Chapter 5
Friday night had come at last. Rory tossed various sweaters and tops onto her bed, hoping that the kaleidscope now assembled would somehow prove helpful to her in making the right selection. She needed to look her best tonight, because she had finally had enough. Dean had told her about the lunch he'd shared with Lorelai that week, and knowing her mother was making an effort to get close to her boyfriend made her feel happy. This happiness didn't last long though. It didn't last through that morning.
Out of the blue, a young man introduced himself as she was exiting the library. His name was Randolph Barnes and he had been given her name by Richard. Randolph (not Randy, as he insisted throughout their conversation), was a first year undergrad, who Richard had suggested look up Rory to get better acquainted with the school. His idea of getting together was to have dinner. Rory politely turned him down.
As she was fuming in front of her mirror, Paris walked in the door. She was about to say something when she managed to look down at the colorful insanity on Rory's bed.
"If you gloat annoyingly that you don't have a 'thing' to wear, I swear I'll clobber you, Scarlett O'Hara."
"Paris, why in such a good mood today."
"It's that idiot, Doyle. He's been giving me crap on my latest story."
"The 'No-Religion is the New Religion' one? I thought it was great."
"Thanks, but he thinks it's too bitter. He thinks the way I present the material makes it seem that I object to organized religion and that I'm letting my preconceived notions interfere with the story's intent." She huffed in frustration, tossing herself on the bed.
"Hey," Rory objected,"I'm planning on wearing...something in there."
"Why does he hate me? " Paris continued.
"Do you want an honest answer?" Rory challenged,"because this one is guaranteed to piss you off."
"Let's have it. I'll give you a minute's running start if I plan on killing you."
"Two minutes. I am wearing heels, after all."
"He has a thing for you."
"You've been sniffing combustible materials at your boyfriend's again," Paris snarked. "There's no way...."
"Oh, that's where you're wrong," Rory disagreed, pulling a grey top from the pile and pulling it over her head. "I've caught him looking at you a few times."
"You have? Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because you asked me to respect your space...you know, because of Asher."
Paris looked thoughtful for a moment, as she turned to look up at Rory. "Please don't wear that. You are not Mirna Loy."
"How about the pink?"
"How about the 'no'? Try the beige one."
"Good idea," Rory said, digging for the top in question. She pulled off the gray top and tried that one on.
"Better," Paris agreed," But Rory, if Doyle really likes me..."
"Yes?"
"What do I do? I talk a good game, but I don't really have the maneater attitude in check. Should I give him a signal.....throw him up against a desk and go 'Basic Instinct' or what?"
Rory laughed and shook her head, putting on a cream colored skirt to match her top. "Paris, try talking to him. You are intelligent, well-spoken and built like a goddess."
"Wow, you really think so."
"Seriously, I would kill to have your rack."
Proudly, Paris looked down at her breasts as she rose to her feet. "Mother had hers reduced after the divorce, but my girls are my weapons.
Both girls erupted into peals of laughter. Paris put her hand on Rory's shoulder as the other girl appraised herself in the mirror.
"You look very nice. Another conflict night at the Gilmore's?"
"Big time."
"Well, good luck. I'll be here tonight late if you want to talk. Unless, of course, I'm jumping Doyle's bones." With a wink, she left the room, leaving Rory to finish prepping for the main event.
"Is the soup hot enough?" questioned Emily.
"Yes, grandma," Rory replied, meeting Lorelai's eyes across the table,"It's delicious, actually."
"Emilia makes a darling Italian wedding soup," her grandmother went on,"and with the cold weather, I thought it was appropriate."
Rory shook her head as she tried to concentrate on the bottom of her soup bowl.
"So, this week you're meeting Richard for dessert, I take it?"
"Yes," Lorelai replied," We're hoping for pudding."
"Not that again."
"Mom, I was just kidding. I'm sure it will be some ultra-expensive, rum soaked, multilevel tiered cake. Not something out of a box."
"How good for you," she replied sarcastically.
"So Rory," Emily began," I understand you met Randolph. Isn't he a lovely boy?"
Randolph, thought Lorelai to herself. I hope he didn't come with his reindeer friends.
"Yes, he was. Very nice."
"I understand he invited you out to dinner."
"He did," she replied cautiously.
"And are you going?"
"No."
"Why on earth not?"
"Because I'm in a relationship, grandma. I can't date Randolph because I am dating Dean. I am 'with' Dean."
Emily raised her eyebrows and shot an angry look in Lorelai's direction. "Well, Richard will be upset. He hoped the two of you would get along."
"We did get along," Rory replied, "we just won't be dating."
Dinner chugged off in virtual silence. Lorelai could barely eat.
In the poolhouse, Richard had a lovely Viennese chocolate torte ready for them. Lorelai and Rory stopped in and were immediately served coffee. Once they finished the cake, they sat in the living room, nursing extra cups of fresh-brewed java.
"Smells good, grandpa," Rory said, "Hazelnut?"
"Only the best for my girls," he chirped happily, as he beckoned them to sit down. "So Rory, I understand you met Randolph."
Not this shit again, Lorelai thought to herself. "Been watching Fiddler on the Roof again, dad?"
"Honestly, Lorelai, I have no idea what you mean."
"Oh, I'll bet you don't", she added under her breath.
"Randolph introduced himself, yes," Rory agreed, "he's nice."
"That boy's got a wonderful future ahead," Richard beamed, "Top of his graduating class......pre-law......huge trust fund."
Rory grimaced and shook her head. "Sounds like quite a catch..."
"Yes, indeed," agreed Richard.
"For someone not already caught, that is." Rory added, meeting her grandfather's glare.
"Not this Dean character still."
"Yes, actually. I know it makes you angry, but Dean is my boyfriend. We're in love and we're not breaking up no matter how many suitor you throw my way. I'm sorry, Grandpa, but that's just the way it is."
Richard groaned, stood and turned his back. "Rory, would you mind excusing us for a moment? I have to speak to your mother."
So, she was being dismissed. Angrily, she grabbed her coat and purse and ran to the door. "I'll meet you in the car, Mom. Bye!"
She slammed the door. Richard immediately turned to Lorelai, his eyes full of anger.
"Lorelai, I have had enough of this."
"Really, Dad? I couldn't tell."
"Could we cut out the wisecracks? Your daughter is ruining her life with that boy and you're going to sit there and do nothing?"
"How is she ruining her life?" Lorelai questioned. "She's in school, her grades are excellent, she's well adjusted and in love with a guy making something of his life around. I don't see the recipe for disaster in any of that."
"For God's sake, Lorelai, he's a married man!"
"Not really, Dad. His divorce becomes legal next month."
"You've spoken to him."
"Actually, I have."
"And I'll assume you told him to stay away from Rory."
"Actually, I did not."
"You're not saying you approve of this. Please tell me you have more sense than that."
"Whether or not I have sense or I approve, matters very little, Dad," she said calmly," because at the end of it all, it's Rory's choice. She's almost twenty years and she's in love with Dean. He adores her as well, and he's turning his life around. He's got a job-"
"Perfect. A mechanic for my granddaughter."
"-and he's taking classes towards becoming an interiordesigner," Lorelai went on, refusing to take the bait. "All of this, you could have found out for yourself if you'd just talked to him."
Rory had wanted Dean invited to Friday night dinner once their relationship had become public, an idea shot down indefinitely by Richard."
"I will not have that man under my roof."
"Then you run the risk." she warned.
"What risk?"
"That the next person not under your roof might be your granddaughter. She's a Gilmore, dad, just like you and just like me. Push her enough and you'll push her away. Try to keep that in mind."
Lorelai grabbed her coat and bag, stopping at the door on her way out long enough to add. "Dad, Rory loves you very much. She loves having her family in contact, having dinner and being in each other's lives, but she doesn't put up with interference. It's something she's never been able to tolerate. She was born her own, headstrong person and before you send another blindly chosen suitor, I'd take a good long look in the mirror to see what else that stubborn streak she has is capable of. If anyone would know, it would be you"