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Good Night, Irene

“So, she’s strong?” Toby asked.

“It’s amazing.” Eric said. “You know those concrete highway dividers? The big ones that are waist high?”

“Yes.” Toby said, dunking his cookie again.

“She planted her foot into the slot at the bottom where the fork truck tines go and flicked it like a Hacky Sack!”

“That’s amazing, but why did she do that?” Meredith nibbled at her scone.

“Some crooks jacked an armored car full of money. She flicked an eight-foot barrier section like it was a beach ball. Thing arched up into the sky and came down right on the hood.”

“Wow, that’ll do it.” Toby laughed. “She must be a treat to spar with.”

“She knows how to pull her punches, but she can definitely fight dirty.”

“You can take the girl out of The Broncks, but you can’t take The Broncks out of the girl. That’s what Ms. Wright told me.”

“Meirhe is living proof of it.” Eric finished his drink and cookie. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, folks. Good luck with the wedding. I hate to eat and run, but it’s basically what I do.”

“Nice to meet you, Eric. Don’t worry. We’ll keep it between us until he’s official.” Meredith shook his hand.

“Has he picked a name yet?” Toby asked.

“I think HEARTH has some for him to review, but we’ll deal with that after he signs on.” Eric dumped his trash on the way out the door. He stepped outside and vanished.

“He’s definitely invited to the wedding.” Toby said, drinking the last of his coffee.

“Definitely.” Meredith said. She turned around to look at Toby. “Did you just say…?”

“The W word? Of course.” Toby said, pulling out his phone.

“You are W for wild, Toby Belzer. What are you doing now?”

“Checking out the real estate listings. No need to wait for the realtors to open.”

“We should have gotten a selfie with him.” Meredith balled her scone wrapper into the cup and crunched it up.

“I thought about that, but he wanted to keep it on the down low. We can get one the next time we see him.”

“The next time?” She planted her chin in her hands and looked at Toby.

“Well, sure. It seems like he’s Dustin’s mentor. Whenever we get to collect that autograph, Eric is likely to be nearby.”

“Oh, you’re on a first name basis with him now?”

“He’s the one who told us to call him Eric. He even liked your engagement ring.”

She held her hand out to admire the ring. “I like it, too.”

“I like it, but I like you better.”

“You’re not so bad yourself. Where do we go from here?”

“Do you still want to go back to your hotel room?”

“Do you think it would be alright with your folks if I slept over? I don’t want to be where you aren’t. Last night was like torture for me.”

“Let me check.” He typed a message and waited. “They’d be glad to have you as a guest.”

“Toby, you’re so cute when you’re blushing. What else did they say?”

“I’ll be on the couch. They don’t want grandkids until after the wedding.”

“You’re so scandalous!” She laughed.

“That’s what they said.” Toby stood up and put his coat on. “I guess we’ll have to take a rain date on playing doctor.”

Meredith’s jaw dropped, and she slapped his arm. “You’re terrible.” She giggled as she slid her coat on.

“You’re the one who brought it up.” He led her to the door.

“Guess what.”

“What?”

“That garter is right where you left it.” She winked at him before stepping outside.

“Hey, guys, we’re home.” Toby followed Meredith into the living room, her luggage in hand.

His mom tiptoed down the stairs. “I put clean sheets on the bed for you, Meredith. Take her luggage upstairs and I’ll put on some coffee.”

“We had some on the way over, Mom.” He headed for the stairs. “I’ll put this in the room for you.”

“Go ahead, Toby.” She patted him on the back. “Are you sure I can’t get something for you?”

“No, I just had a latte.”

Irene looked up the stairs. “Meredith, I wanted to talk with you before you guys settled in.”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“I’m so pleased that Toby met you. You are a very sweet girl.”

“But?”

“No, it’s nothing drastic. I know this whole thing has been a whirlwind. I just don’t want you to feel as if you’re being rushed into anything.”

“Oh, no, not at all.” Meredith hugged her. “Thank you for checking. I know it’s all very fast, but it’s like I found a part of myself that I didn’t know was missing.”

“I had a similar experience with Stan. He totally swept me off my feet. I wouldn’t do anything different, but it still feels as if we rushed things a little. I just didn’t want you to have any regrets.”

“I understand.” Meredith looked at her ring. “To be honest, the last thing I ever expected to come out of this week was to be wearing this.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.” She dabbed a tear. “I can’t believe this happened. I didn’t know how lonely I was until Toby smiled at me. This is so unexpected, but it’s so unbelievably wonderful. You and Stan have been so kind and welcoming.”

Irene took her hand and smiled. “We’re glad you and Toby found each other. You’re young. Take your time and enjoy yourselves.”

“We will. I promise.”

“That is such a pretty ring. Is your birthday in May?”

“Mm-hmm. Toby told me his was in May, too.”

“Our Anniversary is in January.”

“That’s nice.” She read the look on Irene’s face. “Oh.”

“We went to the JP after my first ultrasound.”

Meredith cradled her head in her hands. “Yes, I understand. We’re not…”

“That’s none of my business.”

“I appreciate what you’re trying to say. We’ll take our time.”

“Good night, Meri. Welcome to the family.”

“Thanks. Good night, Irene.”