3.14b Soul-Seizing

As Jess steered his car along the quaint street,
He noticed a lineup of posters so neat.
Of Taylor's designs the notices reeked!
He'd never admit, though, his wonder was piqued.

Across from the diner, Jess pulled up to park.
Towards posted signs, his steps made an arc.
To roll of his eyes, proclaimed the memo
That people were raving for Miss Patty's show.

Jess took a step back, and turned on his way.
For some reason though, his glance wouldn't stray.
Upon the sign, then, his eyes caught a pairing
And suddenly Jess found a new kind of caring.

He stopped and faced forward, his reading renewed.
And after he read, in panic, he stewed.
Said Rory and Dean had been there together.
Though seasons may change, seemed wouldn't the weather!

Jess ripped the sign down, it taking a toll,
And finally turned from the telephone pole,
As chills traveled down, from his heart to his soul.
Yet, still, did he manage to keep some control.

He tried to blot out the thoughts from his mind—
That, once free of Jess, her ex she would find—
But, for such as task, Jess wasn't prepared.
The thoughts rolled around and rendered him scared.

The image of her returning to him
Was something he'd pictured in moments so grim,
Though, often, he'd tried to banish the visions,
His confidence, lacking, had little provisions.

As Jess turned to trudge back home to the diner,
Afraid of the meaning behind the cruel flier,
He laughed bitterly at how her sideline
Had honoured their day of Saint Valentine.

When, later that night, Luke left him alone,
Jess hemmed and then hawed and then picked up the phone.
The Gilmores he dialed, his heart gripped with fear
For what he must ask; was likely to hear.

He gave her the chance to mention it freely.
Admitting the truth would be better, ideally.
Seemed Rory would not commit to the task.
Resigned to that fate, did Jess have to ask.

"I heard you and Dean were together today."
She didn't deny it. Instead did she say,
"Oh, where'd you hear that?" He started to frown.
He grumbled a bit, "It's all over town."

Described he the fliers he'd seen posted 'round
While giving her chances to details expound.
Her answers weren't coming so then his heart sank.
He finally asked her his question point blank.

Said, "Rory. Were you hanging out there with Dean?"
Her words came with nary a breath in between.
"No Jess," she replied. "We weren't hanging out.
Miss Patty just had a performance to tout.

"She hauled us both in there, no hope for release.
We banded together to get through the piece.
We talked just a little and left the same time.
It all was by accident, no measured crime."

She could have just left the subject right there,
So keen was he now to drop the affair.
So, "Yeah?" he replied while yearning for hope.
Though he'd let it rest, she broadened her scope:

"It's such an old subject! You know that we're friends,"
Her words not attempting to foster amends.
His deep-seated fears? This didn't expunge 'em.
"I know that you're friendly. I still wanna punch him."

Her voice was annoyance, a keen aggravation,
Completely inverse to his own desperation.
"This wasn't a plan. She kidnapped us, Jess."
"You both should press charges." "I think we should, yes."

He mulled it all over, his thoughts of the day;
Found hopes and dreams dashed, to Jess's dismay.
His Valentine's Day was kind of the worst.
But wounds she inflicted, he silently nursed.

Although with great doubt the poor boy was plied,
Was Jess, for the moment, at least mollified.
He'd put it behind him. It wasn't all bad.
They hadn't split up. For that, he was glad.

Perhaps, with this state, he'd just have to live.
He set to forget, not yet to forgive.
He'd steer conversation to less-irksome stuff.
But first, an appeal, his voice a bit rough:

"Just tell me these things so I'm not left with holes.
Don't leave me to read it on telephone poles."
"I will Jess. I promise." Though, not seeing harm,
She lacked the conviction to ease his alarm.

Their change of discussion the Fates would allow.
This bullet they dodged. Their state safe for now.
But still Clotho chortled while watching their truce.
She knew how this plot point could be put to use.