Chapter Five
Luke had to get away from there. He couldn't sit down stairs and drum his fingers, while Lorelai was probably having the most difficult conversation she had ever had with her daughter. Luke was sure they would both be fine as soon as they both got in the same room. They had both had all night to mull things over. He loved both of them so much. His heart was heavy just thinking about what Rory must be going through.....and he knew exactly how Lorelai felt. He jumped in his truck and headed into town.
When Luke entered the diner, he saw one lone customer. Lane was pouring him coffee and taking away his dirty dishes.
Luke walked over to her. "How long has he been here?"
"About an hour. It's been very quiet with all the regulars out at the Dragonfly."
"Thanks for hanging in here Lane. I'll be back tonight and you can have a couple days off."
"That's OK Luke, I need the money. How are things going out at the Inn?"
"Great, Lorelai really did a good job. The place is really great, and the food and service is perfect. I think she's got a winner there. The place is all warm and friendly, just like Lorelai."
Lane caught Luke's special smile. That guy really has it bad. Maybe someday.....
Luke grabbed the coffee pot and headed over to the table.
Lorelai took one step at a time. She gained confidence with each step. She was just going to talk to her daughter after all. The subject was tough....but Lorelai had been in some pretty tough spots herself. She knew she had to be there for Rory no matter what.
Lorelai softly knocked on the door as she opened it. Rory was standing by the window, looking intently at something.
"Hey, hon."
"Hi, mom. Luke's leaving."
"Yeah, he's running into town to check on the diner."
"Is he coming back?"
"Sure, of course, why wouldn't he?"
"Well, there was the 'dating thing', and then Jason showing up last night. I think you're right....you are dating Luke. He couldn't take his eyes off of you last night. And then when you were with Jason.....I think I saw the green eyed monster."
Lorelai laughed, a little in relief. "Yeah, we are dating. Luke made that perfectly clear last night. And I made if perfectly clear that I was really fine with the whole dating thing. Jason did try to put a damper on the situation, but it backfired on him. Luke turned into this raging tiger....and you know how I like that wild animal thing in my men....and well, Rory he kissed me. And then I kissed him.....and it was like nothing I have ever experienced before. And it was with Luke......"
Lorelai still couldn't believe it, and she couldn't believe that they were having such a normal conversation.
"That's great. It will seem a little weird seeing him around and it not involving food."
"Oh, believe me, honey. It will always involve food."
They both laughed and Lorelai took a deep breath.
"Rory..."
"Mom.."
"I'm sorry"
"No, I'm sorry."
They both smiled and Lorelai pulled Rory into a hug. She stroked her hair and kissed her as she pulled away.
Rory looked at her mom and started talking. "It did really just come out of no where, mom. We've been seeing each other a bit.....just a friend kind of thing. But yesterday, well something changed. I felt... he felt... I don't know."
"Rory, you don't have to explain to me how things like this happen. I'm the queen of misdeeds around men. But it was the 'married' thing."
"Yeah, believe me I know. That's all I could think of last night. I did something crazy, but I really did something hurtful to Lindsay. And she didn't deserve that. Under any circumstances....."
Lorelai really felt for her daughter. She thought about Luke being married.....and Nicole cheating on him. She remembered how hurt he was. She knew that their marriage wasn't the best, but it could have ended in such a better way. And now she saw Rory so devastated.
"Rory, you are a big part of this. But Dean did it too. I'm not excusing you, but Dean should have known better. He should have stayed away from you."
"Don't blame him, mom. He's really hurting right now. I'm not sure what's going on there, but it's far from good."
"Well, they are young. And marriage is hard.....at least, it looks like it is. I've never been there myself, but look at all the ones falling apart around us right now."
"I know it's going to be a long time before I consider even thinking about it."
"Good girl."
"Mom, can we talk about something?"
"Sure, honey. Anything."
"The physical part of last night."
"Oh, OK." Lorelai hadn't expected this but she welcomed it.
"Well, first of all, it hurt. Not a lot but it was uncomfortable."
"That's normal, you knew that."
"But then, Dean was so gentle. And it was really very nice. It feels so weird being that close to someone. Having someone actually inside of you, and the sensations....."
"Yeah, nothing quite like it. And it was good?"
"It was very good. And I'm still happy it was with Dean. I know that sounds awful but he was my first love, my first date, my first kiss. It just seemed so natural for him to be my first."
"I guess I can understand that."
"And its funny how your body just takes over. You learn the mechanics in biology class but it doesn't prepare you for....well, the way your body reacts.... I totally lost myself in him. We did things I never imagined doing with any guy."
"Ok, now that's too much information. But thanks for feeling comfortable enough to tell me. Rory, that's the way it goes. The hormonal state, my dear, is a very strange and wonderful place to visit."
"So what's next with you two?"
"I don't know. I think he has to talk to Lindsay and they have to figure out how they want to handle all of this."
"And you?"
"I'm steering clear of him. I lost all control last night. I'm afraid I'll do it again. And I couldn't live with myself if it happened again.....they way things are now. The way you looked at me when you found out. It broke my heart.'
"And what if he doesn't leave her?"
"Well, I guess I'll have to live with that. We made a big mistake and we will live with the consequences for a long time."
"Oh, Rory." Lorelai took her into her arms and just held her.
"I was just so shocked.....I came flying into the house, with all kinds news and crazy feelings. And then you walk out, barefoot, hair disheveled, and Dean followed looking so guilty. I saw the messy bed, the wet spot, and ..."
"I'm sorry."
"This is a tough one, honey. I'm a woman and I understand love, lust, and loosing yourself to some guy. But I can't get past the 'married man' part. Sorry."
"I can't get past it myself. The morning after is hard."
"Yeah, tell me about it." Lorelai pulled away and looked her in the eyes.
"So we're OK? You don't hate me?"
"I never hated you. I hated that you told me the cold, hard truth. I hated that you intruded on that moment. It might have been the wrong time, but it was still my moment."
"Yes, it was. And I'm glad that despite all of this, that it was enjoyable for you and that it was with someone that was kind and gentle."
"And married, but not to me."
Neither could forget that little detail.
Lorelai had to ask. "And you were safe....really safe?"
"Thanks to my smart mother and the freshmen "Welcome to Yale' kit."
"What?"
"The freshmen kit.......contraceptive gel, assorted condoms, and in case you forget the first two – a pregnancy test. Oh, God, mom.....what if I'm preg...."
"Don't finish that sentence young lady. You said you were safe."
"Double safe.....the gel and a condom.....both times."
"Both times? You are your mother's daughter."
"I have to get back downstairs. Are you going to be all right?"
"Yeah, I just had to make sure we were all right. I hated how we left it last night. I think I'll drop in on Lane at the diner. Since most of the town is out here, it's got to be pretty boring there."
"Are you going to tell her?"
Rory looked shocked. "No. I'm not going to tell anyone. Are you?"
Lorelai looked a little apprehensive.
"You told Luke?"
"Not really. He kind of guessed. It seems that while you were at Yale, and I was busy with the inn and Jason, and Luke, with his weird marriage and all...well, he and Dean somehow struck up some kind of strange friendship. And it seems that Dean never got over you..... I wonder if Luke knows he's turning into the male version of Miss Patty?"
Rory smiled at the remark, knowing her mother was trying to lighten the moment.
"I don't know how I'll ever face Luke again."
"Oh, you will honey. You'll have to face the whole town....if this gets out."
"Maybe it won't."
"Yeah, maybe but I wouldn't count on it. Stars Hollow is a small and gossipy town and you are the fair haired princess. I think it's going to get worse before it gets better. Sorry."
"Guess I deserve it. But thanks for warning me. I think I'm out now. Dean said something about having some work to do here today. And I don't want to see him just yet."
"I understand that. I'm not sure how I'll handle that myself. Coming back for dinner?"
"Maybe, but I'll probably just head home."
They both headed down stairs. Lorelai watched at the door as Rory drove away.
"So we meet again, Luke."
"Morning, Jason."
"Thought I'd check out good old Luke's diner before I headed back to Hartford. I probably won't be back around here any time soon."
"Well, it's pretty quiet around here today. Most of the town is still out at the Dragonfly. More coffee?"
"No thanks. I've already had a gallon of the stuff. Very good, by the way. It came highly recommended." Jason finished drinking his cup. "I guess I'd better go." Jason stood up and threw ten dollars down on the table.
"First time is on the house."
"No way. Your little girl over there took very good care of me. She should be rewarded for putting up with this tired, ungroomed man."
Jason opened the door but before he headed out, "Take good care of her Luke."
Luke looked at him.
"I caught the little Luke and Lorelai love fest on the front porch last night. Looks like you won this round. Enjoy it my friend. She's not known for her longevity in relationships. I had her for six months...................in my life for six months."
Luke wanted to punch this guy right in the mouth. He got the true meaning in that fragmented sentence. The last thing he wanted to think about right now was about Lorelai sleeping with this jerk. But Jason looked so pathetic right now, so sad and defeated. And Luke knew how miserable he would feel if Lorelai walked out of his life. God, he hoped they knew what they were doing. He couldn't stand to be in Jason's place right now.
Jason walked out, got in his expensive car and drove off.
"Hey, Lane, I'm going back to the inn. See you later tonight."
"Bye, Luke. Have fun and if you see Rory, tell her to call me."
That brought Luke back to the moment and the events of the last twenty-four hours. He felt an urgent need to get back.
When he pulled into the driveway at the inn, he saw Rory driving off in her car. He also saw her stop further down the road and pull up beside another car.....Dean's car. Luke didn't know which direction to go first. He wanted to kill Dean. Dean and Rory, he still couldn't believe what had happened. Oh, well, Rory and Dean needed to work out their thing themselves. He knew he had to go to Lorelai. His responsibility lay with her now.......and he liked the sound of that. Luke parked his truck and bounded into the Dragonfly. Of course, she was no where in sight. He wandered through all the first floor rooms, and then ran upstairs and knocked on her door. No answer..... Review if you want more.