"You're awfully quiet," Lorelai observed on the way home from dinner.
"I'm pondering the age old question: which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
"Any conclusions?"
"Further scientific analysis will yield more accurate results."
"Good to know...now what's really bothering you."
Rory sighed deeply. "I don't know. It's just that...I don't know. I mean, as long as I've known Tristin, he's been this arrogant rich guy who gets whatever he wants. But now...that's not who he is anymore. Maybe he never was. But I never bothered trying to find out what was under the superficial exterior and...even though he made me miserable, I just feel bad for him."
Lorelai clucked sympathetically. "Of course you feel bad for Tristin. You're the nicest person in the world...unless it involves me borrowing a certain favorite sweater..." she paused meaningfully. "But seriously babe, this is something that Tristin has to work out for himself. He's going to have to rely on something other than his money to get him through life."
"I know. And now he's going to be living in Stars Hollow...it just feels like everything is all messed up and we're in this bizarro world."
"You know what fixes a bizarro world right up?" Lorelai asked as they neared Luke's. "Coffee!!"
Rory brightened. "Good idea. Let's get some!"
The jeep screeched to a halt in front of the shop labeled "HARDWARE". They pushed each other out of the way to the door. Inside was a crowd of people milling around. Snatches of conversation all blended together to form a cacophony of noise.
"Did you see that Mercedes?"
"I wonder what it was doing in Stars Hollow."
"I think the gigantic U-Haul following it was a pretty good indication."
"Looks like Stars Hollow's newest occupants have arrived," Lorelai whispered to Rory.
Rory nodded, deep in thought. She was still thinking about Tristin. She had seen a glimpse of the man that he had the potential to become at Madeline's party. It was the first time she saw the real Tristin, not the image he projected to the world. And surprisingly, she liked the real Tristin. But that small glimpse had not lasted forever. After a few friendly conversations he had reverted back into his former self. By the last day of school, he had turned back into Evil Tristin. But Rory still remembered.
Lorelai shoved the crowd out of the way to the counter. Rory sedately followed. "Luke! Give me a cup of the source of all life!"
"You mean water?"
"No I don't mean water!"
"Cause water is the source of all life...ancient civilizations popping up near rivers and oceans and stuff."
Lorelai smiled sweetly. "If you slit my wrists and bled me dry, the only liquid you would collect is coffee. I would be like Mr. Coffee, only they would call me Miss Coffee, and I don't know if you would actually want to drink anything from my wrist, but I'm heading into dangerous babbling territory due to lack of caffeine. Give. Me. Coffee. Now."
"Alright, alright! Anything to get rid of you. Here." he said, handing over two steaming cups.
"Ah..." Lorelai deeply inhaled the special aroma of Luke's coffee, before cautiously taking a swallow of the hot brew. She looked up to see a very preoccupied Rory. Lorelai gently tapped her on the arm, bringing her out of her reverie. "You know, maybe you should just make peace with Tristin. It will make you feel better, and it may even help him to deal with things."
Rory sipped at her coffee. "Maybe you're right."
"I know, I always am."
The Mercedes pulled up in front of a pleasant looking two story house in the middle of a tree lined street. There was a wrap around porch and a very pretty garden. It had personality and warmth, unlike the detached modern style their mansion had possessed. Tristin immediately felt slightly better after giving the house a once over. This place actually felt like it could be...home.
He sneaked a look at his parents. Though he knew both were under a great deal of stress and personal turmoil, he was surprised at the way that they had pulled together. Instead of further deteriorating their relationship, the bad business venture had somehow facilitated the rebuilding of the marriage. His parents had taken a step back, realized what was lacking in their lives, and fixed it. For the time being, there was nothing that could be done about the money. But their relationship was something tangible that could be improved upon. For too long, Edward and Alice Dugrey had put business and money above all else. Now they were finally putting family first. For the first time in his life, Tristin felt the effects of a healthy family. Not that everything was sunshine and roses. Far from it. But they were trying. Perhaps there was hope for him yet.
Father and son went to work, helping the truck drivers unload their possessions from the U-Haul. Though most of the art, statues, and furniture had been sold, there was still a good amount of more tasteful furniture, personal items, and necessities such as dishes and clothes. Both were surprised when a large group of townspeople walked over, seemingly from a hardware store, to lend a hand. Back in Hartford, it had been tradition for the neighbors to spread rumors and gossip rather than help. In no time at all, the unloading was done. Then the introductions began. Taylor Doose from the market, Kirk the florist, Jackson the produce guy, Miss Patty, Babette, Maury...Tristin was caught in the center of the force that was the unofficial Stars Hollow welcome wagon.
Salvation came in the form of a tall vivacious brunette and...Rory. While Lorelai busily shooed the well intentioned townspeople away, Rory shyly ducked her head and avoided eye contact with Tristin. Lorelai, having accomplished her mission, walked up to the Dugrey's, smiled, and stuck her hand out. "Hi, I'm Lorelai. This is my daughter Rory. Sorry about the "Our Town" reenactment, but we don't have cable here."
Alice Dugrey looked at Lorelai closely. "Lorelai? Are you Richard and Emily Gilmore's girl?"
"Aw shucks, you finally caught up with me. I didn't do it! Really!" Lorelai replied good naturedly. The Dugrey's faces broke into slow smiles before laughing out loud.
"Your father is a good man. I owe him so much," said Edward sincerely. The adults began to converse, leaving Tristin and Rory standing by awkwardly.
"So..." they said at the same time. They laughed nervously.
"You go first..." they said in unison. More laughter.
"I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry about the way I treated you this year. I was such an idiot and I really am sorry," Tristin said earnestly.
"Just don't let it happen again," Rory joked. "And if you ever call me Mary again, I won't be held responsible for my actions and your subsequent murder."
Tristin smiled. "Deal. So what did you want to say?"
Rory blushed slightly. "I wanted to say that I'm sorry about...everything." Tristin understood immediately that she was referring to his family's financial turmoil. "If you ever need to talk or even not talk, I'll be around," she offered shyly.
They both stood there, looking each other firmly in the eye. Both understood that an offer of friendship had been extended and a mutual agreement reached. Rory held out her hand. Tristin stared at the offered hand for a moment, then at the face of the girl who was offering it. Her blue eyes were sincere and her smile genuine. The setting sun's rays sent light reflecting off the brown strands of her hair. In his eyes, Rory saw the moment that his mind was made up. Tristin grasped her hand firmly, in the silent pledge of friendship. "Deal."