Chapter 22: The Invitation
Heather sleepily came down the stairs and poked her head into the diner.
"Morning sleepyhead," her father smiled.
"Morning," she replied.
She sat down at the counter and Luke poured her a cup of coffee and handed her the morning copy of The New York Times that she had delivered. She had just settled into reading an interesting book review when Luke interrupted her.
"Oh and this came for you by messenger this morning." Luke said handing a plan white envelope with her name in calligraphy written on the front.
"What's this?" Heather replied, while taking the envelope.
"I don't know."
Heather opened it up and read aloud, "Heather, I would delight in your company for tea Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at my house. Please RSVP at the below number. Signed, your grandfather Richard Gilmore."
"Wow." Heather said not sure how to respond. "My grandfather wants to get to know me better."
"Are you ok with that? You know you don't have to go."
"I know but I want to... I want to get to know my family better. Besides Lorelai said he had nothing to do with what happened to me. I don't want him to think I blame him."
Luke nodded.
Heather replied by phone later that same day her intention to come to tea and nervously anticipated her meeting with her grandfather.
Finally, Saturday arrived. Luke took the day off so that Heather wouldn't have to take the bus. He pulled up in front of the Gilmore mansion and looked at his daughter, who now was a pale white.
"Are you sure you want to do this? You can still back out of this you know."
Heather nodded. "It's ok Dad. I'll be fine.
With that, she kissed her father goodbye and got out of the car. She nervously rang the doorbell.
A maid came to the door and showed her in. "Mr. Gilmore is waiting for you in the living room."
Heather nodded and walked in.
Richard Gilmore was sitting on the couch, nervously fidgeting back and forth. He looked up startled and saw Heather.
"Heather, I didn't see you standing there. Welcome. Won't you come in and sit down?" he said gesturing to a nearby chair.
Heather walked in and sat down.
"The maid will be coming in shortly with refreshments. I'm so glad you agreed to join me today."
Heather nodded nervously.
They sat there in silence for a while and suddenly the sound of Richard's laughter broke the silence.
"This is terribly formal isn't it?"
Heather smiled and nodded.
"What do you say we go somewhere a little less formal?"
Heather eagerly nodded.
"Do you have any suggestions? I'm not sure where you young people go these days."
"There's a coffee shop near Chilton that I've been wanting to try out."
"I know exactly the one you're talking about and it sounds marvelous."
With that, they left for the nearby coffee shop.
After ordering, they sat down. Initially, it was a little awkward but then Richard began to ask Heather about her studies at Chilton. They quickly discovered that they shared a love for great literature and agreed that the next time she came to visit, Richard would show her his extensive collection of first editions. Richard drove Heather back to Stars Hollow (they had called Luke before leaving to make this arrangement).
Heather got out of the car and went into Luke's, smiling.
"Did you have a good time?"
Heather nodded. "It was a little awkward at first but then it got..."
"Better?"
Heather nodded before she went upstairs to her room.
Luke was relieved the day had gone well. He wanted Heather to get to know her real family. Yet, it was hard for him to watch Heather leave to visit another world–a world that he himself was not a part of...