Abbie adjusted the black, knee-length matte jersey wrap dress and did a quick peek down to make sure everything was kosher.  She didn't want to barge into the banquet hall with her dress half open or flash one of the 'cousins' at Ed's family or his father's colleagues.  She tugged at the ¾ sleeves.  Damn, she lamented silently.  Should she have worn the other dress?  She ran her tongue over her teeth to make sure they were lipstick free and smoothed her hand over her gleaming, stick straight hair.  She definitely should've worn her hair up.

"Abbie."  Ed chuckled as he watched the mini makeover.  He thought she looked beautiful and didn't feel there was anything that needed to be changed or improved upon. "Would you please stop fidgeting?"

"Do I have too much lipstick on?"  She asked as she brushed off his lapel.  He caught her hand as she went to straighten the handkerchief in his breast pocket. 

"No, you don't have too much lipstick on."  He assured her.  "There's nothing caught in your teeth, there's nothing hanging out of your nose, your hair isn't sticking up and your dress ain't caught up in the back of your pantyhose."  Ed gave her hand an encouraging squeeze before looping her arm through his.  "You're gonna kill 'em." 

Abbie exhaled.  After a moment she put on her game face and gave him a brisk nod.  "Let's do it."  

They walked into the banquet hall and were immediately accosted by Ed's father's best friend.  The man slapped Ed heartily on the back and proceeded to regale Abbie with stories of her date's misspent youth. She couldn't help smiling as Ed squirmed.

"This boy's daddy had a time with him!" The older man exclaimed loudly as Ed inched away.  But it soon became clear that a quiet, easy escape wasn't in the cards because the man matched Ed step for step. Pretty soon, Abbie was biting the inside of her cheek to keep from howling.

"Well, Mr. Jackson it sure was good to see you again!" Ed cut him off, seizing a golden opportunity when the man's third story began to wind down.  He took Abbie's hand and she smiled and nodded as they hurried away.  "I better go find my folks 'cause I'm sure they're wondering where I am."

"Alright! Get back at me later, Junior Green!" Mr. Jackson called after them.

"Yes sir, I'll be sure to do that." Ed returned without an ounce of sincerity.  Once they were out of earshot, Abbie's snickering quickly escalated to full blown laughter.  Ed glanced at her as they continued their trek through the room.

"You thought that was funny, huh?" He asked, trying to contain his own amusement.

"Somehow I just can't picture you as a juvenile delinquent, Mr. Vegan."

"Hey!" He protested, stopping abruptly.  "I eat meat."

"Ed, where I come from, anybody who doesn't eat red meat is a vegetarian." 

They bantered good-naturedly until he felt someone touch his shoulder and call softly, "Son?"

Ed turned to find his mother standing there.  She wore a beautifully tailored suit in midnight blue and her salt and pepper hair was elegantly coiffed.  He embraced her tightly, inhaling her signature scent which always reminded him of crisp, fresh linens.  Ed adored his mom and often wondered if his sister's proclamation that she'd spoiled him for any other woman had merit.  It would explain so many things.

Evelyn Green kissed her son's cheek, and then rubbed at the smidgen of lipstick she left there.  "I was startin' to wonder if you'd changed your mind about coming."  She confessed. 

He put his arm around his mom's waist and turned back to Abbie, who looked like a deer caught in headlights.  "Mama this is Abigail Carmichael."

Abbie extended her hand and the older woman grasped it warmly between both of hers.  "Please call me Abbie.  I'm very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Green."

"Likewise, Abbie."  Evelyn returned.  "And my goodness, aren't you pretty?"

Ed watched the exchange with eagle eyes.  He suspected his mother was a bit surprised, but she was a seasoned diplomat and very skilled at playing her cards close to her vest.  All that aside, he knew that her amiability and graciousness were sincere.  

"I'm so glad you could join us tonight."  She linked arms with Abbie and slid her hand into Ed's as she steered them towards their table.  "They reserved this table for you and your sister and the Jackson's."  She explained.  "I'll be up on the dais with Dad."

"Where is Dad?"

"I left him over there." Ed turned in the direction his mother pointed.  "When they start talking shop, I start yawning and looking at my watch."  She sat down at the table and motioned for Abbie to join her.  "Why don't you go on over there and say something to him?  I'm pretty sure they'll be serving dinner shortly."

Ed knew that was his cue to get lost.  He looked at Abbie, who nodded to let him know that it was okay to leave.  "I'll be right back."

"Take your time."  Abbie insisted.  Her bravado made him smile and he touched her hand before leaving.  The two women sat quietly and watched him make his way through the crowd in search of his father.

"So tell me about yourself, Abbie."  The older woman spoke first.  "What do you do?"

"I'm a lawyer.  I work for the U.S. Attorney."  Abbie said, and then added as an afterthought, "I used to work for the Manhattan DA in major felonies."

Evelyn tilted her head quizzically.  "Oh, so is that how you met my son?"

"Yes, ma'am.  I've known Ed since '99." Abbie answered.  "He's a good friend."

As soon as she saw Evelyn's discerning smile, she realized that she'd thrown open a door.  "Is that what you are to my son, Abbie? A friend?"

"I think your son is a very special man, Mrs. Green." Abbie artfully dodged the question, eliciting a mellow laugh from the older woman.

"I think I'd have to say I agree with you."

They chatted comfortably for several minutes until an attractive woman of medium build and height approached the table.  She looked familiar and Abbie tried to place her face, but couldn't.

"Good evening."  The woman spoke politely to Abbie before turning to Evelyn.  "Mama, have you seen Jeanette?"

"No. Did you look in the men's room?"  Evelyn asked wryly.

Her daughter pursed her lips.  "Very funny."

"Abbie, this is my daughter."  Evelyn introduced them and Abbie held out her hand.  "Joyce, this is Abbie Carmichael."

Joyce shook her hand.  "Nice to meet you.  So you work with my dad, huh? How long have you known him?"

"Well, um… you see, actually I don't." Abbie tripped over the explanation.  "I'm here with your brother."

The expression on Joyce's face spoke volumes. "Oh, really?"  Her eyes quickly darted to her mother and back.  "Ed almost never brings his, uh… friends around.  This is a real treat."

 I'll bet, Abbie thought.  "I'm very honored to be here."

A man who had a very 'in charge' look on his face stopped behind Evelyn and whispered something that prompted her to stand up.  She spoke to him in hushed tones and thanked him before turning back to the table.  "They're gonna start serving dinner in about five minutes.  Joyce, why don't you help Abbie find Ed?  He went looking for your father."

"Sure."  Ed's sister appeared to have gotten over her initial surprise and Abbie thought her smile seemed genuine.  "I'll send Dad your way, too."

****

"Dad." 

"Edward."

Bill Green excused himself from the group and joined his son.  He'd seen him earlier when he entered the banquet room with a tall brunette on his arm. 

"Big night for you." Ed awkwardly made conversation.

"Yeah, I guess it is." His father concurred.  "It's always nice to know what you do is appreciated."

Ed cleared his throat and shoved his hands into his pockets.  He always felt about twelve years old talking to his dad.  "So how you been, Pop?"

The senior Green's eyes twinkled, amused by his son's attempt at casual familiarity.  They'd not had that type of relationship for quite some time.  "I'm fine, Ed but I guess you know that.  I'm sure your mother always concludes her weekly calls with a report about me."

The comment cut Ed a little.  He'd tried to speak to his father during phone calls he made to his parent's home, but never managed to get more than grunts and two word replies.  After a while he stopped asking to speak to his father and his mother stopped offering.

"Looks like you're seeing someone new."

Ed cocked his head, taken aback by the observation.  "Yeah."  He responded slowly.  "How did you…"

"I saw you when you came in."  Bill informed him.  "She's stunning.  Has a very intelligent and sophisticated look about her."

"You think? Between me and you, she's dumb as a stick."  Ed joked.

"Well whatever works for you, son."

"Dad, I'm kidding.  Abbie's an attorney." Ed leveled with his father.  "She's extremely intelligent and she's also very engaging and down to earth."  

"Sounds like the pick of the litter."

"Is that approval I hear?"

"Are you looking for approval, son?"

Ed sighed.  "No."  His voice was tight.  "I'm not looking for anybody's approval."

"What in the world has got the two most handsome men in this room looking so intense?"

Ed looked over his father's shoulder and saw Jeanette, his sister's friend, standing there.  He grinned and teased, "They let anybody in this place, don't they?"

"I tip well."  She shot back and slinked over to join them.  Ed leaned down to accept the kiss she offered and she pressed her sizeable assets into chest.  "Long time no see, Eddie.  You look good."

"Back at you, J." He returned.  "You behavin' yourself these days?"

"Oh, baby, you know me."  She purred.  "I'm always good."

Both father and son cleared their throats and Bill patted Jeanette on the shoulder.  "I think I'll take my leave.  I see a couple of people over there I want to say something to before we get started."  He looked over at Ed.  "Son."

"Father." Ed mocked his restrained tone.

Jeanette cackled as Bill Green walked away.  "You two crack me up."

"Yeah, we're pretty funny alright."

"It's good to see you, Ed."  She said and let her eyes slowly travel the length of him.  "If anybody would've told me all those years ago that the little snot nose kid who used to follow me and Joyce around would turn out so fine, I wouldn't have believed them."

Ed smiled modestly.  "How you do go on, Jeanette."

"I speak only the truth."  She told him as she caressed his face.  Ed thought if she got any closer, they'd both be wearing his suit.  "You've come a long way, baby." 

"Well, you know you've always been like another sister to me."

Jeanette smiled and backed down a little.  "Ouch."

"Oh, come on now.  What would a sharp, good lookin' sister like you want with a questionable character like me?"

"Well, why don't you take me back to your place after this shin dig is over and let me show you?"  She dared.

Ed shifted and laughed nervously.  "You're too much."

"I was just thinking the same thing."

Abbie and Joyce were standing behind them.  Joyce spoke again, "I've been looking for you, Jeanette."

"Well here I am."  Jeanette responded in a sing song voice, still hanging onto Ed's arm.

Abbie kept her face neutral but Ed had no problem imagining what was going through her mind.  He opened his mouth to speak, but his sister beat him to the punch.

"Jeanette, this is Abbie Carmichael." 

Neither woman extended her hand as they exchanged cool, dismissive head nods.

"Abbie is here with Ed."

Jeanette cleared her throat and slowly pulled her arm out of Ed's.  "Oh, I see."  She studied him intensely for several seconds and chuckled disdainfully.  "My, my, my… life is just full of little surprises."  She eyed Abbie, who stood her ground, unblinkingly.  After a moment she turned to Ed and asked caustically, "Et tu, Brute?"

"Alright, Jeanette."  Joyce took her friends arm. "We better go find our table because they're ready to serve dinner."  

After the two women walked away, Ed went over to Abbie and took her hand.  "I'm sorry about that."  He apologized.

She shrugged, taking his other hand.  "I'll survive."

He lowered his voice and whispered conspiratorially, "Do you think people would stare if I kissed you?"

Abbie carefully pondered the question before answering, deadpan, "Probably. But do it anyway."