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Don’t Tell Me You Forgot To Ask Her Number

12/29/2025

“Good morning.” Gary stepped into Don’s office.

“Is it?” Don leaned in.

“Yes, I think we can set aside the issues that have been rocking my boat.” He took a seat.

“You’re sure? We can do a short-term disability claim for you, if you need it.”

Gary looked around the cramped office and wondered if the oppressive closeness was squeezing Don’s brain. “I don’t think that will be necessary. Sorry about last week.”

“I was glad to let you have it. You’ve been churning and burning for over three decades, man. It’s about time you actually took some leave. It’s not like you don’t have vacation days built up.”

“Ha ha, churn and burn. That’s how it goes. Right? Actually, I was showing Pam around town last night.”

“Ooh, there’s a Pam?”

“She’s new in town. I’ve been helping her acclimate.”

“Uh-huh, you sly dog, you. Pam? That’s great. That is so great.”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “We’re taking it slow.”

“How slow is slow?”

“We bumped into each other a few times, and we struck up a conversation over eggnog at the grocery store.”

“Nice. And that led to…”

“Church. She wanted to know where to go for a nice Christmas service.”

“Uh-huh. How did this lead to the grand tour of Pine Hollow?”

“I told her about the Light Fight, so we went up to Unity Court to see what Staś and Murray had come up with.”

“With a tour of the town…”

“And dinner at the Hearth and Hollow to kick it off.”

Don laughed. “My man!”

“I don’t know if it will–”

“Of course it will, Gary. Go deliver your mail and think about Pam to keep you warm.”

“That’s about all I can do.”

Don’s face went blank. “Don’t tell me you forgot to ask her number.”

“I haven’t dated since the twentieth century, Don.”

Don jerked back in his chair and kicked the desk spasmodically. “You’re killing me, Gary. Just killing me.”

“In fairness, she didn’t think to ask my number either. Maybe she didn’t want it.”

Don recovered himself and rolled up to his desk. “Now you’re just making me want to cry. Go on with your debonair self. Stop at the market after work. Maybe she’ll be out of eggnog this time.”

“That’s a possibility.” He got up and grabbed the doorknob. “Thanks, Don. I appreciate it.”

“Sure, Gary. Go get ‘em.”

Pam was scrolling through her inbox when her phone rattled in its stand. She swept the screen to see what the notification was. Jenny’s picture was stacked up with some generic reminders about shopping.

She clicked it. What times are your breaks? She replied and locked her phone.

‘How sad is it that I got Jenny’s contact information and not Gary’s?’ She found an email with an actionable item and got to work on it. ‘What if he didn’t want it?’

She pulled her cardigan tighter.

“Hey, Pam. Do you need a space heater? I’ve got a backup in my drawer.” Melanie said.

“If you don’t mind. I think it might help.”

Melanie brought it over. “Feeling alright? I heard something was going around.”

“I’m okay.” She slid off her chair to search for a socket.

“I don’t mean to pry, but that doesn’t sound very convincing.”

Pam plugged it in and planted it under the drawers where she wouldn’t kick it. She got up to find Melanie waiting. “I met a guy.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“What for?”

“The look on your face says it didn’t work out.”

“No, it was great. He’s so nice. We had dinner. He drove me all over the place showing me Christmas lights, and then we went up to this cul-de-sac to watch their show. Wow. I mean, seriously, wow.”

“I looked out my window, and I saw some flowers or something. Those guys always go crazy. They just started with the drones last year.”

“You had to be there. They came out in period dress and literally waltzed to the Waltz of the Flowers. There were flowers up in the sky and colors dancing all over the houses and yards. How do you even come up with stuff like that?”

“That’s wild. Sounds like a great time. So, what’s the downside?”

“I, uh,” she chewed her lip, “I kind of forgot to get his digits.” She shrugged.

Melanie covered her smile. “I don’t mean to laugh, but that’s classic. How did you get together in the first place?”

“He’s got some kind of eggnog addiction.”

“Well, there you go. Just set up a tent in the dairy aisle. He’ll be there sooner or later.”

“Seems like. Thanks for the heater.”

“Alright, Teddy-bear. Let’s get dressed so we can go see Daddy at the hospital.” That sent a cold spike down her spine. ‘Daddy at the hospital.’ She changed the baby’s diaper and got him dressed to go. “Okay, snuggle-poo, let’s get in the car and we can go see Daddy.”

“Da!” Teddy said as she snapped him into his snowsuit.

“What am I, chopped liver? Say ma.”

“Da!”

“Mama.”

“Da!”

“Well, I see how I rate. I’m sure Daddy will be happy to hear how you said his name first.”

“Da!”

“Okay, don’t rub it in.” She gathered up Teddy and his supplies and headed out to the car. “Let’s play some travel tunes to get us to the hospital.”

“Bla-bla-glrp”

“You said it.” She backed out to the street. Not too much traffic. Figured for a Monday morning. She got to the hospital without a hassle and headed inside. “Okay, buddy. Let’s look for Daddy.”

“Da!”

“He should be coming right out of that elevator.”

The doors slid open, revealing Matt and Jenny.

Teddy bounced his knees and slapped the top of the plastic seat cushion. “Da!”

Abby’s day brightened to see Matt smiling at them.

Jenny followed him out and made a beeline for Teddy. “My baby. Time for more dancing.” Teddy squealed as she kissed his cheeks and neck.

Abby smiled at the sight of Jenny dancing with her grandson.

“I like when you smile.”

“I like when you and Teddy give me a reason to.”

“Yes, I want to… give you a reason.”

She nodded. “Good news.”

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“You win.”

“Hooray. Pucker up and give me my prize.”

‘What? Who says that?’ She looked up at him, and he had his eyes closed and an exaggerated fish face. “Well, I’m not going to kiss you when you’re doing your imitation of a walleye. Be serious.”

“Tell me what I won first.”

“Teddy said your name before mine.”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you hear him yell ‘Da!’?”

“Who couldn’t? He’d give a drill sergeant a run for his money. What?”

“He still hasn’t said ‘Ma!’”

“Maybe he has another word for you.”

“He just says baby-talk except when he sees you, then it’s Da.”

“Lucky me.” He smiled triumphantly and puckered up.

She rolled her eyes and kissed him.

“Let me cut in on that dance.” He strolled over to take Teddy.

Jenny handed him over and walked to where Abby was waiting. “He’s such a cutie-pie.”

“Jenny, can you help me?”

“Of course. What do you need?”

“Did they say for sure when his cast is coming off?”

“They’re keeping an eye on it, but no later than the seventeenth.” She watched Matt dancing with Teddy and whispering in his ear.

“So, we could probably do a wedding on the twenty-fourth?”

“Yeah, the twenty-fourth could probably–” Her eyes bugged and she turned to Abby. “Did you say wedding?”

She blushed and nodded. The air whooshed from her lungs as Jenny clamped her in a bear hug and pulled her over the back of the bench.

“Matt! Did you know about this?” She danced around with Abby rag-dolled in her grasp. “You’re going to have a wedding! You’re going to have a wedding!”

“Can’t breathe…” Abby gasped as Jenny tossed her around.

Matt whispered in Teddy’s ear as they danced closer to his wild grandmother. “Mom, let her breathe.”

“Sorry, I got excited. What do you think, Teddy? Are you ready for a wedding?”

Teddy reached out to Abby. “Mama!”

“Teddy!” She took the baby in her arms and danced around with him.

“Did you say wedding?”

“Twenty-fourth of January, big boy. Save the date.” Abby kissed Teddy all over.

“Works for me.” Matt smiled. “You’ve got the right team to get it done. If anyone can pull off a wedding in under a month, it’s my mom.”

“And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have as a daughter.” Jenny waved at Teddy.

“Not even Bonnie?” She grinned as she danced with Teddy.

Jenny waved that away. “If she can get to her delivery date without murdering anyone, I’ll call it a win. That girl.” She stroked her chin.

“Uh-oh. The spreadsheet is already happening. We should go and let her work.” Matt laughed.

“Yes, you guys go have some lunch and come back to our place. I’ll start working on this until you get back. Go on. Go.”

Abby tucked Teddy into his snowsuit and secured him in the carseat. Matt picked it up with his good hand and followed her out. Jenny waved and watched to be sure they didn’t double back.

She pulled out her phone and checked Pam’s response. ‘Ten? Perfect.’ She headed to the receptionist’s desk. “Could you call Pam Grayson in billing?”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“I do. Jozsa. Jennifer Jozsa.”

“Very good. Take a seat and I’ll have a word with her.”

Jenny took her seat and waited.

“Jenny?” Pam approached.

“Oh, great. Can I buy you a coffee?”

“Sure, thanks.” She followed Jenny to a hospitality nook. “I got your message.”

“That’s because I had the good sense to ask you for your contact information. Am I right?”

“It was an oversight on my part.”

“Yeah, but he didn’t ask either.” Jenny scanned the vending machine. “Coffee or cocoa?”

“I wouldn’t mind some cocoa.”

“That’s my girl.” She swiped her card and watched the cup drop into place. “Let me just say, he likes you. He would have asked if he had been thinking clearly. He hasn’t been on a date since the calendar said nineteen-something.”

Pam was floored. “Oh… okay. Sure. D-d-date?”

Jenny gasped and handed over the cup. “Careful. It’s hot.” She swiped her card again and placed another order. “I know. You’re taking it slow. Not calling it anything. Being casual. All that. Right?”

“Basically.” She sipped her cocoa. It wasn’t as good as Gary’s.

“Do you want his contact info?”

“I don’t want to impose.”

“That’s not what I asked. Do you want it?”

Pam closed her eyes and blew on the hot beverage.

“Pam.”

“Yes, of course I do. Is that needy?”

“What are you? Like forty-five?”

“You don’t have to butter me up, Jenny. I’m fifty.”

“Exactly, so there’s no time to play games. That’s kids’ stuff. You like him. He likes you. Sure, you need to get to know each other better to see if it’s a lock…”

“But I can’t count on guys lining up for me.”

“Not really where I was going, but sure. Honey, I’d hate to be in your place. I praise God every day I wake up with Gabe snoring me out of the bed. I would not want to start over.”

“Neither do I, but here we are.”

“Exactly. Barring something unexpected coming up that’s a showstopper with you and Gary, I would very much like to count you as his plus-one for Abby’s wedding.”

Pam blinked at her as if her brain were short-circuiting.

“What time are you done and what do you have planned when you are?”

“I’m done at four-thirty and, honestly, nothing planned.”

“Are you in for the plus-one?”

Pam took a sip of her cocoa, studying Jenny. She nodded.

“Great, I live in Laurel Ridge. Is that a problem?”

“Have car. Will travel.” She shrugged. “I’m here instead of…” She looked down at her drink. “…there.”

“We’ll figure that out later. Are you okay with meatloaf?”

“I love it, actually.”

“Perfect. See you this evening.”