Chapter 7

Richard pulled out a tray and loaded it with Gilmore movie night essentials: red vines, donuts, assorted candies, and a bowl of popcorn that he'd made. His mom had been more inclined to use microwave popcorn, but he liked to make his own version using the air popper. He preferred the fresh melted butter and salt.

He sat the tray on the coffee table and turned on the TV. After scrolling through his Netflix cue, he settled on an old favorite - The Good Wife. While watching the show, he'd often imagine himself as the young, go-getting Cary Agos with the extemporaneous skills and wit of Will Gardner. He hoped to be a great lawyer someday. This was the show that fueled his passion for the law.

Just as he'd settled in, the text alert on his phone sounded. He figured it was his mother, but he looked down and saw it was Vivienne.

Vivienne: So, after you left, my dad started acting all weird, and ditched me for dinner. He said it was some business thing he'd forgotten about. I think it might be a date because he was primping like he used to do before big functions. Anyway, I just don't feel like being alone right now. Want to come over and hang out?

Richard: I just settled in for some Netflix.

He had no desire to leave his house at this point of the night. He was also afraid that she had figured out what was going on, or that she'd ask a lot of questions. He wasn't sure he was ready to tell her anything quite yet.

Vivienne: Not The Good Wife again!

Richard: So what if it is?

Vivienne: You have an unhealthy obsession with that show! It's not even relevant anymore!

Richard: It's not like NCIS is that relevant either Miss I-wanna-be-Gibbs-when-I-grow-up!

Vivienne: Touche. Truce?

Richard: Truce. Why don't you come hang out here? My house is much smaller, so it won't feel quite so empty.

He bit the bullet and invited her over. He remembered the look on her face when she'd finally told him about her mom and parents' divorce. She needed a friend, and he was the only person she really knew here.

Vivienne: Alright, but if my dad grounds me for taking the Porsche, I'm blaming you, and you're driving me around until he lets me drive again!

Richard: I doubt he'll even notice.

Of course, he knew that her dad was distracted by his mom tonight. His daughter taking his car would be the least of his worries by the end of the night. He had a feeling the night may not go as smoothly as his mom would like based on her version of their previous meeting.

Richard texted Vivienne the address to his house and quickly straightened up. Their house was rarely messy, but he didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. Then he went into the kitchen and scrounged up some more snacks for their evening. There was always an abundance of junk food.

Vivienne gathered some things to bring with to his house. Before they moved to Hartford, she'd stocked up on her British favorites. She knew she could order more online, but it wasn't the same. She'd been especially fond of Cadbury eggs.

On her way out the door, she wondered if she shouldn't tell her dad where she was going. His business dinners always run late, so I'm sure I'll make it home before he does. I left him a note on the fridge. I should be fine, she thought. If he gets mad, maybe he'll finally cave and buy me my own car!

About twenty minutes later, Richard heard the doorbell. He opened the door to find Vivienne with a bag of junk food. He saw some of her favorites peeking out the top. She was well aware of what the night entailed as he'd first introduced her to his family tradition while at tennis camp. She fell in love with it instantly. She loved old movies and junk food, so it was a natural pairing in her book.

"Viv, you didn't have to bring anything. I've got it all under control!" Richard said.

"Oh, but I do! It's my own contribution to the night. Besides, I can really use some comfort food," she replied.

"I suppose I'll allow it."

"Allow?" she asked sounding surprised at this choice of words.

"You have no idea how much of a stickler my mom can be, but as long as it's junk food, you're probably fine," he assured her jokingly.

"Is she here?" she asked curiously. She'd heard a lot about his mom, but she was shrouded in a cloud of mystery. She made a mental note to learn more about her.

"No, but I still abide by her rules. Trust me, she can smell it when she gets home. I get mocked for eating salad sometimes," he replied gesturing to her to come further into the house.

"My mom would have loved that. She was a real health nut. Dad said she wasn't always like that, but I guess she became friends with some personal trainer, and her new attitude was adopted in full force at home," Vivienne said as she made her way inside and set down her bag next to the coffee table. She began pulling out her candies, adding to the selection Richard already laid out. She claimed a spot on the couch and got comfortable by throwing a blanket over her legs.

"Oh, was she having an affair with him or something? Usually, it takes more than just training sessions to become that gung-ho about something," Richard asked.

"Not him...her. I think they started off as friends, but I remember them being together more often than not when I was younger," Viv replied quietly.

"Right in front of you?"

"No, not like that. She came over for private sessions and would be there for dinner when my dad was out of town on business. I thought nothing of it, to be honest. I was still fairly naïve. I don't think Dad caught on until later. About three months after that, Mom moved out. Only, it wasn't that simple. She stayed in the house for appearance's sake but moved to the other wing. They were already living separate lives, so it wasn't much of an adjustment."

"I'm sorry," he said. He didn't know what to say. He'd stayed out of the drama of parent divorces at school.

"That's about the same time I started stashing junk food. Mom forbade it, so it was my obsession," she said with a soft smile. "I didn't make a habit of things like this, but it was a huge point of contention between us. I had to get creative with hiding places!"

"It makes sense now," he replied with a smile.

"But, let's not talk about my parents for a while. I'm not quite ready to get too deep into this, and we definitely don't have enough time or candy!"

"That's fair."

"So, what are we watching? And you can't say The Good Wife!"

"Then, I'm out," he said with a chuckle.

"How about we go way back with The Breakfast Club?"

"I'm in and my mom would definitely approve!" he agreed with a smile. He loved the classics that his mom had shown him growing up. It felt right to share it with his sister.

He turned on the movie and they began watching. They sat in silence, per the rules, while the movie played. Richard started feeling awkward in the quiet. He desperately wanted to tell Vivienne his secret, but he didn't know how she'd take it. She didn't seem overly upset about her mom's affair, although, she did get uncomfortable toward the end and changed the subject. Maybe it's easier because her mom's not here anymore, he thought.

"So, where's your mom?" Viv asked breaking the rules of silence.

"Gone. I think she had some meeting with her publisher," he replied with the first excuse that came to his head.

"Publisher? Your mom's a published writer?" she asked. Maybe she works with someone at HPG, she wondered.

"Yeah," he replied sheepishly.

"And why did you not tell me this?" she demanded in a teasing way.

"Well, like yourself, I don't want to be bugged about my family's business. You wouldn't even tell me your last name at tennis camp. Love the family, but there's more to you than your last name."

"That's fair, but you know a little more about my dad now, so spill about your mom!"

"Fine. Her name's Rory - "

"OH, MY GOD! Your mom is Rory Gilmore, author of Gilmore Girls and the Moonlight Valley series?" she squealed excitedly.

"One and the same. See, this is why I don't tell people, especially girls. They go all fan-girl on me," he replied with a knowing tone.

"Ok, sorry. I'm good now," she apologized and gathered herself. "Now that I'm over the initial shock, I promise not to bring it up anymore, at least not in the crazed fan sort of way."

"I appreciate that, but I don't expect you to not talk about my mom. I just like the idea that it's not the main topic of conversation."

"Well, I've been dying to ask - has your mom finally told you who your dad is?" Viv asked.

"Reluctantly, but she did."

"And?" she pressed.

"And what?"

"Who is it?"

"It's kind of a long story," he replied trying to make it obvious he didn't want to keep talking about this. WE SHARE A DAD! he shouted in his head.

"I'm here, and The Breakfast Club will be here later. Wait - let me get comfortable," she said rearranging herself with her legs tucked under her. "There - I'm ready!" This was one of the most exciting things that was going on in his life. She couldn't understand why he hadn't spilled to her already.

"Viv, it's complicated," he said making another excuse. He didn't know how many more ways he could say he didn't want to tell her without saying those words.

"Ritchie, I'm your best friend," she began. "You don't have to carry the secret!"

"It's...just...well...he's really high profile. I'd rather not say," he stammered through another excuse.

"Ummmm...HELLO! My dad is high profile, and I'm familiar with the secrets of the high profile. Just freakin' tell me!" she urged him.

"I can't," he admitted.

"Why? Does he not know about you? Are you a secret love child?" she asked, firing off questions.

"He just found out about me, so I guess that kinda makes me a secret love child."

"Whoa! This is huge! Did you meet him?" she said excitedly. Her attention was focused on him and the identity of his father. Why won't he tell me? she asked herself.

"Actually, I did meet him. He didn't know who I was though," Richard admitted.

"Really? How did you pull that off?"

"Yes, and it's really complicated," he averred. "Can we just drop it, please?"

"I just don't get why you won't tell me. We're best friends and I know you are dying to tell someone!" she said calling him out.

"Because I swore to my mom that I wouldn't," he lied. He didn't like lying to her, but he wasn't ready to tell her yet.

The teens returned their attention to the movie and sat in an awkward silence for a few minutes.

"I think I'd better get going home. I don't want to get in trouble for taking my dad's car," she said, breaking the silence. She felt the tension between them. What is going on with him? she thought. Now, I've got two mysteries to solve.

"Ok, if that's what you want," he replied feeling bad that she wanted to leave before the movie was half over.

"It's not what I want, but things are just weird between us. I think maybe it was just a bad idea for me to come over," she confessed. She gathered her things, leaving a few treats for Richard, and went over to the door. "Bye, Richard."

She must be very angry to call me Richard, he thought. He paused for a moment. He couldn't let her leave on these terms. He just couldn't tell her his secret. He wished she could understand that. He went to the front door.

"Viv, wait a minute," he called to her before she got into her car.

"What, Ritchie?" she asked sounding slightly annoyed.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "Can we go back in and talk about this? Let me explain things to you."

"Fine," she replied. She didn't want to be mad at him, but she couldn't understand why he'd keep such a secret from his best friend. Did his mom have an affair with a celebrity or something? she wondered.

They sat back down on the couch. "I just really want the chance to get to know him better before I tell anyone. I know that you get the high profile thing, but it's still a bit of a mystery to me. Although I shouldn't be, since my mom is from two prominent society families," he started to explain.

"Two? Obviously the Gilmores, but what other family?" she asked.

He was relieved that some of the other details were appeasing her. He really did feel good getting some of this off of his chest, and Viv was always a great listener. "The Haydens."

"As in the Hayden Law Group?"

"Yes, those Haydens," he answered.

"I thought there was only GiGi Hayden, and she's as wild as they come," Viv added.

"GiGi is my aunt, and I don't think Grandpa Chris is terribly happy about her life choices. I think she's one screw-up away from being written out of things completely. She blew through her trust fund long ago, so I'm not sure what she'd do."

"Is that why you're so interested in law?"

"No, but my grandpa is happy that I am interested in it. I think he wants to pass along the family business to me once I'm done with college and law school," he replied.

"I think you'd be perfect for it. I loved watching your debates from Chilton. Your skill makes you very intimidating to your opponents, and I've never seen you like that before," she said. When she was still in London, Richard would send her links to his debates online. She was always very impressed with his demeanor and natural ability.

"Thanks," he replied with a little blush. Everyone else always complimented him on them, but sometimes, it meant more from his best friend. She'd always been very honest with him except the whole not telling him her last name thing.

"Let's rewind a little bit. Why didn't your mom raise you in society? I mean, you've got the pedigree, so, why did she keep you away?"

"She was raised in a small town not too far from here, and away from society. She was involved with some things like a debutante coming out ball and the D. A. R. when she was younger, but liked a simpler life without all the crazy rules and events."

"And the backstabbing. Don't forget the backstabbing!" Viv interjected.

Richard started laughing, but he knew it was more true than not. "She was able to make a name for herself with her own talents. I think she takes great pride in that," he continued. "She really respects how Nana did the same thing, and now owns a chain of boutique inns around the area."

"My mom didn't do much of anything except shop and plan parties. I think I learned more from my dad than her," she revealed.

"Really? What kinds of things?" Richard asked excitedly, knowing this could be an opportunity to learn a little more about his dad. He hoped he didn't sound too eager, but by the look on Viv's face, he must have sounded funny. She quickly shook off the confusion and went ahead with her answer.

"He always tried to help me with my homework, taught me how to ride a bike, and always encouraged me to be myself. He wanted me to follow my dreams regardless of what society thought. He said, 'People can live a hundred years without really living for a minute," and I remind myself of this regularly. I even painted a canvas with the saying," she replied.

Wow, I remember Mom saying that to me when I was growing up, he thought.

"Your dad sounds pretty amazing," he said quietly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Ritchie! It was so insensitive of me to gush about my dad when you've just learned about your dad," Vivienne apologized.

"I was the one who asked, and it's not like I didn't have a great support system. It was just a little less conventional, that's all," he replied with the hint of a smile. "Let's finish watching the movie!"

The two rearranged themselves to finish watching the movie. As the movie played, they indulged in the junk food buffet on the coffee table. By the end of the movie, only crumbs remained on the tray. Seeing the aftermath brought a smile to Richard's face. He loved sharing this with Viv because she truly connected with it.

"Oh, no! It's getting late, and I really should get my dad's car home before he gets there!" Viv said suddenly.

"I don't want you getting into trouble, and I don't want to play taxi for the rest of the summer. Besides, my mom should be home soon," Richard replied.

"Thanks for letting me come over! I'm so glad I've got you here, or my life would be very dull and boring until school starts. Even then, it'll be all pretentious, stuff, and full of backstabbing. It's nice to be able to veg," she admitted.

"What are best friends for?"

They walked toward the door, and Richard turned on the porch light. He was feeling good about tonight. He didn't have to reveal his father's identity, and got to learn something more about him.

"Hope you beat your dad home!" he said to her as she walked out the door.

"Me, too! Bye, Ritchie!"

"Bye, Viv," he replied just before she closed the door behind her.

As she closed the door, she noticed a familiar car in the driveway behind the Porsche. That's my dad's work car. Is he in there? Oh, crap! He knows I took his car without asking, but why is he leaving? Shouldn't he be catching me red-handed and yelling at me? That's not really his style, so what would he - OH! HPG is trying to poach Rory from her current publishing house! If that's the case, where is she? I didn't see her go through the front door. Why is everyone so secretive? I'm going to get to the bottom of this, even if it takes all night! I love a good mystery! she thought. Now, I've got to beat my dad home! Wonder how fast this thing goes?