Chapter 14- Lorelai Gilmore, this is your life.
"Max!?" She spun around cocking her head to one side, and sort of smiling. "I thought we were not supposed to see each other anymore? Remember the whole large basketball player rule?" She motioned with her hands.
"Well, I've been doing some thinking about that."
"You have."
"Yes, and I was thinking that maybe I was too harsh. I mean, I still don't want to be anything more than friends. I thought I'd come and talk to you about it."
"Oh. Well, I've got to see how this construction stuff is going." Lorelai walked further inside trying to avoid him, but he followed.
"So how is Rory?"
"She's good, I guess. She's going to Yale pretty soon now."
"Good school."
"Yep, from what I hear that is the truth." She looked over at some of the guys that were painting the inside. "Nice job there boys, keep it up." She complimented them. She looked back at Max. "Is there something you need still?" She asked. "Because I think you are still violating the basketball player rule, here."
"Lorelai, I just didn't want things to be weird with us in case we ever ran into each other."
"Didn't I say that when we talked before?" She asked.
"I just was thinking about that night, and I think I was kind of harsh. I just didn't know how to handle you being there. We're over, obviously. I just didn't want to leave without straightening things out with you."
"You're leaving?"
"Yeah, I'm going back to California."
"Oh. Everyone seems to be doing that lately."
"What?"
"Never mind, really long story."
"It was nice; I think I've had enough of Chilton though. So, I'm gonna go now. I hope you have a good life, Lor."
"Bye." She waved slightly and went back to watching the painters. 'That was odd' she thought.
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Lorelai knocked on the hardwood door in front of her.
"Did I tell you, about Max?" Lorelai asked her daughter. The door opened and there stood her mother.
"Come in, come in. Did I hear you talking about Max?" Emily questioned.
"Yes, Grandma we were talking about Max. Mom was just about to tell us about the little encounter she had with him."
"Oh really, well, come sit down and have a drink. We can talk." Emily poured drinks for the girls and herself. "So when did this Max, fellow return?"
"Oh, it was a few days ago. I was at The Dragonfly and he just showed up."
"Just out of the blue?" Rory asked. "That is so not like him."
"I know, and we talked about the conversation we had the last time we saw each other. He's going back to California, and he just wanted to apologize for overreacting I guess."
"What's the deal with California?" Rory asked.
"I know. That's what I said." Lorelai replied.
"I'm sorry, I'm not following." Emily interjected.
"Oh, we were just saying how lots of people we know have been in California lately. Well, it really more like two people I guess, but that's still a lot."
"Max and who else?" Emily asked.
"Jess." She hesitated saying that.
"Jess? You mean that awful boy that came here with a black eye and ran out on dinner?"
"Yes, that's him."
"Didn't you tell me, Lorelai, that he had had left?"
"Well, yes I did mother. But you see Rory went back there and talked him into coming back."
"You did what?" Emily was shocked.
"I drove cross country, Grandma. I slept in my new car, and I got him to come back to Stars Hollow. So now he's going back to Stars Hollow High, and working at Luke's."
"That is not a very lady like thing to do, Rory. He is not worth that kind of trouble. Besides, you are not still dating that little hoodlum are you?"
"Grandma! Yes, I am. And I would appreciate you not talking about Jess that way. He made a bad impression. The black eye was not his fault. He just had a bad day, all right? He said he was sorry and he'd like to try and come to dinner again."
"Obviously I've missed all the good parts of the conversation." Rory's grandfather entered the room.
"Grandpa." Rory said relieved that for a minute she would not have to defend Jess.
"Well, hello Rory. It's been a while sine we've seen either of you."
"Yes, it has. And apparently everything has changed." Emily replied sharply.
"Now what was this I heard about a, Jess fellow?" Richard started.
"He's my boyfriend; he came to dinner when you were not here. He had a black eye and he ran out on dinner. Grandma still hasn't forgiven him."
"Oh, really? Well, I'd like to meet him. I think everyone deserves a second chance, don't you dear?" He looked at Emily.
"I suppose." She replied reluctantly.
"Good, you should bring him sometime." Richard added.
"I will." Rory agreed. "Let's not talk about me, let's talk about mom."
"No, let's not talk about me, let's talk about you Dad. How are you?"
"Nonsense, I want to hear about you, Lorelai." He replied.
"Oh, goody" Lorelai muttered under her breath.
"So that was all that happened with Max?" Rory continued.
"Yes, we talked. He left and I wondered why my relationships have to be so screwed up all the time."
"Well, it seems your current relationship is not going too badly."
"Icksnay on the Lukeay." Lorelai nudged her daughter.
"What relationship is that?" Emily sounded interested now.
"Oh, she and Luke have been dating for a while now." Rory replied.
"Really? That Luke fellow from the diner?"
"Yes." Lorelai admitted.
"You finally took my advice, didn't you?" Emily looked at her daughter.
"Actually, I made them both see each other a little differently." Rory replied.
"You did?" Emily seemed surprised.
"Now, Emily. Rory is perfectly capable of bringing two people together. So how long have you been seeing this, Luke fellow?"
"A month or two." Lorelai replied casually.
"I see. Is it serious?" Richard asked.
"Dad! It's been a month or two? How serious could it be?"
"But you have known this man for what like 10 years now?"
"Sure, something like that." She gave in.
"And you've felt this way about him how long?"
"Dad, do we have to---almost the whole time."
"Well, does he feel the same way?"
"I would say so, yes."
"Then I must meet him sometime." Richard demanded.
"You have met him. Don't you remember the grapefruit thing?"
"Well, yes of course I do. But I have not ever gotten to know him properly."
"Dad, I am not a kid anymore. I don't have to come here anymore. I'm not required."
"I know Lorelai. Do you not want your parents to meet the man you may marry?" Richard asked sharply.
"Yes dear, don't you?" Emily chimed in. Rory saw her chance to help out.
"She'd love to bring him. Sometime we'll come and I'll bring Jess, and she'll bring Luke, all right?"
"Or you may bring them separately. It doesn't matter." Emily replied.
One of the help came in now.
"Mrs. Gilmore. Dinner is ready." She stated.
"That's fine. Thank you, Abigail." Emily replied. She looked at Lorelai and Rory. "Shall we have some dinner?"
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"I'm gonna go home, I'm kind of tired. Okay, Mom?"
"You know Jess is right inside." Lorelai replied.
"I really am tired, Mom." Rory stated as she yawned. She whispered. "Plus I'd rather talk to him on the phone."
Lorelai heard this and smiled. She pushed open the door to the now deserted diner. The little bell above the door rang. Luke looked up. He'd been cleaning coffee mugs. She approached the counter and sat down. Her face was long.
*I know it's hard sometimes
And things seem larger than they are
But if you need to tell someone
That's what I'm here for*
"Had a bad day, huh?" He asked
"I've had a horrible night. Do you have coffee for me?"
"Sadly, yes I do. Don't I always?" He asked.
"I think. There might have been a few times when you didn't but it's almost as rare as---" She stopped. "I'm too tired to make up a joke." He grabbed a cup.
"You are too tired to make a joke? Well, that means you are in serious need of this." He poured her a cup of coffee. "Now, what's going on?" He asked slightly concerned.
"Well, I went to dinner at my parents. Casually I mentioned that Max stopped by The Dragonfly when I was there."
"Wait, Max stopped by? For what?"
"Oh, isn't that cute. You're getting all jealous."
"I see the coffee is kicking in, and no, I am not getting jealous." He replied smiling.
"Well, he came by to talk to me about a conversation we had before Rory graduated. We talked about, no actually he talked about how we needed to be apart and not see each other anymore. He had moved on. We had this big basketball player rule, but he stopped by to say that he was sorry he was a little harsh with me. He just wanted to remain friends so if we ever have to be working together, or ever see each other at some point, that we can be civil."
"You have a big basketball player rule?" Luke looked very confused.
"It's a long story."
"Does it look I don't have time?" He asked holding up his hands motioning around the room.
*Out in the world outside
It can be harsh and cold
But if you need someone
I will be here to hold you*
"Well, he wanted to keep space between us because he was afraid of what he'd do if I got to close. So he suggested 10 feet, and I said do I look like a ruler?"
"And you don't" Luke replied.
"Right, so then he said to think of a really large basketball player between us."
"I see."
"Yeah, and then he said he was going back to California, which made Rory comment that a lot of people we know have been going there lately. Which lead to a heated discussion on Jess, and how Rory brought him back. Then Rory wanted to throw the pressure back on me so she mentioned us."
"Guessing that didn't go so well either?"
"Well, I am just so sick of my parents making me come to dinner and bring my current boyfriend. They kind of guilted me into promising to bring you sometime. My father was insistent."
"Oh, good." Luke replied sarcastically.
"But at least Rory has to bring Jess again."
"That's good. We don't have to suffer alone." He smiled. "It'll be fine. Now that Rory is going off to college you won't have Friday night dinners anymore, at least not every Friday."
"No, she'll probably move it to Saturday."
"Come on. It'll be fine, all right? I promise I'll be on my best behavior when I go. I'll even talk to Jess."
"Thanks Luke." She got up, hugged him and sat back down.
*Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you dry your eyes
Cry on my shoulder, my love*
"Your welcome, it's the least I can do."
"You know, I was thinking. Would you like to come over for movie night with Rory and me, tomorrow maybe?"
"I don't know if I could stand movie night at the Gilmore's house. There might be food fighting and toenail painting."
"We promise we'd only paint yours clear." She laughed taking another sip. He made a face. "All right, I'm kidding. I get it. No toenail painting."
"Fine, I'll go." He replied.
"Great! See you at 7ish, then?"
"Yeah, goodnight Lorelai." She kissed him and walked to the door. She turned around.
"Luke?" She asked. He turned around. "Goodnight and thanks."
"You're welcome."
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"We just got back from dinner at my Grandparents."
"Really, how'd that go?" Jess asked intrigued.
"I really don't want to get into it. Long story short, you are coming to dinner sometime and so is Luke."
"Okay." He replied.
"Okay? I would have expected more of a fuss out of you, Jess Mariano."
"Well, after that whole black eye thing I did say that I'd try better next time, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you did." She smiled. "So how are the school arrangements going?"
"I'm all signed up. I'll be a senior of the class 2004."
"Good. I'm happy to hear that. Looks like I'll be moving into Yale, sometime late next week."
"Cool."
"Yeah, listen. Do you want to come over for movie night with my mom and me, tomorrow?"
"Does your Mom have to be there?" He asked.
"Well, yes." She replied laughing.
"Sure." He answered. "I guess."
"Good. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
"Okay. Goodnight, Rory."
"Goodnight."
A/N: Hey! Lyrics are Bonnie Raitt "Cry on my Shoulder." Generally not a big country fan, but I love the lyrics. Hope your enjoying. FYI: We have come to, if not passed the season middle marker. Most likely passed because I planned on about 22 and this is 14, so I thought I'd just let you know that. I had what I think is a fabulous ending planned so I am very excited.
"Max!?" She spun around cocking her head to one side, and sort of smiling. "I thought we were not supposed to see each other anymore? Remember the whole large basketball player rule?" She motioned with her hands.
"Well, I've been doing some thinking about that."
"You have."
"Yes, and I was thinking that maybe I was too harsh. I mean, I still don't want to be anything more than friends. I thought I'd come and talk to you about it."
"Oh. Well, I've got to see how this construction stuff is going." Lorelai walked further inside trying to avoid him, but he followed.
"So how is Rory?"
"She's good, I guess. She's going to Yale pretty soon now."
"Good school."
"Yep, from what I hear that is the truth." She looked over at some of the guys that were painting the inside. "Nice job there boys, keep it up." She complimented them. She looked back at Max. "Is there something you need still?" She asked. "Because I think you are still violating the basketball player rule, here."
"Lorelai, I just didn't want things to be weird with us in case we ever ran into each other."
"Didn't I say that when we talked before?" She asked.
"I just was thinking about that night, and I think I was kind of harsh. I just didn't know how to handle you being there. We're over, obviously. I just didn't want to leave without straightening things out with you."
"You're leaving?"
"Yeah, I'm going back to California."
"Oh. Everyone seems to be doing that lately."
"What?"
"Never mind, really long story."
"It was nice; I think I've had enough of Chilton though. So, I'm gonna go now. I hope you have a good life, Lor."
"Bye." She waved slightly and went back to watching the painters. 'That was odd' she thought.
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Lorelai knocked on the hardwood door in front of her.
"Did I tell you, about Max?" Lorelai asked her daughter. The door opened and there stood her mother.
"Come in, come in. Did I hear you talking about Max?" Emily questioned.
"Yes, Grandma we were talking about Max. Mom was just about to tell us about the little encounter she had with him."
"Oh really, well, come sit down and have a drink. We can talk." Emily poured drinks for the girls and herself. "So when did this Max, fellow return?"
"Oh, it was a few days ago. I was at The Dragonfly and he just showed up."
"Just out of the blue?" Rory asked. "That is so not like him."
"I know, and we talked about the conversation we had the last time we saw each other. He's going back to California, and he just wanted to apologize for overreacting I guess."
"What's the deal with California?" Rory asked.
"I know. That's what I said." Lorelai replied.
"I'm sorry, I'm not following." Emily interjected.
"Oh, we were just saying how lots of people we know have been in California lately. Well, it really more like two people I guess, but that's still a lot."
"Max and who else?" Emily asked.
"Jess." She hesitated saying that.
"Jess? You mean that awful boy that came here with a black eye and ran out on dinner?"
"Yes, that's him."
"Didn't you tell me, Lorelai, that he had had left?"
"Well, yes I did mother. But you see Rory went back there and talked him into coming back."
"You did what?" Emily was shocked.
"I drove cross country, Grandma. I slept in my new car, and I got him to come back to Stars Hollow. So now he's going back to Stars Hollow High, and working at Luke's."
"That is not a very lady like thing to do, Rory. He is not worth that kind of trouble. Besides, you are not still dating that little hoodlum are you?"
"Grandma! Yes, I am. And I would appreciate you not talking about Jess that way. He made a bad impression. The black eye was not his fault. He just had a bad day, all right? He said he was sorry and he'd like to try and come to dinner again."
"Obviously I've missed all the good parts of the conversation." Rory's grandfather entered the room.
"Grandpa." Rory said relieved that for a minute she would not have to defend Jess.
"Well, hello Rory. It's been a while sine we've seen either of you."
"Yes, it has. And apparently everything has changed." Emily replied sharply.
"Now what was this I heard about a, Jess fellow?" Richard started.
"He's my boyfriend; he came to dinner when you were not here. He had a black eye and he ran out on dinner. Grandma still hasn't forgiven him."
"Oh, really? Well, I'd like to meet him. I think everyone deserves a second chance, don't you dear?" He looked at Emily.
"I suppose." She replied reluctantly.
"Good, you should bring him sometime." Richard added.
"I will." Rory agreed. "Let's not talk about me, let's talk about mom."
"No, let's not talk about me, let's talk about you Dad. How are you?"
"Nonsense, I want to hear about you, Lorelai." He replied.
"Oh, goody" Lorelai muttered under her breath.
"So that was all that happened with Max?" Rory continued.
"Yes, we talked. He left and I wondered why my relationships have to be so screwed up all the time."
"Well, it seems your current relationship is not going too badly."
"Icksnay on the Lukeay." Lorelai nudged her daughter.
"What relationship is that?" Emily sounded interested now.
"Oh, she and Luke have been dating for a while now." Rory replied.
"Really? That Luke fellow from the diner?"
"Yes." Lorelai admitted.
"You finally took my advice, didn't you?" Emily looked at her daughter.
"Actually, I made them both see each other a little differently." Rory replied.
"You did?" Emily seemed surprised.
"Now, Emily. Rory is perfectly capable of bringing two people together. So how long have you been seeing this, Luke fellow?"
"A month or two." Lorelai replied casually.
"I see. Is it serious?" Richard asked.
"Dad! It's been a month or two? How serious could it be?"
"But you have known this man for what like 10 years now?"
"Sure, something like that." She gave in.
"And you've felt this way about him how long?"
"Dad, do we have to---almost the whole time."
"Well, does he feel the same way?"
"I would say so, yes."
"Then I must meet him sometime." Richard demanded.
"You have met him. Don't you remember the grapefruit thing?"
"Well, yes of course I do. But I have not ever gotten to know him properly."
"Dad, I am not a kid anymore. I don't have to come here anymore. I'm not required."
"I know Lorelai. Do you not want your parents to meet the man you may marry?" Richard asked sharply.
"Yes dear, don't you?" Emily chimed in. Rory saw her chance to help out.
"She'd love to bring him. Sometime we'll come and I'll bring Jess, and she'll bring Luke, all right?"
"Or you may bring them separately. It doesn't matter." Emily replied.
One of the help came in now.
"Mrs. Gilmore. Dinner is ready." She stated.
"That's fine. Thank you, Abigail." Emily replied. She looked at Lorelai and Rory. "Shall we have some dinner?"
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"I'm gonna go home, I'm kind of tired. Okay, Mom?"
"You know Jess is right inside." Lorelai replied.
"I really am tired, Mom." Rory stated as she yawned. She whispered. "Plus I'd rather talk to him on the phone."
Lorelai heard this and smiled. She pushed open the door to the now deserted diner. The little bell above the door rang. Luke looked up. He'd been cleaning coffee mugs. She approached the counter and sat down. Her face was long.
*I know it's hard sometimes
And things seem larger than they are
But if you need to tell someone
That's what I'm here for*
"Had a bad day, huh?" He asked
"I've had a horrible night. Do you have coffee for me?"
"Sadly, yes I do. Don't I always?" He asked.
"I think. There might have been a few times when you didn't but it's almost as rare as---" She stopped. "I'm too tired to make up a joke." He grabbed a cup.
"You are too tired to make a joke? Well, that means you are in serious need of this." He poured her a cup of coffee. "Now, what's going on?" He asked slightly concerned.
"Well, I went to dinner at my parents. Casually I mentioned that Max stopped by The Dragonfly when I was there."
"Wait, Max stopped by? For what?"
"Oh, isn't that cute. You're getting all jealous."
"I see the coffee is kicking in, and no, I am not getting jealous." He replied smiling.
"Well, he came by to talk to me about a conversation we had before Rory graduated. We talked about, no actually he talked about how we needed to be apart and not see each other anymore. He had moved on. We had this big basketball player rule, but he stopped by to say that he was sorry he was a little harsh with me. He just wanted to remain friends so if we ever have to be working together, or ever see each other at some point, that we can be civil."
"You have a big basketball player rule?" Luke looked very confused.
"It's a long story."
"Does it look I don't have time?" He asked holding up his hands motioning around the room.
*Out in the world outside
It can be harsh and cold
But if you need someone
I will be here to hold you*
"Well, he wanted to keep space between us because he was afraid of what he'd do if I got to close. So he suggested 10 feet, and I said do I look like a ruler?"
"And you don't" Luke replied.
"Right, so then he said to think of a really large basketball player between us."
"I see."
"Yeah, and then he said he was going back to California, which made Rory comment that a lot of people we know have been going there lately. Which lead to a heated discussion on Jess, and how Rory brought him back. Then Rory wanted to throw the pressure back on me so she mentioned us."
"Guessing that didn't go so well either?"
"Well, I am just so sick of my parents making me come to dinner and bring my current boyfriend. They kind of guilted me into promising to bring you sometime. My father was insistent."
"Oh, good." Luke replied sarcastically.
"But at least Rory has to bring Jess again."
"That's good. We don't have to suffer alone." He smiled. "It'll be fine. Now that Rory is going off to college you won't have Friday night dinners anymore, at least not every Friday."
"No, she'll probably move it to Saturday."
"Come on. It'll be fine, all right? I promise I'll be on my best behavior when I go. I'll even talk to Jess."
"Thanks Luke." She got up, hugged him and sat back down.
*Cry on my shoulder
I'll help you dry your eyes
Cry on my shoulder, my love*
"Your welcome, it's the least I can do."
"You know, I was thinking. Would you like to come over for movie night with Rory and me, tomorrow maybe?"
"I don't know if I could stand movie night at the Gilmore's house. There might be food fighting and toenail painting."
"We promise we'd only paint yours clear." She laughed taking another sip. He made a face. "All right, I'm kidding. I get it. No toenail painting."
"Fine, I'll go." He replied.
"Great! See you at 7ish, then?"
"Yeah, goodnight Lorelai." She kissed him and walked to the door. She turned around.
"Luke?" She asked. He turned around. "Goodnight and thanks."
"You're welcome."
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"We just got back from dinner at my Grandparents."
"Really, how'd that go?" Jess asked intrigued.
"I really don't want to get into it. Long story short, you are coming to dinner sometime and so is Luke."
"Okay." He replied.
"Okay? I would have expected more of a fuss out of you, Jess Mariano."
"Well, after that whole black eye thing I did say that I'd try better next time, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you did." She smiled. "So how are the school arrangements going?"
"I'm all signed up. I'll be a senior of the class 2004."
"Good. I'm happy to hear that. Looks like I'll be moving into Yale, sometime late next week."
"Cool."
"Yeah, listen. Do you want to come over for movie night with my mom and me, tomorrow?"
"Does your Mom have to be there?" He asked.
"Well, yes." She replied laughing.
"Sure." He answered. "I guess."
"Good. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
"Okay. Goodnight, Rory."
"Goodnight."
A/N: Hey! Lyrics are Bonnie Raitt "Cry on my Shoulder." Generally not a big country fan, but I love the lyrics. Hope your enjoying. FYI: We have come to, if not passed the season middle marker. Most likely passed because I planned on about 22 and this is 14, so I thought I'd just let you know that. I had what I think is a fabulous ending planned so I am very excited.
