Shooting Luke Danes

Chapter One

Luke woke up suddenly, disoriented. Looking around he realized he was in his apartment, sitting in his easy chair. He blinked several times, trying to clear his eyes. He looked at the clock; it read 1:47. From the light coming through the windows, he knew it was early afternoon. Then he looked at the empty bed that wasn't his, saw it was messed up, and remembered April was supposed to be sleeping there.

"April!" he shouted as he stood up, but there was no answer.

He hurried downstairs and as he went through the door into the diner he saw April sitting at one of the tables.

"April! Where – I didn't know where you were. Why didn't you wake me up?"

"Oh, hi. I've only been up a couple of hours, myself. But you looked so peaceful, I thought you probably needed the sleep."

"But what have you been doing? Have you eaten? You must be starving."

"I ate something. I hope you don't mind, but I had two slices of boysenberry pie and a glass of milk."

"No, of course I don't mind, but you should have gotten me up. I would have fixed you something more substantial than pie."

"Oh, boysenberries very good for you. Did you know that they're very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium? And are and a good source of vitamins B, C, and K, and fiber, and manganese?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess. I think I read something like that one time. But you still should have gotten me up."

"I started to, about an hour ago. Kirk was beating on the door. He said someone stole his trophy and wanted to know if you had seen it, but I explained that you'd been sleeping all morning, so he went away, talking to himself. He sounded like he was about to cry. Does he do that a lot?"

"There's no telling with Kirk. So -- what have you been doing?"

"Well, I inventoried your store room. I couldn't find any inventory sheets, so I made my own. They're easy to read, so you shouldn't have any trouble understanding them. And I filled the salt and pepper shakers, and I filled the sugar shakers, or jars, or whatever you call them. And I filled the napkin holders, but I had to wash them first -- they were kind of greasy. And mom called to see if I was okay. I didn't tell her you were asleep because that might have worried her even though the door was locked. Let's see, and then I . . . ."

"Okay, I get it. You like to stay busy. So, you want me to fix you a burger, or something?"

"Well, sure. I like hamburgers. And chili-fries? I like them too."

"I know you do, with lots of Parmesan cheese on top. You got it -- a burger and chili-fries coming right up!"

As Luke went into the kitchen to fire up the grille, April followed him in.

"I'm sorry you and Lorelai didn't win the dance marathon. I guess that's my fault."

"No! No, April, it's not your fault. I shouldn't have sat down while you were in the bathroom."

"Do you think she was mad about it?"

"Well, I know she was disappointed. I'll call her later, after she's had time to sleep a few more hours. Or maybe I'll just wait and go to see her after your mom picks you up."

"Okay. I'll be out here, away from the swooshing grease. Mom said I should watch out for that."

TBC