Page 40 of Pity Play

CHAPTER TWENTY

LUKE

I would have to be blind not to have noticed that Lorelai has turned into a beautiful woman. Her tangerine hair is now a gorgeous auburn, which sets off her blue eyes beautifully. She’s tallish and quite graceful. But it’s not just physical attractiveness. I’ve noticed stacks of baby blankets strewn about which I’m sure she’s donating somewhere, which makes her super kind. She’s got a quirkiness about her that I find intriguing. And every once in a while, the thought of kissing her lands right in the middle of my mind. But none of that matters. She’s Noah’s little sister, and she lives in Elk Lake. There’s no way she and I are ever going to be a couple. No. Way.

Having said that, I do suddenly wonder what Lorelai is like on a date. I have to suppress a laugh at the image of her offering her romantic interest a Toaster Strudel for breakfast. If I’m honest, she’s endearingly unpredictable and that realization is not exactly welcome.

Trying to get us back on more comfortable footing, I tell her, “Noah said that you wanted to own a bed and breakfast someday.”

“I thought it could be fun, but that won’t be in my near future. I’m not even sure I can afford rent, let alone a house.”

“Maybe you could find work in a hotel or something. You know, to further your education of what owning a bed and breakfast would entail.”

“I did work at the Elk Lake Lodge,” she says. “But I quit so I can get this place ready for sale.”

“Noah mentioned that. I was hoping to check out their restaurant some time.”

“You totally should. It’s great.” It’s obvious she’s still annoyed. I just don’t know if it’s directed toward me or Noah.

As soon as she’s done eating, Lorelai stands up and takes her plate to the kitchen sink. “I’m sorry about my brother,” she offers. “I’m horrified by what he did.”

“Don’t be.” I try to soften the blow of my earlier reaction by adding, “I mean, it’s not like it would have been totally out of the question had he tried to set us up another time. It’s just that … you know … there’s a lot going on in my life right now.”

I can’t tell if Lorelai is about to run across the room and throw herself into my arms or if she’s going to flee the kitchen. Either way, a sprint seems imminent. But before she can do either thing, the doorbell rings.Saved by the bell.

Lorelai looks as relieved as I am. “I’d better get that.”

Once she leaves the room, I stand up and make quick work of cleaning up after breakfast. I find a plastic container in the pantry and wrap some of the food to take to my dad. I figure if I share my creations with him, he might start to understand me better.

After packing a plastic grocery sack, I walk into the living room to get my coat. Lorelai is talking to a woman I recognize from high school. She was a senior when I was a freshman. “Anna?”

Our guest turns toward me wearing a radiant smile. “Luke Phillips?”

“That’s me.” I walk over to her and give her a quick hug. “How have you been? You’re still living in Elk Lake, huh?”

“I was in Chicago, but my husband and I came back when we found out we were pregnant. This really is the perfect town to raise a family.” Lorelai is working hard not to look at me. So much so that she stares at the floor, the ceiling, and even her own hands, but she won’t make eye contact with me.

“I heard about your dad’s accident,” Anna says. “Please give him and your mom my best.”

“Will do,” I tell her. “It was nice running into you.”

I’m not sure why she’s visiting Lorelai, but I don’t stick around to ask. I just wave to both women and say, “Have a nice day.”

The drive to the hospital is quick. I wish I were more excited to see my dad, but the truth is that I’m dreading it. There’s only so much small talk we can make with each other. Getting out of my car, I grab the sausage crepes and then lock the door before walking into the hospital.

My goal today is to stay long enough to see my mom as we switch shifts. Looking at the clock, that means that I’ll need to be here for three hours. That might as well be three days for how smoothly I anticipate things going.

I don’t see Tony upstairs, so I’m guessing it’s his day off. Taking a deep breath, I walk into my dad’s room. I’m surprised to find an empty bed. Panic floods my nervous system. Did something happen to him? Dear God, please let him not have had a stroke or heart attack. I force myself to breathe deeply and try to calm down. Surely, if there had been an emergency, the hospital would have called my mom, and she in turn would have called me. Unless, of course, it just happened, and she hasn’t had a chance.

A short, middle-aged woman wearing green scrubs walks into the room. “Where’s my dad?” I don’t mean to sound as forceful as I do, but I’m ridiculously anxious.

Taking the chart off the hook at the end of the bed, she says, “He’s having another MRI. It shouldn’t take more than another thirty minutes or so.”

“Why does he need another MRI?”

“The doctor wanted to make sure he wasn’t forming any blood clots.” She explains, “They’re sometimes a result of forced immobility.”

“So, he’s all right?”

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