(Chilton Girl's Restroom)
"Sheena, please stop crying." Rory said sympathetically. "I'm sure my mom was just blowing off some heat."
"Sheila only wants to do what is good." Sheena bawled. "Why must your mother hate her?"
"My mom doesn't hate her." Rory disagreed. "She just doesn't understand her."
"Does she hate me too?" Sheena sniffled.
"No… Of course not." Rory sighed. "I'll talk to her about it okay?"
"Sheila is so hurt." Sheena said as she wiped at her eyes. "I know she is, I could see it in her face."
"I know." Rory replied. "I saw it too." Rory paused. "Come on, we're going to be late for our first class."
(Luke's Diner)
"The nerve of that woman." Lorelai scoffed as she sat down at the counter.
"Let me guess, another confrontation with Sheila?" Luke asked.
"Who else?" Lorelai asked as her eyebrows raised. "She's turned everything upside down Luke." Lorelai said softly. "She called Rory a Christian today."
"What's wrong with being a Christian?" Luke asked as she dried a plate with his towel.
"Nothing." Lorelai replied. "But, Rory's not a Christian. I mean there are things you have to go through before you can say something and like that. But Rory wasn't even the one who said it, I mean Sheila just blatantly called her a Christian right there in front of me. Oh, and then she says. "I assume you didn't know" Lorelai's nose scrunched. "Rory and I talk about these things."
"So do you think Rory really has been talking to her about things?" Luke asked.
"I don't know. Do you think it's possible?" Lorelai inquired.
"Well, there must be some reason she's not talking to you as much." Luke concluded. "But you're guess is as good as mine."
"I thought we made a break through last night." Lorelai continued. "We made plans to go to Chilton together this morning, but Sheila was at the house bright and early. Rory changes when she's around them, Luke. Today, when we said good bye, Rory didn't even give me a hug or a kiss." Lorelai frowned. "Do you think she may be embarrassed?"
"I doubt that." Luke shrugged. "Rory's always been an affectionate daughter… From what I've seen anyway."
"What is it then?" Lorelai asked. "What is it that is tearing us apart like this?" Lorelai was desperately wanting an answer.
"Maybe…" Luke paused. "Maybe you should start going to church. I mean if Rory is really into this religion thing, than you should be too. Let her feel like she can talk to you again instead of Sheila. First thing I would do is join a different church, though. I think she would be better off starting over some where with you."
Lorelai rolled her eyes. "I could never convince her to leave that church."
Luke didn't like to hear Lorelai sound so helpless. "Then make her leave."
"Luke I can't do that. I can't force her. That's exactly the type of parent I said I would never be."
"Maybe for once, you need to be that type of parent, for the sake of Rory."
Lorelai sighed and stood from the stool. "I have to get to work. I'll call you later."
"Love you." Luke said as he watched Lorelai exit the diner.