Chapter 7- Surprises, Tensions, and Reminders

"Ma'am, I'm going out." Mrs. Kim approached Lane as she came bounding down the stairs.

"Out with David?"

"Yes Mama, I'm going out with Dave."

"Lane, let me tell you something. I like David, he good boy. But boy's get worked up when you spend too much time with them. I don't want you neglecting other things to be with David. You understand?"

"Yes Mama."

"Good. See that you are back by 10:30."

"Yes Mama. Goodbye." She opened the door and ran out to meet Dave.

"Hey Lane, how are you doing?" He asked giving her a hug.

"I'm fine. I got a talk about spending too much time with good boy Dave, and neglecting the rest of my life."

"Ah, the overprotective, smothering mother special."

"Exactly."

"It's a good choice, one of the better one's I've heard about."

"She means well though. I am her only daughter. She doesn't want me going off and getting into bad things."

"True, she can trust you though. And me too."

"Oh, she totally can trust us. She's mellowed down a lot since you came along."

They continued walking to band practice and soon arrived at the Gilmore's garage, which was nicely left unlocked for them to practice freely in while Rory and Lorelai were gone.

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"I don't know what time she expects me to pick it up." Luke said.

"Why are you telling me this? My mother barely let's me use a watch. By the way what time is it? I lost my watch." Kirk asked. "Are you ordering something Kirk, or not?"

"Nah, I think I'm gonna go walk around. On second thought, I'll take a donut to go."

Luke navigated his way back through the empty diner and grabbed Kirk a donut. He returned.

"Here you go, Kirk." He handed the donut to him.

"Thank you." Kirk started toward the door.

"Oh, and its 9:15, Kirk." Kirk nodded and continued walking out the door eating his donut.

With the diner empty, he figured he'd head over to Lorelai's and wait for the delivery guy. He closed up and headed down the street. He arrived a few minutes later. Seeing nobody yet, he sat down on the porch.

'I wonder how Lorelai and Rory are. They'll be home in a week. It'll be good to see them again, even though I'll end up serving them coffee again 24/7. I won't have to do that much longer for Rory. I'll be stuck with Lorelai forever though. I guess it's not really so bad though. She's a nice person, most of the time.'

His thoughts were interrupted by a large FedEx truck backing into the driveway. A delivery man jumped out.

"Hey! Are you signing for this, ah, Mr. Gilmore."

"I'm not Mr. Gilmore. I'm just a friend. They are on vacation so I promised I'd pick this up for them."

"Whatever. Sign here." He did and the guy went over to the truck. "You gonna help me here?"

He jogged over to the truck. 'Why does he need my help? It can't have been anything to big. A dresser, a chair, or what? She said it was junk though, so it couldn't be anything useful. When he saw what it was he just stood there completely dumbfounded.

"She bought a humongous, stuffed gorilla in an ice cream man suit?" He stammered.

"Guess so. I just deliver what I am told to. Although, I gotta say that this is highly unusual."

"This is unusual of Lorelai, and you don't know how unusual she is all the time anyway."

They unloaded it and set it in the front yard. The FedEx truck sped away and Luke was left there alone. 'What the heck am I supposed to do with this?' he wondered. Soon enough Kirk came walking past.

"Luke, what are you doing with a giant ape?"

"Trying to move it, you wanna help me?"

Kirk came over and they pushed the giant monkey into the garage. He left a note on the door for Lane's band. Lorelai had told him about them using the space and he felt he should tell them about it before they were scared half to death by a giant monkey in their practice space.

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The band met outside the Gilmore's garage at 7pm sharp. Dave had just noticed the note from Luke on the door.

"Guys come here." Lane, Brian and Zack came up behind him.

"This note is from Luke. I'll read it.

Lane/Band-

Please don't be alarmed when you enter the garage to practice. Lorelai bought a gaudy junk thing on her trip and had it sent back here. It takes up a bit of room, hope you have enough space.

-Luke"

They all stood there wondering what it could be.

"What are we waiting for?" Lane asked. Dave opened the garage door.

"Dude! That is one messed up gorilla."

"It's so big. What the heck does Lorelai want with that?" Dave asked Lane.

"Don't look at me, I just know her daughter. I never said I was a mind reader." Lane joked.

"It scares me." Zach added.

"I like it, kinda." Dave replied.

"Me too." Lane agreed. "Typical." Brian retorted.

"What?" Lane asked.

"Typical. You agree with, Dave here cause your going out with him. You're always doing that, making stupid decisions 'cause Dave says so."

Dave stepped between Brian and Lane, holding Lane back gently behind him.

"What's your problem, Brian?"

"My problem is that for the past few weeks you've been making stupid decisions without asking really what either Zach or I think."

"Like what?"

"Like moving practices to Thursdays so you two can spend time together on Fridays."

"What's the big deal, it's one day. I don't see that you have any big plans on Thursdays."

"That's what you think."

"What plans do you have?"

"It doesn't matter. What does matter is that, I just want a little respect, okay?"

"I'm sorry, Brian. I didn't mean to exclude you or Zach. If I did, I'm sorry."

"Yeah, me too. We're new at this relationship thing. In the future, can you just say something before it is too late?"

"Sure, I guess."

"Good. We okay now?" Dave asked.

"Dude! How could I stay angry at you man? There is a gigantic freaking gorilla staring down at me."

They did that handshake thing.

"Let's practice."

"It still scares me." Zach whimpered.

"Just don't look at it okay, Zach?" Dave pleaded.

"I'll try, but I see evil in its eyes."

Brian and Zach went inside and Dave and Lane shared a knowing glance.

"What the heck was that?" Lane asked.

"I don't know, but I'm glad it's over." He replied. "When's Rory come home?"

"In less than a week."

"Cool."

He grabbed her hand and they headed in to practice.

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*No, I just don't understand why

you won't talk to me

It's hurts that I'm so unwanted for nothing

Don't talk words against me

I wanted to know you

I wanted to show you*

Jess walked around the beach, and the boardwalk thinking. She still hadn't gotten in touch with him. It's not like she could call a pay phone though and just get him on the line. She's obviously smart enough to know that. 'I guess I just have to go back then.' He thought. 'But I do kinda like it here. Although I can't stay with Jimmy forever, that was pretty clear.'

The boardwalk was filled with little stands where people sell things, and it was usually interesting to see what they were selling that day. He walked past a few stands unaware, just glancing at things. He stopped at a table with jewelry on it. Scanning it, he noticed a Puka shell necklace. For some reason it reminded him of Rory. It had white Puka shells with rose quartz pieces in a pattern. Maybe it was the rose color that reminded him of her pale skin, and rosy cheeks. Whatever it was he bought it. He needed to see her again. For now he would keep it. If he ever saw her again, it would be hers.

*Did you know, could you tell you were the only one

That I ever loved?

Now everything's so wrong

Did you see me walking by?

Did it ever make you cry?

You're my favorite mistake

You're my favorite mistake

You're my favorite mistake*

A/N: Hey! Lyrics are "Unwanted" by Avril Lavigne, and "My Favorite Mistake" by Sheryl Crow. I am just flying through this story! FF.Net is being kind of a pain, takes forever for my chapters to actually get posted once I post them myself. Sorry about that. See you soon.