Here we go

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I tended to stear away from guys the first years we lived in Star Hollows. Mainly because I, as I told you before, did not want to come home one night and find Rory still on the carpet having just consumed something that bared a skull and cross bones on its container. But there was one guy, one very attractive and sweet guy that I just couldn't skip past. He went by then name of Tim Hodgens. Okay so weird name, I know. And trust me, it did promote many chances for mockery. Including my famous and overused line "How are the lodgin's Hodgens?"

I met Tim while I was at work. He was whistling "Zipiddy doo dah," as he wiped off the main railing and I just happened to exclaim " My, oh my, what a wonderful day!"(the rest of the song). Then we got into a very hypothetical conversation as to whether stair railings really needed to be cleaned because people brush all the dust off as they touch them. And we connected. We really connected.

The conversation went something like this:

"My oh my what a wonderful day!" I exclaimed, having just overheard railing man whistle the familiar tune. He lifted his head and my knees turned to jelly. The guy was probably around 30, with gorgeous green eyes that I immediately wanted to pull out of his head and play marbles with. He saw me looking at him and then said "hi," very quietly.

"Hi," I smiled.

"You work here too?" He asked. He was obviously checking me out. And I am proud to say that I looked just like I walked out of one of those murder mystery dinners in my maid costume.

"Yah. Though I'm not partial to the outfits," I explained.

"I'm Tim".

Now that I think about it he reminds me a lot of Max. There was just something so effortless about the way he talked to me, like he'd had years of practice.

"I'm Lorelai, hi".

We shook hands (sounds strange I know, I think we just wanted to make sure that each other were real) and then I started one of the oddest conversations that I have ever had the chance to partake in. "So, you clean banisters?" I wondered, stroking the banister flirtatiously with my hand and acting completely interested in the topic. "Not usually. I'm a male maid," he stifled a laugh. "But I'm not gay," Okay so maybe not exactly smooth, but cute. "Actually, I could use a little help with the banister..."

I grinned. "Oh, don't ask me, I'll probably pull A Mary Poppins on ya,"

You know, the scene in the little kids house where she slides down their banister? It was obvious that he didn't understand the reference because although he laughed it was rather forced and sounded like more of a squawk.

"See personally, I don't understand why we even have to clean banisters, because they all look perfectly clean to me". I commented.

"Yah. The oil from people's hands acts as a cleaner and keeps them nice and shiny, therefore by cleaning them I am denying them of their natural shine,".

I laughed. This guy was the most attractive weirdo I had ever met. "Plus, who even cares if the banister is clean!? Have you ever read a comment card that says something like "I enjoyed the food, but the banisters were very dusty, I might have to call the manager?""

He smiled at me, completely engrossed in the conversation. "This is Star Hollows". He pointed out.

Okay, so he had a point. To some Star Hollows was known as a well kept mental asylum.

Tim put his rag down on the end of the railing.

I knew what was coming next.

As he took a deep breath he wondered" Do you want to go out for coffee sometime?"

I felt a smile stretch across my face, extending from ear to ear. "I'd love to".

And that was the end of that. The relationship on the other hand was very short lived. I think it was like a four date ordeal. Let's just say that his intentions were not exactly honorable. Luke would have agreed.

On the evening of our fourth date I was feeling a little crazy, so I decided to take a leap of faith. It was a beautiful night out, the moon peeked its head out from behind a patch of clouds and stars spotted the sky in a seemingly endless pattern. The wind added a romantic effect to the evening walk, and not just because it seemed interested in blowing up my skirt (although that was fun).

"What is this place?" Tim asked as we strolled arm in arm down the street towards our destination.

"Luke's diner, my coffee haven"

I know, big step. Luke has never been too enthusiastic about my boyfriends. But I had come to the decision that there was nothing going on there and that this was a necessary step towards complete independence. It turned out although that Luke would be the hero of the night, not the jealous friend.

"We can sit here," I told Tim, leading him to a nicely lit table smack dab in the middle of the restaurant.

"Good thinking. Good lights and a beautiful view," he sat down across me. I giggled at his comment and suggested items off the menu, my favorites.

I had noticed that evening that Tim had seemed a little disturbed; a bit more touchy feely then normal. Little did I know that he was involved in some goofball dare with his friends. Whoever went the furthest with their girlfriend won fifty bucks out of each guy's pocket. Tim was trying a little too hard to win the cash.

"You look stunning tonight," he grinned. It was a completely sleazy smile.

"So do you,"

Tim grabbed my hand from across the table as diner man came around, I tried to squirm out of his grip but he held it firmly.

"What can I get for you?" Luke asked.

I knew right away that Luke could see the worry in my eyes. But he pretended to ignore it for a while, busying himself with his notebook. At that point red lights were going off in my head. This guy was pretty strong. He could rape me. He could rape me? Not Tim, too nice, too sweet.

"I'll have a cheeseburger please," Tim said. "With pickles, onions, and ketchup".

Luke wrote down the order quickly, keeping his eyes on me the whole time. When his vision wandered over to my squirming hand he said something. Finally.

"What are you trying to pull buddy?" he asked Tim.

"What the hell do you mean?"

"She obviously doesn't want to be holding your hand, so why don't you just let go?" Tim still held my hand firmly. But I knew now it was just to make a statement and let Luke know I belonged to him. Yet, the ultimate question still popped up in my head, were they fighting over my hand... or were they fighting over me?

"Hey! Who's the boyfriend here, me or you?" Tim demanded. He stood up and confronted Luke.

I knew what was going to happen. They were going to have a fight, right here in the middle of the diner.

So I did what any moral person would do. I broke them up.

"Whoah, whoah, this is not the wrestling championships. This is a date!" I glanced at Tim sympathetically "Which is now over".

"But, Lorelai. I'm sorry. I was just tryin-"Tim pleaded innocently.

"To get down my pants! Now screw off Mr!"

And he left. Muttering swear words under his breath and obviously wishing that there wasn't a rule against fighting girls. I thanked Luke sincerely and he told me to make sure to make better choices in the future. And the whole thing was really very symbolic. But I'll let you figure that part out.

How'd I find out about the dare? Tim left a message on my machine explaining the whole thing and begging me for an apology; I never called him back. I had enough trash in my life already.

"""""
I remember Rory's first day of preschool. She cried and cried and cried and cried, until I thought that I would probably drown in my own kid's tears.

"Mommy, I don want to go!" Rory screamed as I pulled her into the school.

Parents everywhere were giving us strange looks and to tell you the truth I was growing anxious. "Rory, you have to. Everything is going to be fine. Trust me, they'll make you peanut butter sandwiches and you'll meet lots of friends,"

Rory brushed the tears out of her eyes, "What if I don want anymore friends? I just want you to be my friend mommy," Rory whined and I felt a pit in my stomach. How could I leave her there after she'd said that? That heart melting comment that could only be uttered out of a very special little kids mouth. So I didn't make her go. In fact I didn't even go to work that day just so that I could stay home with my kid and give her multiple pre-school prep talks.

And thanks to my advice, the next day she was all ready.

My little girl was starting school.

!!!!!

The end. I may end it here for good because I'm gonna be really busy. Anyways, please review!:)