Mariano Twins

Breakfast & Soda Shops

Jo's POV 

"Thank you," Rory says, as Luke pours her coffee.

"Do they let kids drink coffee before school?" he asks.

"Why? Do you think it might lead to harder stuff? Lattes. Cappuccinos?" she asks.

"Forget I asked," he says, and walks off.

Rory had me join Dean and her for breakfast.

"So, what are you doing Saturday?" she asks him.

"Just my usual chores," he says.

"Your usual chores, John-boy?" she asks.

"What else do you call house jobs?" he asks.

"I call them the stuff you avoid until the environmental protection agency steps in," she replies.

"I call it the stuff Jess refuses to do, so I end up doing it for him," I reply.

"Why do you ask?" he asks.

"I thought we could see a movie, or something," she says.

"You're not free," he replies.

"How do you know?" she asks.

"Because you'll be working on your application all weekend," he says.

"No, I'm not," Rory says.

"Really?" he asks.

"It's not due for weeks and I have the topic picked out," she says.

"Which is?" he asks.

Rory says Hillary Clinton and explains why. Her bus pulls up.

"Oh, there's my bus. Sip." she says taking one last sip of coffee.

"Kiss... and bye," she says.

"Bye," we both tell her.

We watch her run off, and Luke walks back up.

"Fast runner," Luke says.

"It's the coffee," Dean replies.

"Not your face?" Luke asks.

"Excuse me?" he asks.

"Sorry, just missed my youth for a second. I'm back. Coffee?" he asks.

Luke gets distracted and I follow his eyes. I see Taylor outside taking pictures. I pick up the coffee pot and pour some for Dean and then me.

"I'm trying out for volleyball today," I tell him.

"Really?" Dean asks.

"Yeah, in PE last year I was one of the girls that, I don't know, didn't suck, and the coach asked me to try out," I reply.

"That's cool. I won't be the only athlete in our little group," he says.

We finish and then walk to school.

--

I sat with Luke at the town meeting. He's slouched over in his chair. Taylor draws attention to Lorelai and Rory coming in late.

Instead of sitting in the seats saved for them in the back they make their way towards the front.

"In the interest of getting home some time tonight, I'd like to bring up the final point of business, and that is a certain citizen's desire to open an old-fashioned soda shop in town," Taylor says.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," Luke says, jumping up.

This is gonna be good.

"Who's the guy?" Babette asks.

"What other putz would want to open an old-fashioned soda shop?" Luke asks.

"Dispense with the Yiddish young man," Taylor replies.

"This is not a town matter, Taylor. This is a private matter between you and me, which was settled when I said no," Luke says.

Taylor keeps yammering and manages to get everyone to agree with him. Luke glares at him.

"Be ready to pay through the nose," Luke says pointing at him.

"We'll talk terms. We have our soda shop, everybody," Taylor says.

The meeting is adjourned.

"Hey, you get to be Taylor's landlord. That's kind of cool," Lorelai says.

"Thanks for your lack of help," he replies.

"Grump," Lorelai says.

He leaves and I hang back with them.

"So, how was lunch with the Harvard guy?" Lane asks Rory.

"Great. He answered all my questions," Rory replies.

"Makes killer chicken. He sticks a lemon up it's butt," Lorelai adds.

"Lovely imagery," I reply.

"And he gave me excellent tips on how to write my essay. We're very impressed with him," Rory says.

"He passed the test," Lorelai says.

"Oh, I made the team. Practice starts monday," I say smiling.

"That's great," Lane says.

"Congrats," Rory tells me.

"Thank you," I reply.

"Excuse me, Lane?" some guy asks, walking up.

"That's me," she says.

"Okay, great, I'm Dave Rygalski," replies.

"Right. Hi. You're a guitarist," she says.

"Yeah."

They talk music.

"I think a love song's in their future," Rory says.

"With lots of lyrics about snogging," Lorelai replies.

"About what?" she asks.

"I think they're cute," I reply.

"Hey," we hear Dean say.

"Hey. You missed everything," Rory says, kissing him.

"That's snogging," Lorelai tells her.

"Got it," Rory replies.

"Bye," Lorelai says.

Her and I both leave in different directions.

--

The next morning I stand on the sidewalk and watch Luke yell at Taylor. He had bought a banner before Luke had agreed to him using the building, and was putting it up. I wave at Rory and Lorelai as they pass.

"I don't like the extra P and E at the end or shop. Get rid of it," Luke says.

"No," Taylor replies.

"I'm your landlord, Taylor," Luke tells him.

"And as a tenant, I have rights. Talk to my lawyer," he replies.

I enjoyed the show a bit longer before getting back to work. 

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-- Izzy