Chapter 14
Luke was prepared when he returned to the girls' room several hours later. By now Jaiden waking up in the middle of the night was becoming routine, reminding himself this will pass eventually. Nothing lasts forever. In fact, Lorelai had pointed out it reminded her of having to wake up in the middle of the night for Rory's first year, minus the feeding and diaper change. Not meeting his own daughter until much later in her life, Luke wasn't familiar with a baby's first year. However, he did assure her he somewhat knew how she much have felt. It wasn't much of a struggle waking up because as soon as Luke heard Jaiden's cries, the adrenaline immediately started pumping. Once the adrenaline tapered off, then the struggle began.
"You're not doing too bad, though," she gave him a smirk, then a quick kiss which he returned.
Thursday rolled around which Luke dreaded on the count of April having to leave on Saturday and all. A worried thought crossed his mind how Jaiden was going to take it when both her and Rory had to leave. Since spending time with the girls and probably having others come and go in her life, Jaiden might take the girls leaving as losing more people and never seeing them again. Just thinking about how many people that little girl must have met and had her heart crushed each time someone gave up on her because they weren't sure how to help.
Jaiden actually used the sketchbook Jess had given her. Luke overheard Lorelai tell her to go ask him about a pencil still assuming he carried pencils with him wherever he went. He told Jaiden he actually didn't have one on him at the moment, but went in search for one, finding one on the table where the phone was and reminded Lorelai for the umpteenth time to stop assuming he always carried pencils.
Ignoring his wife when she made a harmless little joke, Luke then turned back to Jaiden, who had gone over to sit at the coffee table, sitting on her legs. "So, any ideas what you're gonna draw?" he asked, trying to make small talk. Not one of his strong suits. He held his hands on his sides as Jaiden flipped the cover over, turning to the first clean page.
Jaiden paused as if in thought, staring at the blank page.
Lorelai had shared with Luke, what had happened during the appointment with Erica, so he decided to tell her, "You can draw whatever you want. It's your sketchbook. It can even be like a diary for your private eyes only if you want it to be. Just with pictures instead of words."
Jaiden didn't respond at all. Not even move.
Luke kneeled beside the coffee table. "You know, our fridge could use some great art. The, uh, shopping list doesn't really do it justice, you know?" He smiled when Luke caught Jaiden sneak a look at him. Not wanting to continue hovering over her, Luke left Jaiden to her own. He had to get back to the diner anyway and let Lorelai know he was leaving.
It was a fairly quiet afternoon. Lorelai watched TV while Jaiden sat at the coffee table, drawing. She tried not to steal a peek in case Jaiden had decided to use Luke's suggestion of keeping it like a diary, but the curiosity was just too much and she found her eyes glancing over at what the kid was drawing. There was a lot of erasing and redrawing. At one point, Jaiden gave up on it and tore out the page before crumbling it into a ball, tossing the paper ball next to her on the table. She then started over on the next page.
Jaiden spent the whole afternoon on the same drawing. She was still working on it when Rory got home from visiting Lane and Zack, and their boys. Hanging her coat up, Rory joined her mother and Jaiden in the living room, peeking over to see what the kid was working on. It was coming out to look like a hockey scene she may have seen on TV or something. It was pretty impressive for an eight-year-old.
"Where did you learn to draw like that, Jaiden?" Rory asked, curious.
The kid was so involved in her drawing that she ended up jumping out of her skin at the sound of Rory's voice next to her.
Rory noticed and apologized. "I just wanted to know where you learned to draw like that," she repeated afterwards.
Jaiden just shrugged.
"Did you take an art class?"
That time, she shook her head up at her.
Rory looked surprised at the kid. "You learned that all on your own?"
Biting her lip, Jaiden timidly said, "Some I learned from YouTube."
"Yeah? Well, it looks awesome," she nodded. Lorelai could see her daughter was still impressed that a kid learned how to do that just from watching a fifteen minute video. "Wish I could draw as good as you. But you know what?"
Jaiden just casually shrugged.
"That means you're the artist in the family." Lorelai could see Rory was trying to help make Jaiden feel more at ease with them. "We all have our own unique talents. April's great at science, mine's being a writer, and yours is drawing. Cool, huh?"
She just slightly shrugged one shoulder as if unsure.
Rory smiled. "I think it is."
Staring down at the pencil in her hands as Jaiden twirled it with her fingers, she timidly held it up to Rory, pointing a finger at its point.
"You need it sharpened?"
She nodded, timidly.
"Here." Rory took the pencil and disappeared into her room. The sound of her pencil sharpener could be heard for a brief moment while it was being sharpened. She then brought it back, handing it to Jaiden. "If you ever need to sharpen it again, you're welcome to go in there. The sharpener's sitting on my desk. Okay?"
Jaiden nodded.
"I can also give Mom my password in case you want to watch more drawing videos, if you want," Rory added, "and she can set it up for you."
That time, Jaiden just stared up at her.
"Well, I'll let you get back to work." Rory smiled, letting Jaiden finish. She then went over to sit with her mom.
Lorelai smiled over at her daughter. "That was nice of you, telling Jaiden she could go in your room and use your sharpener anytime, and even use your computer."
Rory shrugged. "I'm still learning the whole big sister thing, but hearing how older siblings always yell at their younger siblings that their rooms are off limits seems to be what makes it more appealing. Plus, it's not like I have anything to hide that Jaiden shouldn't see."
"Really? What about that thing in your nightstand?" Lorelai smiled, trying to keep a straight face.
Rory of course didn't get it at first. "What thing in my nightstand?"
"You know," she hinted and nudged her daughter. "That thing you keep by your bed."
It took a minute for it to register before it dawned on her. "Ugh! Gross, Mom," Rory told her mom, in a disgusted voice. "There's a kid in the room, you know."
Lorelai waved a hand in the direction of Jaiden, "I'm sure Jaiden doesn't know what we're talking about. Right, Jaiden?" The kid ignored her, now engrossed in her work again.
Changing the subject, Rory asked if there was anything good on. For the next hour, they watched some documentary on TV while they discussed it among themselves. After awhile, Lorelai noticed Jaiden inch towards Rory, timidly, trying to reach out to tap her on the knee. Her hand kept flinching away. Eventually, Rory finally noticed before Lorelai could let her know Jaiden was trying to get her attention.
"Need something?" she asked Jaiden.
Jaiden hesitated while chewing on her lip. She tried to make eye contact, but couldn't keep it up.
Rory leaned forward a little, asking if she wanted to whisper it to her.
She shook her head, probably not wanting to have to get that close.
"Does your pencil need to be sharpened again?"
She shook her head at the floor. "C-can't spell," she managed to say.
"You need help spelling a word?" Rory guessed.
That time, Jaiden nodded her head, but did not lift it.
"Well, that's okay," she assured the kid. "What do you need help with?"
That time, Lorelai noticed Jaiden tense up and bit down on her lip.
Rory looked over at her now finished drawing. "Are you trying to spell hockey?"
Jaiden shook her head, timidly.
About that moment, the front door opened as Luke came inside. "I'm home," he announced. Shutting the door behind him, Luke removed his jacket and hung it up before coming into the living room.
When Luke announced his presence, Jaiden had suddenly grabbed her sketchbook and quickly hugged it to her so the drawing was out of sight. It got a raised eyebrow as Luke caught the tail end of the act.
"Uh...what's going on?" he asked, confused.
Lorelai was the one to respond first. "I'm not sure."
"Jaiden was trying to ask how to spell a word," Rory explained, next.
Luke had gone over to kiss Lorelai, stopping behind the couch to lean over her. Lorelai reached back so they could greet one another with a kiss. "Hey, sweetie," he greeted Jaiden with a smile and also told Rory, "Hey, Rory."
"Hey, Luke," Rory returned while Jaiden stared at the floor again, hugging her sketchbook to her. When Luke tried to ask if Jaiden had drawn anything, she remained still. That's when Rory excused herself, asking Jaiden if she wanted to talk in her room, away from Luke and Lorelai. Slowly, Jaiden got to her feet and followed the young woman until they were in Rory's room, which Rory closed the door behind them.
Unsure what that was all about, Luke turned back to Lorelai. "Everything go well, this afternoon?" he asked.
"Yeah. Jaiden drew while I watched TV. Pretty quiet afternoon," she replied.
"That's good."
Soon, the girls returned, ten minutes later. Jaiden timidly made her way over to Luke when Rory said she had something to give him. She remained in the walkway leading to the kitchen, behind where Rory was standing.
"It's okay, Jaiden," Rory assured her.
Luke kneeled in front of where the house phone was, to be at Jaiden's level. The kid still remained in the same spot, gripping the edges of the sketchbook in her hands. It took five minutes before she moved forward, taking each step one at a time as if she was walking on eggshells. The whole time, Luke just waited, letting Jaiden be in charge while Lorelai watched from the couch, afraid to move in case she scared her.
Jaiden stopped once she was in arm length.
"What did you want to give me?" he asked her, gently.
She stared down at her sketchbook for a moment before pulling out a page already torn out and hesitantly held it towards him.
Luke took it from her, looking the drawing over. Towards the top, it said, to Luke, from Jaiden. He looked up to smile at her. "You drew this for me?"
Jaiden timidly nodded.
Luke looked at it again. "I love it. Thanks, sweetie."
"Wa… Welcome," she replied, hoarsely.
"Should we go hang it on the fridge?"
A slight smile appeared and Jaiden nodded a little. Standing up, Luke had Jaiden follow him into the kitchen. Lorelai and Rory also followed. Grabbing a magnet, Luke placed it over the drawing to be seen by all who would grab something from the fridge and asked for a high five before holding his hand up, this time. Jaiden still did it in a timid manner, though.
He then asked if she wanted to help make dinner again, asking her what she wanted to make. He let her pull a chair up to the freezer and look for herself. Jaiden scanned the freezer's contents until pointing to a package of pork chops. Pulling them out, Luke told Jaiden to wash her hands while he stuck the pork chops in the microwave, to defrost.
While the pork chops defrosted, Luke grabbed some potatoes from one of the lower cupboards to wash off in the sink before showing Jaiden how to peel them, making sure she tucked her fingers in and peeled away from herself. He let her try it on her own while Luke grabbed the pork chops to season before throwing them in the oven, in a dish with peas and carrots.
Luke helped peel the potatoes while the pork chops baked, making sure to praise her every chance possible. Once they were all peeled and inside a large pot, Luke set them on the stove and checked on the pork chops.
As the two peeled and cooked, Luke also used the time to give Jaiden a head's up on Friday's plans. The CFT meeting ended up being pushed back until sometime the following week, on the count of, Jaiden's grandfather wanting to be a part of it and couldn't until his background check and all of the paperwork were completed. Thankfully, that was one less stress lifted off their shoulders, but there was still the matter of dinner with the Gilmores. So, Luke explained everything to Jaiden, and how they were supposed to be having dinner with them, once a month and gave her all the vital information to expect with Lorelai's parents.
Jaiden seemed to tense up at the thought of having to dress up.
"I feel ya, kid," Luke assured her. "I never liked the idea of dressing up and eating fancy, expensive meals, either. But we all gotta do it every once in a while." He was now mashing the cooked potatoes, getting it started so Jaiden could take over. Dropping the potato masher tool, he bent over to place his hands on his knees. "Tell ya what. To make it up to you if you do this, on Saturday, I'll take ya to the skating rink and teach you how to skate like the hockey pros do. How does that sound?"
Jaiden was holding her hands on the edge of the counter by the sink as she stared at them.
As he waited, he noticed Jaiden still wasn't convinced. Or looked that way, at least. A thought occurred to him, back when Rory was a kid, when she had used to make him pinky swear when a deal was made. Luke had always felt weird whenever Rory made him do it, but agreed to it anyway. But, the next thing he knew, Luke was raising his right pinky finger, holding it out to Jaiden. "I pinky swear," he told her.
Slowly, Jaiden lifted her gaze, stopping at his outstretched finger. She stole a glance up at him before returning it to his finger.
"I can't break a pinky swear," he explained. "Otherwise, I'd turn into a frog. Not really into the whole 'fly diet'. You know, since flies are pretty gross."
Stealing another look up at him, Jaiden slowly raised her own pinky finger, and slowly but surely wrapped hers around his. Luke made sure to wrap his, loosely, so if she suddenly let go.
After they let go, Luke added, "Don't worry, kiddo. We'll both be uncomfortable together." That actually got a slight half smile from the kid.
When Friday evening finally came around, Luke made sure to remind Jaiden of his promise to her when Lorelai asked if she could go get ready. Thankfully, Lorelai still had a box of Rory's old clothes from when she was around Jaiden's age. Actually, the dress Lorelai and Jaiden agreed on was from when Rory was about six or seven, reminding them just how small Jaiden was.
Rory offered Jaiden to fix up her hair to look nice. Jaiden didn't give either a yes or no, but the look on her face showed some more discomfort than she already had. It was Lorelai who pointed out, she didn't have to say yes if Jaiden didn't want her to. She at least compromised with her to let Rory brush it out. Nothing else, not even hair clips. Just plain brush her hair out. Jaiden didn't like that either but agreed to it.
Sitting on Jaiden's bed, Rory went and grabbed a spray bottle of detangler and had Jaiden get her brush.
"Did your mom used to do this?" Rory asked, curious as she ran the brush through her hair as gentle as possible, apologizing whenever she had to tug.
Jaiden nodded, facing away from Rory on the bed.
Lorelai was busy helping with April's hair, sitting over on her bed. "She didn't let you compromise, did she, sweetheart?" she asked, glancing over from what she was doing. "She said you had to, huh?"
Again, she nodded.
"Sometimes, hair doesn't need to be fixed up," Rory smiled. "Sometimes all it needs to look nice is just a simple brushing." Lorelai and April both agreed.
"Especially when you're a kid and still think boys have cooties," April added.
Jaiden looked over at the older girl with a worried look.
"What ya thinking about, sweetheart?" Lorelai asked.
April might've had a guess as she said, "Don't worry. Cooties are just a imaginary thing kids make up about each other when it comes to something like kissing and stuff. It's not something you can actually catch from a boy." Jaiden seemed to relax a little but not completely. Lorelai couldn't help wonder if the little girl was thinking cooties was something she could have caught. She watched Jaiden as Rory and April continued to try and hold a conversation with her as Jaiden winced at every tug, squeezing her dog in her arms.
Everyone was ready to go around six.
Luke complimented on how nice Jaiden looked, but added she always looked beautiful. He helped put her jacket on as they were leaving. It didn't exactly go with her nice outfit, but it was the only jacket Jaiden had and besides, she would be taking it off once they got there, anyway.
The seating arrangement was the same as last time. This time, April had brought along a book she was reading at the moment, along with a tiny flashlight she was using as a reading light. Unlike the quick ride to the restaurant, the drive was longer as Lorelai got onto the highway to head in the direction of Hartford, eventually pulling into her parents' driveway, and parked. Everyone piled out of the jeep and headed up to the large double front doors where Lorelai pressed the doorbell, making sure Jaiden was doing alright.
Not long after the doorbell was rung, one of the doors opened. The latest maid greeted them, stepping to the side to let the guests enter. As they removed their jackets and coats, Emily was coming into the foyer to greet them.
"And, Mom, I'd like you to meet Jaiden," Lorelai said once everyone else was accounted for. "Jaiden, this is Emily Gilmore, my mother."
"Hello there, Jaiden," Emily greeted, cheerfully with a nod. "It's very nice to finally meet you."
Jaiden remained quiet, staring at the floor in her usual stiff demeanor, chin pinned to her chest.
Richard shortly joined them as they made their way into the living room, shaking Luke's hand once he greeted Rory with a hug. "And this pretty little thing must be Jaiden," he smiled over at her.
Lorelai offered Jaiden the armchair closest to the couch she and Luke took once Luke shook his father-in-law's hand. "Yep," she replied. "Jaiden, this is my father, Richard Gilmore." She still didn't look up. Lorelai did notice her sitting up straight with her hands in her lap as if Jaiden was trained that way. Leaning over, she assured, "you don't have to sit like that, sweetheart. You can sit the way you feel comfortable, just don't put your feet on the chair. Okay?"
Even though it was soft, her parents was still able to hear. "I think the way Jaiden is sitting is just fine," Emily stated.
"I agree. Just as a lady should," Richard agreed, straightening up higher than he was and gave the little girl a proud smile.
Lorelai was about to argue that point until Luke placed a hand on hers to stop her there, not wanting a fight to break out in front of Jaiden while she was getting to know Emily and Richard. Though, he did agree on his wife's part Jaiden did not have to sit like that, but also guessed she was trained to.
Emily asked how both Rory and April were doing, about high school, and how work was going for Rory. Richard asked how things at the diner and at the inn were. Things seemed pleasant enough. But of course they would want to know about the newest addition to the family.
"So, how is Jaiden?" Richard was the one to ask.
Everyone looked over at the quiet little girl, who shrunk when all eyes turned on her.
"She's not hiding so that seems to be great progress." He turned to Luke. "I hear she's warming up to you, Luke."
He nodded. "Uh, yeah. Jaiden helped me in the kitchen three times this week."
Richard lit up, pleased. "That's wonderful. Cooking is a great way to bond."
Luke agreed.
"Has she spoken at all?" Emily asked.
"She has said a few more words, yes," Lorelai replied with a nod.
"She tried to teach me how to play hockey the other day," said Rory.
"Oh, how did that go?" Richard asked.
Rory nodded once as she replied, "She won by a landslide. I could barely keep up with her." She gave Jaiden a gentle smile, though Jaiden hadn't noticed.
Emily didn't seemed pleased as her husband did. "Why on earth would anyone want to play a sport like hockey? You skate around on ice in a freezing cold arena, knocking people's teeth out."
"They wear mouth guards and face masks on their helmets, Mom," Lorelai tried to inform her mother about the safety of hockey, her eyes pointed up towards the ceiling.
"So? Football players wear helmets and shoulder pads, and you still hear of them breaking a collarbone," she pointed out. "And you want to risk Jaiden losing a tooth or breaking a bone like that?"
"Breaking a bone is part of a childhood when sports are involved," Luke said. "My nose isn't the only bone I broke growing up."
"And besides, it's not like Jaiden has that risk anyway, considering she's not allowed to play on a team." Lorelai didn't mean to sound bitter. She was still aggravated with how things had went on Monday.
Emily looked over at her daughter. "Says who?"
"Her therapist. Apparently, it's not best Jaiden participates in a contact sport like hockey because of her outbursts."
Surprisingly, Richard looked appalled. "That's outrageous. If anything, a contact sport would help rid Jaiden of all that pent-up aggression she could be holding onto. I could talk to this woman if you like."
"It's okay, Dad," she assured him.
"Are you sure? I'm certain I could try and persuade her to let Jaiden play the sport she wants."
"Really, it's fine. If hockey doesn't turn out, we actually found a back-up."
"What kind of back-up?" asked Emily.
It was April who proudly answered. "Jaiden can draw exceptionally well."
"So," Richard smiled over at Jaiden, "we have an artist?"
"She drew my self portrait for my birthday. Looks just like me"
"That is wonderful," said Emily.
Jaiden was shrinking even more into herself, though they could see she was also trying to stay upright. It was Rory who suggested moving along, sensing she wasn't liking all of the attention.
Directly at seven, the maid returned to announce dinner being served. Everyone moved to the dining room where Jaiden had chosen a seat next to Luke, who quietly made sure she was doing alright. Thankfully, the spotlight was turned on Rory when Emily and Richard wanted to know more about work. Overall, the rest of the night turned out well, thankfully.
It was around nine-thirty when Lorelai pulled into the driveway. This time, Jaiden was still awake. Turning off the jeep, she asked everyone if they could give her and Jaiden some time alone. Lorelai got out long enough so Rory and April could, heading inside with Luke. Once she slid back under the wheel, Lorelai twisted around to face the little girl, who remained in the backseat.
"You're not in any trouble, sweetheart," she assured Jaiden, noticing the kid had tensed up. "I just wanted to let you know, Luke and I don't expect you to sit properly when we go to my parents'. I mean, yes, you should be polite and respectful, but if you don't feel comfortable sitting up straight with your hands in your lap, you don't have to. Okay?"
Jaiden stared at nothing in particular. She then shook her head without looking up.
Lorelai didn't understand what she was saying no to. "No, what, sweetheart?"
As if trained, she uttered, "Children are seen, not heard," as if reciting what had been told to her.
"No, sweetheart," Lorelai shook her head. "That is not true. Children can be seen and heard."
But Jaiden continued to shake her head.
"Who told you children are seen, not heard? Was it your mom?"
She hesitated before nodding that time.
Lorelai couldn't help give the kid a sympathetic look. That probably explains why Jaiden has a fear to speak up. Her mother never gave her a chance to have a voice. "Oh, sweetheart." This time, Lorelai shook her head, repeatedly. She couldn't hold back any longer. She had to say it. "Kid, you have no idea how much I want to scoop you up and hug you."
That actually got her attention. Jaiden lifted her gaze to look at the woman. Lorelai had left her door open, so the overhead light was lighting up the inside so they could see each other.
"About what happened Monday," Lorelai continued. "I'm sorry you have a mean therapist." She gave a shrug, holding it for a moment, "if it were up to Luke and I, we would let ya play on a hockey team. I mean, Luke even said he would coach it, or at least help coach. Hopefully, the drawing classes work out. That'll be cool, huh? Learn some new skills to be an even better artist. That should be fun, right?"
Jaiden nodded over at her, timidly.
Lorelai leaned her upper arm against her seat. "Whatever you need, sweetheart, we'll do everything in our power to make it happen. I know I've been screwing up between us. I'm trying. I'm only human, after all."
Jaiden dropped her gaze once more, staring at her lap.
Glancing downward, she said, "I really want to get to know the real you. The real Jaiden. We're all a mess if you really think about it, and I don't care if we have to fight our way through the ugly stuff to get to that point." Lorelai watched her for a moment. "You're a great kid. You really are," she reiterated. "Don't let anyone tell you any different, you hear me?"
That time, Jaiden looked back up. Slowly but surely, she inched her way to the edge of the middle seat. But stopped as Jaiden sat there, staring up at Lorelai.
Being careful as she could, Lorelai reached out to Jaiden, going slow. She inched her hand the rest of the way. Once the back of her fingers touched Jaiden's right cheek, Jaiden flinched backwards. Lorelai didn't move her hand, though. Instead, she held it to hover in the same spot. When Jaiden opened her eyes and saw Lorelai hadn't moved, she stared at the hand. Hesitantly, Jaiden moved towards it until she bumped into it. It still made her tensed a little, but Jaiden didn't move. She let Lorelai brush her fingers against her cheek, gently caressing it.
"That's it, sweetheart." Lorelai smiled. "No need to be afraid. I would never hurt you."
Tears suddenly appeared in the kid's eyes. The next thing Lorelai knew, Jaiden had leaped up from the seat and gripped her, tight.
Lorelai sighed in relief under her breath as she was finally able to wrap her arms around the little girl. Hope was filling up her whole heart.
"Please don't leave," she heard Jaiden utter from her shoulder.
"I promise, kid. You have our word. But…" Then came the hard part. She didn't want to, but Lorelai knew it needed to be said if they had any hope of legally making Jaiden a part of their family. So she released Jaiden to look the kid in the eye. "You have to tell us the truth, though. Did your grandfather hurt you at all?"
The look Jaiden gave broke her all over again as her eyes grew wide.
She shook her head.
"Sweetheart, if you're trying to protect him, then we can't help you. Celia says he'll be able to take you from us." The pleading in her voice couldn't be helped. They knew the suspicions, Jaiden just needed to confirm it.
Jaiden roughly shook her head in a repeated motion. "Papa loves me! Papa loves me! Papa loves me!" She flew back against the seat, screaming that, over and over again. It was possible the neighbors could hear this, but that wasn't what was Lorelai's top priority at the moment. Jaiden lifted her knees to her chest, placing her hands over her ears. "Papa loves me!" she continued, now starting to rock. This was actually new. Lorelai wasn't sure where this was coming from, wondering if she should call Luke. But then her mama bear instincts kicked in and Lorelai found herself climbing back there.
The moment she landed on the seat next to the little girl, Lorelai tried to wrap her arms around Jaiden. However, she instantly reacted whenever someone invaded her space and Lorelai found herself in Luke's place.
"Jaiden, it's okay. It's okay, sweetie. I promise," she called over her, repeating that over and over again. When that didn't work, Lorelai remembered her mother-in-law's lullaby and sang it herself while pinning Jaiden in her arms, firmly as she continued to repeat the same words. When Lorelai sang, "rest your head close to my heart," she pulled Jaiden closer to her chest. It was a challenge as Jaiden was fighting up quite a storm. But Lorelai wasn't giving in just as Luke didn't.
Eventually, Lorelai was able to lower her head against Jaiden's, still holding onto her. After singing the lullaby a few times, Jaiden began to settle down.
"Papa loves me," she stated one last time, almost in a whisper.
Holding her still, Lorelai softly replied, "I'm sure he does, sweetheart. I'm sure he does."