Chapter 6
THE FOLLOWING MORNING
Rory woke up startled to find an arm draped over her waist. She slowly turned to see Jess in a deep slumber snuggled close to her. She shut her eyes and cringed. What have I done, Rory thought. She slowly pried herself from Jess's embrace, quickly dressed, and softly walked out of the room. Outside the building, New York City is just waking up. The city is so alive but Rory never felt so cold and alone.
A little bell rang as she entered a tiny music store in the village called Death to Radio. Lane looked up to see her first customer but found a very pale Rory instead. A look of concern washed over her face.
"What happened?! Are you okay?!" asked a very frantic Lane.
"I slept with Jess." Rory said, her voice barely audible. She wrapped her arms around her body and continued to look at the floor.
"What?!" asked Lane as she came around the counter to hug Rory. "Oh dear, what are we going to do?"
*RING * *RING*
Rory checked her caller ID on her cell phone and Dean's name flashed on the screen. "Lane its Dean, I can't talk to him yet. I don't know what to say!" Rory said then threw the phone on the counter. "Lane, what am I going to do?"
Lane picks up the phone and turns it on. "Dean, hey its Lane. (Pause) No, I don't know where Rory's at. (Pause) Oh, she let me borrow her phone yesterday and she has not yet swung by to pick it up, (Pause) I'm sure she's okay, she's probably at a bookstore and lost track of time. Dean I have to get back to work, bye Dean."
"Thank you" Rory said in a soft voice as if Dean might be able to hear her.
"I'm always here for you. You know what, this is too much excitement for one day and imagine it's only 7 o'clock in the morning. Let's get some coffee." Lane suggested with a small smile. "Three cups of coffee and a danish."
Rory gave her a weak smile.
"Aha, I knew coffee and danish would get a smile out of you."
*********@ The COFFEEHOUSE**********
"My little chiquitas, why do we look so gloomy?" Jake asked as they entered the coffee house. He brought their usual drinks to the table and grabbed a chair for himself. Jake threw Lane a questioning look and Lane mouthed 'I'll tell you later.'
"Jake I don't mean to insult you but do you realize that you spend more time socializing with the customers then coffee making." Lane said trying to bring some sort of conversation to their unbelievably quiet table.
"Socializing creates customer loyalty and in turn demands coffee making." Jake said with a grin. "It's all for the money, and you thought I was doing this through the kindness of my heart." Jake said jokingly.
"I have to tell Dean," Rory said with a newfound courage.
Lane is completely startled to hear this from Rory. She looked at her friend and studied her for a moment. "Are you sure that's the rational thing to do. I mean, you need time to process all of this and you need to practice what to say to him." Lane said trying to convince Rory to slow down a bit.
Rory shook her head vigorously, "I have to tell him now, I can't keep hurting him like this. He needs someone to love him and care for him, I'm not that person and I never will be. I have to go now." Rory said and rose from the table leaving Lane and Jake staring after her with a startled look.
All the way to the apartment Rory ran the little speech she intended to say Dean. It starts out a little like this. 'Dean you know that I truly care for you and love you. I think I'm at a point in my life where you should no longer be with me to catch me every time I fall. Dean, you can't marry me. I'm tired of feeling numb. This is my chance to be Rory Gilmore. Not Dean's fiancé or Emily's granddaughter; just be me for once. I really am sorry Dean.' At this point Rory will make a quiet exit and never look back.
Rory touched the doorknob and wondered if what she was about to do was the right choice. She didn't have time to debate any longer. Taking a deep breath, she opens the door and steps inside.
"I was so worried about you," Dean said relief washing over his face. He rose from the couch and tried to kiss her but Rory backed away.
"What's wrong sweetie?" Dean asked.
"I slept with Jess." Rory blurted out. She searched his face for any signs of emotions but Dean was to stunned. Without a word he walked pass Rory and out the door.
Sinking to the floor sobbing, Rory could not believe the heartache she felt at that moment. She curled herself into a little ball and stayed in that spot wishing she could take back what she said and make all the pain go away. That scene played over and over each time a little different but it always ended with Dean leaving her. This went on until she was too exhausted and fell asleep.
**********@ the office the following day**********
"Gilmore, you should have called in sick." David said as he peeked into her office. "Is that why your secretary practically has your door locked up with bolts and chains?"
"Yes that is exactly why, David I have to get back to work," grumbled Rory. I should have called in sick, what was I thinking when I left the apartment this morning. I look like someone who's been run over twice and I had the audacity to come to work. Oh yeah, now I remember why I'm here, I'm a goddamn workaholic. Great sex, ex-fiance, and a nervous breakdown can't keep me away.
"Rory dear, go home." David said with compassion in his voice. "The Galeki article is amazing and you have no assignments, so leave."
"What are you talking about, I'm not done with the Galeki story." Rory said with confusion.
"Stop being modest, it was wonderful, it was brilliant, shall I continue?" David inquired. "Jess sent it to me this morning and we decided to run it for tomorrow's cover page."
"What?" Rory said with a baffled expression.
"Jess sent it to me completely formatted and ready to go. You really should get some rest. GO HOME RORY."
Rory packed up her things and headed out the door.
"Rory, Mr. Mariano has been trying to reach you all day and he knows you are not busy with anything. I can't keep telling him lame excuses. So far you have gone on three coffee breaks, a really long lunch, and a female emergency." Lisa said from her desk.
"Female emergency? That's the best you could do?" asked Rory with a smile.
Lisa gave her a stern look, "Rory, I refuse to get in the middle of this. Whatever is going on between you and our new editor-in-chief, I refuse to be part of it. I was hired to be your secretary, not your caller id."
"Well you can stop lying for today because if anyone calls you can tell them I'm gone for the day and that's the truth."
Rory walked out the main entrance and let out a sigh of relief. She made it through a day of work without bumping into Jess. Now if only she could convince Lisa to continue this charade a little longer, maybe she could avoid Jess a little longer. Glancing at the clock, a quarter after two; why does it feel like I forgot to do something, Rory thought. OH! I was supposed to meet Tristan for lunch! Rory frantically hailed a cab and miraculously made it to the restaurant in fifteen minutes. As she was hurrying through the front door someone trying to leave blocked her path.
"Excuse me," Rory said hurriedly.
"What's your rush Mary, I'm still here." Tristan said with laughter in his voice. He looked at an out-of-breath-rosy-cheek Rory that stood in front of him. My god, why are you so beautiful Rory Gilmore.
"You waited half an hour? I never pictured you as the waiting type." Rory said as she tried to smooth out her clothes and regain her composure.
"Well, I never pictured you as the tardy type. Besides, the martinis kept me company."
"That explains that silly grin on your face. Tristan Dugrey, its two thirty in the afternoon, it's a little too early for happy hour."
Mary if you only knew that this silly grin was meant for you. The damn alcohol was to keep me from panicking. I was this close to leaving. "Are you hungry?" Tristan asked.
"I just realized that I haven't eaten since yesterday or was it the day before that?!" Rory said with a laugh. How do you manage to look so perfect every time I see you. That reminds me, I probably look like shit. Oh well, its not like I'm trying to impress you, err I mean anyone.
The maitre d lead them to a table next to the window. Rory sat facing the door and Tristan took his place across from her. Tristan gave the waiter their orders when an unexpected surprise entered the restaurant.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING
Rory woke up startled to find an arm draped over her waist. She slowly turned to see Jess in a deep slumber snuggled close to her. She shut her eyes and cringed. What have I done, Rory thought. She slowly pried herself from Jess's embrace, quickly dressed, and softly walked out of the room. Outside the building, New York City is just waking up. The city is so alive but Rory never felt so cold and alone.
A little bell rang as she entered a tiny music store in the village called Death to Radio. Lane looked up to see her first customer but found a very pale Rory instead. A look of concern washed over her face.
"What happened?! Are you okay?!" asked a very frantic Lane.
"I slept with Jess." Rory said, her voice barely audible. She wrapped her arms around her body and continued to look at the floor.
"What?!" asked Lane as she came around the counter to hug Rory. "Oh dear, what are we going to do?"
*RING * *RING*
Rory checked her caller ID on her cell phone and Dean's name flashed on the screen. "Lane its Dean, I can't talk to him yet. I don't know what to say!" Rory said then threw the phone on the counter. "Lane, what am I going to do?"
Lane picks up the phone and turns it on. "Dean, hey its Lane. (Pause) No, I don't know where Rory's at. (Pause) Oh, she let me borrow her phone yesterday and she has not yet swung by to pick it up, (Pause) I'm sure she's okay, she's probably at a bookstore and lost track of time. Dean I have to get back to work, bye Dean."
"Thank you" Rory said in a soft voice as if Dean might be able to hear her.
"I'm always here for you. You know what, this is too much excitement for one day and imagine it's only 7 o'clock in the morning. Let's get some coffee." Lane suggested with a small smile. "Three cups of coffee and a danish."
Rory gave her a weak smile.
"Aha, I knew coffee and danish would get a smile out of you."
*********@ The COFFEEHOUSE**********
"My little chiquitas, why do we look so gloomy?" Jake asked as they entered the coffee house. He brought their usual drinks to the table and grabbed a chair for himself. Jake threw Lane a questioning look and Lane mouthed 'I'll tell you later.'
"Jake I don't mean to insult you but do you realize that you spend more time socializing with the customers then coffee making." Lane said trying to bring some sort of conversation to their unbelievably quiet table.
"Socializing creates customer loyalty and in turn demands coffee making." Jake said with a grin. "It's all for the money, and you thought I was doing this through the kindness of my heart." Jake said jokingly.
"I have to tell Dean," Rory said with a newfound courage.
Lane is completely startled to hear this from Rory. She looked at her friend and studied her for a moment. "Are you sure that's the rational thing to do. I mean, you need time to process all of this and you need to practice what to say to him." Lane said trying to convince Rory to slow down a bit.
Rory shook her head vigorously, "I have to tell him now, I can't keep hurting him like this. He needs someone to love him and care for him, I'm not that person and I never will be. I have to go now." Rory said and rose from the table leaving Lane and Jake staring after her with a startled look.
All the way to the apartment Rory ran the little speech she intended to say Dean. It starts out a little like this. 'Dean you know that I truly care for you and love you. I think I'm at a point in my life where you should no longer be with me to catch me every time I fall. Dean, you can't marry me. I'm tired of feeling numb. This is my chance to be Rory Gilmore. Not Dean's fiancé or Emily's granddaughter; just be me for once. I really am sorry Dean.' At this point Rory will make a quiet exit and never look back.
Rory touched the doorknob and wondered if what she was about to do was the right choice. She didn't have time to debate any longer. Taking a deep breath, she opens the door and steps inside.
"I was so worried about you," Dean said relief washing over his face. He rose from the couch and tried to kiss her but Rory backed away.
"What's wrong sweetie?" Dean asked.
"I slept with Jess." Rory blurted out. She searched his face for any signs of emotions but Dean was to stunned. Without a word he walked pass Rory and out the door.
Sinking to the floor sobbing, Rory could not believe the heartache she felt at that moment. She curled herself into a little ball and stayed in that spot wishing she could take back what she said and make all the pain go away. That scene played over and over each time a little different but it always ended with Dean leaving her. This went on until she was too exhausted and fell asleep.
**********@ the office the following day**********
"Gilmore, you should have called in sick." David said as he peeked into her office. "Is that why your secretary practically has your door locked up with bolts and chains?"
"Yes that is exactly why, David I have to get back to work," grumbled Rory. I should have called in sick, what was I thinking when I left the apartment this morning. I look like someone who's been run over twice and I had the audacity to come to work. Oh yeah, now I remember why I'm here, I'm a goddamn workaholic. Great sex, ex-fiance, and a nervous breakdown can't keep me away.
"Rory dear, go home." David said with compassion in his voice. "The Galeki article is amazing and you have no assignments, so leave."
"What are you talking about, I'm not done with the Galeki story." Rory said with confusion.
"Stop being modest, it was wonderful, it was brilliant, shall I continue?" David inquired. "Jess sent it to me this morning and we decided to run it for tomorrow's cover page."
"What?" Rory said with a baffled expression.
"Jess sent it to me completely formatted and ready to go. You really should get some rest. GO HOME RORY."
Rory packed up her things and headed out the door.
"Rory, Mr. Mariano has been trying to reach you all day and he knows you are not busy with anything. I can't keep telling him lame excuses. So far you have gone on three coffee breaks, a really long lunch, and a female emergency." Lisa said from her desk.
"Female emergency? That's the best you could do?" asked Rory with a smile.
Lisa gave her a stern look, "Rory, I refuse to get in the middle of this. Whatever is going on between you and our new editor-in-chief, I refuse to be part of it. I was hired to be your secretary, not your caller id."
"Well you can stop lying for today because if anyone calls you can tell them I'm gone for the day and that's the truth."
Rory walked out the main entrance and let out a sigh of relief. She made it through a day of work without bumping into Jess. Now if only she could convince Lisa to continue this charade a little longer, maybe she could avoid Jess a little longer. Glancing at the clock, a quarter after two; why does it feel like I forgot to do something, Rory thought. OH! I was supposed to meet Tristan for lunch! Rory frantically hailed a cab and miraculously made it to the restaurant in fifteen minutes. As she was hurrying through the front door someone trying to leave blocked her path.
"Excuse me," Rory said hurriedly.
"What's your rush Mary, I'm still here." Tristan said with laughter in his voice. He looked at an out-of-breath-rosy-cheek Rory that stood in front of him. My god, why are you so beautiful Rory Gilmore.
"You waited half an hour? I never pictured you as the waiting type." Rory said as she tried to smooth out her clothes and regain her composure.
"Well, I never pictured you as the tardy type. Besides, the martinis kept me company."
"That explains that silly grin on your face. Tristan Dugrey, its two thirty in the afternoon, it's a little too early for happy hour."
Mary if you only knew that this silly grin was meant for you. The damn alcohol was to keep me from panicking. I was this close to leaving. "Are you hungry?" Tristan asked.
"I just realized that I haven't eaten since yesterday or was it the day before that?!" Rory said with a laugh. How do you manage to look so perfect every time I see you. That reminds me, I probably look like shit. Oh well, its not like I'm trying to impress you, err I mean anyone.
The maitre d lead them to a table next to the window. Rory sat facing the door and Tristan took his place across from her. Tristan gave the waiter their orders when an unexpected surprise entered the restaurant.