Chapter 7: The Truth Looms
In the cafeteria at Chilton…
"I think you should meet my parents."
"Logan, I don't…"
"Come on Heath… I know they'll love you."
"Logan, from everything you've told me, they'll want some perfect society girl. I'm not that girl."
"You're perfect for me."
Heather smiled. "Ok, I suppose it's inevitable. And by the way, you'll have to meet Dad too?"
Logan nodded.
"So when do I get to meet your parents?"
"My parents are going to a party this Friday night at an old friend's house. We can meet and all go together. That way we won't have to spend the whole night together."
Heather nodded. "I'm not sure if I have anything to wear…"
"Relax. I'll buy you a dress."
"Logan, I don't want you to…"
"I've got it covered. It's ok."
Heather nodded—still not entirely comfortable with the idea.
Meanwhile at Lorelai and Max's apartment…
Lorelai was desperately trying to concentrate on the Independence Inn in Stars Hollow and the work ahead of her to get the failing inn off the ground again but she had been able to think of nothing else but Rory since dinner at her parents' house. Rory was ok—she…. Max had insisted that before they proceed any further and disrupt Heather's life that they get some sort of proof. He had arranged to get a sample of Heather's hair and had sent it along with a sample of Lorelai's hair to an old college friend who worked in a DNA lab. Lorelai knew the test would confirm what she already knew in her heart—Heather was Rory. The ringing of Lorelai's cell phone broke her train of thought.
"Lorelai Medina."
"Ms. Medina, this is Sookie St. James. I'm calling about the chef position at the Independence Inn."
"Oh, yes, yes of course."
"Is it still open?"
"Yes, it is. Would you like to set up an interview?"
"Oh I'd love to. When and where?"
"How about tomorrow at 11:00? Let's meet in Stars Hollow. I'd like to meet away from the inn for now. Do you have a suggestion of where we could meet?"
"How about Luke's Diner? It's easy to find."
Luke's Diner was where Rory was… that was where she had grown up…
"Sounds great, I'll see you tomorrow."
Lorelai set down her cell phone nervously. She was going to do it---she was gong to see where Rory had grown up and meet the man who had raised her. And in the process she might hire a new chef for the Independence Inn.
The next day in Stars Hollow….
Lorelai pulled into Stars Hollow. It seemed like a nice town. It was small, and cozy—you could tell it was the type of town where everyone knew everybody and she was definitely spotted as an outsider. Sookie's directions led her straight to Luke's Diner without incident.
She glanced at her watch. She was about fifteen minutes early for Sookie's interview. She took a deep breath and pushed open the door to Luke's Diner. It was nothing exotic—but it had a very down-home, friendly, small town atmosphere. Lorelai glanced up and saw a half-shaven man, with a backwards baseball cap, and a flannel shirt behind the counter. She wandered up to the counter and had a seat.
"Can I get you something?"
"One coffee please."
The man poured a cup of coffee and set it in front of Lorelai.
"I haven't seen you around here before."
"I'm new in the area. I'm actually meeting someone for an interview."
"Oh you must the one that Sookie St. James is meeting?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"Sookie's a friend. She should be here any minute."
Lorelai nodded.
At that moment the door to Luke's opened, and a pretty and slightly heavyset woman entered the diner.
"Is that her?"
The man nodded.
Lorelai walked in Sookie's direction.
"Sookie St. James?"
"Yes?"
"I'm Lorelai Medina."
"Lorelai, I'm so glad to meet you."
The interview went well and it didn't take long for Lorelai to realize that Sookie was a perfect match for the Independence Inn.
Eventually, their conversation got off topic—as the two of them realized that they had so much in common.
"So who's that guy behind the counter? He said he knew you."
"Oh, that's Luke Danes, the guy who owns this diner. We've been friends for years."
Lorelai swallowed, quickly trying to take in what Sookie was telling her. That man behind the counter, backwards baseball cap and all, was the only parent Rory had ever known. Lorelai's cell phone rang.
"Excuse me," she said to Sookie.
"Lorelai Medina speaking."
"Lorelai, it's Max. I just got back the results of the DNA test."
Lorelai took a deep breath, "And?"
"She's Rory."
Tears welled up in Lorelai's eyes. "I knew it."
"Is your interview still going on?"
"Yeah."
"We'll talk later. I love you."
"I love you too."
Lorelai set her cell phone in her purse while quickly trying to regain her composure.
"Lorelai, what is it? Are you ok? It looks like you just got really bad news."
"Actually, Sookie I just got the best news of my life."
"Listen, I'll give you a call and we can set up a time for you to come and see the kitchen."
Sookie and Lorelai said their goodbyes and Lorelai remained sitting at the table. From behind the counter, Luke watched her with interest. He knew that he had never seen this woman before yet there was something about her that was so familiar…. Something about her that reminded him of someone else he knew. He just couldn't put his finger on it…