as the Inn owner comes into my view. She reaches her arms up to the woman who is like her grandmother.
"Hello Rory, did you have a good lunch?" Mia asks as she picks up my daughter. Rory nods her head.
"We had pizza," she says.
"That's sounds wonderful,"
"It was, wasn't it Mommy?"
I nod my head and smile at them. "Mommy has to get back to work, okay sweetie," I say to Rory.
"Okay, Mommy. Can I stay down here with Mia?" she asks.
"Yes, if you aren't in her way."
"Oh she's not, Lorelai," Mia tells me. "Come on angel; let's go find something to do,"
"Okay," Rory giggles as they walk away from me.
I quickly run upstairs to room 3. I normally knock before I go in but the couple who previously occupied this room has already checked out so I open the door. The room isn't that bad. Certainly not the worst I have had to clean. I start by stripping the bed completely. Sheets, pillow cases, comforter, everything on the floor, I'll remake it when I'm finished with clean linins. I pick up the bundles of cloth off the floor and dump them in my basket waiting in the hallway. Then I clean the bathroom. Scrub the bathtub and the toilet, clean the mirror, make sure all the complimentary products are accounted for and in order, and pick up the dirty linens from the floor and add them to my collection in another basket.
After making the bed, and tidying up the room, I start on the next two rooms. Finally finishing all three rooms, I put all the dirty towels and sheets in the laundry and then I head back downstairs to clock out.
"Lorelai! Room 4 was not cleaned very well." Elsa yells. She is another maid I work with, according to her I am famous, seeing as my name is always the main topic of her conversations, and most of the other maids.
"That wasn't my room. You were doing even numbers. So yell at yourself!" I retort. Man how I hate to be looked down at. The other maids don't like me very much. I work way harder than any of them, and way faster, still they look at me like I am nothing. They're just jealous. As I walk away I can hear Elsa ramble on about something else I did wrong. She might as well be talking to a brick wall because I'm not listening.
I walk to the dining room where I can see it is still pouring outside. I can see lightning through the shades and curtains. All of sudden Rory comes up behind me, clutching to the back of my uniform.
"Mom! It's scary outside!" she mutters burrowing her head into my leg.
"It's okay sweets, Mama's almost done, then we can go back home." I sigh, rubbing her hair reassuring that the rain will come to a silence soon.
"Okay." she nods. I dust a little more then return to the front desk. There is a stack of papers that haven't been filed so I take it upon myself to do so.
Mia returns from her office. "Dear, you have already clocked out what are you doing still working?" she asks taking a paper from my hand.
"I saw the papers here. I was just going file them." I explain.
"Go on now, take Rory home, Shoo!" she playfully hits me with the paper she took.
"Okay," I smile as I walk away to find Rory.
"Can we go now?" Rory asks looking up from "Green Eggs and Ham"
"Yep. Come on my little Sam I am!" I say guiding her on to the porch. It's still raining so I pick her up and run as fast as I can back to the potting shed that we call home. It's not really a house or an apartment but it's ours and it has rosebud wallpaper. It is small, but seeing that I work for room and board, I am glad for I have. Rory and I share the only bed in the middle of the room. We also have a small bathroom in the corner. I put up a curtain so it would look more like a house than a room in the woods. The rain settles just as we are getting our pajamas on, so it is quiet enough to sleep. I tuck Rory in and turn off the light.
"Wake up, Mommy," I hear. I was sleeping so good I didn't even realize it was morning. Rory shakes me. "Mommy, wake up."
I roll over and open my eyes. "Good morning, baby." I answer groggily. "Did you sleep well?" I ask her as I yawn and stretch.
"Yes,"
"Good," I close my eyes again.
"Mommy, you're going to be late," she shakes me again trying to warn me because I haven't gotten out of bed yet.
"It's my day off, sweets." I mumble.
Her little face lights up. "Yay!" she squeals.
I let out a breath because I have to get up now and be cheerful. I throw the blankets back. "Come on lets go get dressed,"
"Okay,"
I go over to our dresser and open the top drawer which has Rory's underclothes and pajamas. I hand her a clean pair of panties and t shirt. I close it and pull open the second drawer with her shirts and pants and skirts. I grab a short sleeve pink polka dotted shirt and overall dress. "Is this okay?" I ask holding them up for her. She examines the items and then nods her head. I hand them to her and she goes over to the bed and takes off her pajamas while I get clothes for myself.
Rory is such an amazing kid. She's only three and a half and she can dress herself. "I need socks Mommy," she calls to me when she gets her clothes on.
"Okay, I'll be right there." I tell her.
"Is Sookie going to make us breakfast?" she asks referring to one of the kitchen workers at the Inn during the summer.
"I don't know?" I answer honestly. "We'll just have to see."
I walk over to where she is and take a seat on the bed. I pick her up and set her on the bed beside me so that I can help her put her shoes and socks on. "I wanna tie them," she tells me when I get her shoes on her feet.
"Alright do the bunny ears like I showed you."
"Okay," It takes her a second but she gets her own shoes tied.
"So what are we thinking for our hair today? Pig tails, maybe a nice braid," I offer, "it's up to you, baby"
"French braid," she says quickly.
"You got it doll, turn around." She turns her back to me and I braid her hair.
"I'm hungry," she announces as I finish.
"Me too," I agree as I pick up the brush and brush through my own long dark brown hair. "Let's go get some food," She jumps up and runs from the potting shed. I follow running behind her. "Wait for me munchkin."
"Hurry up slow poke!" she giggles running faster to the front of the Inn. "I won I won!" she chants jumping up and down.
"You sure did! We'll that was a work out." I pant, trying to catch my breath. We enter the Inn, Mia as always was found at the front desk. "Hey Mia!" I say walking up to the desk. "How are you?"
"Good Morning girls! I'm well. And yourself?"
"Just peachy! We're starved! Is Sookie working today?"
"I think so." she stops glancing at the worker's schedule. "Yes. She should be in the kitchen."
"Yeah!" Rory shouts, jumping up and down and then starts skipping to the kitchen.
"Freeze!" I yell. "Wait for Mommy, no going in the kitchen alone."
"Hurry!" she huffs.
"Thanks Mia." I smile then catch up to Rory.
Elsa comes from the kitchen. "What is she doing?" she asks me.
"Well we were going to get some food and visit with Sookie." I say as if it's any of her business.
"She shouldn't be running around!" Elsa says annoyed.
"I wasn't running! I was skipping!" Rory defends herself.
"It's okay munchkin, come on let's see Sookie!" I say walking past Elsa eyeing her down, then head into the kitchen.
"Pumpkin!" Sookie says throwing up her hands, running to Rory hugging her tightly.
"Hi Sookie." Rory giggles.
"Hey Lorelai."
"Hey!" I nod. "We were wondering need any taste testers?" I joke.
"Well I just made some chocolate chip pancakes, but I added to many chocolate chips." She sighs looking at the both of us.
Rory's face lights up. "We can eat 'em!"
"You would do that for me?" Sookie pretends to feel touched, putting her hands to her heart.
"Yep! Right Mommy?"
"Sure we will kiddo!"
"Well grab a fork and sit down!" Sookie smiles. She puts a plate with pancakes in front of both of us and I cut Rory's up.
"Syrup please?" Rory asks.
"Here you go!" I say handing her the syrup bottle. "Want help?"
"No I'm a big girl I can do it myself!"
"Alrighty then!" I smile. "What do we say to Sookie?"
"Yummy!" Rory squeals with a smile.
"No..." I look at her sternly.
"Oh right! Thank you!"
"You're very welcome!" Sookie responds.
"Thanks Sook," I add.
"You are welcome too." She smiles. This is the second summer that she has worked here while she was away from culinary school and we have become fast friends. "Want coffee?"
"Are you seriously asking that question?"
She laughs, "Oh right," she grabs me a mug and then starts to pour as she starts to talk about what she saw on T.V. last night. "Ow," she cries. She wasn't paying attention and the cup over flooded burning her hand.
"Sookie," I say jumping up. Rory gasps. I take the cup from her hand so she doesn't drop it and lead her over to wear I was sitting. I get an ice cube from the freezer and hand it to her. "Let me go get a first aid kit. Rory keep Sookie Company for me."
"Okay Mommy,"
I dart from the kitchen and into the lobby where I gracefully collide with another body and hit the floor. "Ow," I say as sit up.
"I am so sorry I wasn't paying attention at all," This person tells me.
"No I was in a hurry I shouldn't have been running," I say remembering the reason I tell Rory everyday not to run through the lobby.
He stands and offers me his hand. I take it and he pulls me up off the floor.
He looks at me for a second without letting go of my hand. "I'm Jake," he says.
"and I'm in a hurry," I reply blowing him off. I walk past him toward the counter, for the first aid kit. He follows. He stands there watching me while I search. I glance up. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, you can tell me your name." I laugh wondering why this guy wants to know my name.
"If I tell you will you leave me alone?" I ask.
"Probably not, but you can try." He jokes. I see the first aid kit and grab it.
"Lorelai,"
"Lorelai," he repeats. "Wow, that's beautiful, it suits you."
I realize that he is flirting with me and I am allowing it. I have to admit I am a little thrown. "Okay bye," I say walking off.
"Wait," he calls after me. I stop.
"What?" I turn to face him. His eyes are green…just like Christopher's.
"Would you like to get a cup of coffee with me…sometime?"
"I don't think so," I turn away again but he grabs my arm.
"Please,"
"I can't." I tell him.
"Boyfriend?" I shake my head. "Husband?"
"No, no boyfriend or husband, but-"
"Good then, you can go out with me,"
I huff, "No, I can't!" Even if I wanted to, I can't.
"Why not?"
"I don't even know you,"
"That is what the coffee is for my dear."
"I really have to go now,"
"Where are you going? Maybe I can take you,"
"The kitchen and I am pretty sure I can get there all by myself."
"You work here?" he asks drawing the obvious conclusion.
"Yes."
"Well then, now that I know where you work, I guess I am just going to have to come here every day until you say yes." I glance up at the front desk. Mia has retaken her spot there and is staring at me intently.
"No!" I blurt.
"So then you'll go out with me."
"I don't think you have given me much of a choice."
He smiles. "Great! When?" I glare at him. "Okay, how about 7?" he suggests.
"That's dinner not coffee." I tell him.
"Okay dinner it is, I'll meet you right here at 7."
He smiles making me smile and I suppose he take that as some of agreement to meet him here at 7 because he looks at me funny one more time and then walks away. I suddenly remember Sookie and her burnt hand in the kitchen. I hurry back.
"Mommy, where'd you go?" Rory asks.
"I…uh…couldn't find it." I lie. "Are you okay," I ask my accident prone friend.
"Yeah, I am fine." She laughs. "Stuff like this happens all the time."
"I know, you should be more careful."
"I will." She gets up to get back to her own work. I look down at Rory who is busily eating her pancakes.
I walk to the other side of the room and motion for Sookie to follow. She comes over. "What? You have that look on your face," she says joyfully.
"What look?" I ask.
"That 'I have a secret' look," she replies. I laugh. She gasps. "What is it?"
"I think I just agreed to go out with a guy I bumped into in the lobby?"
"bumped into? Like an old friend?"
"No bumped into, like, collided with."
"Wow," her smile grows. "What did he look like? Was he tall? Did he have good hair? Because you can never go wrong with a guy that has good hair."
"Sookie!" I say stopping her rant. "I can't go out with him."
"Why not? Was he ugly?" she asks confused.
"No he was very good looking,"
"Oh, then why not? You're a grown up, you don't have ask your mother for permission."
"While those are the best words I have heard in my entire life. That isn't why I can't go out with him."
"Well why not then? I am running out of guesses."
"Rory," I remind her.
"Rory won't let you go?"
"Rory is three,"
"I know, that's why I am surprised."
"I can't just start dating I have to take care of Rory."
"Well Rory can spend the night with me," she offers.
"What?"
"She can come over and we can have a slumber party at my apartment and I'll bring her back when I come to work in the morning."
"Sookie, I couldn't do that to you."
"Do what to me, I am offering, and I love Rory, she is great."
"She is isn't she?"
"See, problem solved now you can go."
"Do you have any idea how long it has been since the last time I went on date?"
"Count how old Rory is to the day and add nine months." She suggests.
I laugh. "Something like that."
"You deserve this," Sookie says.
"No I don't."
"Yes you do, you work harder than anyone I know."
I sigh, "Sookie,"
"No, Lorelai. You should do this for you. Rory will be fine with me for one night. In fact I'll bet she'll even have fun."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
"Okay," I shrug.
"Okay?"
"If Rory wants to then I guess."
"Good for you honey."
I walk back over to Rory. "Want some juice?"
"Yes,"
"Okay," I get her some juice from the fridge and pour it in a little cup. "Here you go. Try not to spill it."
"I won't." She picks up the cup with two hands and doesn't drop it.
"That's my girl." She sets it back down on the table. "Hey Rory,"
"Yes Mommy?"
"How would you like to go spend the night at Sookie's house?"
"I don't know,"
"You'll have a lot of fun, you can play games, and watch movies."
"Does she have snow white?"
"I don't know,"
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"I wanna spend the night with Sookie."
"You do?"
"Yes,"
"Okay."
It's almost two and I am putting Rory down for a nap. During Rory's nap, I would normally try to finish up what couldn't be finished that morning but I have other priorities, such as discussing my run-in with Mia.
"Hey Mia!" I say walking into her open office.
"Hey kiddo. Rory sleeping?" Mia asks as she flipped through her check book.
"Yep, sleeping like a baby." I smile. I'm a little nervous. Mia is so kind to give me this job, and a place to stay. I would hate to disappoint her by doing something teenage and stupid. "Hey...Mia?" I call her name nervously, flittering with a pen I found on the desk.
"Yes Dear?" she asks in a motherly tone.
"I have a question for you."
"Okay..." she says, signaling with her hands, for me to continue."Go on."
"I wanted to know what you would think of me dating."
"Well I'm not the one to say. You're an adult."
"NO, I don't want your permission." I clarify, "I just want your advice."
"Advice? I think you're more in touch with dating than I am. I've been married for most of my life."
"Okay, well there is this guy I bumped into today."
"Oh you mean that guy I saw you talking to?"
"Yeah…him." I pause staring into her eyes, again I start to fidget. I could never talk to Emily like this. "Well he kept on bugging me...you know asking me out..." she nods wanting me to tell more. I continue. "Well I finally gave in. But I have Rory, and he doesn't know that. And I mean I only had one serious relationship. It was with Rory's father Chris, and well it didn't turn out so good. Not that having Rory was bad, but it was just timing and the pressure and I loved him so much, but he just couldn't commit and that was a problem even though he wanted to get married it just wouldn't have worked out because-." I stop catching my breath.
"Slow down! Slow down." Mia exclaims while putting her hand to my shoulder, trying to make me calm.
"Sorry...Small rant over!" I sigh. "So I wasn't sure if I should go or not."
"Why not? Your young, if you need someone to watch Rory I will. Besides, it's sound like fun. You being cooped up here all the time isn't good. Go out have some fun!" Mia smiles and laughs.
I in return smile back. She is such a great woman, the mother figure I needed. "Thanks! But Rory is going over to Sookie's for a sleep over but I appreciate your offer. Thank you, Mia. Also you're right I do need some fresh air. It seems like Elsa sucked out all the nice air!" I joke.
"Just have fun. But make sure you bring this fellah in here so I can approve!" she says smiling once more.
"Will do. But if you'll excuse me I have to pack Rory's things."
"Don't let me stop you, Go on now. And put something nice on!" she yells as I make my way to the front door.
"You can help me pick out an outfit." I say, I knew it would make her feel good. She nods and I walk back to the potting shed.
Rory is still fast asleep when I enter. I pull out a duffle bag, packing a change of clothes, pajamas, Col. Cluckers, her stuffed chicken, her favorite book, and some goodies for the night. After packing her stuff I think over what to wear. I decide to wait for Mia to even look over my options. I try to fix my hair. I comb through it gently, not wanting to ruin the curls. I apply small blush to my freckled, sun kissed face, then I put on a brown eye shadow that made my eyes pop. After the eyes, I finished off by adding lip gloss the kind that looks clear and tastes like a cappuccino. Yummy! "You look smashing my darling!" I say admiring myself in the mirror and make a kissy face like I used to do when I was a kid.
"Mommy," a small voice calls from behind me. "What are you doing?" I turn around and see Rory rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Just being silly, sweets, Come here." She climbs off the bed and comes over to where I am and lifts up her arms. "You are getting so big." I say as I lift her up. She smiles. "You look pretty, Mama,"
"I do?" I gasp. "Why thank you, mini me."
"Welcome," she giggles. "I wanna play make up."
"Okay," I sit her down on top of a chair and then reach down and grab my blush "Hold your breath." I tell her. She puffs out her cheeks and I dab the brush quickly across her face. Then I pick up my lip stick. "Okay, make a kissy face," I instruct.
"Like this?" she says poking out her lips.
"Yes very good," I smear a little on her tiny mouth. "There you go, you're all dolled up."
"Now I'm pretty just like you." She says.
I smile. "You're always gorgeous, beautiful."
"When are we going to Sookie's?" she asks curiously. "You two are leaving when she gets off work."
"Aren't you coming?"
"Not this time baby," I tell her.
"Aren't you going to be lonely here all by yourself?" she asks concerned.
"I don't think so, sweets."
"Why not?"
"Well because I am going to go out for awhile," I try to explain.
"Where are you going?"
"I am going to go have dinner with…a friend."
"Who?"
"No one that you know," I answer honestly.
Rory looks down and guilt raves through every part of my body. I have an idea,"
"What?"
"Want me to read you a book before you go?"
"Yeah!" she jumps up and runs over to her pile of books on the floor. "Can we read this one?" she asks holding up her favorite fairy tale.
"Alright," I grab my glasses and then sit on the chair and pat my lap for her. She runs over and hops on and holds the book open.
After we finish reading and put the book down it's almost time for Sookie to get off. So I grab Rory's little duffle and take her back inside.
Sookie comes out of the kitchen a few minutes later. "Ready to go?" she asks Rory.
I kneel down. This will be the first time she has ever spent the night away from me in her entire life. She seems fine but I am on the border of tears. "Give me a hug?" I ask opening my arms for her. She hugs me tightly. "I love you."
"I love you more," she laughs.
"No way sugar bee, I love you more."
"Okay, Mommy."
"Kiss?"
She kisses my cheek and I kiss hers. "You're going to be a good girl right?"
"Yes,"
"Okay, have fun."
"I will."
I watch her walk off, without me. Then she stops turns around, letting go of Sookie's hand and bolts towards me. "I love you mommy!" she says.
"I love you, Rory. Alright munchkin. I'll call you later. Love ya!" I say, this time here come the water works. I walk away quickly. Not wanting her to see me cry. Calming myself down I walk over to find Mia.
"Hey Sweetie." she stops stares at my tear stained face. "Are you okay?" she asks coming around to me, giving me a hug.
"Yeah I'm fine. Just had to watch Rory go off. I haven't let her go away over night without me."
"It's okay honey. She's growing up. Already 3 and wearing makeup!" Mia jokes.
"Yeah she saw me getting ready, so we had fun." I shrug.
"Come on let's get you dolled up!" Mia said as we link arms and walk back to the shed. As I walk in I kick a clean path. "Sorry it's a mess. I had a little shoe incident." I smile.
"I don't mind it at all. Wow!" Mia says.
"What?" I ask as if something was wrong.
"You made this little old shed look like a home."
"Well I thought since this is where we are staying, why not make is livable!"
"Very well." she compliments. "So let's see your clothes!"
I lead her over to the dresser. We search through the drawers. We pick out a like blue beaded tank top and a white cardigan to go over. Then I find a clue jean flip skirt, a respectable length. Finally I grab by white wedges and a purse to match and I'm off. "So how do I look?" I come out of the bathroom.
"Amazing!" Mia smiles, standing up from the bed, spreading her arms to give me a hug.
"Thank you!" I blush. "So I should head back to the front, it's almost 7." I say looking at the clock I out up above the bed.
"Well then let's go." Mia says. We link arms as we did before.
I reach the lobby, taking a seat on the coach next to the window, where I can see him walk up to the door. I began to play with the hem of my skirt. My knees began to shake, I was SO nervous. All I could picture was Chris and the time he stood up me and Rory at the park. I just hope I am not stood up again. Once was enough.
I see headlights flash. A young man holding flowers gets out of the car. I begin to stand up slowly, meeting him at the front door. He enters, smiling at me. I smile back. "Hello Lorelai." he says as he hands me the flowers. I put the pink roses to my nose, and take a whiff of their rich aroma. "Thank you." I say with a grin.
"So shall we go?" he asks.
"Wait!" I hear someone shout. I turn my head, it was Mia standing in the archway.
"Yeah?" I ask confused.
"I thought you agreed I would meet this young man before you left." she smiles.
"Sorry I forgot!" I shrug. "Mia this is Jake, Jake this is Mia!" I introduce them to one another. "Mia is the owner, and like a mother to me." I smile.
"Nice to meet you." Jake says, holding his hand to find Mia's and they shake.
"Don't stay out too late. And Lorelai?" she say calling me over to her.
"Yeah?" I whisper.
"Have fun. I love you." she says smiling. "Go on! Be careful! Oh and Jake!"
"Yes?" he turns to look at Mia.
"Make sure she has fun!"
My stomach wouldn't forget the butterflies and they accompany me all the way to the restaurant. We don't really speak much on the way there and my mind keeps falling back on Rory. I hope I didn't forget to pack something important that she might need. I sigh quietly without meaning to and then stiffen up hoping he didn't hear me. When we pull up he gets out of the car and opens my door for me, something that Christopher never did. I smile at him as he helps me out of the car.
We walk inside and a man seats us immediately. There is a long awkward silence as we review the menus and I wonder what the hell I'm doing here.
"Lorelai," he says putting the menu down.
"Hmm?" I answer looking up.
"You look very beautiful tonight," he compliments.
"Thank you," I return with a smile. "You don't look too bad yourself."
He laughs a little. "So, what do you say we get to know each other a little bit."
"Okay,"
"How old are you?"
"I'm 19," I answer honestly.
"19, wow! For some reason, you seem a little older to me." I shrug,
"How old are you?"
"Just turned 23,"
"Nice," I compliment.
"I like it."
We talk on for a few minutes about the restaurant and the food choices and I am surprised at how much he makes me laugh. He also compliments my smile about a million times. The waiter comes and takes our orders and our food comes quickly.
"I love the service here," I say as I sip my coke.
"Me too," he agrees. "Tell me about your family," he requests digging into his food and I suck back a gasp causing myself to choke on my beverage. I cough several times. "Are you alright?" he asks.
I nod my head quickly. "Fine," I cough once more.
"Okay," he waits for me to get myself together and then looks at me.
"You weren't related to the Inn owner right?"
"No, Mia just took me in when I left home."
"Where is home?"
"Hartford."
"Is your family still there?" I nod. "Tell me about them. Your parents, what do they do? Do you have any siblings? Crazy distant relatives?"
"Okay, um my Dad, is the vice president of the international division of a big insurance company."
"and your Mom?"
I sigh, "She is a house wife, I guess, but I prefer a term more suitable like Hitler."
"Wow," he says. "I take it you don't get along,"
"That's understatement." I mutter.
"What about siblings?"
I search my mind for Rosalie's face. "I have a little sister," I tell him.
"Cool, do you get along with her?"
"I used to," I admit. "We haven't spoken in almost three years."
"Why not?"
"Well three years ago I ran away from home and my family didn't appreciate that too much."
"Okay," he nods satisfied with that answer, "anything else? Eccentric grandmother? Gay uncle, maybe?" he jokes.
I decide to use this opportunity to tell him about Rory, "No nothing like that but I do have a daughter," I confess.
"Daughter? I didn't see her when I came to pick you up." he stated. He shifted in his seat. I could tell he was a little taken back. "So how old is she?" he asks.
"She's three." I smile thinking about Rory.
"Awe I have a nephew he's also three. What's her name?" he asked with interest.
"Rory...Well Lorelai actually. Rory is a nick name for Lorelai. I named her after me. It's a long story, that involves Demerol. Well technically I named her after my grandma, who I am named after." I pause. "Confusing?"
"No. Not at all." he smiles gazing into my eyes. "Has anyone told you that your eyes are amazing?"
"Not really." I shrug and blush.
"So tell me more about Rory."
"Where do I start? She's so sweet and beautiful and very smart for her age."
"Does she look like you?" he asks.
"She has my eyes but you can definitely see her father in her."
"I can tell you must really love her."
"How's that?"
"Well your eyes light up, and you smile when you talk about her."
"Well she's my daughter. I love her more than anything in the world."
"So if she's three, that means..." he calculates quickly."You were 16 when you had her?"
"Correct." I say. I was waiting for him to get up and leave. Then when he remains seated. I waited for him to make a pass at me, thinking only sluts let themselves get knocked up at fifteen.
"You said she's smart?" he asks after drinking a little of his drink. I find myself smiling again.
"She's brilliant. She can read and write her name and count and she just amazes me every single day of my life,"
"She sounds great."
"She is, I couldn't have asked for a better kid."
"So is she the reason you left home?"
"No, not really, although I used her as an excuse, I felt like I was being suffocated in my house and when I finally couldn't take it anymore…I ran."
"That must have been really hard, sixteen and on your own with a baby."
"We managed." I say letting the silence take over. "So enough about me what about you? All I know is that your name is Jake and you are 23. I don't even know your last name."
"Well for starters it's Jacob actually," he corrects with a smile.
"Oh please forgive me," I say sarcastically.
"No, My Mom is the only who calls me Jacob so, it's okay," he says wiping his mouth with a napkin. "My last name is Elliot,"
"I just graduated from UVA where I double majored in English and Spanish and I minored in International Studies. I graduated pre law so I'll be going to law school in the fall."
"Very cool," I say remembering how much I would have loved to go to college. "Your parents must be very proud.
"They are, let me see what else, I am also from Hartford."
"Me too," I remind him playfully.
He laughs, "I know."
"So can I ask you something?"
"Anything,"
"What were you doing at the Inn?"
"I just graduated and I was on my way home, back to Hartford, last night and was really tired driving all the way from Virginia and I stopped and found the inn and said why the hell not. It was great though."
"Really?"
"Really, anyplace where beautiful women come out of nowhere and run face first into you is great."
I smile. "Hey you ran into me," I accuse.
"Is that so?"
"I'm willing to testify,"
"Innocent until proven guilty?" he asks.
"For now,"
"What that suppose to mean?" he smirks.
I smile again. He is such a great guy. Maybe this date wasn't such a bad idea after all.
"So do you have any siblings, crazy aunts or gay uncles?"
"Two uncle's actually but I don't believe either of them is gay." he smiles. I find myself smiling whenever he does. It's like he is contagious. "I have a brother, Matthew, he's 27. He's married to Taylor and they have my nephew, Dylan."
"So do you have a close bond with your parents?" I ask him.
"My dad and I were really close. He passed away when I twelve."
"I'm sorry to hear that." I say sympathetically.
"Thank you and I must admit I'm a bit mama's boy." he confesses, blushing a little.
"That's good. At least someone doesn't hate their mother."
"You don't hate your mother!" he announces as if he has known me for years.
"Like you would you know!" I defend, pointing a fork at him.
"Okay! We can fight but I draw the line at stabbing." he laughs throws up his hands as if he is under arrest. We both are talked out so we sat in silence for awhile. The waiter comes by with our bill, Jake stands up and goes to pay. I follow behind him.
"Have a goodnight." the waiter says, handing Jake his change.
"You too." Jake smiles and we walk back to the booth, leaving a tip and grabbing our coats.
"Do you mind if I check in on Rory? She's at my friend's house. It's her first night away from me."
"By all means, go right ahead." he leads me to the restaurant phone.
I smile, "Thanks." I dial Sookie's number. "Hey Sook, it's Lorelai."
"Lorelai! I can't get Rory to stop crying!" Sookie tells me panicked.
My heart stops. "Is everything okay? Did she get hurt? Why is she crying?" I see Jake's eyes widen, he puts his hand on my shoulder, lending me his support and reassurance.
"Everything is fine. I just think she misses you." Sookie says sadly.
Damn it I knew I shouldn't have left her! I think to myself. "Well, tell her to hold tight, I'll try to get to your house. Thanks and be right there!" I say slowly hanging up the phone.
"Everything okay?" Jake asks concerned. It is sweet seeing that he has only known me for a couple of hours.
"Yeah. Rory just misses me. But I was wondering instead of taking me back to the Inn..." I pause thinking it was weird to ask him. "Can you take to me my friends, Sookie's house? That's where Rory is."
"Sure thing. Just lead the way!"
As we approach his car again, he opens the door and waits for me to be sit down before shutting it gently. I give him turn by turn directions, all the while thinking how scared my baby must be. But that worry is hidden with a smile. I had a great night tonight, I just wish I could get butterflies in my stomach like this all the time. It has been awhile since I thought of a man, and now I can't stop thinking about them. But have to give that up, and think about Rory. She is my main priority.
Jake pulls in Sookie's driveway. He gets out, opens my door and walks me to the door.
"Thanks once again. I had a great time." I smile.
"Me too. Maybe we can do this again?"
"I think I would like that." I blush. God he is gorgeous! I see him lean in. Before I know it his soft lips touched by mine. I grin sweetly and kiss him back. It's nothing gross, just a sweet simple kiss, ending a wonderful night.
When we part he gives me a hug goodbye. "I'll call you," he says before walking away. I wave from the porch as I watch him get back into his car, and drive off.
I knock on the door and Sookie comes to it immediately. "Hey," she says with a smile.
"Hey," I return unable to shake my own.
"Did you have fun?" she asks closing the door behind me.
"Oh my god, Sookie," I gush. "I didn't want it to end. You and Mia were so right, I had fun, and he was great and we kissed,"
Sookie gasps, "You kissed?" she squeals like a little girl. "Was it amazing?"
"Fireworks,"
"Awe," she gushes. Her excitement makes me even more excited but then I hear those small whimpers that break my heart and the guilt returns.
"Where is she?" I ask letting my smile fade into the back of my mind.
"My bedroom," Sookie tells me. "We made cookies and watched a movie and played a game and had a lot of fun and then she just sorta lost it."
I take off my coat and put it down on Sookie's couch and then head back to her bedroom. Rory is curled up on her bed clutching her stuffed duck for dear life. "Rory," I say immediately rushing over to the bed. "What's the matter?" as soon as she hears my voice she jumps up and runs into my arms. She wraps her little arms so tightly around my neck that I can hardly breathe and cries into my shoulder. I rub her hair and then look up to Sookie who is standing in the doorway. She shrugs. "I'll go put on some coffee," she says leaving us.
"Rory, what do say we loosen the death grip." I ask but she doesn't move. "Baby, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" She pulls away from me enough to shake her head. "What's wrong then?"She tries to talk but her breathing is so ragged from all that crying she can't get her words out. "I'm sorry, Rory, I didn't mean to make you sad."
"I…I ….I…I" she stutters out in between sobs. "I…Miss…missed…you." She says.
"Oh Rory, I missed you too." I tell her. "Please stop crying, sweets." I beg. "Please, I'm here now."
She stops crying and lays her head on my shoulder. We sit there in silence for a few minutes and before I know it she is fast asleep. I want to put her down but I don't have the heart so I carry her into the kitchen with me.
"She okay?" Sookie asked taking the coffee out of the fridge.
"Yeah just a little home sick." I shrug. "She's never spent the night away from home before."
"Awe."
"I don't think I can anymore." I sigh. I watch her sleep. I decide to put her down on the couch. I return back to the kitchen and help Sookie with the coffee. We sit at the table and gab for a while.
"So tell me more about the date!"
"It was really good. We went to a nice restaurant. We talked about our lives, family and things like that."
"Did you tell him you have a kid?" Sookie asked.
"Yeah." I smiled looking over at Rory.
"And?"
"Nothing. He wasn't judgmental or anything."
"Wow!"
"I know my first thought he was going make a pass at me or something." I say shyly.
"What else happened?"
"Nothing really. I called you, then he drove me here. Kissed me goodnight and said he would call me."
"So you guys are going on another date?"
"Not sure. He lives in Hartford. He was just passing through."
"Oh! But do you want to go out with him again?"
"Gosh 20 questions!" I joke. "Yeah it would be really nice. I think we hit it off."
"That's good." Sookie nods, then looks over at Rory. "She's so cute."
"Yeah. I think I might crash here if you don't mind." I say, it's hard to get Rory back to sleep when she wakes up.
"Sure thing. You can sleep on the couch or you and Rory can take my room." Sookie offered.
"Thanks Sookie but I don't want to kick you out of you bed."
"I don't mind .Your the guest."
"No, Sookie, I'll take the couch." I tell her refusing to take no for an answer.
"You sure?"
"Absolutely," I smile.
"Alright, well I'll get you some blankets and then I am going to call it a night." She says.
"Thank you, Sookie, You are a great friend."
"So are you," she returns. A few minutes later she brings me some blankets, hugs me, and then retires to her room.
I sigh and cut off the light in the kitchen and carry the blankets into the living room. Rory looks so comfortable that I just can't move her. So I cover her with a blanket and then make myself a place to sleep on the floor. I kiss her and then lie down and close my eyes hoping to dream of my new friend Jake.