It wasn't long though, before everything good crumbled once again. No this time I wasn't pregnant. My parents noticed the charges for baby items and realized that I had had a baby and was lying to them for their money. They cut me off. When Maia turned one, I had been cut off for four months and my pay from waiting tables could barely support me alone, let alone me and my baby. I knew from living in New York for almost two years I would have to move somewhere that was cheaper. I'd heard of a small town in Connecticut that would allow me to maybe open up a clothing store and make something of myself while also having a drastically lower cost of living. I packed up my things and threw everything into a U-Haul that I had rented. I buckled Maia into her car seat and I started the truck. The town was just and hour and a half north of the city. I had a felling of safety and home when I saw the welcome sign. 'Town of Stars Hollow- Population 9530'
"Well
Mai, look around. This is our new home. Hopefully you will live the
life I never got to here. Who knows, we may even like it."
I
parked the truck and reasoned that maybe me and Maia should eat. I
saw a small sign on a window for a place called 'Luke's Diner'.
I decided it would be perfect. I unbuckled Maia and carried her
inside. As I walked through the door all eyes were on me. I guess it
was strange to see somebody new in town.
"How many?"
"Two. Me and her" I replied to the man in flannel and a baseball cap.
"Okay
take a seat and I'll get your order."
"Thanks"
By this time people had gone back to their respective conversations. I was no longer the subject of their piercing stares. I looked at the menu and ordered apple sauce for Maia and got myself pancakes. I also asked the man, who can only assume is Luke, where I could get an inexpensive room for the night. He was so nice. He told me a friend of his owned the local inn and that she would hook me up with a room at a reasonable price. I still don't understand how these people, these strangers can be so nice to me without having known me for more than five minutes. I might actually like it here.
When I got to the inn I saw a truly beautiful establishment. I went inside to the reception desk.
"Hi,
the man who worked at the diner, Luke I'm guessing, told me that I
would be able to find a reasonably priced room for tonight."
"I
don't know what is going on I will go get Lorelai, the owner."
replied the man with a thick French accent.
"How
may I help you?"
"I was at the diner and the man there said
that he knew you and that you would probably be able to work
something out so that I can get a reasonably priced room for a night
or two."
"Are you new to town?"
"Yeah, I actually just
moved up her from New York City with my daughter. Living there was
really expensive, especially when most of the money I made from
waiting tables went to pay the babysitter. It was a vicious cycle. So
anyway, yeah I'm new to town."
"Your
daughter? How old are you eighteen?"
"I just turned nineteen
actually, and she wasn't exactly planned. But if you can't
accommodate me simply because I've made some mistakes, no different
choices in the past then I will simply find another town to move
to."
"Oh no! I didn't mean to offend you. I actually had my
daughter when I was young too, so I actually understand more than you
can imagine. Do you have a job or anything yet?"
"No, I was hoping to get a job either waiting tables again or being a cashier until I save enough money to open up a small shop."
"You
know, I have an opening for a maid. It doesn't pay great, but I'll
give you free room and board so you can save everything you make. You
can even bring around your daughter while you work."
"Why are
you being so nice to me? I can never thank you enough for this. You
won't be sorry."
"I'm just trying to do for you what
another woman did for me. It's the least I can do, trust me."
I
got a job and a place to live so quickly. I was so happy. I had to be
a maid, but it would be worth it if I could pick myself up off the
ground and succeed. I had this woman to thank for everything. I was
given a room out back. It had its own entrance and was perfect. I
unpacked all my things from the apartment in New York and got to work
at making this place feel like home too.
