A/N: Here's an update for the holidays. For those of you out there who are still Dean fans I suggest that you skip these next few chapters. However if you were like me and cheered when he finally left for good enjoy. Thank you guys for all the great reviews. An author loves to know that their work is appreciated.
Chapter 17: Reflections and a Speech
After sharing another hug Rory went back to the diner. Her best friend Lane was stationed behind the counter while Luke showed off his precious Audrey.
"Hey Lane!" Rory called cheerfully to her best friend.
"Rory! Oh you're home!" Lane cried. She came out from behind the counter and hugged her best friend. "Did you get that job in Paris like you wanted?"
Yeah and Marty got the job in Ohio. We had a major argument about it. He wanted me to come with him to Ohio, but it's Ohio you know?"
"I understand. So what are you guys going to do? You'll be in Paris for what 18 weeks? That's a long time."
"We're going to try the long distance relationship. I know it didn't work for you and Dave but maybe it will work with Marty and I."
"Anything will work if it's what you really want," Lane said, trying to reassure her best friend.
"Anything new about the 'surprise' party tomorrow?" Rory whispered.
"Other than the fact that both Luke and Sookie are going to be dead by the time they finish all the food? Nothing new," Lane whispered back.
Rory looked around the diner. She spent so many hours in the place; studying, eating, hanging out. She couldn't think of one bad memory in that place. Her father's diner was by far her most favorite place in Stars Hollow next to her own home. She felt content to just be there.
No where at Yale did she find that atmosphere that she had in the Hollow. Stars Hollow contained all the eccentric characters that you only read about in stories. Rory couldn't imagine living anywhere else. That's what was so scary about taking the job in Paris. She would have to leave this wonderful place. At least she had already secured a place to stay. She was going to be living with Giselle, Michel's mother. When Lorelai and Sookie found out, they both gave her a list of things she was to bring back that they could use to torment Michel with.
Leaving the diner, she decided to leave her car there and walk home. Walking the streets of her town she took in all the memories of her last 22 years. She remembered taking dance classes with Miss Patty, picnics with her mother in the gazebo, walking hand in hand with Dean and Jess. Everything was still the same. Nothing in the Hollow ever changed.
She began to think about the speech she was going to have to give two afternoon away. Rory was the class elected speaker.
"Upon entering the halls of Yale University as an eighteen year old girl used to only sharing a house with her mother I am here to say I was terrified. But once I settled into a routine and made a few new friends the homesickness slowly faded away. But knowing that home was only 22.8 miles away made it easier to live with.
A house does not make a home. I have three homes, Yale University, Stars Hollow and Hartford. My first home has been there for me since I was a small child. Stars Hollow, Connecticut is the town that belongs in a story. The people of this town would fit anywhere. . We have our jack of all trades but master of none. Our gossip queens, town meetings directly from To Kill a Mockingbird. The citizens of this sleepy town have seen my mother and I through many hardships and have welcomed us with open arms. It was in Stars Hollow where my mother found her dream, her dream of opening her own inn. It was in Stars Hollow where she found her one true love. My father Luke.
Growing up in this town, with all of its colorful characters, helped shaped me into the woman I have become. Sometimes their intentions were honorable and sometimes they were just nutty. The people in this town have become second parents to me. And I love them for it.
My second home was closed to me for a long time because of past hurts. Hartford, the home of my grandparents, is a whirlwind of parties, charities and business. Social obligations and teas were an everyday occurrence in the Gilmore home. As a small child the things inside the Gilmore home seemed more like the things one would find in a museum. Wealth and privilege at every turn. My grandparents never gave me any inclination that my presence on this earth was a mistake although many people in their circle said so. They believed in me and helped me through a hard time in my young life.
My third home has been Yale University for the past four years. These halls challenged me, shaped me, and molded me into the young woman I am now. I learned things here that I hadn't before. Not just in the classroom either. Did you know that people will take $20 for a tree? Or that if you get to breakfast at the very last second the only thing left is one cold, hard waffle and three drops of cold coffee? All of these things I found out when I came to Yale.
Now we are all about to leave our home again. Many of us will be off to another country or state for jobs or furthering our education. I will be flying off to Paris to teach creative writing. It will be hard to leave another home but it will be well worth the adventure.
Thank you to all the amazing professors at this school who challenge us daily. Thank you the Deans and counselors. Mostly I would like to thank my family, which has grown slightly since I started here. To my mother Lorelai Danes, thank you for everything. To my father Luke Danes. I hope I'm at least half the parent that you didn't have to be. To my grandparents, for everything you've done. To Marty, Lane, and Paris. Without you I don't know where I would have ended up. Class of 2007, home is always there, never forget that.