Chapter Six

A New Life

Part of the day Lorelai followed around one of the maids around as she went from room to room. She watched, and pitched in more and more often, as she learned the fastest and most efficient way to change the beds, clean the rooms, and disinfect the bathrooms.

Then she joined the dining room staff -- the waiters and busboys, as they made the change from lunch to supper with fancier table cloths and more formal place settings.

She was allowed the time she needed to attend to Rory when she thought she had to be changed or fed, with the understanding that the next day, when she would be expected to carry her own weight, she would have to figure out how to juggle both duties. Mia wanted her to learn what it was like to be responsible for more than one thing at a time.

Lorelai worked until almost nine that night before Mia told her it was enough, and she was satisfied she was ready.

"You said you weren't afraid of hard work. So, how was it?"

"Really? Not as bad as I expected. Everyone was so helpful. And I guess I didn't screw up too bad because nobody yelled at me."

"Why would you think anyone would yell at you for making a mistake?"

"Well, you've never heard Emily go off on almost every maid we've ever had. She doesn't tolerate ANY mistakes. We've had as many as three maids in one week!"

"Why is she so demanding?"

"She says when she pays good money for something, she expects to get exactly what she paid for."

Mia didn't say anything else about it. But she mentally filed away this information about Emily Gilmore, another -- important, piece of the puzzle why Lorelai left home.

"It's getting late, and you should get some sleep. Your day starts at seven, and as hard as you worked today, I need you rested and ready to go."

Lorelai said good night, picked up the sleeping Rory and headed back to their little house. She had no trouble falling asleep this time.

The next morning, the night manager tapped on the door of the shed at six at Lorelai's request. She wanted to make sure she was wide awake and Rory was fed before she had to start working.

When she carried Rory into the empty dining room with their breakfasts, she saw a small playpen in the corner set away from everything. No one had to tell her Mia had gotten it for Rory. She was still surprised that so much was being done for her even though she was a stranger only three days ago.

"This must be what a REAL family feels like," she thought to herself.

Right at seven, Lorelai started helping to set up the dining room for breakfast. At eight, the first arrivals for the family reunion checked in, and for the next few hours Lorelai was busy taking to their rooms the extra pillows, blankets, towels, and whatever else the guests requested.

Several times during the day, Lorelai remembered it was time to feed or change Rory, but discovered it had already been done. Two of the maids she worked with had older children of their own and welcomed the opportunity to tend to and play with a baby again.

Almost before Lorelai realized it, it was well after seven p.m. And Mia had to tell her it was time to quit working.

"You've been running all day. So, are you ready to quit yet?"

"Oh my god, no. This is the first time I've actually felt like I've done something, on my own, that other people seemed to appreciate. And no one told me I'd get TIPS! I do get to keep them, don't I?"

Mia laughed.

"Of course you do. But just don't expect to make a living on them."

"I won't."

"I don't want you to think I'm trying to get rid of you, but maybe you and Rory should call it a day. I don't want any of the guests to think you're at their beck and call just because they recognize you."

"You're probably right, and I am tired, but, umm, do you think I could use the telephone first? It won't take long."

Mia had an idea of who she wanted to call.

"Certainly, you can. Use the one in my office. Just turn out the light and shut the door when you're finished. I'm going home. It's been a long day for me, too."

"Okay, I will. Thanks. And I'll see you in the morning."

Lorelai sat down in the chair behind the desk, picked up the receiver, and started to dial the number, then hung the phone up. After hesitating a few seconds, she started to dial a second time, then chickened out and hung it up again.

Then she stood up, took a deep breath, and dialed the number.

"Gilmore residence."

"Marta. Hey, it's me."

"Miss Lorelai! Where are you? Are you all right? Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore have been worried sick about you and Lorrie! They're talking about hiring a private investigator to find you."

"No! You can't let them do that! I've met some wonderful people, I have a great place to live, and I even have a job. Rory and I are doing so good. You can't let them come after us!"

"Rory? You have a boyfriend?"

"No. That's what I'm calling Lorrie now -- Rory."

"Rory? Well, if that's what you want to call her. You know, your parents aren't here. They're at a DAR charity fund raiser."

"I know. That's why I'm calling now -- so I won't have to talk to them. But you have to explain to them -- tell them, that if they have some detective find me and drag me back home, I'll just leave again, and they'll never hear from me or Rory again, EVER! But if they'll just leave us alone, I'll call once in a while so they'll know we're okay. Will you tell them that? Please?"

"Yes, of course, I'll tell them. But they won't like it that you waited until they were gone to call."

"Well, that's too bad. Just tell them -- tell them I'll call again next week, and tell them that Rory and I are fine, okay?

"All right, I'll tell them."

Lorelai hung up the phone and walked out of the office, turning off the light and closing the door.

When she walked into the dining room, she saw one of the little girls belonging to one of the guests sitting on the floor next to Rory's playpen, talking to her through the netting, and Rory was trying to talk back to her.

"Yep," she said to the empty room. " I think we're going to be just fine."

And So It Began