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Meri, Are You In There?

Meredith felt cozy and relaxed after her bubble bath. It occurred to her that she hadn’t pulled the curtains shut before she went in for her bath. ‘Rats.’

She got down on hands and knees and crawled alongside the bed. She peeked around the corner at the foot of the bed.

‘Nobody can see me at this angle.’ She reached out for her suitcase and pulled it beside the bed, where she was huddled.

A knock at the door. “Meri, are you in there?”

‘Ivy?’ She clutched a shirt and pants. “Just a minute.” She snatched up some underpants and a bra as she crawled back into the bathroom for a quick change.

Ivy was pacing in the hallway when Meredith opened the door. “Sorry. I just got out of the bathtub.”

“Honey, are you okay? You were in quite a state when I dropped you off last night.”

Meredith opened the door wider to let her friend in. “I feel better now, thanks.”

“Did you press charges?” Ivy came in and plopped down on the foot of her bed.

“What?”

“Against that guy.” She patted a spot beside her.

“Oh, him.” Meredith sat down beside her. “He didn’t do anything but pressure me. I wouldn’t do what he wanted, so he had the limo drop me off and went back to the prom to find somebody who would.”

“That’s good to hear. I was afraid he had…”

“He might as well have. I’ve never felt so violated, Ivy. I thought he was my friend. He was so nice all the way up to the prom.”

“Was he drunk or something?”

“I think maybe he was. It’s no excuse, though. The things he wanted me to do.” Meredith dabbed at her eye with a sleeve. “Even if he was drunk, it was clear that he had all that in mind the whole time. I can’t believe…”

“I’m so sorry that happened to you.”

“That was really horrible, Ivy. It shook me so hard.”

“I can’t even imagine.”

“It only got worse after that.”

“Oh, no. What did he do?”

“For one thing, he dropped me off at the mall. I had to call my dad for a ride home and stand around in my prom dress, waiting for him to come. I stuck out like a sore thumb. It was so embarrassing.”

“That’s terrible.” Ivy held her hand.

“On Monday, when I got back to school, I found out that he had told all his friends that I had done all of those things.”

Ivy sucked a sharp breath. “They didn’t believe him. Did they?”

“Not everybody, but enough people did to wreck the rest of my school year. Other guys heard the rumors and decided they wanted to try me out. I told them he had lied about it, but they didn’t want to hear it. I hadn’t done anything with him and I had a reputation, anyway.”

“Is that why you moved to the city?”

“Yeah. I never wanted to see any of those creeps again. I’d rather face an army of Chaosians than a bunch of pervs who think they know what I’m like.”

“Meri, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry you had to go through all that.”

“I don’t know if I can trust anyone again. My work lets me isolate myself. You know?”

“Sure, honey. I understand. We won’t pressure you about Toby.”

“He seems sweet, but…”

Toby washed his bowl and spoon. He reached into the cabinet for another packet of hot chocolate mix.

“Hey, how’s the noggin?” His dad asked as he came in the back door.

“It’s alright. Smarts a little, but it will be alright by Monday.”

“Good.” His dad smiled. “Good man. How was the game?”

“Miners won, but you knew that. Steve puts on a good party, but I was kind of distracted.”

His dad looked at the bandage on Toby’s forehead. “I don’t doubt it. How many fingers am I holding up?”

“Two.” Toby rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Oh, was it the bear?”

“You know about that?”

“Your mom told me after she checked on you last night. Steve giving out door prizes or something?”

“No, not exactly.”

His dad headed for the fridge. “Well, don’t leave me hanging, kid.”

“One of Ivy’s bridesmaids gave it to me. She’s a Sentinels fan, too.”

His dad pulled some ham, cheese, mustard and pickles from the fridge. “She’s a Sentinels fan, too?”

“Yeah, can you imagine? Ian said that she wasn’t going to come until Ivy told her there was another Sentinels fan here.”

“No kidding?” He put the food on the table and started opening the twist-tie on the bread. “Irene!”

Toby jumped at his dad’s sudden shout.

His mom appeared at the kitchen door. “Stan, what’s the matter?”

“Nothing’s the matter. Have you heard this? We may actually have grandkids.”

Toby’s jaw dropped and he closed it with his free hand. “Dad!”

“Huh? What’s her name?” He finished opening the bread and pulled a few slices out.

“Meredith Blake.”

His mom smiled and leaned in the doorway. “Is she nice? I guess she is if she gave you her bear.”

“Yes, she’s very sweet. She’s pretty. She’s smart. She’s classy. She’s a book editor in the city.”

“Oh, so what you’re saying is that she’s out of your league.” His dad concentrated on spreading the mustard on his bread.

“Way, way, way out of my league.”

“Pshaw!” His mom said with a wave. “You’re a catch, and I’m sure she knows it.”

“I’m a catch?”

“Of course you are, Toby.” His dad alternated slices of ham and cheese on his sandwich. “We raised you right. You’re respectful, gainfully employed and Ian thought enough of you to not only invite you to be in his wedding party, but to try to get this girl on board knowing you both have something in common.” He walked over to his son and pinched his bearded cheek. “Listen to your mother. You’re a catch.”

“Your father is absolutely correct. She’d be nuts not to like you.”

“As long as you don’t scare her away with that gaping wound on your head.” His dad clapped him on the shoulder and set to fishing some pickles from the jar.