Chapter 7 – The Town Goes Pink
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That night, Luke tried calling Lorelai again. He forced himself not to call her for the past two or three days, because of what Sookie said, but tonight he just really wanted to hear her voice. But as expected, the calls were still going straight to voicemail. He gave up after three attempts. He never even tried to leave a message – he would just hang up as soon as the recording kicks in. He didn't know what to say to Lorelai, let alone to her machine.
The next day would be the diner's re-opening. Luke wasn't looking forward to it at all. Sure, it would be great to be busy with work again, to keep his mind off things. But the downside was that the town gossips would be all over him to confirm if he and Lorelai really did break up. He cringed at the other questions he would have to face. Was the break-up because of his daughter's sudden appearance? Was it because of Rory's father, or April's mother? Would he and Lorelai ever get back together? Where was Lorelai staying right now, since nobody has seen her Jeep at the Crap Shack for a week at least?
Then, there would be the matter of the ribbons. When they broke up the last time, Taylor distributed blue and pink ribbons to give away to all townsfolk so everyone would know whose side they were on – Luke's or Lorelai's. It nearly drove Luke insane.
Luke dreaded the thought of the questions and the ribbons so much that he called Cesar to ask him to open the diner for him the next day. Thankfully, Cesar always needed the extra cash and agreed instantly.
When Luke finally went downstairs at around 8 the next morning, the first people he saw were Patty and Babette in the middle of a whispered conversation. He expected them to pounce on him as they usually do, but both merely gave him a polite nod and pretty much ignored him after. He didn't get any questions from anyone else either.
At first, he was pleasantly surprised that the townies seemed to have lost interest in his personal life. Or at least, they seemed to have learned to respect his privacy. But as the day went by with not one person asking him about Lorelai, or even mentioning the name Lorelai in his presence, he started getting a bit on edge. He didn't doubt that everyone in town knew about the break-up by now. Why wasn't anyone asking him anything?
He wondered if he should ask Lane if she knew what was going on. After all, she was not only very close to the Gilmores, but she would also likely hear anything interesting in the gossip mill while serving the customers. I wonder if Lane knows where Lorelai is, he thought to himself. That's not something I should ask though – she's my employee and it will be all kinds of wrong.
He tried to pretend that he wasn't bothered about what seemed to be the town's weird code of silence on all things Lorelai. He vowed not to let the townies know that he even noticed it. But it was upsetting him more and more, and in the end, it was Kirk that broke him. After Kirk spilled his second cup of coffee on the floor while having lunch with Taylor, Luke burst out, "Okay, I've had enough. What the hell is wrong with you people? What, you're finally too busy to make ribbons now?"
The noise at the diner stopped instantly. Everyone looked up at him, then at each other; nobody willing to break the silence. For once, even Taylor found himself at a loss for words.
After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Miss Patty finally spoke up. "The whole town's gone pink, dear," she said gently. "We don't need ribbons this time."
Babette added, "Sugah, the girl's been sad for so long, we knew it was just a matter of time. I tried to talk to her, but she kept saying everything was fine and dandy. Maybe I should have tried talking to you, but you would have thrown me out of the diner, then where would Morey and I eat?"
Kirk hurriedly chimed in, "Sorry Luke. But you know we all still like you, right?"
"People, this is serious business," Taylor asserted, finally finding his voice again. "I recall Luke that you agreed to leave Stars Hollow if you and Lorelai broke up – which I must point out that you did not do during your last break-up. But given the circumstances, I don't think you need to leave since Lorelai chose to go away herself."
"Unbelievable," Luke muttered under his breath, then stalked up the stairs to get back to his apartment. He didn't even bother to tell Lane and Cesar that he was going – they'd heard everything, and would know he needed to be alone.
He grabbed a beer from his fridge and dropped to his sofa heavily. He knew he's been an ass. Lorelai knows it, Rory knows it, Sookie knows it, and apparently even the whole freaking town knows it.
He took his cap off absently and scratched his head. He didn't know what to do. And worse – he had nobody to talk things over. For once, he realized how alone he truly was. He not only lost his fiancée, he also lost his one true friend here in Stars Hollow – the only person he could really talk to. When his Uncle Louie died, or when Jess was getting too much, he turned to her. He had nobody to turn to now.
Finally, he had to admit the truth to himself. He still loved her. He missed her. He needed her. He wanted her. She was the only one for him. But he hurt her. He neglected her. He took her for granted. He watched her walk away and didn't go after her.
Yes, he was still feeling hurt and betrayed that she slept with Christopher that night. It was a blow to his pride. But if he really thought about it – could he blame her, especially if she thought they were over?
He wondered if she would still give him a chance. If she did, he promised himself he would do everything right this time. He'd move in with her as soon as she gives the word. He'd elope with her to Maryland or he'd knock on as many boat doors as he had to and marry her on the spot if that's what she wanted. Or he would plan an elaborate wedding for her if that's what she preferred. Just as long as he could have her in his life, and in his arms again. He prayed that it wasn't too late.