2 years later
Professor McLeod, fully adorned in graduation robes and mortar board, addresses the graduating class,
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present the graduates of Harvard Medical, Class of 2009.”
The audience applauds, before McLeod continues,
“It is my honor to introduce this year's elected class speaker. After a very memorable start here at Harvard, she graduates today with an invitation to join one of Boston's most prestigious medical practices. I know we're going to see amazing things from her. Ladies and gentlemen, Jessica Moore.”
There's many smiles all around as she walks up to the podium, except for Brady, who has not had as much luck as Jess.
After a small hug from McLeod, Jess waits for the applause to die down, and slowly, she begins.
“On our very first day at Harvard, a very intelligent professor quoted Orison Swett Marden. ‘There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something tomorrow’. Well, no offense to Orison, but in my four years at Harvard, I have come to find that suspending expectation is a key ingredient to the study and practice of medicine, and of life. It is when you suspend expectations, stand by your beliefs, and remember who you are, that we take out next steps into the world, remembering that everything is not always what it seems. You must always try to give the benefit of the doubt, and most importantly, you must always be true to yourself.
Congratulations, Class of 2009. We did it!”
With that, the audience erupts in applause again.
It had definitely been an interesting time at Harvard, especially during that internship, but so much more happened after that.
To start, Ruby dumped Brady. She and Jess are now good friends.
Brady graduated without honors, a girlfriend, or job offers. But hey, at least he got the diploma.
Donna married the UPS man. They're expecting their first child, a daughter they're naming Jessica.
Sam quit Crowley's practice and started his own. He and Jess have been dating for the past two years.
And as for Jess? She'd gone from stereotypical sorority girl, to wannabe med student, to actual med student, to medical intern, to practicing attending, to med school graduate. It wasn't easy by any means, but she'd still managed to come out on top. And with both a boyfriend that truly loves her for her, and a promising career as a doctor in pediatrics.
All of which is about to get even better, because Sam is proposing to Jess.
Tonight.
