What Came Before -- Lorelai went into the diner to try to talk to Luke and to apologize, but Taylor Doose added to the problem by telling Luke he should have paid Lorelai for painting the diner.
You Don't Get Four Strikes
Strike Two
"So he just left?" Rory asked as she and her mother were closing in on Doose's Market.
"Actually, it was more of a stomping," Lorelai answered. "If only I could have thought of something to say before Taylor put his two cents in."
"Taylor's good about messing up things for people! He must lead a very dull life."
"I shouldn't have gone in there without a game plan. I should have known exactly what I wanted to say, and said it."
"Next time."
"No, no next time. I can't go back in there."
"Not ever?"
"Not for a while. I guess I need to give him more time. Sookie said not to push it, but I did. Or I was going to, until Taylor butted in. Maybe it was for the better."
"How can Luke being mad at you be for the better?"
"I meant Taylor interrupting. Maybe Luke's not ready not to be mad at me."
"Why IS he mad at you? You never told me."
"It's not important why. We've argued before. It'll work out, somehow, some . . . day."
Just as they reached the market a voice yelled out, "Rory!"
"Lane! Hey!" she yelled back. "Mom, do you mind if I go see Lane while you're inside?"
"No, of course not. You talk to Lane and I'll get your Pop Tarts and my Mallow Bars."
"Thanks." Rory said over her shoulder as she hurried across the street.
Lorelai smiled after her, waved at Lane, then went inside.
She picked up a basket, knowing it would be full of wonderful, un-nutritious junk food by the time she was finished.
She was busy studying the difference between the Extra Large and the Mega-Size bags of competing potato chip brands when she bumped into . . . Luke.
"Oh! Luke, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."
"Well, I should have been watching where I was going. Are you okay?"
"Fine. No damage."
"Good. Well, uh, see you later."
"No. Wait. I need to talk to you. WE need to . . . ."
"Lorelai, Luke, I'm glad I found you two." It was Kirk. "We need to get this mess straightened out."
"What are you talking about?" Luke asked. "What mess?"
"You know what mess – this embarrassing situation about you making Lorelai paint your diner in the middle of the night, while you slept, so you wouldn't have to close up for a day and lose the income."
"Did you put him up to this?" Luke asked Lorelai accusingly.
"No, Luke! I swear! Kirk, you don't know what you're talking about!"
"Don't try to cover it up, Lorelai. Everyone knows all about it. Luke, we're really disappointed in you."
"Get the hell out of my way," Luke said angrily as he pushed his way past them and out of the market, the door almost hitting a customer as he jerked it open to leave.
"Luke! Wait!" Lorelai called after him.
"Kirk, go to hell!" She yelled out as she followed after Luke.
But by the time she got outside Luke was turning the corner into the diner.
She watched him go inside, but instead of going after him, she walked across the street where Rory and Lane were.
The two girls saw Luke as he stormed out of Doose's, and a few seconds later was followed by Lorelai, who hesitated a few seconds with indecision, then crossed the street to where they were.
"What was THAT all about?" Lane asked.
"It was strike two," Lorelai answered quietly, then turned toward home, leaving them no more informed than they were before the question.
TBC
