When Rory came down for breakfast on Saturday morning the diner was packed.
"Morning." Jess walking over when he saw here. "There aren't any spare chairs left."
"Did I miss something?" Rory asked.
"Tour bus broken down." Jess replied. "So they sent them all here for breakfast while they fix it. Tell me what you want and I'll bring it up."
"How about I help out?" Rory offered.
"You don't have to."
"I've done it before. Mom too. Hand over the order pad and point me in the right direction."
"Right over there." Jess pointed her in the right direction as he went to grab the plates Luke had just announced were ready.
"What can I get?" Rory went over and asked the couple by the window.
"Well hello missy, you weren't here before." The woman said.
"The owners a friend of the family so I'm just helping out." Rory replied. "So what will it be?"
"Everything sounds so good. What would you recommend?"
"Since I've eaten here almost everyday for the ten years, I can tell you everything is good, especially the coffee. But for breakfast you can't beat the pancakes."
"Pancakes sound good. We'll take two blueberry pancakes with maple syrup on the side." The woman ordered.
"Would you like anything to drink?"
"I'll take some coffee. But Earl can't have coffee it upsets his ulcer."
"How about some hot chocolate?" Rory suggested. "That's good too."
"That would be great young lady."
"I'll be right back with your drinks." Rory replied with a smile. She turned in the order and made the drinks before moving on the next table.
Rory continued to take orders and fix drinks, while Jess worked the till, bussed tables and took out the plates out when they were ready.
"Jess." Luke said when he got half a second.
"Yes Luke." Jess stood in the kitchen doorway.
"Is Rory waiting tables?"
"We needed the help." Jess replied.
"You're letting your pregnant girlfriend wait tables?"
"She's just taking orders and the heaviest thing she's lifted is a coffee cup. Besides she offered, now I have to get back to work."
GG
"Hey Mom." Rory greeted her when she came in ten minutes later.
"What happened here?"
"Coach broke down, so no seats available which freaked Kirk out." Rory explained.
"This isn't good."
"I can get you some coffee to take upstairs." Rory offered.
"You're helping out?" Lorelai questioned.
"Considering how much free food I get here since Luke won't accept my money and they're swamped I thought I should."
"Miss." One of the customers called.
"I'll be right back." Rory told Lorelai.
"I'll get everyone some coffee." Lorelai told her.
"Thanks Mom."
"Lorelai what are you doing behind the counter?" Jess asked when she walked passed him.
"Getting the coffee pot." She replied. "People are thirsty."
"Just don't let Luke see you; he's giving me a hard enough time about letting Rory take people's orders."
"I'll take care of Luke." Lorelai told him.
"I'm sure you will." The bell sounded. "Excuse me."
It took another forty-five minutes for the driver to come and announce that the bus was fixed and the place to clear out.
"Bleuh." Rory said sinking into the chair of one of the relatively clutter free tables as Jess had already cleared most of it.
"I'll second that." Lorelai sat down on the other side of the table.
Jess brought over two plates and set them down in front of them.
"What's this?" Lorelai asked.
"Breakfast." Jess replied. "You'll have to wait another minute or so for coffee unless you want decaf."
"I'll wait, and mention to Luke that I'm here."
"Okay, juice?" He asked Rory.
"If there is any left." Rory sighed. "I thought they'd never leave."
"Do you think we could put your grandparents on a bus tour that strands them in Outer Mongolia?" Lorelai inquired.
"Suggest it to Grandma next week."
TBC