2.13

"Stars Hollow is planning its yearly fundraiser
Where baskets are auctioned, all in good-nature.
Perhaps for poor Dean a loss we should posit.
In favour of Jess, by padding his pocket?"

Lachesis did, then, to Clotho reply,
As after her thoughts did stray to the sly,
"A sip of this scheme, I'm likely to drink.
The way that you are, I like how you think!"

So Jess went to work, as any old day.
Expecting a certain amount for his pay
But finished his shift, a smile on his face.
The diner, for once, a fabulous place.

Perhaps he'd been good, his manners did mind,
Or maybe 'twas favours he'd paid out in kind.
As goddesses should, the Fates had their way.
By golly! By gosh! Were tips good that day!

Now, early that week, when he'd overheard
The words they had spoken, a thought had occurred.
So he'd hung around, when buying the glue.
Intel he had gathered: her basket Jess knew.

And now as his wallet did burst at the seams,
Some fantasies came, and feelings and dreams.
So then, to the auction, our Jess did proceed
To lie in his wait to give rise to his deed.

And then arrived Dean, desires in common.
And both did then bid, and bid they did often.
Against one another their tenders were made.
For shots at the basket, their turns they did trade.

On top did Jess bid, until Dean was done.
And Jess had to smirk. Her basket he'd won!
Developed Jess soon a love of this auction.
For once a quaint shindig he took to adoption.

Together, aside, the trio did gather
And what was discussed whipped Dean in a lather!
For, into the air, debate did ensue
'Bout whether she'd give the victor his due.

As Rory at straws, she grasped words to say
To comfort Dean's heart, his fears to allay.
She guarded the issue, to treat it severe
And keep a straight face upon her veneer.

But Jess's sharp quips did cloud the endeavour.
(The way that he put them was really quite clever.)
Were not it a clash, it would have been funny
To hear how her Dean hadn't brought enough money.

But Jess had paid much and so must she render
A picnic with him in pastoral splendour.
And so they took off to an idyllic setting
To ensnare themselves both in amorous netting.

What sprouted between them, the first days they met
The Fates chose to tend, to aid and abet.
With care of the Fates, the roots took a hold
And to the warm sun, fond leaves did unfold.

The talk turned to books, of Rand and Hemingway
Of reasons and rhymes and nice things to say.
At her ev'ry question, his answers infirm,
And to her delight, he started to squirm.

As Rory's thoughts strayed to topics verboten,
A bracelet and bearer soon were forgotten.
And ere they both left, did Jess chance to find
The bracelet of hers that she'd left behind.

Prolonging their outing, platonic in theory,
With eyes for each other and not for the scenery,
To purchase some pizza and shop for some books
And, despite her alliance, to share ardent looks.

In Andrew's bookstore, they whiled away hours.
And piles of their favourites were rising like towers.
The books that she mentioned he'd add to his pile.
Suggestions he made she'd accept with a smile.

Those that they'd read were ripe for discussion.
They sat in a corner, with hearts in percussion,
Debating the merits, the plots, and the failings,
And satisfied all, but one, of their cravings.

Then Rory, of time, became quite aware.
She knew, from his gaze, herself she should tear.
She gathered her pile and he hoisted his
And, to Andrew's checkout, they got down to biz.

And then she took notice she had not the money.
It put then a damper on this day so sunny.
After the pizza they'd shared fifty-fifty,
Her pockets were begging that she be more thrifty.

She whittled pile down to take best today
And put all the rest upon layaway.
A battle 'tween two forced her introspection.
Jess chipped in two dollars to round up collection.

As Andrew watched on with dollar-sign eyes,
Approval for Dean fell into demise.
He liked this new pairing of Rory and Jess
Since these two, together, were good for business!

The two left the store to evening's cool air,
With bags full of books they'd chosen with care.
The look that they shared, ere they parted ways,
Sent Rory off home as though in a daze.

And all through the evening she fought her own fray.
Oh how could she think of Jess in this way?
How does their dialogue never run dry?
Why does she care? He isn't her guy!

But Rory's confusion she kept deep inside.
And from her dear mother, the details she'd hide.
Her mother was wise but chose to have trust.
The fact she would phone him was never discussed.

But quick to the phone was Rory attracted
And bid that her mother be swiftly distracted.
And seven short numbers she did deftly dial
To hear in his voice that devilish smile.

For Fountainhead's harm she swore to repay.
And she will in spades if Jess has his way!
The overtones spoken a dangerous art
As pleasure did grow in the depths of her heart.

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