Today is the day to get unneccessay surgery.
44
"Bye, Uncle George," the three kids waved shyly.
"Just George."
"Uncle George," corrected Meredith.
"George."
The kids' heads swung back and forth at George and Meredith like they were watching a tennis match.
"Just say goodbye," Bob instructed.
"Bye," they waved solemnly to the last source of junk food they'd see until Halloween.
"George." Bob stepped forward and clamped a hand on his brother-in-law's shoulder and pumped his hand emphatically. George was unfamiliar with this bit of bourgeosie male interaction but seemed to do okay.
George was relieved and apprehensive to leave Meredith's. He had survived the visit and had managed to find out the source of Meredith's inspiration without the two of them coming to blows. But what now? What if this whole trip was a waste of time? All this time with his sister and her husband who whouldn't shut up and those kids, who admittedly weren't objectionable, but were still present and that wasn't necessary.
What if he still couldn't write? George would still be filthy rich and incredibly famous, but he might not achiever his goal of becoming obscenely rich and obnoxiously famous.
Also, he had to deal with saying goodbye to Meredith.
"George?"
Oh shit. That was a really long aside.
George and Meredith faced each other. They would never be friends, but at least they had survived the weekend mostly civilly. Would they hug? Shake hands? George didn't know.
Meredith didn't either.
"Well."
"Well."
"Well."
Meredith sflapped her arms helplessly at her sides. George took her cue and did as wel. They looked pretty stupid, like they were making a halfhearted attempt to sort of fly.
"Well, bye," Meredith closed the door.
George shrugged and walked to the car.