Chapter 6 Playing the MOM card
Rory had planned on telling Logan on the way home from New York that the DuGray's were coming over tonight. But she had fallen asleep. So Rory had to tell her while they were unloading the car and she was not happy. Rory knew she wouldn't take it well but she was so devoid of emotion lately Rory wasn't prepared for the blow up she got.
They were still arguing when Max and Finn heard the door, both had wisely decided to stay out of this one. Sighing Max went to the door and let Tristan and the kids in. "Sorry, they are still discussing something." Max said as he stepped back inviting them in. "Anyone want coffee or soda?" he asked only to have a loud voice draw everyone's attention.
"I can't believe you invited a complete stranger into our home. What is the point of the alarm if your bring home strange men and their sons. You've cracked if you think I'm letting some old guy touch me, I don't care if he is trying to teach me something. Who knows he's probably some perv just like his son!" Logan said sarcastically.
"Do you really want me to address all the things wrong with that statement?" Rory yelled back.
"Right mom justify throwing me to the wolves because the dad is HOT and looks like Daddy!" Logan yelled back.
"A.) Tristan is not a stranger I went to school with him and both Max and I feel comfortable with him helping us. His wife went thru what you have and he understands how important it is that you feel you have some control. B) You will be practicing with his daughter because he already assumed you wouldn't feel comfortable practicing with him. C) His son is not a prev." Rory was interrupted by a loud snort that could be heard all the way into the living room.
"Give me a minute and I'll explain why I know he's not a prev. No one but you believes he meant to grab you. He liked you and wanted to get your attention so he teased you and it got out of control with the whole falling thing. Dugray men aren't the smartest on how to approach girls. You think you're the only girl to be called Mary and pestered? He's no more pervy than any other 16 year old boy. If I thought you had legitimate concerns that would be one thing but you are just being stubborn because you don't want to do it and that is unacceptable. So I'm pulling the mom card. Change into sweats and come down."
"HA!" Logan yelled as she pulled on a pair of yoga pants. "You didn't deny that the dad is hot! That has to have something to do with this. Don't think I'll ever call him dad."
"I may end up dating one day, but Logan is the only dad you'll ever have. I don't know that I will be able to fall in love again. Even if I did no one could replace your dad."
"Really?" Logan asked unsure
Rory nodded "Really your dad was truly amazing. Now let's go." she said nicely.
They were moving closer towards the living room when Logan grabbed Rory's arm and stopped her. "He is hot you know for a dad, I mean. I know you really don't notice men, I was just trying to be mean. But if he's nice and you wanted to date him I think it could be okay." Logan said hesitantly.
Rory just looked at her daughter and laughed. "I think you might be bipolar kid. You know if you think he's hot now you should have seen him at sixteen, wow." Rory said play fanning herself "I know there is a box somewhere with some pictures I'll find for you. So cute, yet so arrogant." Rory said turning the corner into the living room only to stop suddenly and have Logan slam into her back.
"Don't worry, Mare I knew I was hot." Tristan said joking as he stood to hug Rory. "Still am."
As she stepped away from the hug she put her hand to her chest and started fake hyperventilating. "Can't breathe," she took a big breath in "big ego," another big breathe "sucking oxygen from room." Rory fell to the floor causing everyone but Crish, and Chloe to laugh, surprised by the antics of the woman.
"Gez mom." Logan said giving her a hand to help her up. "And I'm overly dramatic. I can't imagine where I get it from."
"Right cause your dad had no flare for the dramatics kitten, it was all your mums doing." Finn said seriously from the kitchen door "Pizza's ready."
"Seriously?" Rory said incredulously looking at the Aussie. "So that wasn't Logan and Colin that interrupted Professor Bells class and fought over me? Colin announcing I had just left him asleep in bed. Logan saying it was Colin's own fault he couldn't keep me."
"Don't know what your prattling on about Luv." Finn said with a twinkle in his eyes. "I thought since the girls were late getting home I'd get enough pizza for everyone not just us. Come dig in kids."
Rory was staring at Finn like he had gained another head. She sputtered, "I guess I just imagined you coming in dressed as a bobby cop, blowing a whistle and telling me I should be ashamed of my self, Let me get this right 'They used to have pride, they used to have dignity, they used to have Balls. Rory Gilmore give them back their balls. Oh yeah, I'm the only dramatic one." Rory said placing soda's and water on the table for everyone to grab what they wanted. "You know if we need an official ruling I have it on tape."
"You kids get acquainted. I'm going to show Tristan the gym, so he can decide if it is usable. Crish? Right?" Rory asked
"Yes, ma'am." he answered politely.
Rory laughed, "Yeah see that wont work. I am not a Ma'am, I can be Mrs. Huntzberger if your dad insists on manners, Mrs. H, or Mrs. Huntz which is what most the kids call me if not Rory. Okay? Now Crish, don't hit on the girl. It makes her uncomfortable."
RTRTRT
"Was my dad really an ass to you in high school?" Chloe asked Rory only glancing up for a minute. Chloe surprised everyone with having asked the question. It was the first time she had spoken since they had arrived.
Max, Rory, and Tristan all laughed. "Well, he definitely made my first year at Chilton nerve racking that's for sure."
"How?" Crish asked interested thinking about some of the things his dad had said to him about her.
Rory looked questioningly at Tristan and he just shrugged. "I don't hide things from them and I already talked to Crish about not making an enemy because of liking someone uninterested."
"Dad!" Crish exclaimed
Rory laughed and decided to tell the kids about her first day at Chilton. "Well, my first day I was in Mr. Remmy's class. Your dad came strolling in like he owned the place 3 minutes before the end of class. Walks to his desk blatantly, checking me out the whole time. Right after the bell rang as he walked past my desk he leaned down and said. "Looks like we've got us a Mary." and kept right on walking. A little later he calls me in the hall "Mary" he says and here I'm thinking he thinks my name is Mary so I introduce myself. 'he told me Remmy's class was rough and he could loan me his notes.' When I tell him that would be great. He leans towards me and asks 'Really, how great?' Three simple innocent words right?" she asked looking at Crish then Tristan who was trying to hold his laughter.
"Yeah pretty much." Crish answered confused.
"Yeah, but not when he asked it like this." Rory said then changed the tone of her voice to imitate the way Tristan had come on to her. She could still remember it so clearly, it was the first time a boy had made her that uncomfortable and that aware before. "Really, how great?"
"Daddy!" Chloe exclaimed.
"What?" Tristan asked in defense. "Chloe, how do you think I know about the type of boys to warn you about? I was one of those boys. I wasn't teasing when I said I wasn't a good guy back then. That's not even close to the worst thing I ever said to her. I'm just lucky she realized I was just an idiot and didn't hate me forever."
"I never hated you! Strongly disliked at times but never hate." Rory said shaking her head.
"I distinctly remember you yelling you hated me and running right into bagboy's arms professing your undying love."
"Bagboy?" Finn asked having just swallowed the rest of his beer.
"Dean." Rory told Finn handing him another.
"Ah, the idiot from your grandma's party. What ever happened to old cheap truck?" Finn asked
"Last I heard he had gotten back together with Lindsay only to cheat on her again. He's manager of Doose's market now." she said grabbing another piece of pizza.
"I had to tell him I hated you he was insanely jealous of you." she said before taking a bite.
"That makes sense be jealous of the guy she wont give a chance? You know bean wasn't very smart. I never understood. What was it about him that was so interesting to you? You are one of the smartest people I know quick with the comebacks, he couldn't keep up or understand what you were talking about so what was so interesting."
"You really want to know. Right now is when you want to clear the air on our complicated friendship?"
"Yes. All these years I've wondered what was it. Because, you were attracted to me too. We had that quick banter thing going. So what was it?"
"He was safe. Okay maybe he didn't challenge me but I had you and Paris for that. He would never cheat on me, or hurt me. He would never grow bored of me. You would have, the novelty of the innocent girlfriend would have worn off and you would have found someone else. You got bored of girls so easily. Dean dumped me 3 times and every time it hurt but he never broke my heart, you would have. So I kept you at a distance and gave us the chance at a great friendship." she said with a bright smile.
"Louie, I think this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship." Tristan said winking at her.
Everyone just sat listening to the two of them as they ate. Logan leaned towards Max
"Were they always like this?" she whispered.
Max looked at the two before answering, "They are more civil than they used to be. No innuendos, but basically yes." Logan looked at her uncle Finn wondering what he was thinking.