The Dragonfly had been open for a week and already Lorelai was exuberant
and exhausted. She knew running her own inn would be challenging and she
was handling it fairly well, but she was definitely busy. She hadn't seen
Luke since the Dragonfly opened and she had been avoiding the diner. She
hadn't intended to avoid Luke, but she always seemed to be alone when she
walked past the diner. She just felt like she needed Rory or Sookie to be
with her when she once again showed her face at Luke's. Luke. She had
thought about him everyday for a week. She thought about their talk and she
knew he had some valid points, but everything in her heart was telling her
to go back to him and make him see how unreasonable he was being, but she
couldn't. So Lorelai threw herself into her work, which wasn't difficult
given that the inn had just opened. In fact she was in the throws of
organizing a 50th anniversary party when she was startled by yet another
unexpected visit from her mother.
"Lorelai," Emily said approaching the desk. Lorelai and Emily had not spoken since the outburst on the night the Dragonfly opened. Her mother had pretended to be happily married that Friday night. She congratulated Lorelai on her accomplishment, but she didn't stay long enough for Lorelai to apologize for her behavior at their earlier meeting.
"Mom," Lorelai said looking up. "What are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you too Lorelai," Emily replied testily. "Do you have a moment? I'd like to speak with you."
"It's déjà vu all over again," Lorelai replied. Emily just stared at her blankly. "I mean, yes of course, what can I help you with?"
"I've come over to tell you officially that your father and I are separated," Emily stated factually.
"Well, yes, I believe I pointed that out to you last week Mom."
"Yes, so you did," Emily responded coolly. "I just wanted to let you know that there won't be any more Friday night dinners for a while. I'm sure you're very disappointed."
"No Friday night dinners?" Lorelai replied. "But Mom, Rory looks forward to those dinners. Can't you and Dad pretend to like each other once a week?"
"No, Lorelai, I'm afraid we can't," Emily replied. "Your father and I are having Rory over later today to let her know about the separation together."
"Wait, you're inviting Rory over to tell her about the separation and no Friday night dinners and I get you coming to my workplace to break the news to me?"
"Well you obviously already knew about it so I didn't see the point to breaking it to you easy as you have already made your feelings on the matter abundantly clear."
"Mom, I haven't made my feelings clear at all. I was shocked when I found out that you weren't living at home anymore, which, by the way, Rory knows about too," Lorelai said.
"Yes, well you're a grown woman Lorelai you can handle these things better than Rory."
"I can, really? I'm not so sure about that Mom. Did you know that the fact that you and Dad are separated has really freaked me out? Did you know that Luke I can't date right now because of it?" Lorelai hadn't meant for that tiny bit of information to slip out.
Emily was taken aback by Lorelai's over share regarding her relationship with Luke. She wanted to ask her about it but she feared that bringing it up might make Lorelai close up again. "I'm sorry Lorelai," Emily said. "I should have thought about your feelings in this, but you don't seem to be that involved in our lives anyway. You come to Friday night dinners out of obligation. Have you ever really wanted to come of your own free will?" "No," Lorelai admitted. "I haven't. But Mom, this is a big deal. You and Dad have been together forever. He married you even when Gran asked him not too. That has to count for something."
"It did Lorelai. It helped me to realize that your father does love me, but his behavior lately has been something I can't live with. It started years ago when he was basically forced into retirement. I wanted him to slow down and actually retire. He wanted to start a new company and I stood by him. He started working 12-hour days again and going from meeting to meeting and then he got involved in a partnership with Jason. I never liked Jason, but the way your father treated him was horrible." Emily let out. "Our marriage stopped being a marriage and started revolving solely around your father's work. I was hoping that after 30 years we could spend time together, travel, but your father isn't interested in that Lorelai. He only has one true love and that is his job."
Lorelai stood there for a moment and contemplated what her mother had just said. She had to admit that she was bit surprised by the way her mother had opened up about this. She suddenly felt very sorry for her mother. For as much as Emily was enamored of her rich, cultural circle of parties and events, she really just wanted what Lorelai wanted—to be loved. To be number one in someone's life. She thought of the time she asked Emily what she did when her father was out town. Emily didn't have a good answer so Lorelai bought her a DVD player to help her occupy her time. Lorelai also thought of the breakdown her mother had at the mall. She mentioned something about not feeling like she had a purpose aside from shopping. Lorelai felt sorry for her mother then as well. Suddenly, she did the unthinkable.
"Mom," Lorelai started, "do you think you might be free for lunch tomorrow?"
"Lunch?" Emily asked.
"Yeah, you know that meal that traditionally comes in between breakfast and dinner? We could meet somewhere in town if you're free. I can't leave the Dragonfly for too long but I thought it might be something to do," Lorelai finished.
Emily was shocked by Lorelai's gesture. She was touched that Lorelai was willing to have lunch with her without having to be forced into it. "I'd like that very much," Emily replied with a small smile. "How about if I meet you at Luke's at 1 o'clock?"
"Luke's? You want to go Luke's?" Lorelai asked surprised and also suddenly very nervous.
"Yes, why not? I thought you and Rory ate there almost everyday?" Emily asked. From Lorelai's earlier comment she knew there must be some trouble between Luke and Lorelai and the only way to get to the bottom of it was to go to Luke's for lunch.
"Um, we do go there a lot, but are you sure? Luke's is kind of a burgers and fries place."
"I know Lorelai I have been there before," Emily stated.
"Okay," Lorelai apprehensively agreed. "Luke's tomorrow at 1 p.m. I'll see you there." Lorelai attempted a feeble smile.
Emily beamed like the cat that ate the canary. "Okay then, tomorrow at 1 p.m. Have a nice day Lorelai."
Emily said as she walked out of the inn. Lorelai couldn't believe that she had just invited her mother to lunch, but most of she couldn't believe the lunch would take place at Luke's.
***
It had been a week and one day since Luke last saw Lorelai. Aside from their passionate embrace the thing he remembered most about their talk was the look on her face when he told her they couldn't be together. Her vibrant smile had dissolved into a contorted frown. He had confused her and he didn't really have a good explanation as to why. They were making up after the misunderstanding over Jason. He was holding her in his arms as he had imagined for so many years. Then he felt her hands reach for his face and pull his lips to hers. He was finally kissing her. It was finally his turn. He was finally making something work. It was that last thought that made him realize he wasn't ready. He saw Lorelai as a way to validate himself. He saw her as his salvation. She was on a pedestal that he would never be able to reach. He knew that until he dealt with that he couldn't be with her the way he wanted. So he did what he had to and broke her heart. He saw the sparkle in her eye fade. What he hadn't admitted was that not only did he break her heart, but he broke his too.
Almost as if on cue the diner door opened and Lorelai walked tentatively into the diner. He was elated that she finally decided to come to diner. He couldn't say he blamed her for not coming in, but not seeing her everyday made each day pass more slowly, uneventful. What he wasn't prepared for was the image of Emily Gilmore following her daughter into the diner. He watched them walk to a table by the window and sit. Emily was surveying the menu as Lorelai adjusted her purse on the back of her chair. This was it. He knew he had to go over there.
"Lorelai," he acknowledged her. "Mrs. Gilmore, it's nice to see you again. What can I get you today?" Luke asked a little too cheerfully.
Lorelai stared at him for moment. It had only been a week, but she had almost forgotten how ruggedly handsome he was. She also couldn't believe that he was living up to the bargain they had made to be friends. How could he be so normal after all that had happened?
"I'll have a coffee and the club sandwich, fries and--"Lorelai was cut off by Luke finishing her sentence.
"...a slice of cherry pie for dessert." He smiled at her.
"How did you know she'd want cherry pie?" Emily inquired innocently.
"Oh, um, it's Saturday," Luke answered slightly embarrassed.
"And for some strange reason Saturday equals cherry pie?" Emily pressed.
"Mom," Lorelai said, "its fine. Luke knows I like cherry pie. It's not a big deal."
"Actually Mrs. Gilmore Saturday is the day that the pie I have happens to be cherry. Lorelai usually has a piece so I just thought I'd save her the trouble of asking," Luke explained.
"How nice of you," Emily replied.
"So, what can I get you Mrs. Gilmore?" Luke asked again.
"I'll have the turkey wrap and water with lemon. It's nice to see you've added a few healthier choices to your menu since I was last here Luke," Emily said with a smile.
"Thanks," Luke said. "You might want to tell your daughter that. It'll be right up," he said as he walked away.
"Well, this is nice," Emily said looking at Lorelai.
"Yeah, nice," Lorelai replied intently watching Luke scurry around the diner.
"What's going on with him Lorelai?" Emily questioned as she nodded her head towards Luke.
"What?" Lorelai said she adjusted her gazed from Luke to her mother. "Nothing is going on Mom."
"So you're back to not telling me what's going on in your personal life again," Emily said.
Lorelai sighed. She really didn't want to get into the situation with Luke right now, especially since he was only about 10 feet away from her. "No, Mom, I'm not shutting you out. I just don't want to talk about it right now. It's rude. He's standing right over there," Lorelai whispered to her mother.
"So there is something going on then?" Emily didn't let up.
At that moment Luke brought Emily's water and Lorelai's coffee to their table. "Here ya go one water and one coffee. Your food should be ready in a minute," Luke said.
"Thanks," Lorelai said as Luke walked away.
"Lorelai, is there or isn't there something going with him?" Emily persisted.
"Geez Mom, will you let it go? There is nothing going on with him okay? I thought there might be but there isn't anymore, okay? Will you let it go?" Lorelai said exasperated.
"Fine," Emily replied. They sat in silence for a moment until Luke came by with their lunches. "One club sandwich and one turkey wrap. Can I get you anything else right now?" Luke asked.
"No, I think we're all set, thank you Luke," Emily smiled.
Lorelai put a finger in the air and opened her mouth to ask about her pie, but Luke beat her to the punch.
"Don't worry, I'll bring your pie," Luke send bending his head closer to hers. "I'm warming it up right now."
"Thanks," Lorelai replied as he walked away.
As Lorelai focused her attention on eating her sandwich Emily watched her. She noticed that Lorelai's triple layer club sandwich lacked the crust of the bread.
"Lorelai," Emily asked. "Why did Luke give you a sandwich without the crust?"
"Oh, "Lorelai said as if she just noticed, "Luke knows I don't like crust on my club sandwich. The crust takes up too much room in your stomach and then you get full too fast," Lorelai replied simply.
"But you didn't tell him to cut off the crusts," Emily reasoned.
"Well, I don't have to Mom, he just knows." Lorelai replied.
"He also knows that you have cherry pie on Saturday, that you want your pie with your food and that you like it heated," Emily said.
Luke came by at that moment with Lorelai's warm cherry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. He placed it on the table next to Lorelai.
"Luke," Emily started, "how did you know Lorelai wanted vanilla ice cream with her pie?"
Lorelai and Luke exchanged a glance and Luke replied, "Well she always asks for her pie to be warmed and if I don't bring it with ice cream I always have to go back and get it so I've just learned over the years."
"Hmm, interesting," was Emily's response. She went back to eating her turkey sandwich.
"Do you need anything else?" Luke asked.
"No, we're good, thanks," Lorelai replied as Luke walked back into the kitchen. "What was that about?" Lorelai asked her mother.
"What was what? I simply asked him how he knew you wanted ice cream with your pie. You didn't ask for it so I thought it was odd," Emily replied still eating.
"Mom," Lorelai started in on her, "please, please, please leave this alone. Luke and I are friends and things are already a little weird right now so I don't think we need you involved in any of this okay?"
"Why are things weird Lorelai?"
"Because they just are okay? Let's change the subject. Rory told me about her meeting with you and Dad yesterday. She said you told her that you two were going to counseling to work things out. Is that true?"
"Maybe," Emily responding, slowing starting to clam up.
"Well are you or are you not going to counseling?"
"We are looking into it Lorelai, okay?"
"Okay. I think it might be a good idea," Lorelai replied.
Lorelai didn't want to talk about Luke and Emily didn't want to talk about Richard so they finished their lunch in relative silence. Emily had seen the way that Luke attended to Lorelai and she thought it was very sweet. It was obvious his feelings for her were beyond friendship. She saw it in the way he looked at her when they walked in. She also saw it in the way he could anticipate her every request before she asked. Emily noticed how Lorelai watched him work and she could tell her daughter longed to speak to him. She knew there was something going on that Lorelai didn't want to tell her. Now she just had to get to the bottom of things.
*** TBC
"Lorelai," Emily said approaching the desk. Lorelai and Emily had not spoken since the outburst on the night the Dragonfly opened. Her mother had pretended to be happily married that Friday night. She congratulated Lorelai on her accomplishment, but she didn't stay long enough for Lorelai to apologize for her behavior at their earlier meeting.
"Mom," Lorelai said looking up. "What are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you too Lorelai," Emily replied testily. "Do you have a moment? I'd like to speak with you."
"It's déjà vu all over again," Lorelai replied. Emily just stared at her blankly. "I mean, yes of course, what can I help you with?"
"I've come over to tell you officially that your father and I are separated," Emily stated factually.
"Well, yes, I believe I pointed that out to you last week Mom."
"Yes, so you did," Emily responded coolly. "I just wanted to let you know that there won't be any more Friday night dinners for a while. I'm sure you're very disappointed."
"No Friday night dinners?" Lorelai replied. "But Mom, Rory looks forward to those dinners. Can't you and Dad pretend to like each other once a week?"
"No, Lorelai, I'm afraid we can't," Emily replied. "Your father and I are having Rory over later today to let her know about the separation together."
"Wait, you're inviting Rory over to tell her about the separation and no Friday night dinners and I get you coming to my workplace to break the news to me?"
"Well you obviously already knew about it so I didn't see the point to breaking it to you easy as you have already made your feelings on the matter abundantly clear."
"Mom, I haven't made my feelings clear at all. I was shocked when I found out that you weren't living at home anymore, which, by the way, Rory knows about too," Lorelai said.
"Yes, well you're a grown woman Lorelai you can handle these things better than Rory."
"I can, really? I'm not so sure about that Mom. Did you know that the fact that you and Dad are separated has really freaked me out? Did you know that Luke I can't date right now because of it?" Lorelai hadn't meant for that tiny bit of information to slip out.
Emily was taken aback by Lorelai's over share regarding her relationship with Luke. She wanted to ask her about it but she feared that bringing it up might make Lorelai close up again. "I'm sorry Lorelai," Emily said. "I should have thought about your feelings in this, but you don't seem to be that involved in our lives anyway. You come to Friday night dinners out of obligation. Have you ever really wanted to come of your own free will?" "No," Lorelai admitted. "I haven't. But Mom, this is a big deal. You and Dad have been together forever. He married you even when Gran asked him not too. That has to count for something."
"It did Lorelai. It helped me to realize that your father does love me, but his behavior lately has been something I can't live with. It started years ago when he was basically forced into retirement. I wanted him to slow down and actually retire. He wanted to start a new company and I stood by him. He started working 12-hour days again and going from meeting to meeting and then he got involved in a partnership with Jason. I never liked Jason, but the way your father treated him was horrible." Emily let out. "Our marriage stopped being a marriage and started revolving solely around your father's work. I was hoping that after 30 years we could spend time together, travel, but your father isn't interested in that Lorelai. He only has one true love and that is his job."
Lorelai stood there for a moment and contemplated what her mother had just said. She had to admit that she was bit surprised by the way her mother had opened up about this. She suddenly felt very sorry for her mother. For as much as Emily was enamored of her rich, cultural circle of parties and events, she really just wanted what Lorelai wanted—to be loved. To be number one in someone's life. She thought of the time she asked Emily what she did when her father was out town. Emily didn't have a good answer so Lorelai bought her a DVD player to help her occupy her time. Lorelai also thought of the breakdown her mother had at the mall. She mentioned something about not feeling like she had a purpose aside from shopping. Lorelai felt sorry for her mother then as well. Suddenly, she did the unthinkable.
"Mom," Lorelai started, "do you think you might be free for lunch tomorrow?"
"Lunch?" Emily asked.
"Yeah, you know that meal that traditionally comes in between breakfast and dinner? We could meet somewhere in town if you're free. I can't leave the Dragonfly for too long but I thought it might be something to do," Lorelai finished.
Emily was shocked by Lorelai's gesture. She was touched that Lorelai was willing to have lunch with her without having to be forced into it. "I'd like that very much," Emily replied with a small smile. "How about if I meet you at Luke's at 1 o'clock?"
"Luke's? You want to go Luke's?" Lorelai asked surprised and also suddenly very nervous.
"Yes, why not? I thought you and Rory ate there almost everyday?" Emily asked. From Lorelai's earlier comment she knew there must be some trouble between Luke and Lorelai and the only way to get to the bottom of it was to go to Luke's for lunch.
"Um, we do go there a lot, but are you sure? Luke's is kind of a burgers and fries place."
"I know Lorelai I have been there before," Emily stated.
"Okay," Lorelai apprehensively agreed. "Luke's tomorrow at 1 p.m. I'll see you there." Lorelai attempted a feeble smile.
Emily beamed like the cat that ate the canary. "Okay then, tomorrow at 1 p.m. Have a nice day Lorelai."
Emily said as she walked out of the inn. Lorelai couldn't believe that she had just invited her mother to lunch, but most of she couldn't believe the lunch would take place at Luke's.
***
It had been a week and one day since Luke last saw Lorelai. Aside from their passionate embrace the thing he remembered most about their talk was the look on her face when he told her they couldn't be together. Her vibrant smile had dissolved into a contorted frown. He had confused her and he didn't really have a good explanation as to why. They were making up after the misunderstanding over Jason. He was holding her in his arms as he had imagined for so many years. Then he felt her hands reach for his face and pull his lips to hers. He was finally kissing her. It was finally his turn. He was finally making something work. It was that last thought that made him realize he wasn't ready. He saw Lorelai as a way to validate himself. He saw her as his salvation. She was on a pedestal that he would never be able to reach. He knew that until he dealt with that he couldn't be with her the way he wanted. So he did what he had to and broke her heart. He saw the sparkle in her eye fade. What he hadn't admitted was that not only did he break her heart, but he broke his too.
Almost as if on cue the diner door opened and Lorelai walked tentatively into the diner. He was elated that she finally decided to come to diner. He couldn't say he blamed her for not coming in, but not seeing her everyday made each day pass more slowly, uneventful. What he wasn't prepared for was the image of Emily Gilmore following her daughter into the diner. He watched them walk to a table by the window and sit. Emily was surveying the menu as Lorelai adjusted her purse on the back of her chair. This was it. He knew he had to go over there.
"Lorelai," he acknowledged her. "Mrs. Gilmore, it's nice to see you again. What can I get you today?" Luke asked a little too cheerfully.
Lorelai stared at him for moment. It had only been a week, but she had almost forgotten how ruggedly handsome he was. She also couldn't believe that he was living up to the bargain they had made to be friends. How could he be so normal after all that had happened?
"I'll have a coffee and the club sandwich, fries and--"Lorelai was cut off by Luke finishing her sentence.
"...a slice of cherry pie for dessert." He smiled at her.
"How did you know she'd want cherry pie?" Emily inquired innocently.
"Oh, um, it's Saturday," Luke answered slightly embarrassed.
"And for some strange reason Saturday equals cherry pie?" Emily pressed.
"Mom," Lorelai said, "its fine. Luke knows I like cherry pie. It's not a big deal."
"Actually Mrs. Gilmore Saturday is the day that the pie I have happens to be cherry. Lorelai usually has a piece so I just thought I'd save her the trouble of asking," Luke explained.
"How nice of you," Emily replied.
"So, what can I get you Mrs. Gilmore?" Luke asked again.
"I'll have the turkey wrap and water with lemon. It's nice to see you've added a few healthier choices to your menu since I was last here Luke," Emily said with a smile.
"Thanks," Luke said. "You might want to tell your daughter that. It'll be right up," he said as he walked away.
"Well, this is nice," Emily said looking at Lorelai.
"Yeah, nice," Lorelai replied intently watching Luke scurry around the diner.
"What's going on with him Lorelai?" Emily questioned as she nodded her head towards Luke.
"What?" Lorelai said she adjusted her gazed from Luke to her mother. "Nothing is going on Mom."
"So you're back to not telling me what's going on in your personal life again," Emily said.
Lorelai sighed. She really didn't want to get into the situation with Luke right now, especially since he was only about 10 feet away from her. "No, Mom, I'm not shutting you out. I just don't want to talk about it right now. It's rude. He's standing right over there," Lorelai whispered to her mother.
"So there is something going on then?" Emily didn't let up.
At that moment Luke brought Emily's water and Lorelai's coffee to their table. "Here ya go one water and one coffee. Your food should be ready in a minute," Luke said.
"Thanks," Lorelai said as Luke walked away.
"Lorelai, is there or isn't there something going with him?" Emily persisted.
"Geez Mom, will you let it go? There is nothing going on with him okay? I thought there might be but there isn't anymore, okay? Will you let it go?" Lorelai said exasperated.
"Fine," Emily replied. They sat in silence for a moment until Luke came by with their lunches. "One club sandwich and one turkey wrap. Can I get you anything else right now?" Luke asked.
"No, I think we're all set, thank you Luke," Emily smiled.
Lorelai put a finger in the air and opened her mouth to ask about her pie, but Luke beat her to the punch.
"Don't worry, I'll bring your pie," Luke send bending his head closer to hers. "I'm warming it up right now."
"Thanks," Lorelai replied as he walked away.
As Lorelai focused her attention on eating her sandwich Emily watched her. She noticed that Lorelai's triple layer club sandwich lacked the crust of the bread.
"Lorelai," Emily asked. "Why did Luke give you a sandwich without the crust?"
"Oh, "Lorelai said as if she just noticed, "Luke knows I don't like crust on my club sandwich. The crust takes up too much room in your stomach and then you get full too fast," Lorelai replied simply.
"But you didn't tell him to cut off the crusts," Emily reasoned.
"Well, I don't have to Mom, he just knows." Lorelai replied.
"He also knows that you have cherry pie on Saturday, that you want your pie with your food and that you like it heated," Emily said.
Luke came by at that moment with Lorelai's warm cherry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. He placed it on the table next to Lorelai.
"Luke," Emily started, "how did you know Lorelai wanted vanilla ice cream with her pie?"
Lorelai and Luke exchanged a glance and Luke replied, "Well she always asks for her pie to be warmed and if I don't bring it with ice cream I always have to go back and get it so I've just learned over the years."
"Hmm, interesting," was Emily's response. She went back to eating her turkey sandwich.
"Do you need anything else?" Luke asked.
"No, we're good, thanks," Lorelai replied as Luke walked back into the kitchen. "What was that about?" Lorelai asked her mother.
"What was what? I simply asked him how he knew you wanted ice cream with your pie. You didn't ask for it so I thought it was odd," Emily replied still eating.
"Mom," Lorelai started in on her, "please, please, please leave this alone. Luke and I are friends and things are already a little weird right now so I don't think we need you involved in any of this okay?"
"Why are things weird Lorelai?"
"Because they just are okay? Let's change the subject. Rory told me about her meeting with you and Dad yesterday. She said you told her that you two were going to counseling to work things out. Is that true?"
"Maybe," Emily responding, slowing starting to clam up.
"Well are you or are you not going to counseling?"
"We are looking into it Lorelai, okay?"
"Okay. I think it might be a good idea," Lorelai replied.
Lorelai didn't want to talk about Luke and Emily didn't want to talk about Richard so they finished their lunch in relative silence. Emily had seen the way that Luke attended to Lorelai and she thought it was very sweet. It was obvious his feelings for her were beyond friendship. She saw it in the way he looked at her when they walked in. She also saw it in the way he could anticipate her every request before she asked. Emily noticed how Lorelai watched him work and she could tell her daughter longed to speak to him. She knew there was something going on that Lorelai didn't want to tell her. Now she just had to get to the bottom of things.
*** TBC