Chapter 3: Pat's and the Park
The sign attached to the side of the restaurant indicates they've arrived at Pat's King of Steaks, and Rory announces, "Home of the original Philly Cheesesteak."
"I'm impressed," Jess says, complimenting her knowledge of Philly trivia. "No tour of the town is complete without it."
As they step inside, Rory knows she needs to stay very close to Jess so they don't get separated in the large crowd, eager for an early lunch. She feels a little embarrassed when her arm brushes against his but he doesn't seem to mind. Jess orders their cheesesteaks at the first counter, and then moves to the second to request their fries and sodas.
Since the restaurant is packed with people, he suggests an alternative spot for eating.
After a short 10-minute drive they reach JFK Plaza, better known as Love Park for its iconic LOVE Sculpture. The letters in the word "love" are thick in display and deep red in color. The first two letters sit atop the other two.
Shaded by towering trees they sit, side by side, on the low concrete wall facing the sculpture. Love Park is enclosed by sleek downtown skyscrapers, but Rory finds the most captivating piece of the area is what's behind the sculpture – a fountain erupting like an active volcano, shooting out water that sparkles like diamonds in the July sun.
Rory wonders if the park was part of Jess' original itinerary. Perhaps he even knew it would be so busy at Pat's that they'd be forced to bring their lunches elsewhere.
As a gentle breeze sweeps past Rory she tries to send her curious thoughts along with it. But the one thought that remains, haunting her mind, is if Jess knows that she and Logan broke up. This romantic atmosphere and the fun of the last few hours stir up in her a stronger desire to make sure he knows the truth.
He seems to read the thoughts she sent away with the wind. "I needed to find somewhere close so you could get down to eating. That stomach of yours was getting pretty restless."
"Thank you for considering my hunger needs." She decides not to tease him about his choice of park. For some reason she senses that it would make her feel uncomfortable too.
Rory lifts the massive sandwich up to her eyes, rotating it in her hands as if on a turntable. Like a cheetah ready to tear into its fresh kill, her teeth chomp down for their first bite. The cheesesteak is a warm combination of gooey Cheez Whiz and thin shreds of rib-eye steak.
She is relishing in the moment when Jess launches into conversation. "You're backpacking Europe again, huh?"
After a few long and awkward moments of chewing, Rory swallows and says, "My mom and I did the whole hostel thing, but this time I mostly have places to stay. A few of the journalists I worked with on the campaign trail gave me some contacts, but yeah, I'm still just bringing my trusty backpack. Baggage isn't really my thing." Rory grins.
"Can't say that I blame you. And you'll be doing some freelance writing?"
"That's the plan. I'll be working on some articles for travel magazines here in the States that are interested in pieces about young Americans and their experiences in Europe. It's all on spec, so we'll see."
"Must be scary… going without a job."
Rory's eyes dart away. "Yeah, kinda... I'm hoping it leads to a full-time feature writer position with one of the U.S. magazines."
"You'll do great, Rory. You always do."
To reassure herself more than to convince him, she says, "My college professors said they hadn't seen such good writing in a long time. And not everyone has experience as the editor of the Yale Daily News. That's pretty impressive."
Pausing for a moment, she wavers. "I hope they want my writing or I'll be coming home real soon." Rory wraps her arms around her waist, shielding herself from the unknown.
They eat in uncomfortable silence for a minute before Jess says, "Have some more fries," offering her one. "They make everything okay."
She smiles at the silly gesture and takes it. The silence that follows is more relaxed. Rory absorbs the environment, considering how life in a big city like Philadelphia is similar to life in Stars Hollow. She listens to the leaves above her rustle on the trees. She watches a little boy squeal with excitement as he runs up to the massive fountain.
But she also notices ways in which life is very different. Rushing to appointments and luncheons, businessmen with leather briefcases are dressed in suits worth more than the average person's car.
"Would you look around?" Rory asks as a rhetorical question. "These people got places to go. People in Stars Hollow – they have nowhere to go."
"You got that right."
"I just mean that in Stars Hollow people move like … like they're snails. And that's fine; they have their own happy pace. But look around here," she says, making a casual gesture with her hand toward the people hurrying by. "These are not snails, my friend."
"And what are they?" he asks with amused curiosity.
Pondering, she says, "These are carpenter ants – focused and efficient."
"And you probably wouldn't want them in your house either," Jess adds.
His comment registers as a vague whisper in her mind, as she is still immersed in her surroundings. Rory looks forward to practicing her observational skills in Europe, hoping to come up with more impressive comparisons to cultures than by referring to them as small creepy creatures. She'd rather not insult all of Europe and be responsible for starting World War III.
Her wandering eyes fall on the bright LOVE Sculpture, reminding her that she still needs to bring up the Logan situation.
Rory's legs sway from side to side as her nervousness increases. She leans in a little closer to him.
"Jess," she begins with hesitation.
He looks deep into her bright blue eyes, waiting.
"I wanted to tell you – in case you hadn't heard, I mean – that me and L—"
Her cell phone shakes with fury in her pocket, the sound of an alarm bell crying out in protest to her near-profession.
"Oh no, one hour until my flight leaves," she says, gathering her trash and slinging her purse over her shoulder.
Jess sucks in a deep, controlled breath. "Then let's get going."
On the ride back to the airport Jess says, "Off to Ireland first. You've probably been listening to Celtic music for weeks to make you feel like a native."
She rests her head on the seat. "Sometimes you know me too well, Jess Mariano."
"And I always have." The sincerity and passion with which he says it catches Rory off guard and she blushes.
Dying to bring to light what she's been longing to, she can't understand why it's so difficult. Would it really change that much about their relationship? Then again, she remembers his enthusiasm in kissing her the last time he thought she was single...
Rory is surprised by how much she craves his kisses – warm, eager and excited, but with a tenderness that makes her feel comfortable and safe.
Standing again near the security checkpoint, it feels as if they never left the airport. And yet, it also feels like they've been touring the city for days.
Rory realizes that even though most of the time their paths in life are separate, each time the paths merge she and Jess are able to fall back into perfect step. They walk close together, savoring each other's company. Inevitably their paths break off, forcing them apart until the next time, which, they know, may be years later.
The last time their paths parted, it was in pain. Since she misled him in person at his open house, she feels that she needs to make things right in person as well.
Jess says, "It was good seeing you today, Rory."
"Jess, I –" The words she is desperate to speak are trapped in her throat.
If I tell him now it might just complicate things. Maybe another time would be better.
Rory settles for saying, "I can't wait to see your movie." Defeated, she walks away.
Sauntering closer to the security checkpoint line, Rory stops and looks over her shoulder to see if Jess started to leave yet. But he remains where she left him, still as a statue, watching after her with a sorrowful expression that she wasn't supposed to see.
Rory bites her bottom lip and finds within herself enough courage to force her feet to march back to him.
"Jess," she begins again, with renewed determination. "Do you remember at the open house when you asked if I fixed everything and there was that one thing that I – that wasn't fixed?"
The puzzled look on his face indicates that he did not expect this question. His face tightens and he nods.
"That one thing is fixed now too."
"Really?" he asks in surprise.
"Yeah, right after graduation, actually. I haven't talked to him since." Rory's amazed by how light the confession makes her feel.
"Okay," Jess says. She sees a similar glint in his eyes to the one he had when they stood here just a few hours ago, reunited. But this time his excitement seems to run deeper.
With a timid smile Rory says, "Thanks, Jess. Thanks for believing in me."
She turns to walk away but his hand wraps around her wrist. He moves his chest into her back, and she catches her breath. Rory twists around to face him, their lips so close to touching.
The corners of his mouth turn up and he moves in. She closes her eyes in anticipation, but her lips remain untouched. Instead his lips press into her cheek, his stubble brushing against her smooth skin.
This kiss is different than any he's given her before. Although she's loved every kiss they've shared, this one seems more mature… more deliberate.
Jess frees her wrist and steps back. His anguished expression reveals the depth of his pain in letting her leave.
She raises a hand for an awkward wave. "B-bye, Jess."
Her heart sinks as she steps into the security line. She doesn't look back once, fearing the single tear sliding down her kissed cheek would be followed by countless others.