Page 126 of The New Place

“Ned said you talked to Claire the other week,” Pat says when he answers, “and I think that was the key moment everything between us changed, so you and I need to dig deep into that conversation.”

“Ned and I are getting married this afternoon.”

A beat of silence comes down the line.

“She said she wanted to be with you,” Abbot says as Pat yells, “What?”

“So Ned hasn’t told you yet,” Abbot says. “She said there wasn’t a problem between you. Is there?”

“You’re getting married?” Pat shouts.

Abbot has to pull his phone from his ear. “Yes, in just a couple hours.” He checks over his shoulder to make sure Dan isn’t listening, and drops his voice. “Newbury needs documentation about our relationship to finalize Ned’s job offer.”

“Ned got the job? He got the damn job. You’re getting married. Fucking shit, man!”

“In Portland,” Abbot says. “So you should come.”

“I should come?” Pat lets out a loud laugh. “Yeah, maybe I’ll stop by.”

“Please do.”

“I’m fucking joking, I’m there, I’m in, what is even happening? I don’t care, I’m so excited.”

“Ned’s parents are driving up, and he’s on his way to Portland now with Peggy. My father is coming too, along with my sister.”

“So like an everyone’s-welcome elopement. I love it. Where? When?”

“At city hall in—” Abbot checks his watch. He has to go. “Two and a half hours.”

“No, that’s way too boring. I’ll do it. I’ll get ordained online and we’ll do it here.” Pat’s voice rises into a shout. “Hey! Listen up. We’re closing early today, private event.”

“Pat—”

“I’m literally pulling up the website right now. Can I write a speech? I’m writing a speech. Yeah, folks, sorry, get your orders to go, we are closing in approximately five minutes.”

“Pat. We can’t interrupt your day like that,” Abbot says as if they haven’t done exactly the same to everyone else in their lives. “You don’t need to close the cafe, let alone⁠—”

“Oh, what a wonderful idea,” Cheryl says as she comes into the room. “Having it at Pat’s? I just love that.”

“Is that Cheryl? Cheryl, Ned’s getting married!” Pat yells as if she can hear him.

Again, Abbot winces, edging the phone from his ear. “Yes, she knows,” he says.

“I’m marrying him,” Pat shouts. “I mean, you’re marrying him-marrying him. But I’m marrying him. And you. This is the best day of my life.”

“Pat wants to marry us,” Abbot tells Cheryl.

She beams. “This is perfect. Let me talk to him. We’ll sort everything out. Pat, can you give me a call?”

“Call Cheryl,” Abbot obediently repeats.

“I’m doing it. Bye. Congrats,” Pat says and then Abbot’s phone cuts off.

Pat’s going to marry us, Abbot texts Ned, though he’s driving and likely won’t see it.

Abbot needs to be driving too, if they’re going to pick up the license in time.

He sends the café address to his father, considers adding more details, and then doesn’t. What else is there to say? We’ve decided on today, he and Ned already told everyone, and at least in the delight of the surprise, there haven’t been too many questions.