Authors Note: Thanks emilygilmore for reviewing. I can't say how much it means to me, that someone is reading and enjoying my thoughts.

Chapter 2: Friday Night Dinner

I'm so glad to be in the hotel room again. Funny, I was looking forward to this Friday and dreading it altogether, but now I'm just glad it's over. I feel exhausted.

First there was terrible traffic (really I shouldn't be so critical with Lorelai, when she's late) and miraculously the girls were there before me - granted they were coming from the other end of the town. So my hole plan in going upstairs first and perhaps touch the base with Richard before they would arrive crashed.

The evening was so awkward. I just couldn't pay attention to the conversation. All I was thinking about was, how to behave in front of Richard. What to do to appear as normal as possible. To be honest I think I failed at that. And Richard was behaving silly and helpless, too. Spilling all the ice.

Dinner was very quiet. Was it a good idea to have Friday Night Dinner? Perhaps I should have cancelled it. I wonder if they've noticed something. I wouldn't blame them. We basically pushed them out of the house.

So finally we were alone. I expected him to say something. Afterall it was his behaviour that drove me away, but we were just quiet. I went upstairs to get new clothes, I hadn't packed much when I was leaving him. When I came downstairs he was standing at the same point where I left him.

"I try to cancel next Friday Night Dinner" I said to him.

"That would be the most sensible thing to do" he answered.

Well if that is what he wants, he can have it. I walk towards the door. Why isn't he calling me back?

I don't think it matters, fact is he wasn't calling me back. So I went outside to my car (which I parked in the driveway, because I was late – something I normally would never do – I hope Lorelai hasn't noticed).

Now I'm in bed and can't sleep. Since the day I've left Richard I have trouble getting to sleep. I wonder if he has, too? Perhaps. But I think it will get better with time. Isn't that what people say? Time will heal all wounds? Do I believe this? I don't think I'll ever get used to sleeping alone.

Again I'm sitting here thinking about our relationship. It wasn't all bad. Even in the last weeks. I remember the terrible moment when I found the letter of his mother. I never told him about it. I know it would have hurt him. He was always between us – two of the most important women of his life. Sometimes I was mad, that he hadn't stood up for me, but that was him. I always knew that he had a special relationship with his mother. And thank God we rarely saw her. So I wasn't saying anything about her bad treatment towards me.

I know he didn't like it. But you couldn't tell that woman how to behave anyway, we both knew that. So he never tried. At least I think he never did.

But finding that letter was hard. Even after knowing she didn't like me, to find out that she begged him to leave me at the altar. That's devastating.

A terrible thought is coming to my mind Was she right? Am I not a suitable wife for him? But then that's crazy. We were lucky for 39 years, and if he wouldn't cut me out of everything, I would still live at home and we would be happy. Because we were happy.

I remember the day of her funeral. That odious woman honestly wanted to be on my mantle to judge me forever. And I was just getting used to that imagination, when Richard told me

"I'm not so sure the mantel is the best place for Gran's ashes. The ledge is too small. It wouldn't really be appropriate. Being buried with my father seems right. Don't you agree?"

"Whatever you want, Richard."

I often said these words to him. And I've always meant them. That evening I thought everything would be alright again. That all the little things I've recognized before weren't that important afterall.

It's Wednesday already. Time to cancel next Friday Night Dinner. So I'm getting to the phone to call Lorelai.

"Lorelai?"

"Mom?"

"Yes. It's me."

"Is everything alright with you?"

"Of course it is."

"Then why are you calling?"

"Honestly Lorelai, can't your mother call you without you making a big thing out of it?"

"I'm sorry Mom. I just thought there was a reason."

"Well there is a reason. But everything is alright. I just have to cancel Friday Night Dinner."

"You JUST have to cancel it? And you call that everything is alright?"

"Well it's not the first time this happened. I know it's very seldom, but we couldn't change it. Your father is away on business and I have a function to go to. Aren't you happy? That gives you a dutyless Friday Night."

"Of course I'm happy. I'm jumping up and down. In fact I have to pay attention not to hurt myself while I'm doing-"

"Lorelai, please!"

"Sorry Mom.

"Can you tell Rory?"

"Of course. So I'll see you the next Friday"

There's a knock at the door. "Turndown service."

"Of course. Bye Lorelai"

"Bye Mom"

I really wish she hasn't heard the maid. Well I'll kind of find out the next time I see her. After the maid is gone I call Richard to tell him I cancelled Friday Night Dinner, and that he is away on business. Just in case he's in touch with any of the girls. I doubt he'll speak to Lorelai, but Rory – could be. I take the phone again.

"Richard?"

"Emily?"

"Yes. I'm calling to tell you I've cancelled Friday Night Dinner."

"Good."

"You're away on business."

"What?"

"In case you talk to one of the girls. I told them you're away on business and I have a function to attend. Hence the reason of the cancelling."

"Alright." Oh please Richard don't be so monosyllabic.

"Well that's all I wanted to say."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I've always kept what I said."

"Yes you did. It really is the best thing to do."

"I agree. Goodbye then Richard."

"Goodbye Emily."

Did he sound sad? It nearly seemed so. But then why isn't he talking to me? Perhaps it's only me wishing he would be sad.

We need to solve our problems, one way or the other. I can't always cancel Friday Night Dinner. I've just won one week. I'm getting a headache. I'll think next week about next Friday. Now I'll just try to get some sleep.

So that was Chapter 2. Please tell me when you want to read more. I basically have the story in my head, and I'm much more motivated to write it down, when I know some people are really enjoying and waiting for it.