Page 42 of Pity Play

His head bobs up and down slowly. “You know what I’d really like?”

“I don’t.”

“I’d love a burger for lunch. I don’t suppose you’d be willing to stop by Pop’s and ask Jim to make one for me.”

“I’d be happy to, Dad.” Keeping up the pretense that I haven’t been into the diner yet, I tell him, “I’d like to see Jim again. How’s he doing?”

“He’s Jim. Always on time, always smiling …”

“He’s a great guy,” I say.

His only response is a grunt. Then he wants to know, “When’s your mom coming by?”

“She’ll be here at lunch time.” I suddenly wonder how we’re going to pass the time. We clearly don’t have anything to say to each other.

My dad surprises me by demanding, “Tell me about your restaurant.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Everything.”

I can’t read the expression on his face, so I don’t know if I’m walking into a land mine or not. I simply start talking. “It’s down by the river …”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

LORELAI

While showing Anna around the house, I ask her, “How do you know Luke Phillips?”

“He was three years younger than me, but you know how high school-aged kids are. They don’t usually bother with anyone even a year younger.”

“Tell me about it.” I don’t know why, but I feel comfortable enough with Anna that I admit, “I used to have a huge crush on Luke when I was a kid, but I was four years younger, so he didn’t know I existed.”

She laughs before nudging me with her arm. “Looks like you’ve remedied that situation, huh?”

“Oh, no. He’s not … We’re not …” I’m suddenly overwhelmingly flustered that she thinks we’re an item. “Luke is my brother’s friend. He’s only staying here. In a different bedroom,” I feel the need to explain.

She tips her head to the side until her box braids are nearly sitting on her shoulder. “Why isn’t he staying with his parents?”

“It’s complicated,” I tell her.

Her face suddenly brightens. “Is your brother Noah Riley?”

“Yeah.”

“He played basketball with my high school boyfriend. Small world, huh?”

“I guess so.” Then I ask, “You don’t by any chance do rentals at your agency, do you?”

“Vacation rentals,” she says.

“I might be looking for an apartment in town,” I tell her. “Do you know of anything that’s nice but cheap?”

“Not off the top of my head, but I’ll keep my ears open.” As I lead her into the kitchen, she says, “Your parents asked for a list of things that will help this house sell faster.” Looking around, she says, “I definitely think the kitchen needs to be repainted, and as much as it’s a pain, you should lay some vinyl planking in here to replace this old tile.” She gestures toward the cracked flooring. “It’s kind of dated.”

“Planking would definitely look more modern,” I tell her thinking about how I’ve been advocating this very thing for years. “Any idea what color we should paint?”

“Just make everything as neutral as you can. Not all white, but blank enough of a slate that people can see their own furnishings here.”

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