The Gilmore-Grey Union Book II: The Homecoming

By Michael Weyer

POV: Amy

I'm watching as Mom and this Taylor guy keep arguing while Lorelai is outside on her phone. Once again, I feel like I'm in some sort of Bizarro Mayberry with this guy under the impression he's the Mayor. Still, it's always unique to see the Maxine Grey school of diplomacy at work.

"What part of 'family matter' is not registering with you?" she's shrieking at him. I glance over to where Rory has entered with these two friends of hers. All three are staring with amazement at the sight of Taylor getting chewed out.

"Madam, I have tried to explain that as the magistrate------"

"Good Lord, do you realize what year this is? What century? You do not get to run the personal lives of everyone in this town!"

Luke snorted. "You obviously haven't been here before."

Taylor glares at him before returning his gaze to Maxine. "Madam------"

"I swear to God on high, I will punch you if you call me that again," Mom says and I snort at that.

"Taylor," Rory says. "Can you just leave right now? We need to talk about this."

"Rory, I am only looking out for your best interests," he says in a condescending tone. Oh, this isn't going to go over very well.

"My best interests, Taylor, are dealing with this with my family, not with the whole town! We went through this already with Mom and Luke's break-up and you dividing us up with ribbons!"

"Ribbons?" I ask in disbelief.

"I was attempting to show them who was supporting them," Taylor intones.

"Taylor…just please leave. Please."

Taylor brought himself up with what he seemed to think was dignity. "Well, I can tell when I'm not wanted."

Luke snorted. "You haven't been able to tell for the last twenty years, Taylor. Why start now?"

He just gives a "humph" sound before walking to the door. "Well, you can be sure that the town meeting will not deal with this so lightly."

"Taylor, I swear, if you actually bring this up at the meeting, I'm finally going to go off and punch you right then and there!" Luke yells as he practically chases Taylor out the door. Lorelei enters at that moment, rubbing her face and shaking her head.

"What's up?" Rory asks.

Lorelei drops the hands and takes a deep breath as she faces us all. "This Friday, you are all going to be hurled into an experience that will tear at your stamina and suck away your will to live."

Luke frowns. "You are not going to make me watch 'Miss Congeniality 2' again, are you?"

Lorelei shakes her head. "I wish. No, we are all invited to dinner at my parent's house."

"Oh my damn," Rory declares, putting her face in her hands.

"Is…that bad?" I ask.

Luke sighs. "Your brother is about to be put on the altar and carved to shreds by a pair of superior-minded rich jerks."

"I've been there," Vincent said. "It's called being reviewed by the New York Times."

"So…we all have to go?" Rory says with trepidation.

"Dad said," Lorelei confirms. "And if we try to blow it off, there's no telling what Mom is going to do."

Mom nods. "Very well. What time?"

"Um…I'll have to call and check."

"I see." Mom turns to me and Vincent. "I'd better call Peter and Jillian, see what their schedule can be and Amy, perhaps you can find someone to take care of Lauren for that night?"

I purse my lips. "Mom, I'm not sure they meant us too."

"No, no, you have to come!" Lorelei pleads. "You can't leave your brother to their mercies!"

"Seriously," Luke tells us. "It's like Christians to the lions. He needs all the backup he can get."

"Thanks for referring to me like I'm not here," Vincent calls out.

"Vincent," Mom begins in that tone. "I hardly think you are in any position to dictate anything at this moment."

"Mom, you can give him some slack here," I say.

"I've given him enough slack and he's now hanging himself, Amy," she replies.

"You know, a controlling mother could very well be the reason he's acting out like this," the Asian friend of Rory's says.

Mom just gives her a look that can melt ice and she actually steps back. "Oh, no," Vincent and I unison.

"Young lady," Mom begins. "You truly do not want to get yourself involved in this situation. As my children can attest, I am in a very poor mood as it is and am not going to argue this situation with children."

"Hey!" the blonde snaps. "We're Rory's friends and we're trying to help so why don't you back off a bit!"

I just close my eyes as Mom leans in, her face tight. "What is your name?"

"Paris," the young lady says, wilting a bit under the gaze as well as she should.

"Paris," Mom repeats. "Oh, good heavens." Taking a breath, she continues. "Paris, believe me, if it were you my son had married…and I'm very sorry for letting that image enter everyone's mind…you might have a say but as it is, it's between our family and Rory's."

Paris opens her mouth but I quickly interject. "Paris…don't press her. The last person named after a city who pressed my mother…" I shudder at the memory. "She was last seen curling up in a corner of her office crying before they led her away."

"Yeah, I remember that," Vincent says. "Not that she didn't deserve it. But the point is, getting involved in our mother's path is a foolish idea."

She seems thrown, as do the others. Well, after all the weirdness they've put us through the last few hours, it's about time for some of the same back at them.

I just wish I could shake this feeling in the pit of my stomach that I'd rather listen to a child abuse case than go to this dinner party.