Achieving Goals-Chapter 29

Rory and Logan arrived in Stars Hollow after Josh and Honor. They had also invited Mitchum. When they got to the inn, Mitchum, Chris, Honor, and Josh were in the library talking. Logan and Rory hurried to put their bags away and join them in the library.

They all enjoyed Sookie's cooking. After supper, Rory invited Josh and Honor to come with her and Logan to see the town's people sitting up the booths for tomorrow. The weather was a little cool, but not too cold. Mitchum opted to stay in the library at the inn and read.

Rory introduced everyone to the group. She went on to explain the different booths and the reason for them. She was looking forward to the festival and the hayride after.

Rory was up early Saturday morning. She wanted to get the day started. She made plans to meet Lane for breakfast at the diner. Rory was walking through town, watching as the townsfolk were opening the booths. She knew from experience the good part of the festival would not get started until the afternoon. The haunted houses and the hayride are the best part of the festival, she was thinking.

Lane was already at the diner, waiting. "Rory, over here." Lane said, standing up and waving at Rory. Rory expertly moved through the crowded diner. It was packed full of tourists. Not too many townsfolk. She waved at Luke as she passed the counter.

The relationship between her mother and Luke ended after the April situation. Rory felt bad for him. He was put in an unusual situation. He wanted to get to know his daughter, but he didn't know how to open up to Lorelai.

Lane and Rory enjoyed their breakfast. They talked about what has been going on in Lane's life. Her band, Hep Alien, had several gigs as of late. They are scheduled to open for different bands and comedians in New York during the holidays. Dave returned from California. He rejoined the band, and his and Lane's relationship grew. While he was gone, she dated several guys, including Zack, but she was not serious with anyone. They made plans for Rory and her friends to attend some shows.

Rory left Lane to go back to the Inn to meet up with Logan. They were going to visit Hartford. She wanted to visit her grandparents while she was in the area. They started off with her grammy Fran. They enjoyed their visit, telling her about their adventures in New York. She told them she wanted to come for a visit.

Then they visited Richard and Emily. The grandparents were glad to see them. They enjoyed lunch with them. Emily hinted several times about a venue she liked or how beautiful a winter wedding would be. Before they left, she reminded them it would take time to plan a wedding.

When Rory and Logan returned to Stars Hollow, the festival was well on its way. They had several rides this year. Rory could not wait to get back downtown. She was so excited to share this with Logan. They decided to dress up in a costume. It was not a requirement, but it would be fun. They dress up as Bonnie and Clyde. Rory used an eyeliner pencil to draw Logan a mustache. Josh and Honor dress up as a football player and cheerleader. When they got ready to leave, Mitchum and Chris were going with them. Mitchum laughed when he saw Rory and Logan's costume.

"Well, I don't think I could have found a better costume for the two of you," Mitchum said. Chris agreed. Lorelai tried to talk Chris into dressing up. He finally agreed to go as a businessman. He was dressed in a suit. Lorelai wasn't thrilled about it. She went as Pocahontas.

Finn, Rosemary, Steph, and Colin showed up. They were not in costume. Finn was mad because he was not told he could dress up. Hep Alien played. Finn asked about the group. He told them he could introduce them to someone that could help them prosper in the music business. He and Dave talked for a while.

When they returned to New York, Rory hit the ground running. She had finals coming up in two of her classes. She was also helping Mark with the article about City Hall's favoritism in the paving project. Rory was late to a meeting at the Observer on Monday. They always have a meeting Monday morning to discuss upcoming events that need to be covered. This meeting also is for planning the coming issues of the paper. Rory had always attended these meetings. Her schedule at school allowed this. This Monday, this first Monday in November, she was going to be late. She discussed this with Mark and Simon. They both agreed it would be okay for her to be late. Mark told her since she was going to be late anyway, to stop by City Hall and pick up the latest numbers for the paving project.

Rory arrived just as the meeting was being adjourned. She asked one of the other interns what she missed. Before the intern could answer, Mark, spoke up:

"If you will meet me in my office, I will go over anything you have missed," Mark told her. She nodded her head and held up the reports. She also was able to acquire a copy of the drawings of the paving project. She and Mark talked as they walked to his office.

Amy watched as Rory followed Mark. She was shaking her head. Carol, Simon's secretary, asked Amy what she was shaking her head at.

"Did you see her?" Amy said. She came waltzing in here, late for the meeting. Now Mark is meeting with her, behind closed doors, I might add, to let her know just what she missed." Carol was watching Amy.

"So, you think she and Mark have something going on?" Carol asked. Amy just smiled.

"Don't you?" Amy asked. Carol just shook her head.

"Amy, I think the best advice I can give you is to drop it," Carol said as she turned to return to work. "When you have been in this business long enough, you will realize not everything is as it appears and you need to take your job seriously. You are here to learn."

Amy huffed. She will get to the bottom of this. She will show Carol how serious she is about her job.