If you could go anywhere right now,
Where would you go,
And would you miss me when you get there.
There's no place that I would rather be.
Please don't let me, go falling from the sky,
This fasten seatbelt sign just needs to go out.
If only you could be, right here by my side,
Home wouldn't seem so far from here.
Jess had been driving for a long time. The late afternoon sun had long set, and it was now pitch black. Rory had been drifting in and out of sleep, and she now had no clue where she was or what time it was. She didn't think to ask.
She hugged her knees to her chest. Maybe this had been a bad idea? She was already beginning to miss Lorelai, and Jess was being silent as he often was. She wanted to read, but she didn't want to ask Jess if she could turn on the light.
One problem was that she was finally realizing how little she actually knew Jess. Sure, they were friends, but what did she really know about him besides his extensive tastes in music and literature?
This was so unlike her. No matter how hard she had tried over the years to be like Lorelai, she had found that in one aspect of her life she was exactly like her grandmother, the one woman Lorelai had never wanted to be. Rory and Emily both liked things planned. They liked to know what was going on. So what was she doing here?
She hugged her knees a little closer. She glanced again at the dashboard, though she knew that there was no clock there like there was in the Jeep. Jess must have noticed her move, because he turned to look at her. She wished he would look back at the road. People who drove with their eyes off the road made her nervous.
Hey, sleeping beauty, he said.
she asked, startled out of her reverie.
You've been sleeping for almost two hours.
Oh yeah?
Yeah. I almost woke you up. You want to stop soon?
she was getting hungry, but for some reason she didn't want to tell Jess. She didn't need to,
Come on Rory. You come into the diner at least once a day. I know your eating habits.
As if on cue, her stomach gave a loud grumble. Rory felt all the blood rush to her face. At least it was dark..
So we've reached a consensus, Jess said. Rory could hear the smile in his voice.
They drove for a few minutes more before they saw a sign for a rest stop coming up. Jess pulled up and they walked inside. McDonald's, Hot Dogs, or Cinnabun?
Cinnabun coffee and then McDonald's I guess for me, Rory said walking over to the Cinnabun. Jess followed her and they stood on line together.
So... how's this so far for your dream road trip?
It was then that Rory realized that Jess was really going through all this trouble for her. It's great, she said, smiling.
Good. You were so quiet in the car... I wasn't sure.
So? I can be quiet without being upset...
Jess lifted an eyebrow. Please. Between you and your mother, no one else can ever get a word in edgewise.
OK. So maybe I was a little nervous, Rory conceded, But this is going to be fun, right?
Jess offered only his signature half-smile as an answer, and then the two placed their orders: coffee for both.
I don't think I've ever seen you drink coffee, Rory commented as they sipped and walked over to the McDonald's.
I don't, usually. But I need to stay awake.
Are we driving all night? Rory asked.
No, there's a Motel 6 a few exits down.
They placed their McDonald's orders and picked them up. They chose a table and sat down. Rory pulled her Big Mac out of the bag, and Jess got his sandwich. Rory ripped the bag opened so that it lay flat, and then poured her container of fries on the bag, putting her ketchup on the now empty fry container and mixing salt and pepper dip next to it.
The two ate in silence for a few moments and then Rory asked Jess, Where are we, exactly?
Jess laughed. Haven't you been paying any attention at all?
I was sleeping! Rory defended herself.
We're on the 95, about to hit White Plains.
White Plains?
New York.
We're in New York?
Not quite. I figured we'd stop once we got to New York though. A little outside of White Plains.
So soon then?
Yeah, is that OK?
Rory was quiet for a moment.
Something wrong? Jess asked.
No... I just...
You're going to think I'm being stupid.
Try me.
Can we stop at the boarder of Connecticut and New York and stand over it. You know, be two places at once?
Jess smiled.
See, I knew you were going to laugh at me, Rory said, crossing her arms angrily over her chest.
Sure we can. If you give me your last fry...
