The Write Match // Bill Hader

Twenty-Three

"Do they know I'm with you?" He asks and I shake my head.

"I didn't know you were coming with me until before we left, so don't worry about it. My parents love to have company." I tell him, walking farther into the house.

"Where is everyone?" He asks, looking around.

"Probably on the patio, but I figured I'd show you around before we went out there." I tell him and he smiles, following me as we walk up the staircase. I walk straight to my bedroom, opening the door. "It's the guest room now, but this was my bedroom." I tell him and he doesn't say anything, he just looks around the room. "There was a desk and a book shelve, and when you walk through here you'll see the closet." I show him my closet that doesn't have any clothes in it, but is instead full of boxes.

"What is all of this stuff?" He asks and I shake my head.

"Most of it is Adam's stuff. I had everything in my apartment in New York and I had to get rid of it, but I didn't want to throw it away, so I brought it here." I tell him and close the closet door. "My parents bedroom is down the hall, and that's about all that's up here." I tell him, walking back down the stairs and into the kitchen, both of us seeing a woman in the kitchen. "Hi mom!" I smile and she is surprised when she sees me.

"Meredith Jane! You scared me." She holds her chest. She pulls me into a hug and I smile into it. I don't care to spend too much time at home because it doesn't feel the same anymore, but it makes the time I do spend at home a little more special. "Oh, who's this?" She asks as she looks over my shoulder.

"This is Bill. I work with him on SNL." I tell her and he smiles, waving at her.

"Did you just wave at me for an introduction? Come on over here." She tells him and he moves forward, leaning in for a quick hug.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." He tells her and she smiles.

"I'm Diane, but please do not call me ma'am, I get called ma'am all the time, it makes me feel old." She tells him.

"I'm assuming everyone is out on the patio? Dad, and granny, and everyone?" I ask her and she nods.

"They're on the patio, and tell your father that I'm done with the food and I need some help carrying it outside." She tells me and Bill and I walk out the back door. I open it, hearing Bill gasp behind me.

"Wow." He says, looking out at patio and all of the people. "A lot of people are here." He pulls my attention away from my moms garden to the group of people in front of me.

"Meredith!" I look over my shoulder and see my aunt and uncle, and I smile, waving.

"Let's walk over here." I say and Bill follows.

"Everyone here is your family?" He asks and I shake my head.

"Extended family, family friends." I tell him, walking down the stairs to the backyard.

"Have you seen dad or granny anywhere?" I ask my aunt, leaning in for a hug.

"I haven't seen your dad since he took your neighbors to the garage, he had new golf clubs to show them." She tells me, and I see her looking at Bill.

"This is Bill, he's one of my coworkers." I tell her and she holds a hand out for a handshake.

"It's nice to meet you." Bill smiles and I can tell that this is a lot for him to take in.

"It's nice to meet you too." She smiles and I hear another call.

"Wow! Meredith Jane Elliot, it can't be." The voice is so familiar and I smile, turning towards it.