When the stories drew to a close, Paul stood and excused himself. Laurie looked after him as he headed toward the rest rooms. Turning back to her two old friends, she sighed.

“He’s really wonderful, isn’t he?” she asked.

Jack and Lou looked at each other, hoping the other would respond.

“Well?” Laurie questioned.

Both Jack and Lou started speaking at the same time then hastily deferred to the other.

“What is this, a comedy routine?” Laurie demanded. Her beatific smile faded. “What’s the matter with you two?”

“This situation has caught us off guard,” Jack finally admitted. “We’d both guessed you’d gotten a job offer and were going to move out on us. We never thought you’d be getting married.”

“And why not!” Laurie demanded. “That’s almost insulting. What am I, too old?”

“I don’t mean it that way,” Jack said meekly.

“How long have you known this man?” Lou asked.

“A couple of months,” Laurie said defensively. “I know that’s not a lot of time, but I don’t think that’s so important. He’s intelligent, warm, generous, confident, and willing and able to make a commitment. And all those are important characteristics as far as I’m concerned. Particularly the confidence and the ability to make a commitment.”

Both Jack and Lou couldn’t help but feel indicted.

“I don’t believe this,” Laurie said. “You two, of all people I know, I thought would be happy for me.”

“What kind of business is he in?” Jack asked.

“What kind of a question is that?” Laurie demanded.

“Just a simple question,” Jack said timidly.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t know,” Laurie said. “And I don’t really care. It’s him I’m interested in, not what he does for a living. You men are impossible.”

“Have your parents met him?” Lou asked.

“Of course,” Laurie said. “I met him through my parents.”

“That’s nice,” Lou said.

Laurie let out a mirthless laugh. “This is not how I expected this evening to go.”

Neither Jack nor Lou knew quite what to say. Luckily they were rescued by Paul’s return. He was in an ebullient mood, totally unaware of what had transpired during his brief absence. He started to reclaim his seat, but Laurie stood up.

“I think it’s time we go,” Laurie said.

“No after-dinner drinks at the bar?” Paul asked.

“I think we’ve all had enough,” Laurie said. “And as Jack is wont to say, it is a school night.”

Jack smiled weakly. Sensing that he’d let Laurie down only made him feel worse. He got to his feet. “Congratulations, you guys,” he said with manufactured enthusiasm. “In the spirit of the occasion, Lou and I will take care of the tab.”

“It’s all taken care of already,” Paul said with an air of superiority. “It’s our treat.”