Page 55 of Pity Play

“How did you take care of my dad?”

Jim snatches a ticket out of the window and gets busy putting a chicken breast on the grill. “My parents and I moved to Milwaukee after I graduated from high school. When your dadgraduated the next year, he reached out and asked if he could stay with us while he looked for a job.”

“And you took him in?” This is certainly a part of my dad’s history I would have liked to have known. It’s no wonder Jim has always felt like family. He’s the closest thing my dad has to it.

“My folks told your dad he could live with them for free so long as he kept up with his education. I was going to junior college, so it made sense for your dad to go to the same school.”

I don’t really know what to say, so I finally ask, “How did you end up moving to Elk Lake?”

A slow smile creeps across his face. “That’s when your daddy returned the favor. I had been working at a restaurant in Milwaukee and the place burned down. My folks lost the lease on their house at the same time. That’s when I started to think it might be time for us to make a move. So, I called your dad and asked what he thought about us living here.”

“He obviously liked the idea,” I prompt him for more information.

“He loved it. And so have we.”

This is a lot to take in. “Didn’t you ever wonder why my dad never talked about his childhood with us?”

He shakes his head. “Not my business.”

“Yeah, but …”

“No, son,” he says. “It’s not my business and it’s not yours. When you survive something as bad as your daddy did, you earn the right to keep your peace if that’s what you want to do.”

I can’t seem to leave well enough alone. “I just can’t imagine my kids not knowing all about me.”

“That’s because you’ve had a great life,” he tells me. “Your dad’s road wasn’t as easy.”

This has been a big day for me. So many secrets revealed that I never saw coming. I have a lot to think about and for some reason, I feel like Lorelai is the person I want to share it all with.

I don’t know when she became important to me, but as I think back to our many conversations, even the mundane ones, I realizeit’s easy to open up to her and I enjoy her company. She obviously cares about people. I mean, who makes blankets for babies they’ve never met? She loves animals and if Penelope’s reaction to her is to be believed, they love her back. If that doesn’t speak to the quality of person that Lorelai is, I don’t know what does.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

LORELAI

I know it’s silly to dress up just to go to Pop’s, but if I want to get Luke to kiss me before he goes back to Chicago, I’m going to have to up my game. I’m afraid the image of my flannel night gown might be seared into his brain.

Slipping into a black pencil skirt, I pair it with a blue cashmere sweater that’s almost a perfect match for my eyes. I would never have worn this color when I was a kid, but happily, I’m a lot more confident now.

Once I’m dressed, I apply a coat of mascara and then swipe on my favorite red lipstick. Looking in the mirror, I confirm that I look highly kissable. A quick spray of perfume and I’m ready to roll.

I vow to avoid eating another burger tonight and go for something a little more delicate. I don’t currently possess the kind of money needed for dry cleaning, and ketchup on cashmere would most certainly require professional help. If past experience is anything to go on, my sheer effort to avoid making a mess of myself will guarantee that I do the exact opposite.

After slipping into rubber boots—dressed up or not, I do notwant to step ankle deep into a puddle—I grab my black fake fur coat and set off.

I jack up the heat in my Volvo and sit for five minutes to give the warmth an opportunity to circulate. Also, sitting gives me a chance to think. I don’t know what happened to me today, but when Luke said that we create our own opportunity, my brain finally turned on.

I do not have to wait for the things I want to come to me, like I’ve always thought they would.Why did I think that?I need to go after what I want and simply make it mine. Sadly, that does not include Luke because he’s going to make choices that will break my heart and I’m not in the market for any more of that. That kiss I’m determined to get had better be great because it’s all I’m going to get.

After pulling out of my driveway, it takes fewer than five minutes to get to Pop’s. I park right out front and scurry across the pavement to the front door. The hostess that I detest is standing up front, and for the first time she doesn’t glare at me. Instead, she looks like she’s about to burst into tears.

I’m not sure why, but I suddenly feel protective. Jogging up to her, I demand, “What happened? Why are you so upset?”

Her top lip quivers as she blinks her eyes rapidly to keep tears from falling.

“Go to the bathroom and splash your face with cold water,” I order. “I’ll cover for you while you’re gone.”

“Are you sure?”

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