Chapter 4
They sat as Abbey looked about the room. The mantel held brass candle sticks and a log holder shaped like a swan. There were two high back chairs facing the sofa, away from the fireplace, covered in the same red velvet fabric of the sofa. Two identical landscapes framed the walls on either side of the fireplace. There was nothing there that could be called personal.
Abbey turned to Jed and started to speak when John and an older woman entered the room. Jed stood up as his mother came over to him for a soft hug. Kissing her son on the cheek, Catherine finally spoke. "Glad to see you, Jed. Is this Abbey?" as her lined face broke into a smile.
Abbey stood up and extended her hand.
"Yes, Mom. Abigail, this is my mother, Catherine. Mom, this is Abbey."
"I'm so glad to meet you. Jed has spoken a lot about you." But instead of shaking Abbey's hand, she pulled the younger woman into a warm embrace.
Abbey was surprised at the warmth she felt from Jed's mother, especially contrasted with the cool reception she had just experienced from John.
"Yes, thank you. He has mentioned you a lot as well. I'm glad to finally meet you and Mr. Bartlet."
Backing away from the embrace, Catherine moved to sit by her husband, in the second chair.
"Jed, how long can you stay? Can you have some lunch with us?"
Despite not having any plans for the afternoon, Jed knew he couldn't stay. He wouldn't stay. "No, Mom. As I said on the phone, this is just a short visit. I wanted you and Dad to meet Abbey."
"Well, Jed, we've met her. So what else do you want?" John's voice still carried no warmth.
"Nothing, Dad." Jed could tell his father still had not forgiven Abbey for taking him away from the priesthood. "We just came for a short while. Both of us have to get back to Boston this afternoon."
"Jed, I really wish you could stay a little while longer. I cooked your favorite roast beef in hopes you could stay long enough to eat."
"Thanks, Mom. But we really have to go." He grabbed Abbey's left hand, in anticipation of standing. But the quick flash of the diamond caught his parent's attention.
His father was the first to respond. "Josiah, release her hand. Is that a ring?"