Lorelai looked around her. The song "Bad Day" was playing in her head and she was sure as hell having one. The Inn was booked to full capacity and she was going insane. There was a Romance Writer's convention happening in Hartford and of course, the authors had found the Inn "charming", "a little plot of heaven" and "perfect for my next story's locale". It was filled with chatter from them about how great love was and how everyone needed someone. She really wanted to throw something at them. Her face was frozen in a smile while everything was so pink and love like around her.

She had a string of failed relationships and with two people with whom she had given it multiple shots! Argh! She was sick of it. Sick of needing a relationship. She was single and reveled in it, except she didn't. She loved having that someone who she could call when she was bored, someone she could crib, blame for having a bad hair day or buy something for cause she knew he would like it. She had to get out of the Inn because putting her head into an oven seemed more appealing as the seconds ticked.

She ran into the kitchen and told Sookie that she was taking off. Sookie knew that the convention was getting to her so she waved her off and went back to creating her strawberry treat.

Lorelai went home and took a shower and played "Bad Day" on the player and sung along with her powerhouse voice. After her shower, she played the Guys and Dolls soundtrack. She had fallen in love with it after she and Rory had seen it on Broadway. Lauren Graham sure as hell could sing! She also thought she spotted Matthew Perry in the audience. They made a cute couple. Oh there was the romantic thought again! What was happening to her? She didn't want to become this bitter, horrible woman. The doorbell rang and she saw Skip, the mailman, waiting patiently for her. She wished Paul Anka would go after his shoes like any good dog should. She opened the door.

"Hi Skip!"

"Hey Lorelai. Please sign here." He said handing her a package.

"Ooh! It's from Rory!! Thanks Skip!"

"Have a nice day!"

She closed the door ripping the package open. She felt bad that this was the one good thing in her day. It was a book about finding love and had a CD to go with it. She laughed so much that she got a catch in her tummy. She picked up the phone and dialed. After three rings, Rory picked up the phone.

"Hey mom!!"

"Finding love? Gee. So nice to know that your kid has oh so much faith in you that she sends a help book."

"Mom! That is the funniest ever. My friend Jaycee found it in a store and passed it along to me and I sent it to you. You have to listen to the CD even if you don't read the book."

"Wow! First it's the romance book, and now I learn that it's THIRD hand? Nice Rory."

"Oh come on!!! Just listen to it. I promise you'll thank me. So how are you? And how are our wonderful writers?"

"Oh they were saved by Michel when I almost clobbered them with a lamp. They are all about love, love and love. Did I mention love? So irritating to a single girl!"

"Aw! That sucks. How are things with Luke?"

"Um, I think it's getting better you know? We really, really gave it a shot the second time round after you left. But I guess it's just something that doesn't work. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah. So there is no hurt?"

"No there isn't. But there is awkwardness. I'm hoping that will pass. I think it will."

"I hope so too. But I'm glad you aren't hurting."

"Thanks hun. So… How is California?"

"Oh um… it's fine. All good."

"Rory. What aren't you telling me?

"Nothing. I'm not telling you nothing."

"Kid. I'm the one who gave birth to you. What are you not telling me?"

"How can I ever forget? Fine. I saw dad. He's in San Francisco on business but he's probably in the airport now to catch a plane back."

"Oh ok. See… That wasn't bad. Why were you not going to tell me about that? Babe, your dad and I will always be friends. Best friends. You can tell me about him whenever. I'll be happy to hear it."

"Ok. I wont not tell you from now on. Uh mom?"

"Yeah?"

"I have to go now. I'll all you later?"

"Ok! Bye babe!"

"Bye!"

Lorelai hung up the phone and shook her head. Chris still confused her. Still put butterflies in her stomach. Hearing his name or anything about her still made her warm and gave her goosebumps. She sighed and looked at the book. She stopped the Guys and Dolls CD and put in the CD from the book grinning. She couldn't believe she was doing this.

It started with a man's voice going "You want it? You can have it. And not compromised, stifling, soul-killing love, but open, honest, life-affirming love. But how do you get it? How do you get this love?"

Lorelai laughed so hard that she startled Paul Anka who growled and barked.

"Oh paul Anka, I'm sorry. But Rory was right. This is funny."

The phone rung and she lowered the volume and went to answer it.

"Lorelai Gilmore's house of love. How may I help you?"

"Lorelai?"

"Mom! Hi!"

"Must you answer the phone with inane messages? Can you not answer like a regular person?"

"No mom. I can't. I thought we had already established that. Now you are calling because?"

"Well, your father is being honoured for is work in the Insurance business for all his work in New York on Friday. And Rory will be there and so will Christopher and his offspring. I was wondering if you will also be there as I need to RSVP."

"Gigi mom."

"Lorelai, I have no time for your jokes. Talking to me in a made up language will only make me upset. And you do not want that."

"Mom! Chris's daughter is called Gigi. And yes, I'll be there. Anything else?"

"No. Goodbye Lorelai. I shall call you on Thursday and we shall make the travel plans"

"Yes mother. We shall talk on Thursday. Bye!"

She hung up the phone in a huff. Again she felt things when her mother mentioned Chris's name. What was it with that man? She thought it was over. Nothing more.

She went to the CD player and turned up the volume. Then she took the book, sat on the couch and began to flip it. She laughed at the various "exercises" in the book. She looked up and concentrated what the loser on the CD was saying.

"Story time. I had a friend -- let's call him Phillip -- who couldn't make up his mind

amongst three different women that he liked. I developed a test for him...and for you."

"Wait a minute! Maybe that's it. I need a woman."

"Whose phone calls or visits are never unwanted or too long? Do you see her face? Who would you most like to have in your life to ward off moments of loneliness? Do you see her face? When you travel, who would make your travels more enjoyable? Do you see her face? When you're in pain, who would you most like to comfort you? Do you see her face? When something wonderful happens in your life -- a promotion at work, a successful refinancing -- who do you want to share the news with? Do you see her face? Whose face appears to you, my friend? Whose face?"

"Oh my God. Chris. Crap."