Chapter 5: Learning to control your emotion

The decor of Luke's room changed to one of the diner. It was almost empty, but Luke recognized the crowd. They were his pre-dinner customers, the one who comes just after work to get a cup of coffee. Usually, he knew it Rory and Lorelai came there to tell each other their day.

"We are the day after the town meeting. There were some really important events in Rory's life that day; this is probably why you didn't remember the meeting when we saw it earlier". She said trying to explain the concept.

But Luke thought she seemed tired. "Are you ok?

"Ya, ya, I just have a little stomach-ache."

"Do you want to sit down?" He said pulling a chair toward her. Emy sat down and smiled to Luke.

"You know? That's exactly why we're here."

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At this moment, Luke went out from the kitchen plats of fries in hands. At the same time, a panicked Rory entered in the diner without looking where she was going and knocked Luke down. He dropped the plat of fries on the floor.

"Oh my God, Luke, I'm so sorry".

"It's ok, just, take care next time"

"Ok, thanks, did you see my mother?"

"Jeez! Are you ok?"

"I'm fine, I just want to talk to my mother for now"

"Are you sure you ok?"

"No" She said with tears in eyes. "I just want to talk to my mother"

"Hey, take it". He said pouring her coffee. "If you want to talk about it, you know, I mean, I know I'm not your mother, but maybe I can help you".

"I doubt it". She said chuckling.

"Say it, we'll see".

"It's just… it's just girls stuff. Maybe more woman stuff if you know what I mean".

"Oh!" He gulped uncomfortably knowing what she was meaning. "But you know how to do those things, don't you?"

She sighted and shook her head, eyes closed.

"Oh! Ok… euh… look, go upstairs and wait a moment, I'll call your mom at the inn"

"Thanks" She said crying a little.

Luke took the phone book and searched the inn number.

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"Take it" Emy said giving Luke an ear-phone.

"I hate those things"

"I know, but if you want to ear something you have to put it on".

Luke sighed, took the ear-phone, and put it in his ear.

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Luke founded the inn phone number and dialled it. After some rings, a woman voice answered to the phone.

"Independence Inn, Lorelai speaking".

Luke smiled stupidly and kept silence.

"You're so funny" Emy laughed.

"Oh shut up"

"Ah! My old Luke is coming back" She said smiling.

"Hello, is there someone here?"

"Oh sorry Lorelai, I was busy somewhere else".

"Good catch! Congrats" Emy said while Luke rolled his eyes.

"Who's talking?"

"It's Luke".

"Luke?"

"Ya, Luke from Luke's diner".

"I know who you are, I just wonder why you're calling me".

"It's just … euh… it's just Rory… she… euh… just… there is a little emergency here".

"WHAT?"

"Oh no, nothing big, It's just… she needs your help right now."

"Is it really important? It's just that I have a lot of work here."

"I think she had euh… like… euh… her first period."

"What?"

"Her first period, she came here all panicked and she was searching for you and I was worried so I asked what was wrong and she didn't want to answer so I insisted and she said it."

"O..... K...... Where is she right now?"

"In my apartment"

"Ok, euh… can you take care of her for a little while? I have a big emergency here and I can't leave for now. There was a swan delivery here and Michel is all freaked out. I'll come as soon as I can".

"Woah… euh… I'm not sure I'll be able to do this".

"Listen, you don't have to do the 'You're a woman now' speech, that's my job. But you can, I don't know, comfort her."

"Comfort her?"

"Yes"

"Ok, I think I'll be able to do that."

"You sure?"

"Yes, go, do the things you have to do, your daughter is waiting for you".

"Ok, see you later".

"Bye" He said hanging up the phone. He walked immediately toward the stairs.

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Emy keep off her ear-phone and got up to follow Luke up the stairs. The older Luke gave his to her.

"You know? I hate those things me too, they're just good to give brain cancer or something like that".

"Happy to know that I'm not the only one who thinks like that".

"I should have passed too much time with you".

Luke laughed and they climbed the stairs to find a Luke standing awkwardly and a Rory with her head in her hands.

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Luke coughed a bit to express his presence and approach the table to sit down next to Rory.

"Your mother said that she couldn't come for now because of a swan delivery or something like that, but she asked me to keep you here until she arrives".

"Ok, did you tell her what's happening?"

"Yeah, but you know I talked more about my own freaking out than yours, I was vague on details."

"It's ok" She said giggling. "I tell everything to my mother anyway".

"I know, but it was, you know, in case, you wanted to tell her yourself or I don't know".

"Thanks, that's nice".

"You're welcome. You really don't know how those things works?"

"No, not really".

"Me neither, but I think I have… wait a minute" He said standing up and walking toward his bathroom. He came back with a little box in his hands.

"You have pads in your bathroom?" She asked laughing

"They were my ex's".

"Oh, Luke I'm sorry" She said sadly.

"It's ok, I'm glad they can serve. I think there is a drawing inside or the direction or something, the bathroom is right there" He said pointing the little piece in the corner of his apartment. Rory got up, took the box and walked toward the bathroom.

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"This is so generous of you, give your ex's old pads."

"I freaked out!"

"Still!"

"What would you do if you were me?"

"Probably the same thing, that's why this is funny."

"You need help, you know that?"

"I know" She said grinning.

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Rory walked away from the bathroom a bit awkwardly. She walked toward the table with her legs split and a funny face expression. Luke chuckled seeing her like this.

"This is uncomfortable".

"You'll get used to it."

"You think?"

"I don't have an idea" He said chuckling again. "I never had to use this".

"Ok" She giggled.

"Anyway, your mother should be here soon. She'll know what to do about this."

"Luckily!"

"You want something to eat? Anything you want, on the house."

"French fries and a soda, please?"

"Coming up! Return to the diner. I'll give you them there". He said walking her to the door.

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"You know, you have the paternal fibre in you".

"Stop it!"

"I'm sincere" She said looking in his eyes. "I'm well placed to tell you that you'll be an excellent father one day".

"You think?"

"I'm sure". She said walking out of the apartment toward the diner.

Not so long after they were downstairs, Lorelai arrived like a storm in the diner and run directly toward Rory who were sitting at the counter. As soon as they could, they hugged tightly.

"Rory, honey, I'm so sorry. I should have been here earlier, but those damn swans didn't want to leave Michel, like they were able to feel his fear" She said while Rory was giggling. "And you, you ok? Luke said that you had a little surprise for us today".

"I'm sorry" She said looking down.

"Oh no, honey, you shouldn't be sorry. Every woman in the world has to live this one day in her life. Today is your turn, that's all! I was even beginning to worry, you know thirteen years old, it's a bit late for this. But now, we go home. You're probably all soiling your pants right now. The black is a magic color, isn't it".

"No mom, Luke gave me a pad."

"Shhhhhhhh!" Luke said.

"What?" Lorelai asked surprised.

"Euh… you know… I didn't know what… to do… and I had this that was laying around in my apart so I gave her"

"Why the hell did you have a pad in you apartment?"

"Long story" he said wanting to hide his past with Rachel.

"Oh ok, thanks Luke" She said putting money on the counter.

"Oh no! It's on the house. We can say it's a little gift!" He winked at Rory.

"Wow thanks, but please, don't do this winking thing ever again, it freaks me out" Lorelai said. "Soooo, will I be able to have free fries next time I'll have my period?"

"Don't count on that!"

"Life is so unfair! But, thank you Luke to taking care of her today".

"Anytime, we had fun!"

"Really?"

"Yes! Luke showed me lot of things about books I should read"

"You read Luke?"

"Not really now, but I read a bit when I was younger."

"Ah well, we learn something new everyday! Oh honey, we should go. If you want to go to Havard one day, you'll have to do your homework. And I think there will be a little discussion at home".

"Bye Luke" She said hugging him. Surprised, he hugged her awkwardly back.

"Bye Rory"

"Bye Luke" Lorelai said while his heart was beating a dangerously loud rhythm.

"Bye Lorelai". He said trying to hide his smile.

The girls left the diner. Luke turned back to the kitchen saying to himself 'Jeez, I really have to control my emotions'.

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With that, Emy started to laugh hit Luke's shoulder.

"That! You're good to control your emotion! It makes what three years that you have a thing for her and you never said anything to her!"

"What do you want me to say?"

"Nothing! That's what is funny!"

"Oh shut up"

Emy laughed harder and clapped her hands.

TBC.

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