Page 4 of Pity Play

“I talk to my mom regularly, and my sister visits me twice a year from California. My family life is fine.” I really need her to stop giving me crap. I’m nervous enough about the reception I’ll get from my dad.

Standing up, Eve concludes, “You’re going to have a great time. I just know it.”

“Uh-huh. Listen, if you need me, I can take the train into the city for a night here and there.” The train will be easier if there’s bad weather. And let’s face it, spring in the Midwest could mean anything from a tornado to a snowstorm.

“We won’t need you,” she assures me.

“But if you do …” I don’t have a chance to say anything more because my cellphone rings. Looking at the screen, I see that it’s my friend, Noah. I answer his call with, “Hey, buddy. How’s it going?”

Not bothering with pleasantries, he says, “I found you a place to stay.”

“Thank goodness.” The last thing I want to do is stay at home.

“Lorelai is going to let you crash at my parents’ house with her.”

I grimace thinking about my friend’s freckly-faced, rusty-haired little sister. I would have been a moron not to have noticed how she was always hanging around when I was at Noah’shouse. While I suppose it was flattering, it was also low-key irritating. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I’m only semi-teasing.

Noah scoffs. “Lorelai is twenty-eight years old, Luke. I guarantee she’s not still holding a torch for you.”

“Good. I mean, you know, it was kind of intense there for a while.” I cite the time she proposed to me when she was in the sixth grade. She even created a PowerPoint presentation for why it would behoove me to wait for her.

Grunting, he says, “Her mind is currently elsewhere.” He pauses for a moment before adding, “Lorelai and her boyfriend just broke up. She’s pretty shattered.”

“That’s too bad.” Although, I’m secretly happy her thoughts won’t be on her past infatuation with me. I suppose it’s kind of egocentric of me to assume she’d still be interested, and I suddenly feel like a real heel.

“You might try being extra nice to her,” Noah suggests. “I promise it won’t hurt your tough guy image.”

“What tough guy image?” I demand.

“Aren’t you touted as the most challenging chef in Chicago?” He clarifies, “At least according toChicagomagazine.”

“There’s a difference between being discerning and being difficult.”

Noah laughs. “Call it whatever you want, just be nice to Lorelai. Oh, and don’t tell her that I told you about her breakup. She’s got this thing about people pitying her.”

“Why would I say anything?” If I have my way, I won’t be spending any time with her. I’ll just sneak in and out and keep to myself.

“Things have a way of coming up and I promised her I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m going to have enough on my mind.”

“You nervous about seeing your dad?” he asks.

“Obviously. But more than that, I’m worried about working atPop’s without him knowing. There’s no telling how he’ll react if he finds out.”

Instead of addressing my concerns, Noah decides, “I think it’s a good thing you’re going home. It’s time.” I love how no one seems to comprehend the level of anxiety I’m feeling. All they think is that it’s time I make things right with my dad. But I didn’t cause our rift. He’s the one who refused to come to my graduation from culinary school. He’s the one who thought my future was up to him, not me. In fact, as soon as I told him I’d taken a job in the city, he started acting like I wasn’t even his son anymore. Things have only gotten worse since then.

“So, I just go to your house when I get to town?”

“Yeah. Lorelai works at the Elk Lake Lodge in the gift shop but she’s off tomorrow and the next day.”

“I’ve heard that place is doing gangbuster business,” I tell him. “I’d like to check out their restaurant while I’m there.”

“I’m sure Lor can help you get a good table.”

“You don’t think I could manage that on my own?” I snort. “Being a James Beard Award-winning chef does have its perks.”

“I thought you liked to keep your anonymity. You know, not wanting everyone to bow to you so you get to see what it’s really like to eat at other restaurants.”

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