THE COP AND THE POP STAR

CHAPTER 17: A PERFECT DAY

Tom's view:

Jake is sitting on my lap, we are waiting for Alyssa. She's been in the bedroom quite a while.

I said, "Jake your mommy is taking a long time."  I was petting his head. He licked my face.

I said, "Jake I'm really happy your mommy is going to let me stay in your life and her life. I was worried about getting attached to you and losing you."

I didn't know it, but Alyssa was standing there.

She said, "Can I take a picture of you two."  I looked. I said, 'Yes sure."

I said, "Wow Alyssa, I don't even recognize you."

She laughed.  She said, "that's the point."

She had dark sunglasses on, her hair was gone. I mean she looks like she has short hair. She has her hair braided and then in some sort of I don't know what you call it, it's all on the top of her head.

She's in jeans but an old pair, with holes in the knees, and a gray tee shirt.

She said, "I get tired of having my picture taken when I'm trying to go out to eat breakfast, or to the mall, so I have to go like this. So far, it's worked. I mean not that Jordan lets me go to the mall by myself, I have to go with some of his staff and guys."

I said, "That must get old. I mean not being able to just go do what you want, where you want, and have to worry about being mobbed by fans."

She said, "yeah it is, but I think it's worth it, I mean the freedom I've given up, not because of the money or being famous, but because what I can do with that money, help kids and animals, and also because I can help people with my songs. If they can relate, and know they aren't alone, other people feel the same things."

I said, "Are you ready to go? I took Jake out."

She said, "yes."

I opened the car door for her, then went back around.

I said, "Where would you like to go eat breakfast."

She said, "Wherever you want to,"

I said, "is there any place you like to go?"

She said, "yes my favorite place, I could show you how to get there, it's on 47th street and Central."

I said, "Okay. Let's go."

I was surprised when we got there, I was expecting a fancy place, but instead it's a small little diner. And when I say small, it probably only seats 20.   I pulled. in, turned off the engine.

She said, "What, if this is not okay, we can go somewhere else?"

I said, "no it's fine, I just never seen this place, it's uh small, I just am surprised it's your favorite."

I said, "it's small, but the food is so good, and the waitresses are so sweet."

We went inside.  There were booths and this long counter.  

Alyssa went to a booth.  The waitress came over she said in a soft low voice, so no one but us heard, "hey Alyssa."  Alyssa hugged her and said, "hey Janie, how is Lila doing, and that new grandbaby of yours."

The waitress said, "She's doing much better, and the baby is just growing so much."

Alyssa said, "Do you have more pictures."  She said, "you know it."

Alyssa looked at her pictures.

She said, 'The usual for you, and what would you like sir."  She handed me the menu.  I picked the bacon, eggs, and biscuits and gravy.