So Far -- Luke and Lorelai argue about Christopher being at Lorelai's. Lorelai and Christopher meet for lunch.

Chapter Seven

Be That Way

Christopher watched as Lorelai carried Gigi back from the Ladies' room. She had spilled a drink and he ended up making it worse as he tried to clean it off her dress with just a napkin.

"Nothing like a mother's touch," he commented, and smiled as Lorelai put Gigi back in the high chair.

"She'll be fine. Happens all the time."

"Well, I appreciate it. Sometimes I forget how demanding, and messy, little girls can be."

"Yeah, I guess so. Look, thanks for lunch. It was very good."

"Well, I always thought a good steak and a baked potato was better than a cheeseburger any day. But you're not leaving, are you?"

"I might as well. It doesn't look like Rory's coming."

"You can't wait a little longer? It's only been about forty-five minutes."

"I should be going."

Just then, Christopher's phone rang.

"Hello. Rory! Hi!"

"Grandma said you called. I just got back, so what's up?"

"Well, Gigi and I are here at Palmer's eating lunch."

"That sounds nice."

"Your mom's here, and if you feel up to, why don't you come on by, have a bite to eat?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea right now."

"She'd love to see you."

"That's . . . I don't think I want to."

"She misses you."

"I miss her too, but right now it's just too soon."

"Well, then what about dinner? I was thinking possibly the Ritz-Maria. Maybe around seven? I could pick you up about six, six-thirty."

"That sounds really great, but I really don't want to go."

"Well, okay, no problem."

"I'll talk to you later. Kiss Gigi for me."

Rory killed the connection.

"Sure." Christopher continued. "Then we'll meet you there about seven. You drive safely Kiddo, and buckle up."

Christopher put his phone away.

"Rory said she'd rather drive, but she'll meet us there at seven."

"Christopher! You didn't even give me a chance to say if I wanted to go!"

"But I thought you wanted to spend some time with Rory. I'm sorry, I just thought . . . Look, I'll call her back and cancel it."

"No, don't do that. I'll be there. It's expensive as Hell, you know that, don't you?"

"I know, but I figure this is a special occasion."

"I'm paying for mine."

"Okay, if you want to. But lunch is on me since Rory bailed on us."

"All right. So, thanks again. But I really have to go."

"See you at seven."

Lorelai gave him a weak smile, said good bye to Gigi and left.

……….

"Was that your father?" Emily asked.

"Yes. He and Gigi are at Palmer's, with Mom. He wanted me to come have lunch with them, but I said no."

"Well, that's certainly your choice."

"Then he wanted me to have dinner with them tonight at the Ritz-Maria, but I told him I didn't want to do that either."

"The Ritz-Maria! My goodness, your grandfather and I haven't been there in ages! It's such a nice place, too. The food is just fabulous and the atmosphere is simply marvelous!"

"Then why don't we go? Wouldn't it be nice to go out to eat for a change?"

"Yes, it surely would! Your grandfather won't be home until six-thirty, so I'll call and make reservations for the three of us for seven-thirty."

……………..

Lorelai's first stop once she got back to Stars Hollow was the diner.

Luke was carrying dirty dishes back to the kitchen.

"Hi." Lorelai said as she got to the counter.

Luke looked at her but didn't answer.

"I had lunch with Christopher, but Rory didn't show up."

"And you're surprised?"

"Christopher talked to her, she wasn't feeling well."

"Uh HUH! And you believed him?"

"Why would he lie?"

"You're right, why WOULD he?"

"Luke, you're making more out of this than there is."

"Maybe I am, but maybe not."

"Anyway, since she couldn't make it for lunch, we're going to have dinner together, tonight."

Lorelai took a breath before she continued.

"At the Ritz-Maria."

"Pretty pricey joint."

"Christopher just thought it would be a good place for the three of us to get together and have a nice dinner."

"I'm sure he did. You ought to wear that blue dress you wore at you parents' wedding thing. I'm sure he'd like that, you know, just in case Rory mysteriously can't make it again."

"Luke, will you STOP it? I'm trying to be up front with you about all this. Why are you making it so hard?"

"If you can't see what's going on, then there's nothing I can say that will make the slightest bit of difference."

Lorelai bit her tongue rather than get into an argument.

"Fine. Be that way."

Lorelai left the diner, angry again.

To Be Continued