Chapter 65
The diner was in between rushes with barely any customers when the phone rang. Luke hurried over and answered it.
"Luke's, this is Luke."
"Hey, Luke," Rebecca greeted on the other line. "It's Rebecca. How are you?"
"Oh, hey," he replied in surprise. "Good. How are you?"
She let out a tired sigh. "Things been pretty hectic. How's Shelby doing? Sorry I've been scarce the past couple months."
"No problem," he assured her, glad his daughter's aunt is attempting to stay in touch with them. "Shelby's good. About to start soccer next week, actually."
"Oh? What happened to basketball?" Rebecca asked, also in surprise.
"She wanted to do basketball again, but then I reminded her she wanted to try every sport at least once, so Shelby thought about it, and decided she wants to give soccer a try. But I think it has something to do with the fact her teacher is coaching soccer this time." Lorelai's comment on kids playing soccer also played a role in the kid's decision, but Luke decided to leave that part out.
Rebecca laughed. "She must like her teacher this year."
"She does. Her cousin teased it was a crush, but Shelby insisted she didn't like him that way." Luke snickered at that. Even though he knew Shelby really meant it, it was still fun to tease her about it.
"I'm sure my boys would do the same. I swear, I hate having both my nieces far away and not able to see them regularly. I'm missing so much."
Luke shrugged as he leaned against the back counter, the hand not holding the phone shoved into the pocket of his jeans. "If it makes you feel any better, you see Shelby more often than my sister has seen her. We've been to New York plenty of times over the last month, and she's apparently been busy every single time."
"Well, it's like I said, life can be hectic. I'm sure some time will free up. Like this weekend, for example," Rebecca segued the conversation. "We heard the hockey team made it into the semi-finals this year. My boys, including my husband, want to go cheer them on. I thought that would be the perfect opportunity to come visit with Shelby, catch up with her. Maybe actually take her out for lunch. That is, if we've proven ourselves yet. Wink, wink?"
Luke knew what Rebecca was trying to do. "That sounds great, but we actually have plans to go to the zoo that day, then I'm taking her to the game afterwards." It was actually Nicole's idea to go to the zoo. Every so often, on the weekend, they would do something with Shelby. Luke, for some reason, felt weird having to tell the sister of his ex girlfriend that he was dating someone else now.
"Hey, that sounds fun. Maybe we can all go, if that's okay?" she suggested. "I mean, I don't mean to invite myself or anything."
"No, it's okay. We're already going with somebody, though," he admitted somewhat hesitant.
"Oh? Who?"
Luke took in a deep breath. "It's someone I'm dating at the moment."
"Is it... what's her name? Lorelai, I think?"
"What?" he quickly asked, quickly shooting up straight again. He shook his head. "No, no, no. Uh, her name is Nicole. She's one of Taylor's lawyers."
There was a brief pause. "Funny, I cannot picture you dating a lawyer, much less one of Taylor's. We all know how much you loathe the guy." Rebecca snickered.
"Nicole is a very nice lady who happens to be on the same page with me on a lot of things." Luke slid his hand behind him in his back pocket this time. "And she seems to adore Shelby, which is a plus in my book."
"I've been with the father of my boys for almost twenty years, so I don't know much about dating as a single parent, but that would seem to be one of the top priorities. How long have you been seeing her?"
"Uh, about a month now." Luke then shared a few details here and there. It wasn't a lot, though. "Shelby's still warming up to her, but seems to like Nicole, back. Shelby has informed me that as long as I'm happy then she's happy."
Rebecca awed at how adorable that was. "Yeah, Shelby's a pretty sweet kid. Not a total brat like her mother was when she was Shelby's age." Both of them chuckled. Well, Luke forced one. "Well, we'll probably see you at the game, but how about if we visit with Shelby on Sunday before we leave? Would that be alright?"
"Sure, if it's alright with Shelby. Yeah."
"Great. Well, I will see you this weekend, then. Give Shelby a hug and kiss for me."
"Will do," he replied before they both hung up.
Later that evening, after the diner was closed for the night, and both Luke and Shelby showered and changed, Shelby brought her dad his guitar, wanting him to play. So, setting it on his knee, Luke strummed the strings and before long, the two were singing together. Having just lost her front right tooth just two days prior set Shelby back a little in being able to articulate her sounds, but Miss Kelly started working on a way around that before the other tooth becomes loose and falls out. Not that having a missing front tooth could stop this kid from wanting to sing, especially with her dad.
Once they finished singing Life's A Dance, Luke shifted his guitar over onto her lap, reminding Shelby of her finger placement.
"I know, Dad. I been practicing on my own," she stated. "Look wha' I can do now." Positioning her fingers correctly, Shelby began playing a song on her own.
Luke listened closely, trying to place the song. It sounded familiar, but he wasn't a hundred percent sure. She wasn't going fast paced yet and was careful with each note, but Shelby was playing a song.
When she finished, Shelby looked up to ask, "Wha' do you think?"
"Uh, that was...," Luke was speechless. "That was great, Shell. What song was that?"
"You couldn' tell?"
"Well, it sounded familiar," he admitted.
"I' was the Pokemon song. I would lis'en to my CD over and over while trying to play along."
Luke felt himself shake his head, trying to wrap his mind around what his seven-year-old just said. "You learned to play the song just by listening to your CD? On your own?"
Shelby nodded. "I' took a long time bu' I finally did i'."
Wow, it was impressive knowing how gifted Shelby was with music. She had help from him and Miss Patty with the lessons, but the fact the kid learned a song on her own just by listening to a CD? Luke couldn't help feel proud and told her how proud he was, too.
"I wan' to try the Johto song, too, bu' tha's no' on the CD. So, Jess said we would go hun' one down nex' time we hang ou'."
Luke chuckled. "You sure got your cousin wrapped around your finger, don't ya, kiddo?"
"Wha' does tha' mean?" she asked.
"You can get Jess to do anything you want him to," he explained.
"Well, no' everything."
"Seems like it, at least." Luke leaned back on the couch as Shelby started playing one of the smaller songs he had taught her to play. It was then he brought up her aunt calling that day and asked if she would be interested in hanging out with them on Sunday. Her grandmother had been fantastic with keeping in contact with Shelby, the most, calling at least once a week. It was mostly one-sided, but slowly Shelby was coming to her own with saying words here and there. However, Edna tried to hand off the phone to Lloyd so he could say hello to her. As soon as he would come on, Shelby would get scared and hang up the phone. That's when Luke sat in on the phone conversations, having the phone on speaker so the both of them could hear. If only Lloyd weren't so strict, they might make things work between the two. The kid needed gentleness, not firmness.
Shelby agreed to spending time with Rebecca and her family on Sunday. However, she was most excited for Saturday. Nicole met them at the diner that morning. Shelby wasn't speaking yet, but was excited to see the woman. Luke drove them to Connecticut's closest zoo in Bridgeport.
The whole time they walked through the park, Luke watched the two interact with each other. He couldn't help smile each time Shelby would point to an animal she was excited to see, wanting to show Nicole. She always came over to make sure her dad could see the animals, too. Mostly, though, the girls seemed to get more enjoyment out of everything than he did.
It had been years since Luke had been to the zoo. Pretty sure his last visit was during the fourth grade when his class went on a field trip. Shelby had gone with her class a few times since she had been with him. Thankfully, the teachers haven't asked him to help chaperone any field trips, which he was glad of.
Besides looking at the animals in their habitats, they also sat through a few presentations the zookeepers put on to teach everyone about the animals. Shelby sat up front during the reptile presentation and even got to pet a little baby alligator.
"I' looked like Gexie bu' bigger, Dad," she told him in his ear, afterwards.
"Yeah? It looked cool from where we were standing, too," he told her. To him, the presentation sounded boring. If it was interesting to his kid and she was enjoying herself, that's what mattered.
"Shelby," Nicole got her attention while holding the zoo's map, informing Shelby of a petting zoo.
Shelby lit up in excitement as Luke secretly groaned. The thought of touching the animals disgusted him. Plus, he knew it was going to smell awful. As much as he tried to teach Shelby to be hygienic like him, Shelby still enjoyed getting dirty and touching gross things like farm animals.
On the way, they stopped by a couple cheetahs and wild hogs before coming to the petting zoo. Letting the girls have fun, Luke watched from the comfort and safety of the outer part of the pen. Though, a goat tried coming over and saying hello with its teeth, making Luke jump back in surprise. Luckily, it only grabbed ahold of his pants and let go when it startled him, startling the goat.
Shelby had noticed what happened to her dad and giggled over at him as he tried to shoo the goat away. Apparently, it had fallen in love with him or something because it started following him when Luke ended up moving to a different spot.
Even Nicole laughed a little. "Love at first sight, I guess," she said when they finally moved on.
Luke was the only one not amused. "Not funny," he insisted.
"I have to disagree. Right, Shelby?" Nicole asked, who nodded with a big grin on her face, showing off her dimples.
Shelby tugged on his shirt to speak into his ear. "Is tha' goa' my new mom?" she asked when he lowered his ear for her, still snickering.
Luke just shot his little buddy a hard stare, knowing exactly where she learned it from.
On the way out, Luke bought a ticket for Shelby to ride the zoo's carousel. Even though it was a long line to ride, a puppy dog look was enough for him to cave. When it was Shelby's turn, she gave the man her ticket before hurrying over to climb onto the lion's back.
Luke and Nicole moved around the closed in gate where they could watch Shelby, who waved over at them. The two adults waved in return.
"Shelby's a great kid," Nicole commented, starting a conversation.
"That she is," he agreed, smiling over at his little buddy.
"I can see how much she looks up to you."
Luke shrugged modestly.
"No, really," Nicole insisted. Both of them were holding onto the top of the gate. With most of the animals taken by children of different ages, the carousel began moving, playing happy, calming music as it swung around slowly. "Every time I see her look at you, I see how much she glows."
Luke looked from Nicole over towards the carousel just as Shelby was passing by, waving once more. He waved back. Who would have thought Luke Danes would have somebody looking up to him like he looked up to his own father? "I was the same way when I was her age, I guess," he shrugged once more. "I put that same pressure on my father so it's only fair that pressure gets puts on me."
"In some ways, we all try to look up to our fathers." Nicole snickered when Shelby passed by, waving a third time.
"Yeah." Luke was silent as he watched the carousel.
The next time she came around, Shelby had stood up in the stirrups, causing Luke's anxiety to rise, thinking she was going to fall. But Shelby was just fine, and soon the ride was over. Climbing down from the lion, she jumped off the ride and hurried to the exit with everyone else, where Luke and Nicole met her.
"Was that fun?" Nicole asked.
Shelby nodded up at the woman.
Having seen all the birds and animals, they left the zoo, grabbing a late lunch at a restaurant on the way home. Shelby challenged Nicole to a few games of Tic Tac Toe on the kids' menu, both winning a couple.
On the way out to the truck, Shelby ended up asking Luke, "Can Nicole come with us to the game, tonigh'?"
"I don't know, kiddo. You would have to ask Nicole," he told her.
Nicole overheard. "Ask me, what?"
Shelby turned red in the face, staring at the sidewalk.
Getting down to her level, Nicole leaned her arms on her knees and looked up at the kid. "It's okay, Shelby. You can ask me anything you want."
Holding her hands behind her back, Shelby poked at the sidewalk with the toe of her basketball shoe. Nicole was very patient with her, letting Shelby take all the time she needed to ask. Finally, after a few minutes, she worked up the courage to ask her, "Come with us, tonigh'?" Shelby tried to make eye contact but found it difficult.
"Come with you tonight?" Nicole repeated. "Is that what you said?"
Shelby nodded.
"Where is it you're going?"
Shelby hesitated before she finally could say, "To the hockey game."
Luke spoke up about that time for her. Though, it wasn't easy not to speak up for his buddy beforehand. He knew she could, which was how he managed not to. "Our town's high school made it to the semi-finals for the first time in forty years, and I told Shelby we'd go."
Nicole looked from Luke, back to Shelby. "I would love to come with you if you want me to." She smiled for the kid.
It made Shelby smile and nodded her head.
Nicole stood up again as Luke told her the time of the game if she wanted to hang out at the diner until it was time to leave. By the time they got back to Stars Hollow, there were still two-and-a-half hours until the game started.
Shelby ended up wanting to introduce Nicole to Gexie while the time passed. She also asked if Nicole wanted to learn how to play Nintendo, too, hooking up her Nintendo 64 to race on Mario Kart, working up the courage to tell her the controls. Being an adult who had never played a video game, Nicole tried but was good as Luke was. Though, Shelby pointed out she ran into fewer walls than he did. It was amazing how the two seemed to get along. In fact, Luke headed downstairs to check in at the diner and let them have some time alone.
Luke got to the game right before it started, grabbing a seat on the bleachers near the middle row. Taylor's entire family had come into town to catch the game. A few others Luke had expected to come, came, considering the entire town couldn't stop talking about it. If it weren't for the fact, he wanted to share one of his other childhood sports with his daughter, Luke wouldn't have bothered coming, himself.
Shelby sat in between her dad and Nicole, looking around. She patted Luke on the arm, who lowered his head. "They le' Kirk be the announcer?" she questioned with a puzzled look.
"Well, you know Kirk," he reminded her, knowing the guy had several dozens of jobs in that town.
About that time, Rebecca and her family walked up. She called up to them to get their attention, waving.
Luke waved back before Shelby asked if she could go say hello. She stood up, squeezing past Nicole, and carefully stepped down the bleachers. He kept an eye on her.
Nicole asked, curious, "Who's that?"
"Shelby's aunt and her family. Her mom's sister," he quickly added. "They came into town for the game."
"Uh huh," she replied, nodding while looking over there as her uncle lifted Shelby. "That's nice they still keep in touch with her."
Luke nodded. "Rebecca's always been more rooted and sensible than her sister." Once each of the boys had their turn greeting their little cousin, Rebecca reached up on her toes to give Shelby a kiss on the cheek, rubbing an affectionate hand across her back over her sweatshirt.
Mike eventually set Shelby down on her feet. The family then followed the little girl up into the stands, coming to say hello.
They greeted Luke, who introduced them to Nicole.
"Hello," she returned the greeting, shaking both Rebecca's and Mike's hands.
"It's nice to meet you," Rebecca smiled.
Shelby returned to her own seat.
Of course, Mike had to point out, "I gotta tell ya, Luke. I figured you'd end up with that lady friend of yours we saw at Thanksgiving. You two seemed more..." Thankfully, Rebecca elbowed him hard in the stomach, telling him to shut it, and flicked Kenneth in the side of the head for joining in.
Luke couldn't help stare downward, rubbing the back of his neck. He could feel Nicole glance at him for a moment, feeling some awkward tension.
"Well, we should probably find some place to sit," Rebecca suggested, letting the three of them be alone, now that two of her boys put their foots in their mouths. "Shelby, we'll see you in the morning, okay?"
Shelby nodded up at her aunt.
Afterwards, they left.
The game started around seven with Miss Patty and Babette singing the National Anthem. Once they finished and the crowd took their seats, Shelby patted her dad's arm again, pointing out Rory who had just came in. His eyebrows rose, knowing the Gilmores weren't into sports anymore than Jess was. Plus, Luke remembered Jess had stated he and Rory had plans that night once Jess got off work. But Rory seemed to be alone until he noticed Lane sitting there with some guy holding a cell phone attached to his ear. In fact, every time Luke glanced over at the teens, the phone would still be out.
The game ended up being very one-sided with the other team scoring all the goals. Even Shelby admitted how sad it was. At one point, though, after listening to Kirk's endless yammering of what was supposed to be actual hockey dialogue, she stood up to head down there.
Luke stopped her to ask, "Where are you going?"
"To save Kirk's buh." Shelby pointed down at the guy. "I promise I will be righ' back."
Giving the say to go down with a nod, he let her go, telling her to stay within eyesight. Luke watched Shelby carefully scoot pass everyone and down the bleachers over to Kirk. She patted his leg and whispered something in his ear when he lowered it. When Shelby headed back to their seat, Kirk announced he was taking a short break. Once she returned to her seat, Luke asked what she told him.
"I told him to cool i' for a while before somebody kicks his bu'," she replied, adding that she had noticed some of the players kept glaring over at Kirk. It looked like Luke wasn't the only one looking out for the poor guy, anymore. Luke smiled as he wrapped an arm around his little buddy.
Dean, who was in the game, finally scored a point for the Minutemen, but of course, it wasn't enough for them to win the game. Everyone ended up leaving the ice arena bummed out at the loss.
"Well, that was something," Nicole stated once they got outside, trying to sound positive.
"Who are you kidding? That was lousy," Luke replied in honesty. They headed where he parked his truck. That's when they heard Rebecca calling out as she came over.
"Hey. So, you guys enjoy the game?" she asked once Rebecca caught up to them.
Luke pointed down at Shelby. "Caught this one sneaking some play time on her Gameboy. I had no clue she even brought it."
Rebecca touched a hand to the top of her niece's head. "Wasn't interested in it, huh?" She smiled at the little girl.
Shelby shook her head.
"We'll be by the diner around ten-thirty." She looked up at Luke afterwards. "That sound reasonable?"
"Sure," he replied. "As long as our deal still stands, I'm okay with it."
Rebecca assured him she was still in their agreement. Waving good-bye, she then turned to head for where they parked.
Luke, Nicole, and Shelby got back to the diner where Nicole took off, shortly afterwards, grabbing a coffee for the road. Since Caesar already cleaned up, Luke sent him home and closed for the night.
"So, not a hockey fan, huh?" Luke finally said as they made their way up the stairs to the apartment.
"I' was okay," Shelby shrugged.
"But no interest in playing?"
She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Dad."
Luke smiled. "It's okay, Shell. You don't have to like everything I like." He opened the door, unlocking it first, and turned on the light. Jess wasn't home yet.
Shelby dashed over to the phone. "Dad, we have a me'sage. Can I play i'?"
"Sure, kiddo." He dropped onto his bed to remove his shoes before heading into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. With the door shut Luke could faintly hear the answering machine's female automated voice stating they had one new message and then Rory's voice shortly afterwards, sounding annoyed and upset. The toilet flushing and the sink faucet drowned out part of the message, catching the tail end when Rory added that it was a message for Jess, which Luke already could guess it was for him.
Shelby was holding onto the edge of the desk, listening. "Rory sounds mad," she said once the message finished.
"Just leave it and I'll let Jess know she called," he told her. From the sound of it, Jess' hectic schedule was taking a toll on the young couple's relationship. However, Rory's message seemed to also take a toll on Shelby, who now looked unhappy. "Come on, kiddo. Let's get ready for bed." Luke let Shelby shower first, grabbing some pajamas for when she finished.
Some time in the middle of the night, Luke partly awoke to hear Shelby whisper something out loud, guessing Jess had finally gotten home, glancing through half-closed eyes at the time on his nightstand. He heard Jess ask how her day was, which she told him was a lot of fun. Luke then heard Shelby tell him about the message Rory had left.
"She sounded mad. Are you guys in a figh'?"
"No, not that I know of. She told me to delete it without listening, so don't worry about it. Okay, Scout?"
"Okay. Bu', Jess."
"Yeah?"
"If you need to, you and I don' have to hang out anymore. Rory can have our time."
"That's nice of ya, Scout. But there's no way I'd leave out my best girl," he assured her.
"Bu' wha' abou' Rory? I don' wan' you to break up."
"I said don't worry about it. Rory and I will settle this. Okay?" Jess' tone sounded a little stern but kept some gentleness to it.
There was a long silence.
"Okay?" he repeated.
Shelby finally answered. "Okay."
"Go to sleep, alright?" he ordered his cousin, gently.
"Good night, Jess."
"Night, Scout." After that, things got quiet again as Jess quickly changed and headed to bed, himself.
