10

Lorelai walked into the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee.

"Hey, Sookie, how was your weekend?"

"Good. Jackson, Davie and I had a little picnic Saturday afternoon, and then just relaxed around the house yesterday. So, how was yours?"

"Actually, it was a little weird."

"Really? How so?"

"Well, Rory hasn't been spending that much time here since she and Logan got so chummy. She gets to the house about ten o'clock Friday night and leaves around three or four Sunday afternoon so she can spend some weekend time with him. But yesterday when she found out I finally, FINALLY, talked Luke into watching 'Titanic' she decided that she wanted to stay and watch the movie with us."

"How did you talk him into that?"

"I just kept telling him about the underwater robot at the beginning, and how cool it was when the iceberg hit the ship – totally made it seem not like a chick flick. "

"Well, that doesn't sound so weird."

"No, but that's not the weird part. Anyway, when the movie started we were on the couch – Luke, me and Rory. So, every once in a while I'd pause the movie and we'd go get something to drink or more snacks or use the bathroom. And by the time we got to the part where Jack was handcuffed down in the -- room, in the ship, Luke was sitting between me and Rory. And he and Rory were doing just what Rory and I always do – making fun of just about everything."

"Wow, that IS weird."

"Oh, but the weird part is yet to come. Anyway, I was sitting there watching and listening to them, and kind of feeling left out, and then suddenly I realized this is how a family is supposed to be – the dad and the mom and the kid sitting on the sofa and laughing and just enjoying being around each other. And it was really great!"

"That's not weird at all. It's wonderful!"

"I know, but I still haven't gotten to the weird part. Okay, the movie is finally over, and Rory has to drive back to Yale in the morning, so she's ready to go to bed. So she gets up, says good night to me, kisses me on the cheek, says good night to Luke, and kisses HIM, just like that!"

"Oh, now that IS weird . . . Why is it weird?"

"Because I can count on one hand the number of men Rory has kissed – her grandfather, Christopher, Dean, Jess, and Logan. And that's all. She never kissed Max, she never kissed Jason, and up until that moment, she has never kissed Luke. They've hugged, but she's never kissed him."

"What did Luke say?"

"Nothing. I think he was more surprised about it than I was."

"Did he react at all?"

"Well, at first he was totally surprised, but then he got this look on his face like he was – I don't know, happy!"

"I still don't know why you think it was weird. He's been like a dad to Rory for years, maybe she just wanted to let him know it. And maybe she was letting him know that she totally approves of you guys being together."

"Yeah, well, maybe you're right. It just threw me, that's all. It IS a good thing, isn't it?"

"Sounds pretty damned good to me."

Lorelai smiled warmly as she was remembering the scene again.

"So, Luke's doing okay, huh?"

"Well, yes and no. There's not that much to do around here sometimes, so he's been working on his boat. But he still has a hard time filling his day. So there's something I wanted to run by you."

"What is it?"

"Well, I know Luke misses cooking, so I was thinking, what if he cooks breakfast here one or two days a week? That way you can sleep late and not have to come in until it's time to start lunch."

"Lorelai, I don't know. My breakfasts are the first thing about the inn the guests experience after a good night's sleep. And I know Luke is a pretty good diner chef, but this isn't a diner."

"But what about Tuesdays and Thursdays? It's the middle of the week and we never have more than half the rooms rented."

"Well, I don't know."

"Well, let's just try it tomorrow, and if it doesn't work out, then at least we'll know. Come on, what do you say? Just one day?"

"Fine. I'll go over the menu with him before I leave this evening."

"Great! It'll be great, you'll see."

11


Lorelai walked through the inn, looking for Michel. She found him in the kitchen talking to Sookie.

"Michel, where are all the bellmen? This is Friday and we're expecting a full house this weekend."

"They called in sick."

"What! All of them?"

"Yes, all of them, and they say they will be sick until your Luke does not give them any more grief."

"What are you talking about? Luke has nothing to do with them."

"Yes, I know, but perhaps you should tell him that. He yells at them and frightens them."

"Luke did that? Are you sure?"

"I am quite sure. And the only reason we still have the maids here is because they think he is showing off for them."

"LUKE?"

"Yes, Luke! And if you took the time, I'm am positive you would have noticed that the grounds are looking a bit ragged. He has also made the groundskeepers quit. He threatens them and says he will throw them into a wall."

"That can't be. I know he can be a little difficult sometimes, but he's not like that."

"He's telling the truth," Sookie added. "And that's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

"What now?"

"It's the kitchen staff. They say if Luke comes into the kitchen again, they'll walk out and not come back until he leaves."

"But he was only here two days."

"Yes, and the food was surprisingly good, but he yelled at them."

"Sookie, YOU yell at them."

"I know, but I don't threaten to throw them out of the back door, or to let them kiss the hot griddle. Honey, you have to talk to him before we're the only ones left."

"Yes," Michel added. "Even the guests ask me about the strange man with the mean face who is always angry."

"Why is it I'm just now hearing about this? One of you should have said something before now!"

"But, it's Luke," Sookie explained. "We were trying to make allowances for his, you know, situation."

"I was not." Michel chimed in. "I thought you would see how bad it is getting around here. But no, you wear the blinders of love. Which is very sweet, and nauseating, and in the meantime, the inn goes straight to Hell!"

Lorelai was completely taken by surprise, but she knew something had to be done.

"Okay, I'll talk to him. Anyone know where he is?"

"He was going to the potting shed the last time I saw him." Michel told her. "He hates me, you know."

"He doesn't hate you, Michel, he's just been going through a bad time, that's all."

Lorelai left the kitchen and headed toward the potting shed. Luke was inside, using a bench grinder to sharpen one of the shovels.

"Hey," she said. "How's it going?"

"Hey, yourself. It's going okay. What brings you out here?"

Lorelai hesitated, trying to find the right words.

"Umm, Luke, we need to talk."

"Sure. What's up?"

Lorelai hesitated again.

"Is everything all right?" Luke asked.

"Well, actually, it isn't. I understand you and some of the staff haven't been getting along too well."

"We've had our differences, but nothing serious."

"Well, that's not what I hear. Michel said some of them have either threatened to, or have actually quit because of you."

"Michel's a jerk!"

"Yes, he can be, sometimes. And he can be insufferable and stubborn and a real pain in the ass. But he's also an excellent concierge and he really cares about the inn, so when he tells me there are problems that are seriously affecting the way things are going, I have to believe him."

"So, what's your point?"

"My point is that Michel isn't the only one who's complaining. Sookie said the kitchen help is threatening to walk out if you come back."

"Okay, so my people skills are a bit lacking, but they'll get over it."

"Luke, that's not the point. It can't be like this. I need EVERYONE to keep this place running -- the bellmen, the grounds people, the kitchen people, everyone. But you're making it, well, impossible for that to happen."

"So, what are you saying?"

Lorelai took a deep breath.

"I'm saying that you can't work here anymore, I have to lay you off."

"NO! It doesn't work like that. You lay people off when the work runs out. And from what I can see, there's plenty of work around here. So if I'm being sacked, just come out and say it!"

"Luke, I don't want this to get ugly, I'm just trying to explain the situation here; my situation."

"Oh, yeah, your situation. You're my employer, so if you're firing me, then just tell me!"

Lorelai took a short, quick breath in frustration.

"Come on, Lorelai, you're the boss. Say it!"

"Okay, fine, here it is – you're fired! Is that what you wanted to hear? Are you happy now?"

"You bet I am! See ya around!"

Luke stormed past Lorelai and out of the shed. Seconds later she heard his truck starting up and the sound of spinning tires as he sped down the driveway away from the Dragonfly.