RETURNING HOME, PART TWO

CHAPTER THREE. JUST GETTING BY

The morning that Rory left for Washington, Jess tidied up a little bit around the diner before he headed off to school. Jess was finally attending school that day at the insistence of Luke, but he planned to actually pay attention of his own accord.

On the way to his first period English class, he stopped by his locker, wondering if it had been emptied while he was away. The lock was still on it. That was a good sign. He grasped the combination lock and absently twirled the dial, trying to remember his combination. Before long, his twirling turned to daydreaming and he had to forcefully snap himself out of it. '23-2-47' he dialed with new resolve and, in an abrupt movement, jerked the door open. Inside everything was exactly how he'd left it, notebooks unceremoniously dumped at the bottom, textbooks pristine and unopened.

No. The locker hadn't changed at all. And why should it have? he then realized; he'd only been gone for a couple weeks. However, unlike the contents of his locker, so much had changed for Jess in that short time.

Jess grabbed a notebook which he assumed contained his meagre assortment of English homework and closed his locker. Inside the classroom, Jess slid into a desk moments before the bell rang.

The teacher, Mrs. Green, was shocked to see Jess there. "Well, well, well. Mr. Mariano, you return for the last week of school. To what do we owe this pleasure?" Sarcasm was evident in her voice. Apparently Mrs. Green, a stout woman in both demeanour and physical form, had not expected him to come back, nor had she really wanted him to. Jess didn't blame her. He'd only offered the bare minimum of participation in her class, a practice which was obviously unacceptable to her.

Jess felt slightly uncomfortable at having been singled out by her. Jess may have seemed the type to play the arrogant attention-grabber in school, but the truth was, he preferred to just go about his business alone. Sure, he caused a scene when the mood struck him. But when he did, he usually kept a low profile about it; it was more fun that way. Embarrassed and unsure of how to respond to Mrs. Green's outburst, Jess remained silent.

The teacher went on, "The class has been reading 'The Pearl'. It's too late for you to read it and take part, but at least you can listen in on the discussion."

"I've read it. A number of times."

"You have?" More sarcasm. He coulda smacked her.

Maybe it was the look of blatant disbelief on her irksome face, but suddenly Jess was struck by the urge to cause a scene, low profile be damned. "Yeah, and I've gotta say, I've always been impressed with Steinbeck's use of imagery and symbolism," Jess rambled. "The way he described the Gulf as the villagers' source of livelihood but also as something they couldn't trust; the way that he showed that learned people are not necessarily using their knowledge for good: He really brought the message home that things aren't always what they seem." Jess was really getting warmed up now. He went on, "And I liked the way Steinbeck illustrated Kino's degrading opinion of wealth by first describing the pearl as beautiful, with theme music 'shrilling with triumph', and then finally as a gray, malignant growth, with music that was 'distorted and insane'. But I gotta tell you, I never really liked the whole oppression theme. Racial discrimination is so depressing, don't you think?"

Mrs. Green just stared. Her jaw hung down to the floor. A few students snickered. Jess smiled.

The rest of Jess's day was good too.

***

Three days later, Luke had given Jess the afternoon off. After contemplating what to do, Jess resigned himself to fate, pulled out his math textbook and flopped down on his bed. He could still take the final exam next week and see what happened. As he flipped the book open to a chapter on geometry, the phone rang.

Jess picked up the portable phone, which - as Luke had complained the day before - had been conspicuously kept beside Jess's bed since Rory's departure. He hit the 'talk' button and said "Yeah?"

"Jess. Hi."

The textbook slipped off his lap and hit the floor with a dull thwack as he realized who had phoned. His insides were fluttery, but he hoped his voice was the epitome of cool when he answered Rory "Hey."

"How are you?"

"Good. How's D.C. treating you?"

"It's not bad. What were you doing?"

Jess glanced at the math book, now just peeking out from under his bed. "I was just listening to some music."

"I don't hear any music."

"That's because I turned it off. I was just about to go out and wreak some havoc," he teased her.

"Oh."

He grew serious. "Actually, I was just about to start some studying."

"You?"

"Yeah me," he said indignantly, shaking his head into the phone as though she could see his actions.

"What? No ice cream in a cone first?"

"A guy's gotta watch his figure."

She laughed. "I never get a straight answer from you Jess! Why didn't you just tell me that you were studying?"

"Wouldn't want these things to get out, you know. I have a reputation to uphold."

"Uh huh." He could hear her smile. "Then why did you tell me in the end? Aren't you afraid I'll leak your secret?"

"I figured you wouldn't hold it against me. My being studious, I mean."

"No I wouldn't," she said, becoming serious. "What were you studying?"

"Math. Getting ready for exams."

"Oh… Well good luck with that. Break a leg… or an HB pencil or something. I'll let you get back to your studying."

"No, stay. I already know I'm gonna fail the class anyway."

"Don't say that. You'll pass."

"You're batty."

"No I'm not. Don't say you're gonna fail if it's not true."

"But it is true. I didn't do any work this year. But I'm gonna take summer school," he resolved. "I want to start trying now."

"Oh. That's good." She spoke slowly. "I'm glad to hear that you're trying now, Jess. But why the change of heart?"

"I've developed psychic abilities. I'm channeling Pythagoras of Samos as we speak."

"Seriously though."

He sighed. "I don't want you to be embarrassed by me," Jess admitted quietly, his cheeks growing flushed.

"Embarrassed! How? I would never be embarrassed of you!"

"Wouldn't you? If I got held back a year?"

"Confused and surprised maybe, but not embarrassed."

"Why confused and surprised?"

"Jess, you shouldn't be held back. I know how smart you are. I'd be surprised you never wanted to show anyone else how smart you are."

"Why would you be surprised? You know me better than almost anyone."

"Do I?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe I know you. I still don't understand you."

***

Just under a week later, Jess was trudging out of his math final, a probable waste of time. As he was heading down the hall towards the exit doors, Mrs. Green, his English teacher - or should he say former English teacher, as the class was now thankfully finished - stepped out of another classroom. She called out to him. With annoyance and a tad bit of apprehension, Jess stopped and went over to where she was standing. "Yeah?"

"I just wanted to let you know that I marked your exam. You aced it."

"I did?"

"You sure did."

"So what? You think I cheated or something?"

"Well quite frankly, while you were writing it, I watched you like a hawk. But I am pleased to say; I have no doubts that everything you wrote in that exam was straight out of your spikey-haired head. And it was very good." She smiled now. It was a look she normally saved for the 'gifted' students and other such brown-nosers. Jess had never expected that look to be focused on him.

She went on, "The multiple choice questions were all correct and your essays were especially pleasing: well thought out and insightful. Impeccable grammar considering the nature of on-demand essays. The exam was worth quite a bit of your final grade, you know. Congratulations Mr. Mariano, you actually passed English 11."

"Really," Jess stated with barely veiled awe but no audible excitement. The news had come as a bit of a shock to him, even though Jess had gone all out for that exam. He'd considered each question carefully, his answers coming from his own judgement rather than from any notes he'd memorized, much less taken. He'd written on all three essay topics while the exam had only called for two.

Mrs. Green looked at him, as if expecting more of a response out of him. "I had no idea you paid so much attention in class."

"I didn't."

"OK…?" she voiced, a speculative expression on her face.

"I like to read," Jess said simply.

She accepted this new bit of information with a warm smile on her face. "Well, I hope you have a good summer Jess."

"Thanks," he said. She seemed to expect him to say more so he added "See ya." And with mutual nods of newfound approval, he was once again heading for the door.

***

Jess was feeling good as he stepped into the diner a few minutes later.

Inside, he found Lorelai was sitting at a table in the back, alone. Looking at her, Jess decided it just wasn't right: when Lorelai was in the diner without Rory, she should be sitting at the counter, close to Luke. Apparently the headway Luke and Lorelai had made the week before had backtracked. Oh well. At least Lorelai was staying in the diner now, not getting chased away in tears. That was something.

Jess followed Luke into the storage room. "You still giving Lorelai the cold shoulder?", he asked, putting his own day behind him and focussing on Luke instead.

"No." Luke said as he grabbed a jar of pickles off a shelf and headed back towards the kitchen. He tried to shake Jess, but to no avail.

"I'm not sure I believe you."

"Well believe me."

In the kitchen, Jess tried again. "Did you talk to her at all today?"

"Look Jess, quit pestering me." Luke implored, handing the jar of pickles to Caesar. "I have to go serve coffee now."

"I bet Lorelai needs coffee."

"I'm sure she does," Luke replied with his classic dull edged sarcasm.

"And while you're pouring her that coffee, you can talk to her and finally make up once and for all." Jess bullied, now pushing Luke out from behind the counter, directly over to Lorelai's table. Lorelai was watching the whole display of course. With no one to talk to, dejected observation was her only viable option.

"Lorelai," Jess announced upon their arrival. "Luke is here to offer you some coffee."

"Oh. Good. I was running a little low," she answered quietly with a hopeful expression. Luke poured the coffee and was about to make a hasty getaway but Jess held him in place.

"Come on." Jess argued. "Look at her. She's pathetic."

A look of indignancy shot across her face. However an instant later she replaced it, deciding to augment Jess's words with a look of heartbreaking tragedy. Jess went on "Her daughter - nay, her best friend - is gone all summer. And now you won't talk to her? For shame."

"Jess," grunted Luke.

"And you!" Jess added, eyeing Luke steadily. "Walking around here, biting people's heads off just cause you miss her!"

Luke sighed. "Geez! Is solitude a dirty word around here?"

"Now go on. Sit down with her. Technically I have the afternoon off, but I will work, cause I'm in a good mood." Jess struck a pose of selfless nobility before continuing. "You two crazy kids talk. Make up. Don't make me watch this pitiful charade of ignoring each other any longer! I have my own sanity to think about, you know." Before Luke could protest, Jess had pushed him into a chair and lifted the coffee pot from his hand.

Jess was aware of the two initially watching him as he made the rounds with the coffee. However, much to Jess's satisfaction, they soon forgot about him and began talking in earnest.

***

That evening Jess retired to his bedroom. Math had been the last of his exams and now he was free! Pulling a book off his dresser, he settled down to devour 'The Partner' by John Grisham. But when the phone rang, he pounced on that instead, the book forgotten. It was Rory. "Hey!" he said.

"Hey yourself," she came back charmingly.

"What's up?"

"Nothing. A bunch of us were in Union Station today. It reminded me of Grand Central Station and I thought of you. So I thought I'd call, that's all."

Ah. She'd been thinking about him. Life was good, he thought, lying back on his bed once more, propped up by two pillows. "Well it's good to hear from you."

"What have you been up to?"

"Finished my last exam today. I was just about to read Grisham's 'The Partner'."

"Oh I hear that one's good. I haven't read it yet though."

"No I haven't either, I was just about to start it when you phoned."

"Hey Jess," she inquired.

"Yeah?"

"When did you become such an avid reader?"

"Oh!" He thought it over a moment. "Probably in elementary school. We moved to a new neighbourhood when I was young. I didn't have many friends at my new school, you know, due to my… well… complete lack of social skills," he admitted sheepishly. He could hear her giggle over the line and he laughed along with her. "So I would hide out in the library at recess a lot."

"Well you've always been very sociable with me."

"Thanks. How 'bout you?"

"Me? Well my mom says I got it from my grandfather because he likes to read too. But back then, we never saw my grandparents much. Personally, I think it has more to do with the fact that, when I was young, we didn't have a lot of money for entertainment so I would go to the library a lot. Make my own entertainment."

"Hmmm," Jess said thoughtfully. A contented smile grabbed hold of his lips as he removed a pillow from his bed so he could recline further. He settled back to enjoy a nice long conversation with Rory.

Quite some time later, Rory sighed and said "Well I should go. I'm not gonna be able to afford my phone bill here."

"Rory you can call me collect anytime you want. I'll pay for the call."

"Oh. You're sure?"

"Sure I'm sure. In fact, can I have your phone number so I can call you sometime?"

"Oh! Sure," she replied, seemingly surprised that he would want to call her. Silly girl. Little does she know she's never far from my mind! he reflected. She relayed the number and he jotted it down in his book.

"This was fun," she stated a moment later, referring to their long, meandering conversation.

"Yes. It was," he agreed, smiling again.

"I should go."

"Yup."

"Well… bye."

"Bye."

"See ya."

"See ya," he chuckled at their poorly disguised round of stalling.

She laughed too. "I'm actually going to hang up now…"

"OK… Bye."

"Bye." He could hear her laughing still as she gently replaced the receiver. He lay there for a time, hugging the phone to his chest with eyes twinkling and heart full of love.

***

It was the next day and Jess was just finishing up a shift at the diner. Lorelai, happily caffeinated, was sitting at the counter and Luke was in the kitchen preparing his fluffy pancakes for her - breakfast pancakes in the afternoon no less. As it should be, Jess thought, content that their fight was now over.

Before Jess could disappear upstairs, Lorelai put a hand on his forearm and stopped him. She spoke warmly, "Jess, thanks. You know, for… what you did for Luke and me."

Jess smiled but couldn't resist joshing her. "What? You think I did that for you? No. Luke is annoying as hell when you're not around and I have to live with the guy!" Jess threw back, causing a laugh to bubble up in her throat.

"Come on. You're not that selfish. You actually care, don't you? I guess Rory was right."

"About what?"

Lorelai sighed, but not unhappily. "She likes you. She loves you. To be honest, at first I was considering taking her to a shrink to figure out why she has such a tendency towards self-destruction, but now I kinda hafta admit: I see it."

"See it?" Jess raised an eyebrow, intensely interested. He had to wonder what Rory had been telling her mother.

"Yes. See it."

"It?" Jess asked again, smirking and enjoying her apparent discomfort. Lorelai had meant to be cryptic. Jess wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily.

"Yeah. What she sees in you."

"What does she see in me?"

Lorelai rolled her eyes and then fixed a thoughtful gaze on him, as an artist eyeing his model might. "Well… Underneath the seemingly impenetrable veneer of disgruntled youth and bad-boy good looks, there hides the soul of a considerate person, there beats the heart of an essentially good guy. That… and a little Roger Taylor. Of Duran Duran fame, not Queen."

"Huh."

"Yup."

"You're cracked."

"Good Guy! Good Guy!" she taunted happily, a musical lilt to her voice as she pointed at him with both index fingers.

Jess smirked at Lorelai but waited until he was safely upstairs and out of earshot before bursting out laughing.

Jess had the apartment to himself that evening. The laughter from his intriguing conversation with Lorelai subsiding, Jess flung himself on the couch and flicked the TV on. What to do? What to do? he thought. Of course, nothing looked interesting on any of the channels, so he turned the TV off again. Grabbing a random book off the shelf by the window, he plodded into his bedroom and dropped down on his bed, lying flat on his back. For a few minutes the book remained unopened on his chest. The phone wasn't ringing.

Jess resisted the urge to call Rory. They'd talked for over an hour only the night before and he didn't want to seem too eager. Besides, as far as he knew, she was still technically with Dean.

So he didn't phone Rory. And he didn't go out, since Stars Hollow wasn't exactly known for it's lively entertainment. At least not it's lawful entertainment. Jess was bored.

***

Jess was heading the short distance toward Stars Hollow High School. Classes were over, exams were written. All that remained was to pick up his report card. Jess stepped into the school. Masses of students he'd seen many times, but had never known, milled around him, laughing and getting signatures in their yearbooks. Jess ignored them and headed for his homeroom. When he received his report card, his theories were confirmed: English and Directing & Scriptwriting were the only two classes that he had passed.

Jess sighed and once again stepped into the hallway. He passed the happy students calling out to one another and found himself in Counsellor Labret's office. Ms. Labret was a no-nonsense woman and Jess had had quite a few run-ins with her before, both for pranks he'd pulled and for classes he'd ditched. "You want to take summer school?" she asked in quasi-disbelief when he told her the reason for his visit. "Tell me you're not just wasting my time."

"Since when is a student's education a waste of time?"

"No. That's not what I meant…" Her hardened expression softened completely when she gauged his sincerity. "Of course we can enroll you in summer school, if that's what you want. So let's take a look at your records, shall we?" She went over to the bank of filing cabinets and opened a drawer marked M-N. She pulled out a thick file, the size of which made even Jess's eyes grow wide in surprise.

"We'll just ignore all the violations and cut straight to the academics," she continued, delving into the file. "Hmm. Not too good. There are a lot of fails and incompletes here. Oh! But says here you passed English. Granted with a C-, but at least you passed. That's good. You won't have to take English in summer school then."

Jess inwardly thanked himself once again for putting in an effort on that English exam. He hadn't expected to pass the class, and his first instinct had been to abandon the cause entirely.

"Let's see…" The woman said, reaching for a form. "You'll need to take a science. So what will it be, Jess? Biology, Chemistry or Physics?"

"Biology."

"OK. And we'll put you in regular Math 11. That alright?"

"Sure."

"Social Studies 11 will be the third and final class," the counsellor said, ticking off the course. "You'll still be missing the second language requirement because you can't take more than three remedial academic courses in one summer session. You'll have to take Spanish 11 over again in the fall."

The woman uttered a tired sound and removed her stylish glasses. "I won't lie to you Jess, this is going to be a heavy load. Each class is an hour and a half in length, every day. Plus you will have, at the bare minimum, 2 hours homework per night. You're going to have to attend regularly and participate. You sure you're up to the challenge?"

"Gonna have to be," was all he said. Truthfully, without the structure that summer school would bring, the summer would stretch out unbearably. Rory was gone and Jess had no other friends in Stars Hollow. Jess was almost looking forward to his studies beginning.

***

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Now I know why so many authors on here beg for reviews! It's hard to know if a story is any good - or if it is being read at all! - without any feedback. Please review my story, even if it is just to say I'm too long-winded and my characterization sucks. I need the feedback - good and bad. Let me know that my story is being read. To those of you who already reviewed, thanks so much!