What Came Before -- Miss Patty and Babette dragged Lorelai into yet another confrontation with Luke.
No More Strikes
It was eight thirty when Rory got off the bus, and eight forty-five when she walked through the front door of her house. She immediately went upstairs. She smelled no coffee and she knew Lorelai was still in bed.
"Mom, I'm home," she said as she laid down next to her. "It's time to get up."
"Don't wanna," Lorelai said from under the covers. "Sleepin' all day."
"No you're not. You're going to tell me exactly what is going on with you and Luke, and we are going to fix it."
"Can't be fixed."
"Yes it can. Your and Luke's feelings for each other are too strong for things to go on like this."
"If you're talking about how much he can't stand the sight of me, then I guess you're right."
"And what about how you feel about him?"
"We were friends, and now that's over. Over and done. Now go away. Do some homework, vacuum, dust, get some laundry done."
"No! I am going to make some coffee and then you are going to tell me in no uncertain terms why you and Luke are feuding, fighting, whatever you want to call it. But you ARE going to tell me!"
"You sure are bossy to be the daughter."
"That's what you get for making me be the mom. I'll be back up here in ten minutes."
As promised, in ten minutes Rory was back upstairs with two cups of coffee. Lorelai had no choice but to sit up and take the cup.
Rory sat beside her.
After she let Lorelai drink half the cup, she said, "I'm waiting."
Taking a tired breath, Lorelai began.
"Do you remember that wonderful Friday night dinner with your dad and his parents? Well, I had promised Luke that I would get away early to help him paint the diner. But with everything that happened, I completely forgot about it until early, very early Saturday morning. So I rushed over to the diner, still in my pajamas and robe, and tried to apologize, but his feelings were hurt. And I don't blame him for that. So early Sunday morning I got his bread guy to let me in and I painted it by myself. And it looks great! Everyone said so. But he was still mad at me, and still is now. Of course Taylor and Kirk and Patty and Babette just made things worse."
"I don't understand. That doesn't sound like Luke. You DID explain exactly how badly the night went, didn't you?"
"Well, not exactly."
"What do you mean, not exactly?"
"I didn't tell him about the dinner. I started out with some kind of lame excuse, which I don't even remember what it was, and then he guessed that it was because of, as he put it, 'someone.' And I didn't deny it, so I guess he thought I was 'with' someone, you know, all night? -- instead of helping him like I promised."
"So why didn't you tell him what really happened – that you weren't sleeping with anyone, but all the crap that went on at dinner?"
"I don't know. He was just so hurt and so mad I just never got a chance to tell him."
"But he needs to know. And since you didn't tell him, then I guess I'll have to be the one to do it!"
"No, Rory, just stay out of it. Besides, you don't get four strikes. He doesn't want me anywhere around him or the diner."
"Mom, come on . . . ."
"Rory! I don't want you getting in the middle of my and Luke's problems. I'm serious about this. I don't want Luke, or ANYONE, thinking I have to send my daughter to do what I can't."
"I just want you guys to be okay again."
"I know you do, and so do I. But let's just give Luke a chance to cool off, no matter how much time it takes, okay?"
"Sure, if that's what you want. So, if you're going to spend the day in bed, then I'm going to jump in the shower and then go to Lane's for a while."
"Good. It'll give me a chance to catch up on my sleep and give you and Lane a chance to catch up on your girl talk."
"Anything before I go? More coffee? Magazines? Anything at all?"
"No. Nothing. I'm good, but thanks for the coffee."
"Okay. So, I'll see you this afternoon."
"You and Lane have a good talk."
"We will," Rory replied.
'And that's not the only talk I'll have,' she thought to herself as she descended the stairs.
TBC
