Page 20 of Pity Play

She makes no move to take my hand, so I bend down and slide my arms under her before lifting her. She’s dead weight. “Where’s your friend?” I ask.

She eventually steadies on her feet. “Gone. She has work tomorrow. I stayed in case ... you know …”

“You wanted to drink more?” I guess.

Her eyes narrow like she can’t remember what she was going to say. “Absolutely not. I don’t drink.”Uh-huh.

“You can’t drive like this,” I tell her.

Pushing away from me, she says, “Of course I’m not going to drive like this. I called an Uber.”

“We have Uber in Elk Lake?” For some reason, I’m surprised this little town has progressed that far.

“Psh, yeah.” She sways slightly on her feet, so I take her by the elbow and lead her to the counter. Sitting her down on a round stool, I tell her, “You can wait here.”

“I’m supposed to be outside,” she says.

“That’s not how Uber works. They text you when they arrive.”

Her head lulls to the side. “It’s not really Uber. It’s just Kenny James driving people around town when they need a lift. He still has a flip phone, so he doesn’t text.”

That sounds more like Elk Lake. “I see. Well, then, why don’t you call Kenny and tell him you have a ride. I’ll take you home.”

“But you’re working!”

I hold up one finger to her before going back into the kitchen. “Jim, I’ll be back in thirty. Noah’s little sister tied one on and she needs a ride home.”

I’m only gone for a minute or two, but by the time I get back to Lorelai, she’s practically lying on the counter. Once again, I lift her like a rag doll. “Let’s go, princess.” I shuffle her out the front door toward my car that’s parked a couple of buildings away.

After clicking the unlock button, I lean her against the back door while opening the passenger side for her. Then I help her inside. Getting behind the wheel, I can’t help but think how embarrassed she’s going to be tomorrow. We make the short drive in silence except for the occasional soft snores that come from the seat next to me.

When I get to Lorelai’s house, I gently wake her. “Wake up sleepyhead.”

Her eyes pop open and she looks at me with great concentration. “Did we just go to prom?”

Oh, boy, she’s out of it. “We’re coming home from Pop’s,” I tell her.

“Did we go there after prom?” She’s so insistent on this prom thing, I realize the poor girl probably spent more time fantasizing about me than I knew.

“No prom,” I tell her again. “You had one too many and you’re drunk.”

She sits up until her spine is rigid. “I rarely drink.” She hurries to add, “A beer here and there, but that’s all.”

That certainly explains why she’s such a lightweight and in the current state she’s in. “You had more than beer tonight and it’s gone to your head.”

With a look of great confusion, Lorelai asks, “Are you home from college?”

“I’m home to help my dad in the restaurant,” I tell her. “I’m out of college.”

Ignoring my explanation, she closes her eyes and declares, “You took me to the prom. I always knew you would. My friends are going to be so jealous.”

Getting out of the car, I walk over to the passenger side before opening the door and helping Noah’s sister back onto her feet. I hope she doesn’t remember any of this in the morning or she’s never going to be able to look me in the eye again. Which could lead to a very uncomfortable stay at her house.

Lorelai leans against me as I walk her up the path. Taking my house key out of my pocket, I unlock the door and push it open. “Do you need help getting upstairs?”

She shoves her hands against my chest and playfully drawls, “I’m not gonna sleep with you.” Then she puckers up her mouth and adds, “But I wouldn’t mind a kiss. Maybe even a whole bunch of them.”

Oh, brother. I lean in toward her and chastely give her a peck on her cheek, which causes her face to crunch up in consternation. “That’s it? Huh. Kind of a letdown after dreaming about it since I was ten. Oh, well. You’re still a very nice person.”

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