Chapter 4: The Sh*t Hits the Fan

Recap: Lorelai has been visiting Katherine in the hospital for the past week, telling her her troubles and asking her advice.

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Gilmore Mansion

A very irate Emily was waiting for Lorelai when she got home that night after visiting Katherine. "Where were you, Lorelai?" she demanded loudly. "One of the DAR ladies was here this evening and wanted to see you and Victoria and you made me look foolish when you weren't here."

Lorelai fumed and thought, 'I need 'permission' to leave the house? Are they kidding?'

"Well, I'm waiting, Lorelai," she insisted, "where were you tonight? And every other night for the past week for that matter?"

"A friend's mom was seriously hurt in a car accident and I've been visiting her for a little each night," she hedged, hoping she wouldn't have to explain whose mom it was.

That turned out to be a mistake.

Emily frowned, "I hadn't heard that any of our friends have been hurt. Just who is this 'friend' of yours?" she questioned, clearly not believing that there was such a friend. Lorelai was obviously using this as an excuse to sneak out of the house.

Lorelai sighed in defeat and told her, "I met this girl who was volunteering at the hospital when I was in there. We hit it off and she called me last week to say that another friend's mom had been in an accident. I met that mom's best friend too and she was really nice, so I thought I should visit," she explained calmly, praying that her explanation would be enough. She didn't really want to tell her mother that she hadn't even met the family yet. Or what the mom's name was. She was already in trouble for using the name Katherine. But at least they just assumed it was a teenager thing.

Because she believed that anyone 'volunteering' at a hospital must be blue-collar or worse, Emily said disdainfully, "If it isn't somebody from our circle, I don't want you to waste your time going there. It's more important for you to be here for any visitors that come to see you. I forbid you to go back. If necessary, I will inform the staff to keep you out," she added when she caught her daughter's defiant look.

"Fine!" Lorelai shot back politely then rushed from the room. It wouldn't be good to press the issue because then her mother would find out that she had used the Gilmore name to get into the room after-hours.

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As it turned out, Emily's demand was moot.

Early the next afternoon, Sookie called with the sad news that Katherine Danes died with her son Luke and her lifelong friend Mia at her side. She did manage to wake up for just a couple minutes and say her goodbyes. Her daughter Liz, however, had not made it back.

When she was calmer, Sookie called back to tell Lorelai when the funeral was going to be. "It's going to be Saturday morning at 10 am. Then there will be a wake at the Inn afterward," she got out in between her tears. "Why did you want to know?"

"Well, I was kinda thinking of going. Do you think me and Katie would be any trouble?" Lorelai asked, uncharacteristically shy.

"Umm, you didn't even know her, why would you go?" she asked in a curious tone, not a unkind one.

She hesitated, biting her lip. "You see, every night since you called me, I've visited with her. I just really wanted to meet the lady who had a best friend like Mia. I even brought Katie one night to 'meet' her. I kept hoping that each night when I got there that she'd be awake," she admitted, feeling kind of stupid now. Explaining her actions out loud, they sounded ridiculous.

However, Sookie didn't agree. "That is so sweet of you, Lorelai! Even some of the townspeople didn't make it every day. And you did it without knowing anyone except me or Mia. You know, I think it would really boost Mia's spirit to see the two of you. I've shared some of the things you've told me and she smiled every time I passed on an update."

Lorelai blushed at the praise and the thought of Mia keeping track of her and Katie. "Okay, we'll come. If we make anyone uncomfortable, we'll keep our distance. Or, if necessary, leave. I just really want to pay my respects to her."

They made plans to meet the morning before the funeral. Then they said their goodbyes and Lorelai started to scheme how to get out of the house with Katie.

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A/N: Next…The funeral of Katherine Danes.