Chapter Seven

"How're you holding up?"

"Better than I thought I would."

"So, those hiking boots are working for you?"

"They're getting a little heavy, but after twelve hours, what can you expect?"

"Half way there. I hated to see Sookie and Jackson drop out, but I'm sure glad they did. I was getting SO tired of Mrs. Kim's phony egg salad."

"She makes that every year?"

"Yes she does. I think Sookie quit just so she could fix us something decent to eat."

"I thought it was because Jackson's feet were bothering him."

"That's part of it."

"So what about Rory? Did you ever find out what's wrong?"

"No, she won't say. I know she's been crying, but she all I get is 'I'm just tired.' I tried to get her to go home, but she insists this is where she wants to be. I even had Lane talk to her, but nothing."

"And it wasn't because she had a fight with Logan?"

"She said no. I think it has something to do with Dean and Lindsey being back together."

"I thought she was over him."

"You never really get over your first love. She's asleep now, but when we get our next break, which should be in – what? forty five minutes?"

"About that."

"I'll talk to her again."

Just then Taylor sounded his air horn.

"Okay, everyone, on your marks. . .get set. . .and GO!"

With much complaining and groaning, everyone started running around the gymnasium.

"Round and round they go, but when the song stops, nobody knows! But the last five couples that finish behind the red line are automatically out, so hold onto your partner and move, move, move!"

"My GOD!" Lorelai panted, "He says the same thing every year!"

As she ran past Taylor, she yelled out to him, "Taylor! Learn a new song, for God's sake!"

And just as suddenly, Kirk and Miranda ran past Lorelai and Luke.

"What's the matter, Lorelai? Not getting tired are you?"

"Not in the slightest, Kirk!"

"Good! Good! I feel GREAT! I sure could use some decent competition!"

"I hate him!" Lorelai said to Luke, trying to keep up.

Luke put one arm around her waist to help her run.

Thirty seconds later, when the horn sounded for the ten minute break, it was all Luke could do to hold Lorelai up.

"Let me go!" she whimpered. "I need to lie down. Just let me die!"

Luke gently laid her down, and Rory appeared with bottles of water for each of them.

After drinking half of it down, Lorelai said, "Sweetie, you don't have to stay here. Why don't you go on home and get some real sleep."

"I'm fine. Bleacher sleep is the best sleep there is."

Lorelai glanced briefly at Luke then back at Rory.

"Okay, but if you want to go, it's fine with me. You've proved your loyalty to mama."

"You rest. I'll grab something for you to eat from Sookie and some coffee and I'll be right back."

"Bless you, my child."

After she was gone, Lorelai said to Luke, "Maybe it was nothing after all, she seems okay."

"That's because she's concerned about her mother. But there is something wrong. Even I can see it."

"Well, let's not push it right now."

"Lorelai, how about a couple more laps? I could run all night!"

"Keep it up, Kirk. Just wait! Just you wait!"

"You're the one who's been waiting, year after year after year."

And as Kirk and Miranda trotted off, Lorelai mumbled barely loud enough for Luke to hear, "Okay, mister, you want a war? You've GOT one!"

Luke just shook his head.