"I want this party to be the very best." Emily spoke into the phone as she took another sip of tea. "My daughter is turning eleven years old."

"Yes, Mrs. Gilmore." The voice replied. "We'll make sure your daughter's every need is taken care of."

"I want the finest apple cider you have to offer, and a double decked birthday cake. There shall be white icing with red and pink flowers."

"Is there any particular thing you want the cake to say, Mrs. Gilmore?"

"Happy Birthday is fine." Emily replied. "The children are only going to eat the words, no sense in making a fuss over them."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I expect everything to be delivered Friday morning at 9:00."

"No problem." The friendly voice answered. "Thank you for your business. Have a wonderful day, Mrs. Gilmore."

Emily hung up the phone. She took another sip of tea, and let out a long sigh. Richard walked into the dining room.

"Who was you on the phone with?" Richard asked as he poured himself a cup of tea.

"The bakery." Emily replied. "I've been sitting up the plans for Lorelai's party Friday."

"Friday is a bit early, don't you think?" Richard asked. "Her birthday isn't for another week."

Emily was hesitant to answer. She stiffened her lip. "Friday is the best day, Richard."

Richard nodded. "If you say so." He began sipping his tea. " But I don't know if I'll be able to get off work Friday."

Emily's eyes bulged. "Of course you'll get off work early. It's your daughter's birthday."

"No, the 24th is my daughter's birthday." He corrected. "I've already arranged to have that day completely free."

"Well, then change the days, Richard." Emily replied hatefully.

"I'll do what I can. You know I will."

Emily stood from the table. "I have much more planning to do."

Richard watched as his wife exited the dining room. What had happened to the joyful, carefree woman that he married thirteen years ago? Emily used to be so vibrant and full of life. He remembered the first time he saw her. She was so lovely and elegant.

"Hey! Richard, you made it!" Donald extended his hand to his friend.

Richard gladly accepted the handshake. "Wouldn't miss it for the world, Donnie." Richard replied.

"Can you believe it?" Donald asked. "We're graduating tomorrow."

"I can hardly comprehend it." Richard smiled. "Yale University has always seemed so far away. Now it's right at my door step."

"I'll always be a Harvard man." Donald replied. "But we'll see each other at games and such. I won't let our friendship be destroyed by a silly rivalry."

"Of course." Richard agreed. "Neither would I."

Donald lead Richard into the library of his house. "There's some friends here that I want you to meet."

Donald opened the door and Richard followed him inside. "Everyone, this is Richard Gilmore." Donald announced. "Richard, this is Steven, Janice, Enoch, Walter, and …." Donald paused. "Hey, Walter, who is that you have there?"

Walter smiled and turned around. "Oh, uh… this is umm… Emily." He replied, finally remembering the name.

"A different girl every night." Donald replied as he shook his head. "Anyway, everyone this guy here is my best friend." Donald continued as he placed his arm around Richard's shoulder. "So, be nice."

Richard eyes fell upon the attractive brunette. He couldn't help but admire her. Her dark brown eyes were like tiny drops of chocolate. She appeared to be having a dreadful time. Especially, after the comment Donald had just made.

"I'll be back in a minute." Walter directed to Emily. "Stay here."

Emily nodded as the boy walked away. Richard waited till Walter was out of the room then he approached the young girl.

"Hello." Richard greeted.

"Hello."

"How are you this evening?" Richard inquired.

"Miserable." Emily replied as she sighed. "I never should have agreed to come with Walter. It's like I am a toy. He'll flaunt me around the room for a few hours, then I'll be tossed aside until there's a new toy to play with."

"Well, that doesn't sound like much fun." Richard concluded.

"No." Emily agreed. "It's not."

Richard cleared his throat. "Pardon me if this too forward, but why don't you just leave the party?"

"I rode with Walter." Emily said, the regret flowing from her words. "I'm stranded here till he decides he's ready to leave."

"Well, I only plan on staying for a short while." Richard began. "I could take you home if you'd like."

"Oh, no." Emily blushed. "I couldn't ask you to do that."

"It'd be a pleasure." Richard smiled.

"I don't know. It may upset Walter if I left."

Richard stepped a little closer to the girl. His immediately picked up her aroma. She smelled like a field of flowers sprinkled with sugar. What a wonderfully, sweet smell. "I'm not so sure he would even notice." Richard remarked.

Emily smiled. "I doubt he would." She let her brown locks fall across her face as she giggled. "Alright, I'll let you take me home."

Richard caught himself smiling as he relived that moment from fifteen years ago. He could hear Emily in the other room spitting out demands and giving orders. She was so much colder now.