Chapter 10: Catch31

Lorelai got into her car, balancing her phone in the crook of her neck, "Rory you need to calm down for a second. It may not be him. If it is him, well honey, you got yourself a crazy ex-boyfriend stalker." She started her jeep and pulled out. She heard some shuffling around on the phone and then silence.

"So, what do I do?" Rory asked. "I mean, I don't know how I feel about him or the whole situation all together.

She maneuvered her car down the road and switched hands on the phone. Her daughter was going through some emotions that she had not felt in a while – and then there was the whole possible stalker issue. "Be like Susan B. Anthony and fight for your rights!" she announced jokingly.

"The right to be on vacation? Come on mom," Rory whined.

"I think you should ask him why he's there, if you don't like the answer he gives you either ignore him or call the police." Lorelai answered quickly. "It's a simple fix kiddo." She drove the jeep into town and parked outside Luke's Diner.

"Thanks mom." Rory sighed into the phone. "I just need to calm down."

"Exactly," she responded as she got out of the car and shut the door.

"Where are you?" Rory asked, changing the subject.

Lorelai paused on the sidewalk in front of the diner and looked through the window. Lane had already boxed and bagged her order and she just had to pick it up. So close. "There comes a time in your life, when you're pregnant, that you cannot depend on your husband to feed you right. You may not know now, but you will kiddo. Anyways, Luke has been making me eat healthy since we found out about the baby. Two months along, and I'm craving salt and carbs, not protein and gluten-free."

"Where are you then?" Rory asked, laughing.

"I told Luke I was running errands in town while he works on the nursery. I'm at the diner and Lane is hooking me up with fried chicken, French fries, coleslaw and a chocolate cake." Lorelai said as she started walking into the diner.

Lane handed her the bag and took the money that was held out to her. "Is that Rory? Tell her I said hello," she mouthed.

"I should go mom," Rory said happily. "I'll figure this thing out some other time."

"Okay honey, have a good vacation. And Lane says hello." Lorelai said and hung up.

"She doing ok?" Lane asked, concerned.

"Yeah, she'll be okay." Lorelai said confidently. I think all this with Logan is a good thing. Soon things will get figured out and hopefully for the better, she thought to herself. "Mind if I eat here? Just don't tell Luke."

"No problem," Lane laughed and ushered her to a table in the corner.

Logan looked up at the resort next to the Neptune Statue and squinted into the sunlight. He swore he had heard his name. That was odd. He thumbed through his photos that he took and was satisfied. Putting his phone back into his pocket he continued down the boardwalk. Three hotels down there was a Neptune Restaurant. He took the path across the sandy grass and went in through the outdoor seating area. The sign said to take a seat and so he did.

A waitress, with a heavy Greek accent, walked over and dropped a menu off and silverware. No word spoken. A few minutes later she came back. "Order," she barked.

Logan looked up at her and tried to figure out if it was a command or a question. "I'm still looking," he said calmly. "I'll take water for now." She walked away huffing about something to herself. He looked over the colorful menu and decided on the lamb gyro and side salad. Hopefully she comes back. He laughed to himself as he watched the ocean from where he sat.

It was a cute outdoor patio and the main restaurant was inside a hotel. It was quaint and a great location. The woman brought the water and he ordered his meal. When it came out he devoured it within minutes – apparently he was hungry.

The gruff waitress dropped off the bill and he laid a twenty on the table. Hopefully the large tip would put a smile on her face. Finished with that he headed out the door and continued down the boardwalk. Taking in the sights, stores, people and atmosphere all together – he figured he'd enjoy a walk for a while and then figure out how he was going to find Rory. I need to talk to her.

Rory changed into a light summer dress and sweater and went back onto the balcony. No Logan. Thank God, not ready for that! Her stomach had decided it was time to eat and Catch31 in the hotel seemed like a good choice. Fish was healthy and she'd follow it up with a glass of wine. She grabbed her bag and headed out. Walking down the hallway she noticed the décor of the place and was quite pleased – happy that she was treating herself to a nice vacation.

All her thoughts were so jumbled in her head, she didn't realize that she had arrived at the restaurant. When did she take the elevator? Wow. "Hi, table for one." Rory asked the hostess confidently. She had gotten used to not being afraid to do certain things alone anymore.

"I'm sorry ma'am we are totally booked right now," the young girl with blue hair said apologetically. "We do have some seats available at the bar if you'd like," she followed-up with a wink. "Great and fast service there too, with the same menu options." She waved to the color aquarium like area behind her.

Rory looked behind the hostess and shrugged, "Sure why not!"

"Atta girl!" the hostess said and continued on to help the next person in line.

Rory made her way down the steps and sat at the first available seat she saw. It was situated in the corner and within eye shot of the doorway. Good for people watching, and watching for someone in particular. The stool swiveled around as she sat. Giggling she steadied herself and grabbed a drink menu in front of her.

"What can I getchya?" the bartender asked from behind the counter. He saw the wine list in her hand and grabbed a glass to dry off. "We have a great local selection."

She looked up and saw a very masculine and tanned man standing in front of her. He had two arms completely full of tattoos and very clean shaven face. The sight of him caught her off guard for a moment. "Ha, hi. Surprise me," she decided spontaneously.

"Sure!" He went around the corner and grabbed a bottle – a dark red wine, sweet to the taste. He poured her a glass and waited. "What do you think?" She took another sip and nodded with a thumb up.

"May I have a menu?" Rory asked as she took another sip. She may have to slow down, but she was on vacation! Looking through the menu he gave her, she chose the catfish with butter cream sauce and veggies. The bartender praised her choice and walked off to put the order in.

Logan's FitBit buzzed on his wrist. He had reached 10,000 steps. He caved and purchased one last year after his sister kept harassing him. Surprisingly he started using it to keep track of his sleep and health in general. He noticed the time and the sun had already started setting. He headed back to the hotel. Tomorrow he would start his search, somehow, to find Rory. He had decided not to worry about it today.

The Hilton Oceanfront was ahead of him, but he decided to take the side entrance through Catch31. The bar was almost empty as he passed by. He looked at some of the patrons there and zeroed in on a familiar face. Rory.