Chapter Seventeen
'Come on I said get out. There's nothing to see here' Paris yelled to the concerned town who were reluctant to leave. Eventually the place was empty other than Lorelai, Luke, Paris and Lane. All of them gathered around Rory trying to console her.
'He just left. I thought he loved me. I thought…Why did he leave?' Rory struggled to speak, her whole body shaking with tears.
'Oh baby girl I don't know what he was thinking' Lorelai said hugging her tightly 'He's a jerk!'
'No don't!' Rory yelled pulling away 'He's not a jerk. I love him mum!'
'I know honey.' Lorelai said soothingly. Rubbing her back like when she was little.
'He never said a word. Just skipped town. I didn't think he was like that.' Rory said before bursting into tears again.
'Maybe there's an explanation..' Lane said trying to think of something that might help her friend to feel better.
'Maybe I'm just not good enough.' Rory said leaning against the counter.
'Don't ever say that Rory!' Lorelai said shaking her head.
After a while they managed to calm Rory down. Sitting her at a table with Lane and Paris soothing her. She was on her 3rd cup of coffee.
'That's my kid Luke. My kid's hurting so bad and I can't fix it. What can I do? I don't know how to heal a broken heart' Lorelai said leaning against Luke for support.
'Be there for her. That's all you can do. Talk to her when she needs distracting. Listen when she needs to talk. Be a shoulder to cry on when she needs to cry.' Luke said wrapping his arms around Lorelai.
'How could he do this to her? I was never in the Jess fan club but I really thought he loved her.' Lorelai said shaking her head. Looking over at Rory who was still shaking.
'I know. I thought everything was fine. He does love her and that's the part I don't get.' Luke said trying to make sense of it all.
'I think I should get her home. She looks exhausted.' Lorelai said after a minute 'I'm going to need a vat of ice cream and a vat of coffee.'
'Coming right up' Luke said kissing her lightly then walking out back to fetch the ice cream.
'Rory come on Luke's going to drive us home' Lorelai said coming over to her once Luke had got the supplies. 'Lane would you mind coming with us. I think Rory could use all the friends she can get' She added in a whisper to Lane.
'Of course, I'll call my mother from your house.' Lane said helping to support a weak Rory out to the car.
'Will you be alright from here?' Luke asked as they pulled up.
'Yeah. Thanks Luke' Lorelai said leaning over and giving him a quick kiss.
'Call me if you need anything' Luke said watching with concern as the two younger girls helped Rory into the house.
'I've never seen her like this Luke. How am I meant to make it better when she's got to go back to school in a week?' Lorelai said showing weakness.
'You're Lorelai Gilmore. You are capable of anything' Luke reassured her.
'You're sweet. I hope you're right' Lorelai said getting out of the car and walking into the house, giving Luke a quick wave.
'Why doesn't he like me?' Rory sobbed into her mothers shoulder as Lorelai sat beside her on the couch and hugged her.
'Shh..' Lorelai soothed gently.
'I thought he liked me?' Rory cried.