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Turning her stroller around, Meredith begins to push it back the way we came.
Beth shoots me an apologetic look then we both turn our strollers to follow Meredith.
We’re not far from my house, we only made it a few blocks, and I realize with a start that I was so distracted I didn’t do anything I wanted to do. Like check the perimeter of the area to see what kind of fence and security I’m dealing with.
“Ugh. It figures Simon woke them up,” Meredith grumps.
Beth and I both look at each other but we don’t dare correct her.
Meredith glances over her shoulder at me. “I’m sorry about all of this, Eden. I was hoping to spend more time with you.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her. “No need to apologize.”
“That’s kind of you, but there is,” Meredith says, “My husband shouldn’t have been spying on us. That was extremely rude of him.”
“Yeah, that was a little weird…” I admit, hoping it doesn’t piss her off.
It’s one thing to talk shit about your own spouse, and a completely other thing when someone else does it…
“He means well,” Meredith says quickly in his defense. “He only cares about the family.”
“Simon does keep a good eye on everyone,” Beth agrees, backing her up.
Meredith nods. “Yes, and he only oversteps with me. Now that you’re family, you don’t need to worry. He doesn’t spy in houses or anything creepy like that. The men would kill him if he did. No, he saves all his creepiness for me.”
She calls me family so casually it takes a moment for what she said to sink in.
They consider me family? Just like that?
Her babies continuing to cry, Meredith starts to walk faster. Leaving Beth and me to catch up.
“It’s not easy keeping an eye on everyone,” Meredith huffs out. “He feels like it’s his duty, though. And with the family growing, he’s under a lot of pressure. Probably why he’s been so cranky lately…”
Beth laughs. “Yes. Simon is like our guardian angel. A very… cranky guardian angel. Always watching, always there if you need him…”
“Oh god,” Meredith chortles. “Don’t ever let him hear that.”
“Good thing you killed that bug!” Beth says cheerfully.
“Indeed!” Meredith agrees.
At the pace we’re walking, it only takes a few more moments to reach my driveway.
Coming to a stop near the spot I met them, Meredith turns towards me. “So, shopping tomorrow, yes?”
I hesitate for a split-second.
To her, it’s an innocent question.
But to me it would mean a commitment.
A commitment to staying with Jude.
For one more day, at least.
Beth smiles at me. “We’ll shop ‘til we drop then grab some food and drinks.”
“And the men will watch the children,” Meredith adds.
