Pairing: R/T…eventually
Rating: PG, if that
Spoilers: May include spoilers from any season 1 or 2 episode, up to "Lorelai's Graduation Day."
Disclaimer: The characters referenced here are the property of Amy Sherman-Palladino, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, and Warner Brother Television. No copyright infringement is intended. The characters are being used solely for entertainment purposes, and no profit is being made from them.
A/N: That's right, this story wasn't dead. It was only mostly dead. Sorry about the long delay! Also, just to clarify, I am from the Midwest, and I love it, so please don't think I am bashing it. It's all about the characters. And I don't know if Cambridge, MA is really stodgy or not, but it was such a nice adjective. And yes, I know the chapter title makes no sense, but I think it sounds cool!
Please Mr. Postman
Part 5: Letters Through the Flux Capacitor
By Grace
January 26, 2002
Dear Lane,
Thanks for the letter. It's always nice to get unexpected mail. By the way, I hope your ankle is feeling better. How much longer will you have to wear the cast?
I appreciate your words of support for the Rory situation, but I have to admit that I'm not as optimistic as you are. Like you said, she's clueless. If I push too hard trying to give her a clue, I might end up pushing her away.
Still, you've given me hope, and I haven't given up completely. I'm actually working on a plan that I may need your help executing.
Oh, and I haven't yet heard how Rory's date with Jess went, but I'm sure I'll get all the info soon.
Take care, and thanks again.
Tristan
P.S. I hope the fake return address prevented your mom from becoming suspicious! T.
* * *
January 27, 2002
Dear Tristan,
Hey babe! What's shakin'? You managed to worm your way into the heart of Stars Hollow, so Miss Patty insisted we send a care package. There are some pictures from Christmas and New Year's that I thought you'd like, Sookie baked fourteen batches of cookies, and there are a few other surprises from everyone else.
I hope military school isn't too wretched this semester—Rory tells me you're trying to come back to Chilton next year. Bet you never thought you'd be running towards Hell, did ya?
Well, kiddo, I have to go. Can I just say how utterly annoyed I am that X-Files and Alias are on at the same time? Thank God for VCRs!
Love, Lorelai
* * *
January 29, 2002
Dear Rory,
I got your letter yesterday, and you seem to have survived the date reasonably intact.
He almost pulled a "yawn move," huh? I honestly can't remember the last time I was that…subtle on a date. Actually, it's getting to the point where I can hardly remember the last time I was on a date…
But I digress. It sounds like you handled the situation admirably, despite a veritable fountain of testosterone. (Can you tell I just finished writing an English paper?)
I gotta tell you, Dean is an idiot. I know he's probably hurt that you broke up with him, but he's insane to pass up the opportunity to be your friend. Glad to hear you and Jess are working through the awkwardness—he seems like an okay guy.
I just started an ACT prep course this past weekend. As if military school wasn't bad enough already, now I have four hours of class on Saturday mornings, too. I really didn't want to take it, since all the East Coast schools want SATs, but my father insisted. He thinks I should have a "backup plan of second tier Midwestern schools in case the Ivy League won't take me." Nice to know he still has faith in me…
You're still pretty focused on Harvard, right? I'm really thinking I should go there, if only to piss off dear old dad. The DuGreys have always been Princeton men.
As fascinating as my family's academic history must be to you, I'm sure you have better things to do with your time! Write soon. I miss you.
Love, Tristan
* * *
January 30, 2002
Dear Tristan,
Hey! The return address was a stroke of genius! Innocent enough that my mother wouldn't open it herself, and not compelling enough to read over my shoulder! You rock.
So, false alarm on the Jess thing, as I know you've heard. I still think a preemptive strike would have been a wiser course of action on your part. You're just lucky your opponent's strategy failed. Haven't they been teaching you any battle tactics at that school?
I'm very excited about this mysterious plan of yours. Does it involve grand romantic gestures? As intelligent and independent as Rory is, she still totally digs that stuff.
She mentioned your little joke about South Padre Island. You know that's so not her thing, right? I hope you don't mind, but I'm trying to convince her that we should road trip down to visit you for spring break. I have no clue how I would convince my mother to allow this, but that's a different bridge on an entirely different river.
Since you asked, the cast will be on for…much longer than I want. Actually, another month, I think.
Talk to you later!
Lane
* * *
February 1, 2002
Dear Lorelai,
Thank you so much for the care package! Please tell everyone else how much I appreciate it. The pictures are great, and Sookie makes the best cookies I've ever had. I keep having to hide them from my roommate!
Not much else is new down here. I don't lead a very exciting life anymore. I pretty much live vicariously through the letters I get. (Hint, hint.)
I hear you on the suckiness of TV scheduling. I finally gave up on the X-Files this season. It's just not the same without Mulder. Besides, that Alias chick is hot!
Thank you again for everything. This is the first time in my life that I feel like I have a family. Say hi to everyone for me.
Love, Tristan
* * *
February 2, 2002
Dear Tristan,
Happy Groundhog Day! Great movie, by the way.
So you're going to an ACT class? Yuck. Saturdays are for sleeping in! I'll probably take the test in April anyway, just in case Harvard burns down and I suddenly feel compelled to apply to Michigan State or something.
Since you were so honest in expressing your opinion of Dean, I thought I'd reciprocate. Your father sounds like the least supportive parent I've ever heard of. I know for a fact that you're smart enough to succeed at any college you choose. All you need are the grades and test scores to convince the admissions boards. As for Harvard, I think it would strike fear into the heart of stodgy old Cambridge if we were both there! That's not to say it wouldn't be fun, of course… J
Small-town life continues to roll along. Sookie almost burned down the inn—again—a few days ago. It was sheer luck that Michel went into the kitchen before she set herself on fire, too. They managed to get it extinguished before it spread to the rest of the building.
Luke and my mom have been flirting even more shamelessly than normal, but the bet still hasn't been officially resolved. I have a feeling to will be soon, though.
Jess seems to have recovered nicely from my rejection of him. He's gone back to his normal surly, sarcastic self, wreaking havoc on Taylor's psyche. It's really pretty entertaining.
Paris and Nathan are still going strong. Her mood has improved significantly because of him—she's even started smiling on a regular basis. She'll never be a giddy schoolgirl, but she's no longer giving the Evil Queen in Snow White a run for her money.
I'm picking Lane up to go see a movie in a few minutes, so I need to get going. I miss you too—write soon.
Love, Rory
To be continued…
