Luke's Daughters

Chapter Six

Luke

When I arrived at the diner on early Saturday morning, I was surprised to see that there was already somebody inside: the lights were on, the sign was flipped, and the door was unlocked. I went in and was greeted with the sight of Jess taking down the chairs from the tables.

"Well, this certainly is a sight for sore eyes," I greeted.

"Good morning to you too, Uncle Luke," Jess laughed.

"What has you up and about so early in the morning?" I asked and walked over to lend him a hand.

"Couldn't sleep," Jess shrugged. "And I needed you to be in a good mood for what I am about to tell you."

"Sounds serious."

"It kind of is. Do you have time to talk about it now?" Jess asked. "Should I make you some herbal tea first?"

"No, I think I can handle it." I gestured for him to start talking.

"Okay, so like I told you yesterday I'm not only here to visit my favorite uncle and to meet my cousin. I'm dealing with a bit of writer's block and I need to figure some things out. That meeting with Rory two months age actually inspired it. While I'm happy with the kind of job I'm doing, I still felt like there's something missing. The Truncheon is running smoothly, and Chris and Matt are fine running it on my own. I asked them for some time off, but also told them that I'm thinking about changing paths - career wise, that is. They're okay with that. The hard part, starting that business, is done and the two of them are very capable of handling it without me," Jess started his story.

"So, you want to start something completely different?" I asked confused. I had always been under the impression that Jess thoroughly enjoyed writing and publishing books.

"Not exactly," Jess explained. "I was researching on the internet and I found an ad 'Book Store for Sale'. Now, that wasn't the only bookstore looking for a new owner in all of America, but this bookstore went by the charming name of 'Stars Hollow Books'."

"Oh yeah," I said. "Andrew finally met a woman and he's leaving Stars Hollow to live with her. A real shame. Taylor even had a Town Meeting to break the two of them up – sound familiar?"

"I know," Jess answered to my surprise. "I've been in contact with Andrew for the last month now. And I have to say, after assuring him that I was no longer the good-for-nothing hoodlum I used to be, he was actually very glad to hand over the store to someone he knew, he wants it to be in good hands. That bookstore was one of the few places here I really liked – apart from the lake you pushed me into, of course – and suddenly I could see it. It felt like back when I wrote my first book. It felt right, like I was finally doing something right." Jess paused and I was speechless. "So I went to see Andrew yesterday before coming to see you and he drew up the papers. He was sure he wanted me to have the store and left the final decision up to me. I didn't tell you yesterday because you were in a rush and I wasn't quite certain. But sitting on my old bed last night, I just knew that it was the right thing to do. I had a vision of what I want the store to look like and I'm excited to see how it works out. I signed the papers and I'm heading over to Andrew's later today. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that you're looking at Stars Hollow's newest business owner." Jess chuckled and looked at me sheepishly, waiting for my reaction.

"Jess. When you first came to stay with me a few years ago, I have to admit that I was worried. I was worried about you and your future because of that attitude you had back then," I started, and Jess looked at me, not quite knowing were I was going with this. "But I have to admit that you've found your path, even if you took a few detours. You have turned into a remarkable, responsible and successful young man and I couldn't be prouder of you. I'm really glad to have you back here, Jess – back home." I gave my nephew a quick hug.