She could feel her emotions starting to get the better of her so she knew it was time to make a getaway. The last thing she needed was to break down in front of Luke. �I have to go,� she said as she swiped at the tears that had managed to get through her defences.
�Lorelai,� Luke protested.
�No. I have to pick Rory up from school and� I just have to get out of here,� she said before rushing out of the apartment and hurrying down the stairs, rushing out to her Jeep before Luke even had time to reach the top of the stairs.
Lorelai�s phone started ringing at the same time that she started the car. �That better not be you, Luke, �cause I'm not ready to talk to you right now,� she said by way of greeting.
�It�s not Luke and what did he do to you?� Rory asked.
Lorelai sighed heavily. �It wasn�t Luke. He was fine. It�s just� been a day that would make being locked in an empty five-by-five room with a pack of rabid dogs for an indeterminate amount of time seem like a day at the beach.�
�Well, considering your track record with animals, maybe you�d outlive the rabid dogs,� Rory said.
�Thanks ever so much. That�s really what I needed to hear right now,� Lorelai said sarcastically. She really didn�t want to get into the details of her day over the phone so she changed the subject. �How�s the paper stuff going? You almost ready to head home?�
�That�s what I�m calling about. The story that was supposed to be on the front page fell through. Apparently the reliable source wasn�t. So I have to find something to fill the space before putting the issue to bed,� Rory said.
�How late are we talking here?� Lorelai asked.
�I am Godot.�
Lorelai took that in, trying to decide if Rory working late would make her quest easier or more difficult.
�Okay, sweets. I�m going to be in Hartford for a few hours so if you need me to make a food run or anything just give me a call,� Lorelai said.
�Thanks,� Rory said. She frowned. �What are you doing in Hartford?�
�Just aftermath of the fire,� Lorelai said, hating that she was keeping things from her kid. She�s got enough to worry about right now. We�ll talk when we get home, Lorelai rationalized. �I�ve got it under control.�