Still Friendly After All These Years

Tuesday, April 14, 1992

Luke opened the door and got out of the car, taking a moment to stretch after the long drive from JFK. He reached back in and retrieved his wallet from the console and slipped it into his pants pocket. He walked around the back of the car to the sidewalk and opened the back door to get Robbie from the booster seat. He held the sleepy boy briefly in his arms but the four year old soon began wiggling, eager to see the sights. Luke put him down on the sidewalk, but kept a tight grip on his hand. They stood together, facing the building.

"It doesn't look like a house. It looks like a store."

"It is a store. This was Grandpa William's hardware store."

"Grandpa William is dead."

"That's right. He was my dad."

"Grandpa Joe is alive. He lives in Florida."

"That's right too. Mommy's dad and Mommy's mom used to live here in Stars Hollow but now they live in Florida."

"What's hardware?" Robbie asked.

"Hammers and nails, and things for building and fixing."

"It looks dark."

"That's because it's not open anymore."

"Why not?"

"Not enough customers. Bob Turcotte, the man I rented it too, closed it up last fall and opened a new store in another town."

"Is it our store now?"

"It is."

"Can we go in?"

"Yes, but we have to get the keys first." Luke walked up the steps and tested the door, just to make sure this was true. The door was locked. He peered into the door and saw half-empty shelves, and drop cloths over the register area.

"Daddy, I need to pee."

"Oh, okay. Let's go get the key to the store, and find a bathroom."

Luke headed down the block toward Weston's Bakery, Robbie in tow. He stepped in the door and was assailed by more familiar smells – butter, sugar, and coffee. He'd loved Weston's as a boy, but when he was a teen he had felt all hands and feet among the lace curtains, delicate teacups, and tippy café tables. Robbie felt no such awkwardness, drifting as if pulled by a magnet towards the cases of gleaming fruit tarts, iced cakes, and cookies. Fran, coming out from the kitchen, eyed him with a small smile. Checking automatically for the attached adult, she saw Luke and her smile broadened.

"Luke. You're back."

Luke stepped forward to kiss her cheek and she pulled him into a brief hug. "Let me look at you! My, you look wonderful- is it possible you grew even taller?" Luke shrugged, once again flashing back to the awkward teen years, when every adult encounter seemed to lead to comments about his size.

"And is this Robbie? Sweet little baby Robbie? All grown up too?" Robbie pulled his eyes away from the glories of the pastry case and came over to Luke and Fran.

"Robbie this is Mrs. Weston. She owns this bakery and is an old friend of mine."

"Hello," Robbie said, holding Luke's hand but meeting Fran's gaze directly.

"Hello Robbie. It's so nice to meet you. I've only ever seen your picture before." She glanced back at Luke. "Thank you for sending a photo with the Christmas card every year – so lovely of you to still think of us."

"Of course." Luke looked down at Robbie, who was pulling on his hand.

"Dad," he whispered. Luke bent down to hear him. "I have to pee."

"Oh, right." Luke glanced at Fran and gestured towards the bathrooms, then led Robbie that way.

When they came out few minutes later, Fran was waiting with sugar cookies nestled in napkins, one in each hand. "Cookies for my boys." Robbie practically quivered with joy as he glanced at Luke for permission and then reached for one of the cookies. Fran smiled at his gusto and held the other one out to Luke. He hesitated for just a second, then took the cookie and tasted it.

"Still the best ever, Fran."

She smiled, patting his cheek just as she had when he was a boy, and then patted Robbie on the head, smiling fondly at his face already covered in crumbs. "Oh, it's so good to have you both here. And where is your lovely wife? Where's Rachel?"

"She's still in Brazil, finishing up an assignment in the rain forest."

"Oh – such a one for adventure! And such stunning photos she takes. We're all so proud of our Stars Hollow girl, whenever another story comes out. Will she be back here soon too?"

"Not sure, Fran."

"It will be so wonderful to have you all back. You are back for good, aren't you?"

"For now. Not sure about for good."

"Daddy." Robbie was whispering again. Luke bent down to hear him.

"Can I have another cookie?"

"Here, you can finish mine."

"But I wanted one of the chocolate stripey ones."

"Nope – this is what I've got. Take it or leave it."

Robbie pouted, but reached for the cookie nonetheless. Fran started to get one with chocolate stripes but Luke stopped her with a small shake of his head.

"Hey, Fran, do you have the keys to the store?"

"Oh, yes. Well, I have one set. Bob gave his to Taylor when he closed up."

Luke immediately bristled. "Taylor Doose? Why?"

"Well, Taylor is Town Selectman now you know..."

Luke rolled his eyes.

"..and he insisted on doing a final inspection, after Bob left, so he asked him for the keys, and somehow never got around to giving them back to me."

"Somehow," Luke said sarcastically.

"Well, anyway, let me go get the set I have."

Luke ran his hand over tired eyes, and glanced over at Robbie, once again pressed against the pastry case. "Daddy, I want one of the chocolate ones."

"Not right now, it's almost time for lunch."

"For after lunch?" he wheedled.

"Nope. You already got to have dessert before lunch, you don't need another one after."

Robbie pouted, and turned back longingly to the cookies. Luke began to pace, impatient for Fran to come back before Robbie's brewing meltdown became unstoppable. Finally she came back, handing him the keys on his father's old key ring. Luke had left these with Fran as the spares, giving his own set to Bob for day-to-day operations. He fingered the old ring, missing his dad. Luke had a feeling that the next few weeks and months were going to be hard, immersing himself back in the physical space and objects that were so much a part of his dad. Harder than he thought. He cleared his throat. "Thanks, Fran," he said gruffly.

"You're welcome, Luke. Lovely to have you home, even if it's just for a while."

Luke stooped to give her another kiss on the cheek. "It's amazing to finally be back." He squatted down next Robbie. "Come on buddy, time to go get lunch."

"No. I don't want lunch. I want a chocolate cookie."

"I already said no to that, but we'll come back another day and visit Fran and get a chocolate cookie then. Let's go."

"No." Robbie plunked down in front of the case, crossing his legs and arms, a scowl on his face. Luke glanced at Fran apologetically. She smiled in sympathy and moved back behind the counter, giving him space to deal with his recalcitrant son. "Come on, Robbie, we've got a lot to do this afternoon before we go to the Inn. Say goodbye and thank you to Mrs. Weston."

Robbie cast sad eyes at Fran and muttered, "Thank you. Bye." He looked again at the cookie case and his lower lip began to tremble.

"Oh geez. Come on." Luke scooped Robbie up and headed out the door. Robbie began to struggle against him and really cry. With one more look of mixed apology and exasperation back at Fran, he headed out the door. Standing on the steps, Luke paused to readjust the weight in his arms. Robbie suddenly reared his head and arched his back, causing Luke to nearly drop him, and almost head-butting a young woman heading into Weston's. "Robbie!" Luke said sharply. "Sorry," he said to the woman. She smiled sympathetically and headed inside. All of a sudden Robbie went limp, another favorite tactic. This time Luke loosened his grip and let Robbie slip down his body and land in a heap on the stoop. Robbie sobbed wildly. Luke squatted down, trying to wait him out. Gradually Robbie's sobs subsided, and he sat up and began to wipe his nose and eyes with his sleeves. Luke gave him another minute to calm down, then held out his hand. Robbie crossed his arms once again, and stubbornly shook his head. Luke finally lost his patience. "Robert William Danes, you do not want to make me carry you down the streets of Stars Hollow kicking and screaming." Robbie looked up at his glowering dad, some fear creeping in under his scowl. But still he didn't move. Just then, the young woman came back out of the bakery, holding a coffee cup and a small bag. "Whoops," she said, as she almost stepped on Robbie and reared back to keep her balance on the threshold.

Before Luke could apologize again the young woman said in a cheerful voice, "What have we got here, a sit-in in Stars Hollow?"

Robbie scowled more fiercely and lowered his chin towards his chest. She stepped to one side of Robbie and stood on the sidewalk next to Luke, who turned to her and said "I'm sorry – we seem to be having a sugar-inspired meltdown."

"Don't worry. Been there, done that." She glanced toward Robbie, and back at Luke "He's five?" she asked quietly.

"In a few months."

"May I?" she asked, indicating the stoop next to Robbie. Luke nodded, and moved away a step or two to calm down and think about his next move. "So what are we protesting?" asked the woman. Robbie looked up at her, still slightly scowling. "I mean, why don't we want to leave Fran's? I guess I should say, I know why I don't want to leave Fran's, I would live here if I could, but why don't you want to leave?"

"I want another cookie and Daddy won't let me."

"Aw! Mean daddy!" She glanced at Luke and winked. "He didn't let you have one little cookie?"

"I had one. And a half," Robbie admitted grudgingly.

"What kind?"

"Vanilla, not chocolate."

"Mm, one of Fran's sugar cookies. Fran's sugar cookies are the best. They're my daughter's favorite." At the mention of another child Robbie looked around. "Where's your daughter?" he asked.

"Oh, she's in school. She's a big second grader. But she still loves Fran's sugar cookies."

Luke raised his eyebrows slightly. She didn't look nearly old enough to have a daughter in second grade. Then again, some people thought he was a little young to have a four-year-old. The woman was still talking sympathetically to Robbie. "So if you got one and a half of Fran's fabulous sugar cookies why are you so sad?"

"I wanted a chocolate one too. I said it could be for later!" he added indignantly.

"But Daddy said no?" The woman glanced at Luke again and smiled. He couldn't help smiling back. It was fascinating to watch this stranger winning over his stubborn son.

"He said it was time for lunch and I already had my dessert first."

"Yeah that's what I tell my daughter, sometimes. But one day a week, on my day off, which is today by the way, I have cookies for lunch."

Luke frowned a little. Robbie looked up at her cautiously. "You do?"

"Yup," the woman said proudly. "And on Saturdays, Rory's day off, that's my daughter, she has cookies for lunch."

"Really?" Robbie asked. Luke raised his eyebrows again.

"Really," the woman said breezily. "Right now, it's all we can afford. All week long we eat regular food, but once a week we save our pennies for cookies and coffee from Fran's." She held up her bag and cup. "Later, when we get rich, we're going to have cookies for every meal. Cookies for breakfast, cookies for lunch, cookies for dinner."

Robbie looked at her intently. "You can't do that!"

"Why not?"

"You'll get sick! Your body needs all kinds of food, to be healthy and strong."

"Really?" The woman looked sad. "But it's our dream."

"Nobody can eat sugar all the time. Your tummy would hurt."

"True. And you know what I've noticed? On the days I have cookies for lunch, I'm always extra hungry for dinner. Do you think that's why?"

"Probably." Robbie said, nodding wisely.

"How about you? You must be hungry for lunch by now, aren't you?" Robbie felt his tummy.

"I am."

"What are you going to have?"

"Cheese sandwich?" Robbie looked up at Luke hopefully. Luke smiled and nodded and reached out his hand. Robbie stood up and took it.

"Thank you..." Luke said.

"Lorelai. I'm Lorelai. And you're very welcome." She smiled and held out her hand.

"Luke. And this is Robbie."

"Nice to meet you, Luke, nice to meet you Robbie."

"Nice to meet you as well. And really, thanks. It's good to know this town is still friendly and helpful, not just crazy."

Lorelai smiled. "So you're not new here?"

"Nope, but newly back."

"Well, I think this town is nice. And you must like something about it too if you're back." She smiled once more and sipped her coffee. "Okay I better get going and enjoy my favorite lunch of the week." She winked at Robbie, who snuggled against Luke and grinned at her. She started to walk away, then turned back. "I've got a book recommendation for you two," she said, "Bread and Jam for Frances. Check it out, you'll like it." And with another grin, she walked away.

Robbie pulled on Luke's hand. "I'm hungry."

"Okay bud, let's go get lunch." Luke looked down the street towards the grocery store. "And one more set of keys," he added wearily.