A Long Story
The next day Luke got up as if it is any other day. He opens the diner and begins to serve the early breakfast crowd. It all seems normal to the people sitting in the diner. It is not. Hours later, Luke catches a glimpse of Lorelai heading to the diner with Christopher. Watching them make their way across the town square wakes up the feelings from before.
Turning quickly he yells to Caesar, "I am going to go upstairs and work on the bills. The place is practically empty I am positive that you can handle it for awhile." So, by the time Lorelai and Christopher enter the diner, the bells chiming above them, Luke is upstairs in his apartment. Locking the door he stands there. There is not bills that he has to pay he did that two nights ago. He moves to the window overlooking the town square and looks out. For what seems like hours he stands there just watching and waiting. Seeing them leave he heads back downstairs.
It goes on like this for days. Luke can not stand the sight of Lorelai and Christopher together. Having Ms. Patty come up to him and ask what had happened between the two of them just made everything worse. Luke lashed out at her and since then had been burning foods and dropping plates. Now that the diner is empty he begins to ponder. Why are you like this? Come on act like a man. This has happened before. You have seen her with her boyfriends in the past.
Luke answers back, I know, I know. I have never seen her with him. Come on he is Rory's father. I have always wanted to be him. I want to be Rory's father. I want to be Lorelai's sweetheart. I want to be the man she loves. But it will not happen. Every time I get close enough that I can almost touch it I am pulled back. So, I give up. I can not take it anymore.
Weeks pass and lorelai still has not seen any sign of Luke and can not tell him her good news. She wants him to know the she is finally dating Chris again. She can not wait to tell him that she is sure that this is the real thing. Maybe everything will work out this time. So, since Luke is ignoring her, she came up with a plan. Just because Luke is avoiding her it does not mean that he will avoid Rory too. Possibly, Luke will tell Rory what is wrong so that Lorelai can fix it. So the plan is set out. Rory will go see Luke the next day and set some sense into him. Then, she will inform Lorelai whether this is something she can fix or not.
The bells above the diner make their music. Jingle, jingle. Luke looks up quickly hoping that it is not Lorelai. He lets out a sigh at seeing Rory and his face softens. Since, Rory had gotten into college he did not see her as much as he used to. As soon as she sits down at the counter he is ready to take her order.
"What would you like?" Rory ponders his question before answering him.
"I would like to know why you are not speaking to my mom. Why you are avoiding her and I would also like a coffee, please." She talks as if this is something she orders at the diner everyday. Luke reaches behind him for the coffee pot and a cup. While pouring he looks around the diner. Seeing that the diner is deserted he comes up with his own plan.
"How about we go upstairs and discuss this. You can bring your cup of coffee." With a nod of her head she gets up and follows Luke to his apartment. A dead silence surrounds them as the make their way up the steps. Soon they are inside his apartment. Without taking a seat Rory continues their conversation from downstairs right as the door shuts.
"Are you mad at her? Did something happen? Do you hate her now? Did you suddenly become allergic to her? What happened?"
Luke begins to pace across the floor. His mouth opens then closes again multiple times. What are you worried about? This is Rory. She is old enough to know and if she hates you that is alright. You already lost one Gilmore Girl. He takes his cap off, runs his fingers through his hair, then places it back on when he gains courage to tell Rory his secret. Rory, is like a daughter to him, he is sure she will understand the situation he is in. Luke decides to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
"It is a long story." Luke attempts to discourage her.
"I have time, Luke. I do not have classes tomorrow and am staying at mom's house this weekend. Take as long as you need to." She takes a seat, determined to hear the story. She wants to find out what happened between her mother and Luke, her only father figure. Luke also takes a seat before beginning to tell his story.
"From the first time I saw your mother I feel in love. Let me tell you, I do not believe in love at first sight. I do not believe in fairy tales, but that is what our relationship is. Over the years, I lived with being only her Coffee Provider, Best Friend and a Shoulder 2 Cry On.
Though I loved her I knew she loves someone else. Christopher. Your father. Her highschool sweetheart. When any relationship that she was in was over I gained courage to ask her out. It was put in the back compartment because before I knew it she was with another man. She would come in here so giddy and happy talking about her new date on Saturday. Jealous. That is what I was. I always wanted to be the one to make her so giddy.
Every time she broke up with someone I would be the shoulder she would cry on. Then by the time I reached the diner she has a date or is making out with another man. Not me," At this point Rory takes Luke's hand in her's and squeezes.
He takes a deep breath then continues, "Over the years it started to hurt more and more. It also got irritating. Who likes having their heart stomped on once ever three months? This time it went to far. You see I never saw your mother kiss a man. That kind of was a band-aid. Over the cut of my hurt and jealousy. When I had gotten back into the living room, with junk food for her, I saw them together. There dead ahead is Lorelai straddling another man. Their lips are glued together. That was when I gave up. My last hope torn into shreds. I finally realized my faith, is to never be with your mom. I will never be with her. If I see them together that will just seal the deal. Rory, do you understand why I am avoiding her now."
Leaning back in the chair he lets out a long sigh. He visualizes all of this weight getting lifted off his shoulders. Rory understands now. She knows that there is nothing she can say at the moment that will comfort him. So, she walks around the table and gives him a big hug. His arms wrap around, holding her tight against him. For once, Rory knows what it is like to be hugged by a "father" that really loves you and had been there for you.
"So, what now?" She whispers into his shoulder.
"Now? Now, I get as far away from her as I can. I can not stand seeing them together. I know he makes her happy and I want her to be happy. I just can not stand to see it. I have to leave. In a small town like this we will eventually run into each other." His face is full of sorrow at the fact that he has to leave this town. That results in him leaving Lorelai and Rory. The two most important people in his life. They are his family.
"How will I talk to you? I need you, Luke. You are the father I never had." Rory knows that he has to leave. She understands why he has to leave. She just does not want that to result in her never seeing him again.
"I will keep in touch. I am leaving tomorrow, Friday. I already bought the tickets. Do not. I repeat, do not tell your mother. I understand that the two of you are so close but just keep this a secret between us til, Sunday. If she asks where I am before that just tell her that I went fishing or something like that.
"Bye Luke. I promise I will not tell her til Sunday. Do not forget to call. I will miss you. I love you, Luke. I know I never told you that." With one last hug Rory heads to the door. Tears gather in her eyes.
They begin to fall when Luke calls out. "I love you to, Rory. You are the daughter I never had." With that the door slams shut. Luke stands there for a minute. Then turning he packs his things. When the zipper is closed shut he sits at the table and pulls out a pen and paper. After finishing his letter he sees the cold cup of coffee on the table and the tears soon begin to fall. Not a man to cry much Luke is surprised at the amount of times he has cried the past weeks.
