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Chapter 32: Dinner with the Gilmore Girls
🕑 Added 2025-04-03 01:25:56 +0000 UTCLater that evening, the four of us sat around a candlelit table at a cozy bistro not far from the hotel (Uncle Charlie wants us to eat somewhere else—apparently, he knows a better place). Conversation flowed easily. Lorelai and Charlie were practically trading punchlines, their energy bouncing off each other like a sitcom script.
Lorelai leaned toward Charlie with a smirk. “We were originally here with my parents,” she said. “But they decided to do the old couple routine tonight and take a carriage ride through the park.”
Charlie grinned. “So, you got ditched?”
She laughed. “Basically. Not that I’m complaining.”
While they chatted, Rory glanced at me across the table. “So... how old are you?” she asked casually.
Before I could even open my mouth, Charlie jumped in with a playful grin. “He’s fourteen. Still waiting for that big growth spurt, but we believe in miracles.”
I shot him a glare. “Thanks for that.”
Truth was, I looked quite the opposite. I appeared more like a twelve- or thirteen-year-old, despite being only ten. I wasn’t sure if it was the exercise, the balanced diet, or divine intervention, but I had developed a lot faster than the Jake from the series. I looked more like I belonged in season three or four—minus the baby fat.
Rory raised an eyebrow slightly and gave a polite nod before returning to her glass of water. Still unreadable.
Yeah. This one wasn’t going to be easy. I’d have to earn it.
I leaned forward, trying to spark something other than polite silence. “So, Rory, what do you think of New York so far?”
She glanced up. “It’s... big. Loud. Different.”
“Sounds like someone’s writing a haiku,” I teased lightly.
She actually cracked the tiniest smile, then quickly hid it behind her glass. “I guess I’m more of a Stars Hollow kind of person.”
“I get that. I live in Malibu,” I said, leaning back. “So I guess I’m contractually obligated to like sun, sand, and light family dysfunction.”
Charlie snorted. Lorelai raised her glass. “Here’s to light dysfunction.”
“Better than the heavy kind,” I added with a grin.
There was a lull, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I caught Rory glancing at me again, this time with a bit more curiosity.
Maybe this night wasn’t a lost cause after all.
I leaned in slightly. “So... what do you want to do? I mean, long term. College? Career?”
Rory hesitated for a second, then met my eyes. “I want to be a journalist. Foreign correspondent, maybe. Cover real stories. Go places.”
I nodded. “That sounds... awesome, actually.”
“Thanks,” she said, her voice soft but genuine.
Just then, one of the waiters walked by the table and paused. “The piano is free, if anyone wants to give it a try,” he said with a friendly smile, gesturing toward the corner of the room.
I raised an eyebrow and turned to glance at Charlie.
He kept sipping his wine, suspiciously quiet.
I narrowed my eyes. No way that was a coincidence.
Of course Charlie picked this place knowing there was a piano. It had his fingerprints all over it—like some sitcom producer lining up the perfect cue.
I shook my head and smirked. “Uncle Charlie,” I muttered with a tone of amused approval.
“I’ll do it,” I said, standing up.
“Wow, you know how to play the piano?” Lorelai asked, clearly intrigued.
I could see that Rory looked curious too, leaning forward just slightly.
“Well, I try,” I said with a smirk. Then I turned to the waiter and added, “Could you set up a mic too?”
The waiter nodded. “Of course. I’ll have it ready in just a minute.”
I made my way over to the small stage in the corner of the restaurant, adjusting the mic stand as I took my seat at the piano. I ran my fingers lightly over the keys, feeling the familiar texture beneath my hands. Then I leaned toward the mic.
“This song was originally written as a duet,” I said, glancing back at the table. “But tonight, I’m going solo.”
I started to sing, looking directly at Rory.
(Shallow – Lady Gaga)
♪ Tell me something, girl Are you happy in this modern world? Or do you need more? Is there something else you’re searching for?
I’m falling In all the good times I find myself longing for change And in the bad times, I fear myself ♪
Lorelai leaned in slightly toward Charlie, watching the stage. “Okay... that’s impressive,” she whispered.
Charlie smirked, eyes on me. “Told you the kid had talent.”
♪ Tell me something, girl Aren’t you tired tryin’ to fill that void? Or do you need more? Ain’t it hard keepin’ it so hardcore?
I’m falling In all the good times I find myself longing for change And in the bad times, I fear myself ♪
Rory was no longer just politely listening. She leaned in closer, eyes fixed on me, her expression unreadable—but clearly captivated.
I gathered all the power in my voice and delivered the next verse with full emotion:
♪ I’m off the deep end, watch as I dive in I’ll never meet the ground Crash through the surface, where they can’t hurt us We’re far from the shallow now
In the shallow, shallow In the shallow, shallow In the shallow, shallow We’re far from the shallow now ♪
The room had gone quiet. All eyes were on the piano.
And in that moment, I wasn’t just Jake Harper, the smart kid with the sarcastic uncle—I was the show.
♪ I’m off the deep end, watch as I dive in I’ll never meet the ground Crash through the surface, where they can’t hurt us We’re far from the shallow now
In the shallow, shallow In the shallow, shallow In the shallow, shallow We’re far from the shallow now ♪
Everyone in the restaurant stood up and applauded.
I looked toward Rory—she seemed smitten.
I smirked.
