Chapter 8 – Decisions, Decisions
-oOo-
"Hello, Sookie? It's me. Your prettiest best friend in the world."
"Lorelai!"
"How are things? How's the Inn? How's Michel holding up? Does he hate me to eternity? How's Jackson and the kids? Everything okay?"
Sookie giggled. Lorelai was sounding more like herself. "Honey, I should be the one asking you if you're okay. Where are you now?"
"I'm still in Maryland, trying to decide where I should go next. Should I keep driving around? Or should I go to Virginia? West Virginia? Pennsylvania? Drive all the way to Canada? So many decisions to make!"
"Well, have you done some sightseeing while you're there? I know you've never been to Maryland before. Maybe you can check out some tourist attractions?"
"Nah, not during this trip. I don't like walking around, bumping into people. For some reason, I don't like staying in bed watching movies at the hotel either. I don't even want to go shopping – can you believe that? Which is a good thing too because I'm seriously burning through my savings right now what with paying for hotels and gas and food."
"So what do you do? Just drive around?"
"Yeah. I just like driving. And reading maps. Helps me think. Helps me focus. Which brings me to why I called you in the first place… I need your advice."
Sookie took a deep breath. "Hit me."
"So I called Mike Armstrong from the Durham Group," Lorelai began nervously. "Remember him? The guy who wanted to buy the Dragonfly?"
"Of course I remember him. Why did you call him? Please don't tell me you're selling your share to him! I don't want to own this place with a suit like him! And I'm not selling my share either!"
It was Lorelai's turn to giggle. "Relax, Sookie. He knows we're not selling the Dragonfly whatever happens. It's just that… he told me before that if ever I'm up for a challenge, to let him know and he can line up a consulting job for me. Something part-time, which he thought I'd be good at. So that's why I called him yesterday, I asked him what he had in mind."
"I'm a bit scared to know what he said, but go ahead, honey."
"So basically they go around the country looking for small inns to buy, right? Since he knows I started as a maid and worked my way up, he thought I'd be best qualified to see if an inn is worth buying or not. Sort of like a secret shopper for the Durham Group, you know? I'll stay an inn they're scoping for two to three days, talk to the concierge, eat at the inn's restaurant, chat with the maids and bellboys. Stuff like that. Then I'd send them my observations and recommendations."
"That sounds exciting, Lorelai! So what do you need my advice on?"
"So he's pretty flexible with how to go about it, and asked me what I preferred. One option is for me to go off to a new inn every weekend. It's less disruptive for Dragonfly because I'd still be there on weekdays, but it would be a bit tiring for me. Every Friday afternoon, I'd fly out to wherever the inn is located, then come back to Stars Hollow every Sunday night or Monday morning. That would be my life for about 6 months or so."
"Sounds exhausting. What's the other option?"
"I can finish everything at one go – I go from inn to inn for the next few weeks. So if there are 2 inns in New York, I stay at one for three days, go to the next for another three days, then maybe drive to Maine afterwards for the next inn. They have about 15-20 properties that they want me to scope, so I could be away from Stars Hollow for maybe two or three months straight."
"Have you talked to Rory about this?"
"Not really. I… I'll get her input as well, but I wanted to get my head straight first before I talk to her."
"What's bothering you? Is it because you're worried Michel and I won't be able to handle Dragonfly by ourselves if you're out for 3 months?"
"Well that's one thing. Another thing… Sookie, you've gone through a serious break-up before right?"
"Yeah. Remember Hector, the sous chef from that snooty restaurant in Hartford? We almost moved in together before things fell apart."
"Yeah that's who I meant. Just couldn't remember the guy's name. All I remember is the moustache!"
"The moustache… Yeah… Very pleasant memory, that. Too bad Jackson can't grow a moustache to save his life."
"Sookie!"
"Sorry, sorry. Why did you bring up Hector?"
"So I wanted to ask you… After your break-up, do you think it's easier to try to go back to your old routine… Or is it better to… I don't know…. remove yourself from the whole scene, wait for time to pass, so you can heal and all that jazz, before you try to ease back into your old routine?"
"Are you asking if it would be better for you to be back at Stars Hollow now, seeing Luke and the diner pretty much every day, or just be away for a few months to give yourself time to adjust to your new reality?"
"You know Sookie, sometimes you can be incredibly perceptive."
"I have my moments," Sookie said solemnly. "I have a question though. And you won't like it."
"Hit me."
"If you saw Luke today, and he said sorry for everything he's done, and he'll let you meet April now, and he'll marry you whenever you like… What would you say to him?"
Lorelai was silent for a moment as she pondered. "Honestly, I don't know. That's the worst part. I might take him back again. But I'll just be scared that nothing will change and he'll end up hurting me again. I still love him, Sookie, that's why it hurts so bad. That's why I had to go on this stupid road trip far, far away from Stars Hollow."
"Then maybe you still need more space. More time away from Luke, away from the diner, away from Stars Hollow. Until you can build your defenses all nice and strong."
"You're right, Sookie," Lorelai sighed. "I don't think I'm ready to come back yet. But would you guys be okay with me away for that long? Maybe you can hire someone temporary to cover for me?"
"We'll figure it out, honey, don't worry about the Inn. I'll talk to Michel tomorrow. You better call Rory before you decide though – see what she thinks."
"Yeah, you're right. I'll call her now. Thanks again sweetie."
-oOo-
After hanging up with Sookie, Lorelai called Rory and explained the situation to her, asking for her opinion. She went on and on about the advantages and disadvantages of each option, knowing that Rory had a pen ready and was doing a pro/con list while they talked.
Finally, Lorelai had to ask. "So which option wins in the almighty pro/con list?"
"Mom, I think you should stay away from Stars Hollow for a bit. That option kicks the other option's butt in the pro/con list. You won't be so tired, you'd be able to concentrate on your new job better, you'd be away from Luke and all the drama back at Stars Hollow, you'll be able to heal in peace. Plus, Sookie already said being away from Dragonfly for that long won't be a problem."
Lorelai couldn't speak for a moment and listened as Rory continued. "But you'll have to email me your detailed itinerary and the addresses of all the inns you'll be visiting. I plan to visit you and go all mystery shoppery with you. Maybe I can even help!"
"That sounds like fun! I'd love that, Sweets!"
"So when will it start?"
"I'll have to call Mike Armstrong first. See when I can start. I'll probably have to swing by Stars Hollow first to get more clothes. Seriously man, I'll have to visit a laundromat soon – I'm running out of clean clothes to wear and I'm just not in the mood to go shopping."
"No! Mother! What are you saying? Shopping is an activity that you should always be in the mood for! That is what you taught me!"
Lorelai laughed. "Sorry Sweets, I've been out of sorts lately. But you know what… This job excites me. It takes my mind out of the break-up and my sad pathetic love life, as well as the state of my sad pathetic eggs…"
"Mom!"
"Perhaps I'll be a nun and be celibate forever and ever."
"Somehow I can't imagine that happening. Mom, why don't you go and hit a bar or something tonight. Don't get drunk or anything, just… wear a nice dress and let guys buy you drinks. Helps with the mood, trust me. Suddenly you'll feel all pretty and desirable again."
"Thanks for the suggestion hon, but I didn't really pack any dresses for this road trip. And like I said, I didn't really want to go shopping. But I'll keep that in mind the next time I think of me and my lonely, shriveled up eggs."
"Mom!"
"Anyway, I have to go. I'll let you know soon okay?"
"Bye Mom."
