7:00 pm

Rory hears the doorbell. "Mom! Door!"

"Can you answer it? Thanks!"

Walking to the door, she sees a familiar shape. "Dean! What…"

"Hey Dean." Lorelai interrupted ; she suddenly remembered upstairs what problem Dean would cause.

"Sorry. Didn't know if this was a secret so… I just assumed it wasn't."

"what's a secret? Mom?"

"Um, honey, Dean and I are going out tonight."

"You're what!"

"It's totally casual." Dean added, smiling to himself. Ah, she's jealous.

"I can't believe this. Why would you do this mom?" Rory exclaimed, running out the door. No one would guess she was planning on confiding in her only true father.

After a long pause, Lorelai said, "Ok…so I guess we better get going." forcing a smile.

The car ride to Andoloro's was very quiet. They both felt uncomfortable around each other now. At the restaurant, they were seated in a small corner by a painting of odd looking fruit. A few minutes later, the waiter came.

"Hello, how are you all tonight?"

"Oh just soooo great." she said sarcastically, secretly wondering where Rory ran off to earlier.

"Well, can I start you off with some drinks?"

"Yes. That would be good. White wine will be ok. Right, Lorelai?"

"Yea, sure."

After many minutes of awkward silence, they got to talking about light stuff. Movies and such. Halfway through their Chicken Alfredo, Lorelai brought up the subject of why they were there.

"So… why did you ask me to come tonight?"


"Well I guess I always had a tiny thing for you," he lied, "and I also admire you Gilmore girls. Since Rory's gone, I thought I'd see how you were."

"Oh, ok" sounding a little disturbed.

Then the relived all their old memories like the RB&W nights, Donna Reed, and little anecdotes here and there.

After the 10 minute drive home, they arrived at the Gilmore residence. I t didn't look like Rory was home yet.

"We should do this again."

"Yea. How about next Wednesday? I get off from Doose's at 5:30. 7:00 again?"

"Sounds great. See you then."

After a while, Lorelai decided to look for Rory. She walked around town for a hour. It was nearly 10:30 by then. She thought she's have a look in Luke's. Walking past the big picture, she was surprised to see the lights on. Turning the doorknob, she saw Rory sitting there, huddled in Luke's arms, crying. "Rory?"

"Mom?" Then she ran out of the diner calling back, "Talk to her Luke."