CHAPTER 13

Graham, Rory and Tristin stood on top of the stairwell, watching the elderly guests converse amongst themselves. The maid and the butler were standing by the door ushering guests in and taking their jackets and shawls for storage. There was a string quartet playing at a corner of the living room. A bunch of waiters walked around the groups offering cheese, crackers and drinks. Laughter rang throughout the house. The sound of crystal clinked. Rory felt like she stepped into the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

"Let's make the rounds!" Graham said as he took a deep breath.

The three of them marched down the stairwell. In the first five minutes, they were separated in different groups, getting into deep tête-à-tête with the other guests.

Rory was surprised at how easy it was for her to have a discussion with people she never associated herself with. She became fully aware why her mother did not want this kind of life but she also understood how different her mother would have been if she became a socialite.

It is half past seven when a majority of the guests arrived. Twice she bumped into Mrs. Sullivan asking her if she was having a good time. Twice she caught Graham looking at her and raising a champagne glass toward her direction. More than once she caught Tristin looking her way, usually with pleading eyes for her to rescue him from boring conversation. She occasionally smiled his way and shrugged. She saved him at least once and pulled him to a corner.

"Behave," she chided him.

"And if I don't?" he teased.

The bell rang.

Dinner was served at eight. Rory was grateful to be seated across Tristin and Graham.

"Two more hours to go," Graham said.

"That long?" Rory asked in disbelief.

"Count yourself lucky that you don't know anything about the market," Tristin said. "The hours last twice as long."

The meal was delicious. From the consommé to the gelato, the eight-course meal was a feast not to be forgotten any time soon. Everyone retired to the living room once the tables were cleared.

"May I have the first dance?" Graham asked as they walked from the tents set up in the back yard to the living room.

"My pleasure," Rory said, giving her hand to him. Graham twirled her around the dance floor as Tristin watched.

After a few dances, Tristin cut in and replaced Graham as Rory's dance partner.

"You look magnificent," Tristin said as he wrapped one arm around her waist and put his hand in hers.

"You look ravishing yourself, Mister DuGrey," Rory complimented him.

"Aw, it's the Chilton uniform only with a bowtie," Tristin teased.

"Maybe," Rory said. "But isn't this what Chilton uniform prepared us for? To get us ready for balls and galas that placate other rich people?"

"Or conventions to raise funds to protect wildlife, support anti-violence groups and build schools," Tristin pointed out.

"Point taken," Rory admitted. She was taken aback at what he just told her. How little did she know about commitments like this. She allowed Tristin to lead her through the dance floor in silence.

"Rory, there you are!" Cassie Sullivan called out as she walked towards her and Tristin. The couple stopped dancing. "Your grandmother's on the phone. You can take the call in the study," Mrs. Sullivan said as she pointed the room to her. Rory excused herself and walked to the study to take the call.

Rory shut the doors behind her. She picked up the receiver from its cradle.

"Grandma?" Rory asked.

"Rory, we need you to come home," Emily Gilmore ordered.

"Is everything alright?" Rory inquired, her heart racing as she heard her grandmother's frantic voice.

"Your grandfather's in the hospital. He had another heart attack. Would you be able to catch a train back to Hartford tonight?" Emily informed her.

"I'll find a way to get home, grandma. Don't worry. Does mom know?" Rory continued grilling her grandmother.

"I sent her to pack a few things for your grandfather," Emily said.

Rory asked where her grandfather was and if she had to bring anything with her. All she got from her grandmother was , "Nothing. Just yourself."

Rory hung up. She had to find a way to get home.

Rory walked out from the room only to be confronted by the hostess.

"Is everything alright, Rory?" she asked.

"I have to go home. My grandfather has just been rushed to the hospital," she told Mrs. Sullivan.

"Is Richard okay? Can we do anything?" she inquired further.

"I really don't know, Mrs. Sullivan. I have to go and pack!" Rory said, getting concerned by the second.

Mrs. Sullivan was making arrangements for Rory to go home with a driver when Tristin bumped into Rory.

"Where are you going?" Tristin asked.

"Back home. My grandfather's was taken to the hospital," Rory informed him.

"How are you getting home?" he asked.

"Mrs. Sullivan's making the arrangements right now for a driver to take me home," Rory said.

"Screw the driver. I'll take you home," he informed her.

"But Tristan..." she started saying.

"It's settled. Go pack. I'll tell Aunt Cassie I'll take you home," he said as he dashed away from her side.

Rory double-timed back to her room. She deliberated whether to dress in something more comfortable for her trip. She ran through the bathroom to grab her toiletries. Then she emptied out her clothes from the drawers. Trying to be calm and rational seemed to be daunting to Rory at this point. Before she knew it, Graham was in her room consoling her.

"Hey, are you okay?" Graham asked sympathetically. "I just heard."

"I will be when I see gramps," she responded.

"Are you sure you want Tris to take you home? I can drive you to Hartford," Graham suggested.

"Thanks, Graham, but Tristin knows where to go," Rory turned down his offer.

"Are you gonna call to let us know that things are okay?" Graham asked.

"I promise," she said.

"Hey, you ready to go?" Tristin asked as he poked his head through the door.

Rory looked around the room. "I think I am."

"Well, thanks for coming over. I will be waiting for your call," Graham told her as he gave her a hug.

"Thanks, Graham. Don't be a stranger at the campus," Rory said back.

"I won't," Graham promised.

Tristin grabbed Rory's bags and headed out. Rory followed Tristin out of the room.