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2.18

The recent six months had Dean insecure
Of something amiss, he'd grown fairly sure.
Though Rory insisted she couldn't care less,
Dean knew she was thinking about that damn Jess.

And these weary thoughts had Dean steeped in fear
That he'd lose the love of this girl he held dear.
So, love to inspire (and break-up to stall),
He'd make an attempt and give her a call.

So easy it was to phone and implore,
In under an hour, he'd called ten times more.
Between each his calls was barely respite.
The Gilmores' poor phone rang out through the night.

Then Dean did recall her arrival at six.
And left her a message that joked of his tics.
But then called again, in case she'd be early,
And left a new message—left Lorelai surly.

With all of his efforts and all of his calls,
Yet still did he find, between them, more walls.
The dates he had offered, attempts he had made,
Received no response. No notice she paid.

Then later that week Dean went by her house
And no one was home, not even a mouse.
But passed he the driveway and her car was there.
He thought it could use some practical care.

So since Dean had noticed upon it some dirt
And knew that a paintjob could be somewhat hurt,
And since, in their love, was something ajar,
He'd double his efforts and wash off her car.

So Dean hurried home to get some detergent
And hurried right back, his energy urgent.
Then, as, with his sponge, he lathered the bubbles,
Her mother came home and witnessed his troubles.

Though Dean rambled on, his reasons he fed,
She settled him down and onward she led
Into their abode and straight to the kitchen.
She sat Dean right down and bade that he listen.

To loosen his grip she did him advise
And he must agree since she was so wise.
So after, with her, he'd had a good talk,
He tried to relax and went for a walk.

Then, later that week, the Gilmores returned
From Friday night dinner, once it was adjourned.
And Rory proclaimed that Dean was much calmer
Since only one page from him did she garner!

Since it was still early when they got to town,
And most of the hangouts had not yet closed down,
Her mother then hinted she give him a call.
The predestined future she thought she could stall.

But Rory declined since she had a plan
That didn't include a call to her man.
Instead she, with Lane, would rather now meet.
Perhaps, at the diner, the two would go eat.

And that was the story that Rory would keep
And details beyond she'd utter no peep.
She'd not, to her mother, admit her intention.
Her mother would likely just voice an objection.

For several weeks she'd pondered the facts
And wondered if she'd made any impact
Upon the good heart of one naughty Jess
Or whether, for her, he couldn't care less.

So now must poor Rory turn to her best friend,
In hopes her confusion be put to an end.
(And grateful she was that they needn't creep
With Lane's mom away, grandmother asleep.)

So Lorelai parked beside Kim's Antiques.
Next, up to Lane's room, the two girls were streaks.
And, into Lane's closet, they took residence.
(Though needless it was, 'twas their preference.)

So now as the two themselves did ensconce,
Lane asked her the matter, awaited response.
And Rory hemmed, hawed, but finally admitted,
That, to a new boy, she was strangely addicted.

Said Rory to Lane, "I have to come clean.
I sometimes have thoughts… and not about Dean.
There's someone besides who makes me excited.
And, with an attraction, I fear I've been blighted."

Though it was a topic that filled her with doubt,
Then Rory went on, as Lane's eyes bugged out,
"And sometimes I think he might like me back.
But I'm never sure if it's just an act."

Then Rory described the moods in her heart,
The facts that she knew, began from the start.
The details she voiced (all except one)
And told of the deeds that this boy had done.

To bring a care package when one wasn't needed,
The fixing of Frosty when Björk was impeded,
His bid on her basket and other forays,
Suggested he thought about her on some days.

But lately he'd run and kept to his own
And wouldn't, when called, come answer his phone.
(The one or two times she'd made a phone call
To ask his opinions of John Keats et al.)

Now Rory had finished recounting the news
And asked whether Lane would offer her views.
Then Lane whispered loudly, as if to exclaim,
"It's just like the song by Mortals Aflame!

"But which is the boy for whom you obsess?"
"You'll think that I'm crazy. It's Luke's nephew, Jess."
Then, briskly, Lane blinked. "You're speaking forsooth?"
"I promise you, Lane, I'm speaking the truth."

"Well… he's really cute but surly and rude.
Whenever I see him, he seems in a mood.
But though his repute is somewhat debased,
I do think he's got great musical taste!"

Then Lane fairly swooned in typical fashion
When something so stirring had captured her passion.
"This story you've told me is truly exciting
To think that a love may soon be igniting!

"But then, on the flipside, a love is in trouble
Since love for another is making it struggle!"
Then Lane settled down and voiced her concern
With manner more gentle and more taciturn.

"I can't tell you what you rightly should do.
For one, I'm unknowing. For two, I'm not you.
But do you love Dean and have an affection?
And what does this say about your connection?

"Most likely this means that something is missing
If you look around, instead of to fixing.
Perhaps with your Dean, your ties you must sever.
I know he's your first. Should that mean forever?"

"I know I've ignored my poor Dean of late
Which isn't deserved since he is so great!
But I can't move on 'til I put this to rest.
I hope I can count upon you to assist."

"I'm at your disposal. I'm yours through and through.
But what is it that you want me to do?"
"Let's go to the diner to see how he acts
So you can observe and give me the facts."

At such a late hour the diner was quiet,
Though lights shone out from it, in brilliant riot.
And Jess worked alone, with book in his hand.
To get paid to read was something quite grand.

The girls crossed the square, in darkness of night,
And drew near the diner, the bastion of light.
The two were hell bent on seeking the truth.
And Lane would be nothing, if not a good sleuth.

The first thing she saw, once door's bell had jingled,
Was how Jess's eyes for Rory had singled.
And promptly he straightened and jumped to the task
Of gathering cups and a hot coffee flask.

When they, for this coffee, did voice of their thirst,
Then Lane noted Jess poured Rory's cup first.
And, as he poured Lane's, he caught Rory's eye
'Til Rory, while blushing, requested some pie.

When Jess had returned, he carried three plates
And sat at the table, as though with his dates.
The trio fell into an easy discussion
That, with talk of authors, dipped into seduction.

And every small gesture, from Jess, did Lane judge.
And never, from duty, did Lane ever budge.
When Jess dodged her looks, her eyes would give chase,
'Til Jess wondered if there was food on his face.

Entirely too soon, their pie was all gone
And Rory grew sad that they should move on.
With looks to her friend, who nodded assent,
The two stood and paid. Before long, they went.

The last little clues that Lane had observed
Were words left unspoken, in their eyes conserved:
The glances they shared were simply heart-wrenching
And spoke of a passion just friends wasn't quenching.

And, as the girls stepped into the cool night
And wandered away from the diner's warm light,
Then Rory grew eager to come into sync.
She urgently asked, "Well what do you think?"

So Lane pondered staidly, to answer prepare,
As slowly they walked across the town square.
The Fates listened closely to make sure they heard
The value and substance of Lane's every word.

"I know you have questions which tie you in knots.
You yearn for the answers and want of my thoughts
On whether this Jess, for you, has grown keen.
The question more grave… is whether it's Dean.

"For if it is Dean, then you should be kind
And swiftly put Jess right out of your mind.
But only if Dean is not who you crave,
Can you then consider if you're Jess's fave.

"I've formed an opinion, which I will defer
Until you can tell me which one you prefer.
There's no point in me disturbing the waters
When yours is the only opinion that matters."

Then Rory was startled and sucked in some air.
This wasn't the view she thought Lane would share.
But frolicsome Fates then chortled like elves.
They'd put it no better to say it themselves!

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