Lorelai led Rory into Luke's diner.
"Sit down. I'll get us some coffee."
Rory nodded and walked over to a table in the corner. Lorelai watched her daughter for a moment, then walked up to the counter. Luke looked up from the glasses he was wiping.
"We're closing."
"I need two cups of coffee Luke."
"No coffee. You drink too much coffee."
"Look at the girl behind me."
Luke looked over Lorelai's shoulder at Rory. She had her head down on the table.
"What happened?"
"Broken heart."
"What did he do to her this time." Luke asked defensively, "I'll kill that punk if he hurt her."
"Down boy." She said, "Its the other way around."
"What?"
"Rory broke up with Dean tonight."
"Why?"
Lorelai looked over her shoulder at Rory.
"She's in love."
********
A car pulled into Stars Hollow, the driver looking around. He pulled over to the curb and climbed out of the car. Looking around he saw the dance studio where they rehearsed their scene for Romeo and Juliet a few weeks earlier.
I was such a jerk to her.
Looking around, he spotted a building across the street with its lights still on. He made his way across the street. Looking up, he saw the sign for the hardware store.
Probably a waste of time.
Shaking his head, he pulled open the door. To his surprise, it was not a hardware store but a diner. Two people stood at the counter talking. Tristen approached the counter, clearing his throat.
"We're closed." The man said, not turning his attention from the woman
"Sir, I was wondering if I could get some information." Tristen said quietly, "I am trying to find Rory Gilmore."
Luke looked up, his eyes narrowing. The woman moved away from the counter, approaching him. Lorelai studied the boy in front of her.
"Who are you and why are you looking for my daughter?"
"Tristen DuGray." He said quietly
"Evil Tristen?"
"Please I need to find Rory." He said, "I don't have much time."
Lorelai took his by the shoulders and turned him around.
"She's right over there."
Tristen saw the girl sitting at the table with her head down. Lorelai handed him a cup of coffee and whispered
"Take this to her."
When he didn't move, Lorelai gave him a gentle nudge. Tristen moved slowly across the diner to the table. He set the up in front of her.
"Thanks mom." Came a muffled reply
Tristen pulled out a chair and sat down. Rory raised her head slightly and Tristen saw her red, swollen eyes. He felt his insides turn over, knowing he was the cause of her pain.
"Tristen." She whispered, not believing her eyes