Welcome to my latest story. I hope you like it. I will need reviews and feedback to keep it going. My muse has a tendency to fade without reviews. Background on how Rory became a divorcee with a child will be reflexed in flashbacks. Remember to review.

Chapter 1

September 4, 2023

Rory sat at the computer in her grandfather's study, typing. Her mind was deep into the story she was writing. Kaye was hiding behind the statue, scared Billy was going to find her. She wanted to call for help, but she was scared he would hear her. His footsteps are getting closer and closer. Sassy, Rory and Chloe's Shih Tzu sat up from her nest in Rory's office and started barking. This brought Rory out of her story, as she heard the front door slam. Chloe is home.

Rory hit F10 on her computer to save her story, stood up, took a deep breath and exhaled. She knew her ex-husband was waiting for her. It was the first of the month. This is when the two of them sat down and compared schedules. They looked at Chloe's schedule, his trial and work schedule and her schedule and came up with a schedule that worked for everyone. Sometimes this was easy and sometimes it caused a fight.

She walked out of the study to see him leaning against the foyer wall with his nose in his phone, 9 year old Chloe nowhere in sight. She stood there a minute, just looking. He was a good looking man for 39. He kept fit. She smiled. He had great sex appeal. That was never their problem.

"Hey, Happy Birthday," She said.

He looked up from his phone. "Thank you for the birthday present." He said.

She motioned for him to go to the dining room. She followed while Sassy hit the stairs looking for Chloe. She grabbed her ipad off the buffet and took a seat across from him and they began.

"She picked it out. She has good taste." Rory told him.

"Yeah, she does, but thanks for taking her." He said "Now, let's see what is going on this month." He didn't want to talk about his birthday anymore.

She closed the door after Chloe and Sassy said their goodbye. "So, what's for supper?" she asked the 9 year old. This started a debate. It always does.

The two of them sat at the table eating breakfast for supper. Chloe was telling her about her weekend with her dad. She enjoys listening to all the fun Chloe has at her dad's. He had not remarried, but he did have a live-in girlfriend, Amy. They had been together for five years. Chloe having fun at her dad's use to bother her, but now, she is just glad she and her ex get along well enough to put Chloe first.

As they were cleaning the kitchen, Chloe asked. "Did I tell you about Daddy's new neighbor?" Rory shook her head. "Yeah, there is a girl my age and two boys. I think they are twins, but anyway, I met her last night. We talked for a little while, but then we had to go eat. I like her."

"I'm glad you have a friend at your dad's." Rory told her. "What did y'all do for your dad's birthday?" Rory asked. His birthday is September the 4, but Chloe spent the Labor day weekend with him so they celebrated early.

"Nana and Poppy went with us to P'nella. I had to wear my scratchy dress. Daddy said I could wear leggings so I wouldn't be so scratchy." She told her. P'nella is one of the more expensive restaurants in Harford.

"What did you order?" she asked. Rory knew they did not have a children's menu.

"Cheeseburger with extra pickles," Chloe told her with a smile on her face. They were both picturing Elisabeth 'Liz' Chole's Nana's face when she ordered. "Daddy said I could. He said it serves them right for picking a restaurant that did not cater to kids." Rory and Chloe both got a laugh out of that. "Amy held out her hand for a low five under the table."

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Tuesday afternoon found Rory sitting in the pick up line at Chilton Preparatory Academy, Elementary side. She, of course, was reading while she was waiting for the bell to ring. After a while, she could see Chloe walking toward her car. She was walking with a girl she didn't know. Chloe climbed in the car and buckled up. Rory still had her in a booster seat, but that was only because she was short for her age.

"Hey, Did you have a good day?" Rory asked as she turned around to make sure Chloe was buckled up. She nodded as she was buckling up.

"Mom!" Chloe said. "Josey is in my class. She is starting late, but I told Ms. Albritton that I would help her catch up."

"Josey?" Rory asked.

"Yeah, Josey. I told you about her. She just moved into the apartment next to daddy's." Chloe told her.

"Okay, well good. Maybe you can get her caught up. She may need a tutor too." Rory said. Tristin Dugray, Esquire lives in a penthouse apartment in downtown Hartford. If Josey lives next to him, then her family occupies the other penthouse. They could afford a tutor.

Rory and Chloe continued to talk all the way home. Rory enjoyed her time with Chloe. She was raising Chloe in some ways, the way her mother raised her, but in others, not so much. She wanted to have a close relationship with her daughter, but she also feels like her mother treated Rory like an adult way before she was. Rory was sure there was a happy medium.

They arrived home about the time Sara was finishing up for the day. Sara was their housekeeper. She worked 2 full days and 2 ½ days and Friday off.

"Hello, Miss Chloe. I left you a snack in the kitchen by the stove." Sara told Chloe.

"You can snack and do your homework." Rory told her. "I was thinking about going to Pete's Pizza Palace for supper. What do you think?"

"Eat in or have it delivered?" Chloe asked.

"Eat in if you finish your homework in time." Rory told her.

What she didn't tell her was that Gigi was meeting them at Pete's. Gigi is at Yale, but wanted to borrow Rory's pink Jimmy Choos for a party this weekend and this was the only time she would have to come pick them up.