Come Back Story

Now that she lifted her head, Kit took in the woman’s appearance. He hadn’t recognized the Johnson sibling at first, but there was no denying her genes. “Well, I’d suggest you’d order another coffee because that one looks cold and not in a good way.” He turned to the waitress and went ahead and ordered a coffee for himself and one for Lori, just trying to do his one nice thing for the day. “She’s grumpy, that’s for sure. Everyone in town seems to be a little off though this week.”

Valentina cocked her head, her brows creased in concern as she looked at Lori. “No worries,” she said, leaning back against the faded vinyl seats. Glancing away from Lori, Valentina looked around the nearly empty diner, watching as a waitress poured coffee for a couple a few booths away. 

Looking back to Lori, V offered her a smile, “How have you been?”

“Val,” Lori said with a sigh gathering herself and sitting up straight. The girl was practically family and Lori always welcomed her presence no matter how tired. “I’m good I work an overnight shift and I haven’t quite recovered as you can tell.” A small laugh escaped her lips as she spoke. 

“What kind of trouble are you up too?” Lori asked with a grin. 

Kit hadn’t mean to scare the girl awake, but by the evil eye the waitress over her section was giving her, Kit thought his awakening would be much less rude. “Hey, sorry there. You’ve been out for a while though and I just wanted to make sure you were A, still breathing and B, wanted to save you from the wrath of a waitress that doesn’t seem too happy you’re camping out in her section.” He tilted his head in the server’s direction. “You alright there” He inquired.

Kass had felt bad about snapping her fingers, but at the same time she wanted to go home and the only way to do so was to wake the Johnson in front of her. “Look hun, I get it. Your bar is closed up cause of the murder and shit but that doesn’t mean you can sleep here. I fed you and kept the alcoholics from bothering you too much. Is there anything else I can do?”

Lori inhaled deeply sitting up at the counter and getting herself together as she began to see things more clearly. “Right, sorry,” Taking her hands she rubbed her eyes a few times before taking her bad from the side and standing up. “I’m sorry for the trouble, thanks for the help.” Lori forced a smile onto her face. 

At first, she wasn’t going to say anything. Mckenna was just passing by and ‘stranger danger’ was taking on a worse meaning everyday in this town. However, the girl snoozing as though she was counting millions of sheep was looking less than shiny. “It’s just… you have drool a ‘lil bit… everywhere.”

The sight of Lori sleeping like that was a strange one. Her friend must have been exhausted to fall asleep like that. “Don’t apologize. Rough night?” she asked kindly. She wanted to offer the woman coffee, but she looked like what she really needed was some good sleep. “Do you want to go upstairs and nap for a while?” Mia didn’t usually offer her place to people, but Lori was family.

“Oh my gosh yeah,” Lori said forcing a smile onto her face as she began to really wake up. Lori shook her head a the question. “No, no I’m alright, just need a cup of coffee if you aren’t too busy.” Being around Mia was always calming. It was nice to know she could take a break here if need be. 

It was a busy day, like always, and Mia was loving every minutes of it. It got her mind off things and she knew that for a select few, a good coffee was more than just a drink. It could work wonders on the mind and soul. A smile grew on her face as she heard Lori’s voice. Seeing her friend was a pleasure, once that she acknowledge for everything it was. There had been rough times for Lori, some that Mia had felt powerless through. But never did she even think about leaving her friend behind.

Leaning over, Mia looked at the photo Lori was holding. “Oh my God! No way.” There they were, two happy young girls, on their first summer at camp. How grown up Mia thought she was, away from home with her best friend. “I do not miss these braces! You need to make me a copy of that.”

The cup was busy but Lori wasn’t surprised that Mia was still willing to take a moment to look at the photo she’d brought. Mia and she had such a past it was hard to look at her friend without a warm feeling. Despite Lori’s lost years, Mia had never wavered in her support for Lori. Which was not something everyone was capable of. Mia Falcone was truly one of a kind. 

Wasn’t this such a pleasant surprise? She’d never fully paid much attention to Lori as a child, hadn’t very well during the vague and sparse visits since the move to New York. Hell, it wasn’t until- “I’m a little shocked myself,” Eva admitted with a soft chuckle, refusing to let the cop side, the one that was cold and calculating, come out in company she considered trusted. “Come on, then.” Holding out her hand to help Lori down, although not sure why, she caught the approach of her co-worker and rapidly shook her head. He slowed and turned the other way, taking her lunch for himself. “I’ve never been there before, so I’m going to take your recommendations,” Eva decided to admit.

Maybe it was the fact that Lori had never really been single or sober long enough to pay attention. But there was something in Eva’s eyes that made Lori want to lean in, to have a closer look, to know more. “Julian did his best to burn it down. We’re in bed with the Brotherhood now, I guess.” Looking down at her hand Lori didn’t think twice she slid off the car Eva’s hand still in hers. Moving her hand she laced her fingers between Eva’s giving a small squeeze before leading her towards the food she indicated. “Oh, okay I’m in charge then.” Loir grinned keeping Eva’s hand in hers as they began to walk.