Shira Huntzberger walks into the Yale Daily newsroom. Rory lifts her head up when the room suddenly becomes quiet to see her walk in. Rory sees Shira talk to one of the writers who points to the direction to Rory's desk. Rory is surprised to see Shira walking towards her desk. Rory stands up as Shira approaches the desk.
"Mrs. Huntzberger. What are you doing here?" Rory asks.
"I was wondering if we could talk over a cup of coffee."
"Um…..sure." Rory says nervously.
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Rory and Shira settle down at a table at a local coffee shop with their coffee.
"So, how are you?" Shira asks.
"I'm ok…I guess."
"Logan told me what happened. He's down about it."
There is a silence between them
"He also told me that he didn't tell you why he had to leave." Shira adds.
"He told me his father needed help with the new paper."
"That's true….but not entirely." She pauses. "My husband has plans Logan. Has had them since he found out I was pregnant with a boy. He loves his son more than anything. And he loves him so much that it clouds his better judgment. He makes decisions for Logan that I don't always agree with……Logan loves his father, and because he loves his father as much as he does, he's never really and truly stood up to him."
"Where is this going?" Rory asks.
"Mitchum is making Logan go to California. And when Logan said he had to go to California, he really has to go. Mitchum threatened Logan that if he doesn't get on that jet to California, he'd ruin your career. So basically, Logan is going for you."
Rory is surprised and speechless.
"I don't agree with Mitchum on this. You are a great girl. I used to be like you once upon a time. Career driven, determined, however, I chose to devote myself to my family instead. And I don't regret my decision. This isn't about your up-bringing or your mother. Mitchum is afraid that when it's time to make the decision, that you'll chose your career. Mitchum thinks Logan needs-"
"A trophy wife." Rory cuts in, already knowing the answer.
"Yes. Once again, I do not agree. You can have a family and be successful in your work. Mitchum doesn't usually act like this. Something sort of set him off into crazy mode." They both lightly giggle. "Either it was they way you stood up to talented as Logan is. He's not used to strong willed women, because I haven't been that sort of woman in a long time." Shira says somewhat ashamed. "He thinks you're going to steal the light away from Logan."
"I would never do that. I don't care about the light." Rory defends.
"I know that. You're good for Logan. I've haven't seen him as happy as he was with you since……..forever.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Go to him."
"I can't."
"And why not?"
"Whether I go to him or not, he's still leaving. I'm still staying behind. His father still hates me. It's always gonna be like this. We were fooling ourselves at actually think this was gonna work. Its better that we ended things here and now. It'll save us a lot of pain. It's not worth."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes."
"Love is always worth it." And with that Shira gets up. "I can't believe I'm going to say this but, don't let Mitchum win. I hope to be seeing you." And she leaves.
Rory sits in her chair, left to think and soak everything in.
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(The next day)
The phone in Rory's dorm rings as Rory is sitting on the couch under a blanket, watching TV as she has been all day. It rings a couple more times and it automatically switches to the answering machine. The greeting plays and is followed with the beep.
"Rory it's me. You still haven't called yet, so I'm taking it as a sign. But I do have one more plea…..I'm on my way to the
airport. I need to see you. I need to talk to you. I need to know that you don't want me to go. I need- I-. I just want you.
And I want to see those eyes. I need to smell that strawberry scented hair of yours. I need you. Uhh...our jet leaves at
6 tonight. I would love it if you saw me off….I hope to see you there. Please come, Rory. I love you. Bye." Logan says on
the message emotionally.
The message ends when Logan hangs up the phone.
"Are you going to see him?'
Rory turns surprised at Paris.
"When did you get here?"
"I've been here the whole time. You've just been glued to TV."
Rory turns back to the TV.
"So? Are you going to see him?" Paris asks again.
"Nope." Rory says simply.
"He's leaving." Paris points out.
"I am well aware."
"You love him."
"We're not together anymore."
"Doesn't change the fact that you still love him."
"Sure it does, that rat bastard."
"It's 4:45."
"So, I see."
"You need to go."
"I'm not going."
"You are stubborn as you are dumb."
"Thank you."
"Fine be stupid. I'm gonna be in my room." Paris goes into her room.
"Have fun!" Rory says back as she continues to be glued to the TV.
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(5:20 p.m)
Logan is staring at the entrance to the private airport hoping that Rory will come. She knows where the airport is, Logan
called to give directions even though he got the machine. He knew she was there.
"Logan, do you have everything?"
"Yes, father."
"We board in 15 minutes."
Logan continues looking at the entrance.
"Its better she doesn't come, Logan. If she comes it'll make it harder to leave. This is your future, son. Accept it. She did serve a purpose, though. She settled you down. She made you work. She made you love. She gave you all the things you'll need to be a successful business man in the journey ahead of you. California is your future. She is a great woman, very beautiful, but your future is set, Logan. She doesn't fit into it. And judging from her attendance here, she knows it too."
Logan looks at his father, stands up, and walks away from him.
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(5:25 p.m)
Paris comes out of her room to see Rory still sitting on the couch watching TV.
"What the hell are you still doing here?"
"What?" Rory asks startled.
"If you don't go, you're going to regret it for the rest of your life. And do you know how long that is? The rest of your life! You love Logan. You don't want him to go. Go over there and convince him not to."
"It's not that easy."
"It is if you get your ass over there."
"I-"
"Go! It's 5:26!"
"Ok, I'm going"
Rory gets up from the couch and starts heading to her room, but Paris grabs her and pushes her to the door and hands Rory her keys.
"No time to get dressed."
Rory runs out the door, pajamas and slippers still on, gets into her car and hurries to the airport.
