So Far -- Lorelai meets Christopher for dinner, then sees Rory, Emily and Richard come into the restaurant.
Chapter Nine
Do you have any idea what you're asking?
Lorelai and Rory went to the Ladies' Room, trying not to walk too fast. The door hadn't completely close before they were holding each other so tightly both had trouble breathing.
"Oh, Rory! I missed you so! I love you so much."
"Me, too! Me too!"
The Ladies Room attendant picked up a box of tissues to have them ready when they were needed.
"I don't want to fight with you, EVER again!"
"Me neither!"
They held onto each other for several minutes, neither trying to stop their tears.
When they finally broke the embrace, they took the tissues.
"How've you been?" Lorelai asked.
"I've been okay, not good, but okay. You?"
"Sad. Miserable. Depressed."
"I lied. I haven't been okay. I've tried not to let Grandma know how unhappy I've been, but I've cried myself to sleep every night."
"So have I."
They suddenly stopped talking, there was so much they wanted to say to each other, but didn't know how to start.
"I guess we should fix our faces and get back to the table."
"I guess we should."
A few minutes later their make up had been repaired.
"Mom?"
"Yes, daughter of mine?"
"Before we go back out there, there's something I have to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I think I want to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's a little while longer."
Lorelai felt a stab of anguish go through her.
"But why? I thought we were okay?"
"We are! It's just . . . well, I like staying there. I have plenty of room, I have my privacy, and the swimming pool is right outside my front door, and it is summer."
"I see."
"But it's not like we're not going to see each other! It'll be just like when I was in school. I can come home Friday nights and stay until Monday morning."
"I suppose."
"I mean, you'll be working during the day, so we wouldn't see each other that much, anyway."
"I guess not."
"And I'll tell you what, I'll come home every Wednesday evening and we can make it a movie night, or a junk food night, or whatever kind of night you want it to be, just the two of us. And I'll spend the night and when you go to work I'll go back to Hartford. How does that sound?"
"That sounds just fine."
It really didn't, but Lorelai knew if she wanted Rory back she would have to make compromises.
Lorelai started to open the door but Rory stopped her.
"Mom, there's one more thing. And I know this is going to be hard for you, but I really, really want you to do this for me."
Lorelai sighed. "What is it?"
"Well, I overheard Grandma telling Grandpa about that big fight you guys had when you came looking for me. And I know you don't realize it, but you really hurt Grandma's feelings. And I was hoping that would tell her you're sorry."
"Oh, Rory! Do you have any idea what you're asking?"
"Yes, I do. And I know it'll be hard. But you don't have to fawn, just a simple 'I'm sorry' will do. Mom, things are going to be tense enough out there as it is, and I really want us to enjoy the evening. Please? Just one little 'I'm sorry' and it'll all be over."
Lorelai took a couple of breaths before she answered.
"Okay. Fine. I'll say I'm sorry if you'll come home and spend the night with me tonight."
"You've got a deal!"
Lorelai handed the attendant a ten-dollar bill as they left the Ladies' Room.
When they got back to the table, it was evident Emily was irritated she had to wait so long for them.
"Well, it took you long enough!"
"We had a lot of making up – make up -- to take care of." Lorelai answered.
"Have you guys ordered yet?" Rory asked.
"No," Richard said. "We were waiting on you two."
"Richard, see if you can get our waiter's attention." Emily said impatiently.
"Mom?"
"Yes, Lorelai."
"Before we order, I just want to say I'm sorry for the things I said to you the other day. I was upset and angry. And I know that's no excuse for talking to you the way I did, so I want to apologize."
Emily looked at Lorelai, stunned. She never expected to hear that. Then she glanced at Rory and the look on her face told Emily it was she who had initiated the apology. But Lorelai did sound sincere, and like Lorelai was with Rory, she couldn't deny her granddaughter.
"Very, well, Lorelai. I accept you apology."
"Thank you," Lorelai said humbly.
She looked at Rory, and was rewarded with a warm, grateful smile.
"While we were waiting for you, the waiter came by. He recommended either the lobster or the prime rib." Richard said.
"Rory, I have an idea!" Lorelai said. "You get the lobster and I'll get the prime rib and we'll share."
"Lorelai, this is NOT the kind of establishment where you eat off each other's plates!"
"Oh, right." Then she leaned over to Rory and said in a loud whisper, "Save some for the doggy bag."
"You, too!" Rory whispered back.
"Okay."
Emily shook her head in exasperation but decided not to make an issue out of it.
To Be Continued