11

Chapter 2

Des Moines-Heartland Inn and the Iowa Capitol building

As soon as Rory arrived to the hotel room she wanted to call her mom, but Sandra already told her they would be attending a speech for Obama right away. That would take place at the capitol building in Des Moines. Rory was surprised she would be doing a job as soon as she came off the plane.

"Rory, we have to get to the capitol building in 10 minutes. Put your suitcases in the room and I'll be waiting in the lobby." Sandra said coming into the room. Rory already knew she would be staying with another reporter that night. She did not know who yet.

"So, will I meet Obama right away?" Rory questioned

"After he speaks, you will meet him. Meanwhile I need you to write out some questions about his campaign. See you in ten minutes." Sandra started to close the door when Rory answered.

"I need to call my mom, though."

"You can do that later. There's no time now." Sandra rushed out the door. "Ten minutes!" she called out.

Rory figured she better wait and do what she was supposed to do. She will have to wait for more time to call Lorelai. Ten minutes certainly would not cut it. She could tell instantly what type of person Sandra portrayed herself as. She was a go-getter reporter that hurried to get the best story. She seemed in a hurry all the time even after the event.

While riding in Sandra's car, Rory wanted to ask so many questions about what she would be writing about. "Sandra, so where are going during the trail?"

"Well, Obama will first travel through Iowa visiting towns especially small ones because that is the main target -the average and working class Americans. The reason we are starting in Iowa is that the Caucuses always are first in this state out of the United States. The Obama campaign wants to get as many supporters as they can in these areas. What you are doing is writing about how the towns react to the candidate and also what he gives in some speeches. It would also be great if you could tell about the towns we're visiting. That would make your articles more personable." Sandra finished.

"Alright. I can do that." Rory answered. Soon the two reporters arrived in a parking lot in front of a large tan building with domes on the sides and a large gold dome in the middle. After getting out of the car and walking towards the entrance with the large columns. The building was already filled with hundreds of people waiting for the candidate. Rory came prepared with a pen and her notebook with questions. She could not believe she had a job as a reporter. It was the beginning of her dream. She really did want to work at the New York Times and was disappointed in not getting the fellowship, but being a reporter for a presidential campaign was even better because she would meet the candidate and different people and travel throughout the United States. She had never been much of the U.S other than the East coast. She had been to Europe with her mom and her grandmother so she was fairly well traveled internationally. Her original goal of becoming a journalist was the travel experiences, so this on-line magazine job was really perfect for her. She soon followed Sandra through the crowd up to where a dozen reporters seemed to be scattered around.

"Welcome everyone, we are very happy to have Barack Obama come speak with us today. We are very excited about what he has to say to the city of Des Moines," announced a reddish hair man in a suit. The man then gave a speech about Iowa's people and the government. He was going to talk a few minutes and then Barrack would speak after him.

"Who is that speaking?" Rory asked Sandra.

"Oh, that's the governor, Chet Culver." Sandra answered. "He's very good for Iowa."

"I see." Rory answered looking up at the podium. All of a sudden she noticed the back of a long blonde hair girl and a short brunette male. "This can't be" Rory thought. "Is that Paris and Doyle?"

The couple finally turned and sure enough to Rory's surprise it was Paris and Doyle. "After being with you in high school and college and leaving Connecticut and going to another state, I still can't escape you." Rory remarked. Paris went up to Rory a little annoyed. "Well, that's no way to greet your best friend." She was as serious as can be.

"I'm sorry; it's just that I was surprised. I never thought I would see you here in Des Moines, Iowa. Besides, I thought you and Doyle were on a trip?" Rory asked.

"We are on a trip. We've been to Chicago and Cleveland and after graduation we went to California and Nevada. We stopped in Las Vegas and gambled a little but not too much though. Paris got your e-mail about you working on the Obama campaign and well we thought we just drop in and see how you were doing." Doyle explained.

"Oh, that's nice. I just arrived and I've been put to work." Rory said.

"Well, that's good to start early." Paris said. "Oh, we have something to tell you anyway and we sort of wanted to tell you in person. That's why we came." Paris smiled. She then put her hand out and showed off a ring. "We got married!"

"Wow, that's unexpected. I thought you wanted to wait for that. Where did you get married?" Rory was surprised at this. Paris had briefly broke up with Doyle because she didn't want to factor Doyle with her career plans and then the next day Doyle came back and said he did not want to break up and gave a speech about how he would go anywhere Paris would go. Rory remembered that was day she receive the rejection letter from the New York Times.

"Well, I know, we were in Las Vegas and we were a little drunk and I decided it was time to take the leap. So, we went to a chapel and it was one of those where Elvis impersonators performed the ceremony. So we just did it. It was great." Paris said excitedly

"An Elvis impersonator?" Rory asked.

"I know, crazy! We felt like being spontaneous." Doyle remarked. Soon Chet Culver stopped speaking and paused. Then he started again. "Well, I've said my share and I'm everyone is ready for the main event. I would like you to introduce Barack Obama." A stream of claps sounded and everyone cheered as the African-American candidate stepped onto the podium. "Welcome, Des Moines."

Later, after Obama gave his speech addressing issues such as healthcare, the environment, the Iraq war, and immigration, the Iowans started asking questions. Soon it was time to meet Obama. Sandra went with Rory for the meeting.
"Hello, Mr. Obama, I would like to introduce our new reporter that will be reporting about the campaign."
"Hello, I'm Rory Gilmore. It's very nice to meet you. I'm very excited to be a part of this." Rory shook his hand.

Soon after Sandra and Rory arrived back at the hotel, Rory was ready for a break. She was still shocked that she saw Paris and Doyle at the speech and even more surprised they were married. She grabbed her phone card and went right away to the phone and dialed her mom.

Crapshack

Lorelai tried to keep her composure when the doorbell rang. She had been crying about Rory for three hours now. She thought she could handle Rory leaving. Her only daughter was on her own now living out her dream of being a reporter and instead of being happy about it, she was bawling like a baby for Rory being gone.

Lorelai left the couch and went up to the door. She figured it was Babette or Miss Patty so she knew she had to be strong, because other wise they would ask questions. When she answered, it was Luke. She was not afraid to get emotional around him. Why was he there? Was it to talk more about their relationship? They still needed to talk about some things before they were officially together.

"Hey, what are you here for?" She smiled slightly still trying to keep her composure.

"Well, to be honest, Sookie called me and said you weren't doing well. So, I came to check on you."

"That's sweet. You know I can take care of myself." Lorelai smiled more.

"I know. Sookie said you were pretty depressed about Rory leaving." Luke said.

"Yes, she hasn't called. Maybe she finally hates me now." Lorelai now broke down in tears.

"What are you talking about? Why would you think that? She will call. Don't worry." They went to the couch and sat down.

"I know, but it seems like months she has been gone and she's only been gone a day. It's so lonely here without her. I'm an empty nester." Lorelai cried more

"Well, you know there are a lot of people here for you so you're not completely alone. You have Sookie, your parents, me, and that whole damn crazy town by your side." Luke admitted.

"Yeah, I know. It felt like this when she went to Yale. I'll be alright." Lorelai finally smiled.

"Good." Luke answered. Soon after the phone rang and Lorelai excitedly jumped to get it knowing it could possibly Rory. She hoped it was.
"Hello." Lorelai answered.

"Hi, Mom." Rory answered back.

"Well, I thought you forgot all about your mommy and you were going to leave me in this house to rot." Lorelai said amusedly. Luke smiled.

"Well, then I won't come home if you smell too bad. I got off the plane and barely got settled with the room and editor said we would leave in ten minutes to cover a speech Barrack Obama was giving at the state capitol. I'm sorry, I didn't call right away." Rory explained.

"Wow, they made you work that soon."

"Yeah, the building was pretty full. The governor spoke at first and then Obama was afterwards. He sounds like a good candidate. I really enjoyed him."

"That's good. So, what else exciting happened?"

"Guess who I saw, Mom."

"Uhh, Bono?"

"No, Paris and Doyle!"

"Really? You still can't escape that girl."

"I know. I really shouldn't have told her where I was going. They were going on a trip around the U.S. They said they wanted to drop by to see me."

"Oh, really. That is nice."

"I suppose. I admit I would miss her. They had been traveling to a few places after graduation and guess what?"
"What!" Lorelai said excitedly.

"They got married!"
"No!!"

"Yes, in Las Vegas!"

"No!"

"Yes, by an Elvis impersonator."

"Well, I hope she had pictures. I couldn't imagine Paris doing something like that."

"I know. I was surprised. So, mom, enough about me, is there anything new with you."

"No, after I came back to Stars Hollow I got my daily dose of coffee and Luke." Lorelai smiled at Luke.

"Is that it?"

"I went to the inn and worked and had a small meltdown."

"A meltdown!"

"Just a small one. It seemed so weird without you and I didn't know what to do with myself. Anyway, I'm fine now that you've called your sweet mommy and that my knight in shining armor came to rescue me." Lorelai smiled at Luke.

"Luke's there?"

"Yes, Luke's there." Lorelai smiled.

"Oh, I didn't interrupt anything dirty, did I?"

"No, we were not doing anything dirty! We were talking."

"Mom, can I talk to Luke?"

"Why, already you're tired of your mommy?"

"No."

Lorelai put the phone aside and nudged Luke. "Rory wants to talk to you." She handed the phone over to Luke.

"Hi, Rory. How are you?"

"Good. Everything's good."

"You don't have to tell everything you told your mom."

"That's fine. I just saw a speech and have to write an article about it."

"Alright. Now remember, don't drink too much of that black death and remember to eat fruits and vegetables and more healthy food than the junk your mother gave you."

"I promise. Luke?"

"Yes."

"Watch over mom. I know she'll need you now that I'm away."

"Yes, I will."

"Alright. Good-bye. I will miss the coffee and your cheeseburgers.

"It's on the house when you come back to visit. I'll give you back to your mom." He gives the phone back to Lorelai.

"Hey, mom. I love you."

"Oh, I love you too, kid. "

"I should probably get to bed soon. I have to get up early because we are leaving at 8:30 on the bus."

"Alright, hon. Have a good trip. Bye."

"Bye, mom"

Lorelai hung up the phone and was feeling better now that Rory had called. "She's already has an article to write. Can you believe it?"

"I know. That's great."

" I can't believe you told her to eat fruits and vegetables. Seriously, Rory is her mother's daughter." Lorelai remarked smiling.

"Yes, I know. Still she needs to eat something healthy."

"I know. You take care of us." Lorelai smiled, then took a moment to think. "Luke?"

"Yes."

"You know we need to talk about a lot of things."

"Things as in?"

"You know as in things about our relationship." Lorelai responded.

"Ah, yes."

"We don't have to do that now. You just came by to rescue me from my loneliness with Rory being gone. I don't want to talk now."

"Alright. Well, since Rory called and you're better, I better go then." Luke said as getting off the couch and going towards the door.

Lorelai got off and followed him. "I will see you tomorrow to get my daily dose of coffee you."
"Of course. I know you will." Luke started to leave.

"Luke."
"Yes."

"You know, I will always love you."