{"id":25695,"date":"2021-10-20T15:43:02","date_gmt":"2021-10-20T20:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=25695"},"modified":"2023-01-19T12:05:59","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T18:05:59","slug":"chapter-15-agatha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2021\/10\/20\/chapter-15-agatha\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 15: Agatha"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tabby fumbled with the key in the lock of her door, only to realize that it was already unlocked. She frowned. Had she left it that way this morning? The house was probably filling up with burglars by now. How irritating.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a sigh, Tabby entered, tossing her keys and purse on the credenza. She gasped and froze upon realizing there was a pale blue unicorn pacing in her living room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, dear,\u201d said the mare, turning and fixing Tabby with a piercing gaze.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMom!\u201d Tabby exclaimed, coming out of her fright. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t heard from you in ages, and I thought a visit was in order to ensure your well-being,\u201d said the poised and impeccably-styled Agatha Fershund, looking her daughter over appraisingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have a key,\u201d Tabby blurted out. \u201cHow did you get inside?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI paid the locksmith to open the door for me, of course,\u201d Agatha said. \u201cI <\/span>am<\/span><\/i> your mother, after all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean you can just break into my house!\u201d Tabby sighed. \u201cAnd you can\u2019t just throw money at every problem to make it go away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not a parent, Tabitha. You wouldn\u2019t understand,\u201d Agatha chided, strolling over to a glass display cabinet on one side of the room. \u201cI see what you\u2019re trying to do, dear, with these Oriental accents,\u201d she said, frowning thoughtfully. \u201cBut this entire display of devil dogs is a bit overkill.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose are my guardian lions, <\/span>shi<\/span><\/i>; or foo dogs, in common parlance,\u201d Tabby said indignantly. \u201cI don\u2019t call them devil dogs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA nice choice of accent piece–very trendy–but one set will suffice,\u201d Agatha stated, turning back to her daughter. \u201cYou\u2019re not a museum.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a <\/span>collection<\/span><\/i>!\u201d Tabby wailed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, dear,\u201d Agatha said, patting Tabby\u2019s hoof condescendingly and leading her to the settee. \u201cTell me, what are your employment prospects these days?\u201d she asked, settling in for a coze. \u201cWhat happened to that sabbatical you were on, roaming the forest and caring for fairies and gnomes and woodland creatures?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2026 I think you\u2019re referring to my job assisting Tiny in his practice,\u201d Tabby said, eyeing her mother warily, \u201cbut anyway, I have a new job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d Agatha\u2019s eyebrows raised inquiringly. \u201cWell, out with it. No need to keep me in suspense.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an assistant at the new vet clinic in town,\u201d Tabby said, bracing herself for the inevitable critique.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s good that you\u2019re not traipsing around the countryside now,\u201d Agatha conceded, nodding her approval. \u201cAll that sun isn\u2019t good for your complexion, not to mention all the bumps and scrapes and bruises you inevitably come home with from the wilds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, I haven\u2019t gotten away from animal scratches,\u201d Tabby pointed out, rubbing at one new addition on her foreleg from an ornery ferret.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I suppose not. But you\u2019re looking relatively\u2026 nice,\u201d Agatha conceded, reluctantly, it seemed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks\u2026\u201d Tabby said with a frown. Her mother would refer to her as pretty upon occasion, but the high praise always went to Tabby\u2019s twin, Tamara. Since they were identical, it didn’t seem fair. But Tamara had that intangible quality of charm and an aesthetic for appearance that her twin lacked. Tabby had long ago become accustomed to being marginalized in her family, and cultivated her own interests, for the further distancing of her relatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand why you didn\u2019t just become a doctor yourself,\u201d Agatha continued, taking a sip from her water glass that she had apparently helped herself to from the kitchen before Tabby arrived. \u201cIf you\u2019re set on this medical bent, you know. You\u2019d be in control of your own destiny rather than being someone\u2019s assistant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, sure enough, here were the complaints. \u201cSure, after a million years of school,\u201d Tabby scoffed. \u201cI don\u2019t have time for that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then, you will never have your own business like me or your sister,\u201d Agatha admonished. \u201cI just want you to consider your options. Is this really what you want, a subservient existence?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have my online shop,\u201d Tabby stubbornly insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, your upcycled collectibles sold to eccentric collectors, yes, I suppose it is a start,\u201d Agatha said doubtfully. \u201cBut you have to think BIG! Imagine what you could do with a staff working under you!\u201d She looked at Tabby beseechingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not really my style.\u201d Tabby crossed her forelegs and frowned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m almost afraid to ask, but\u2026\u201d Agatha sighed. \u201cWhat happened to that doctor you were seeing? Terry or Trilby or\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you mean Toby, and he’s fine,\u201d Tabby said guardedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the status of the relationship?\u201d Agatha gave her a piercing look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re… going out,\u201d Tabby reluctantly bit out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you, now!\u201d Agatha actually smiled for once. \u201cMay wonders never cease. It\u2019s so important to have a complementary partner in life, my dear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and you succeeded so well in that yourself.\u201d Tabby glanced at her mother sharply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just want you to be happy, Tabitha,\u201d said Agatha calmly, ignoring the dig, \u201cand I\u2019ve always been afraid that your contrary nature wouldn\u2019t allow you to seize happiness when you find it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I doubt that my version of happiness will ever correspond with yours,\u201d Tabby observed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are capable of so much more!\u201d Agatha stomped her hoof forcefully on the floor. \u201cI can\u2019t just sit here and let you live in squalor like this! There is a <\/span>hobo shack<\/span><\/i> in front of your house, for heaven\u2019s sake!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Tabby snapped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat construction of branches of leaves! I\u2019m sure it\u2019s filling up with miscreants,\u201d Agatha said, looking very perplexed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s <\/span>hugelkultur<\/span><\/i>,\u201d said Tabby with a sigh. \u201cIt\u2019s part of the garden!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Agatha took a deep breath. \u201cWe\u2019re getting off topic,\u201d she said, collecting herself. \u201cThe vet clinic, tell me about it. Who is the doctor? Some slapdash graduate from Northport, no doubt,\u201d she said disparagingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cActually, he\u2019s from New Pony,\u201d Tabby said. Perhaps her mother would be impressed by the high caliber of education compared to Northport, but\u2026 probably not.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, really?\u201d Agatha asked, intrigued. \u201cWe\u2019ve done a number of events for the university\u2019s veterinary department. Maybe I know him. What\u2019s his name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThomas Fairfax,\u201d said Tabby casually.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a sharp intake of breath from Agatha, and the glass she was holding dropped from her hoof, hitting the floor and spilling. \u201cOh, dear, how clumsy of me.\u201d She glanced around as if seeking a servant, but realized there were none. Rolling her eyes, Tabby went to retrieve a towel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabitha, darling,\u201d Agatha continued as Tabby wiped-up the spill, \u201cyou need to give notice right away. It isn\u2019t a good post for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby scowled. \u201cNothing is ever good enough for you, is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want to be around Dr. Fairfax, trust me.\u201d Agatha looked at her daughter meaningfully. \u201cHe\u2019s Wexford\u2019s protege, a notorious mare-izer, not the sort you want to associate with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby exhaled impatiently. \u201cNo need to worry–he doesn’t think of me like that.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, you\u2019ve always been very obtuse in interpersonal communication,\u201d Agatha said with a sigh. \u201cStill, perhaps you\u2019re not really his style. You <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> a bit helter-skelter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not quitting my job,\u201d Tabby maintained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour Dr. Fairfax also got our dear Gwen in a spot of trouble with Wexford,” Agatha continued, frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you still have Gwen at your beck and call?\u201d Tabby inquired of her mother\u2019s long-suffering personal assistant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGwen is fulfilling her duties admirably, as always,\u201d Agatha stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t see what Thomas could have done that was <\/span>that<\/span><\/i> bad,\u201d Tabby said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot on its own, I suppose,\u201d Agatha admitted. \u201cThere is more to it–more than I can go into now–but really, you <\/span>must<\/span><\/i> look elsewhere for employment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely not!\u201d Tabby said indignantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell–\u201d Agatha glanced down at her watch. \u201cPerhaps we can table the topic for now. I made a dinner reservation for us at seven. Can Toby accommodate?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll check,\u201d sighed Tabby, standing. She was not looking forward to the two of them meeting–her mother would be sure to embarrass her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, go on then, get washed up,\u201d Agatha dismissed her daughter. \u201cI believe some of the animal scent has attached itself to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby rolled her eyes and stalked out of the room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She returned some time later, freshly washed. Her mother was in the middle of a phone call. \u201c…they will just have to accept the navy blue drapes; now, I have to go.\u201d Hanging up, Agatha looked at Tabby and didn\u2019t miss a beat. \u201cWell, you can\u2019t go like that; you\u2019re not even wearing any makeup,\u201d she protested, eyeing her daughter appraisingly. \u201cA nice up-do for your mane, a necklace, and maybe earrings if you can pull it off. Come along, dear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh my gosh, Mom\u2026\u201d Tabby felt like a petulant foal, indignant but powerless to resist her mother\u2019s ministrations to her toilette.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a very elegant, put-together mare who emerged from her chamber some time later.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere now, isn\u2019t that better?\u201d Agatha beamed, walking a circle around her daughter to survey the whole effect. \u201cI really shouldn\u2019t have allowed you to rusticate for so long, but you have always been so unmanageable, wanting to do things your own way.\u201d She shook her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have my own life, you know,\u201d Tabby said sulkily. \u201cI\u2019m managing fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, dear, and we\u2019ll talk more about that over dinner.\u201d Agatha patted her hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

The two mares exited Tabby\u2019s house and started walking to the Estate Manor where Agatha had made reservations. Agatha seemed perturbed by something and kept turning her head. \u201cTabitha,\u201d she said quietly, \u201cthere is some kind of beast stalking us in the bushes. What do you know about this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that\u2019s Othello. He\u2019s my guard hodag,\u201d Tabby explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile I do like the protection aspect,\u201d Agatha said, pursing her lips, \u201cI\u2019m sure there are more fashionable options. <\/span>Bergstutz<\/span><\/i> are very popular back in Vulcanopolis. All the debutantes have one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019m good with my hodag. I\u2019m a bit past the debutante stage, anyway,\u201d Tabby said dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow time flies,\u201d Agatha sighed. \u201cIt seems like just yesterday you were a little filly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Fershund, Ms. Fershund,\u201d the maitre d\u2019 intoned deeply as the two mares entered the establishment. \u201cWe have your special table reserved.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Alfredo.\u201d Agatha accepted this solicitude as a matter of course. \u201cHow sweet of you to remember my preferences\u2026 there will be one more joining us, so I am told,\u201d she added, raising her eyebrows at Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he does exist,\u201d Tabby said, bristling. \u201cHe\u2019ll be here when his staff meeting gets out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery well. I had many a business meeting here when I was based at the cottage,\u201d Agatha remarked to Tabby as they took their seats in the booth. \u201cHave you been out there lately, Tabitha? You know you\u2019re welcome to avail yourself of it as a weekend getaway, or just live there full-time. It doesn\u2019t bother me. I don\u2019t understand why you had your heart set on a house in town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour place isn\u2019t really my style,\u201d Tabby said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs the house staff unhelpful?\u201d Agatha frowned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not that,\u201d Tabby said hastily, \u201cbut I like my own place. It\u2019s cozy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe cottage will be yours one day, you know,\u201d Agatha said casually.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTamara can have it,\u201d Tabby dismissed the idea. \u201cShe\u2019s more into that sort of thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour sister prefers her metropolitan lifestyle; and, besides, has already spoken for the mountain chalet as her inheritance. The country cottage is distinctly your purview,\u201d Agatha stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMom!\u201d Tabby rolled her eyes. \u201cYour <\/span>country cottage<\/span><\/i> has a million bedrooms, ballroom, tennis court, swimming pool, miles of gardens, fake abbey ruins\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, the garden follies,\u201d Agatha said with a distant smile. \u201cYour father was always fond of those.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad you ran him off,\u201d Tabby said with a dark look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t run him off,\u201d Agatha said firmly. \u201cWe had a disagreement, as all couples do, yes; but it was just happenstance that he was lost on his next expedition.\u201d She shifted in her seat uneasily. \u201cAnd how is dear Strawberry?\u201d she queried. \u201cStill writing those stories of hers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she has a new novel coming out at the end of the year, but she\u2019s also the receptionist at the vet clinic,\u201d Tabby explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLovely, you girls were always so close growing up.\u201d Agatha smiled. \u201cTell me, is she seeing anyone?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s dating a professor at Pony Pride. Vanguard,\u201d Tabby said briefly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWonderful, she was always so shy and retiring, I feared that would be a challenge for her,\u201d Agatha remarked. \u201cYou are on the opposite end of the spectrum, far too outspoken to attract that sort of attention, though I <\/span>was<\/span><\/i> promised a special guest tonight,\u201d she added pointedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby strode across the dining room after consulting with the host at the podium. He was only slightly anxious at the prospect of meeting the mother of the mare he was courting–what could she possibly object to? No one would turn their nose up at a doctor from a well-connected family, after all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Mrs. Fersund,\u201d Toby said, smoothly inserting himself into the conversation as he took the seat next to Tabby. \u201cI\u2019m Toby. Dr. Toby Collins.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, dear\u2026 Collins, you say?\u201d Agatha said, giving him an appraising look. \u201cAny relation to the Woodhurst Collinses?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy grandparents, Hugo and Berniece, are from Woodhurst,\u201d Toby admitted, impressed at her knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d said Agatha knowingly. \u201cYou\u2019re Andrew and Ribbons n\u2019 Lace\u2019s boy, aren\u2019t you? I know them by reputation–they have a hoof in most of the nonprofits I work with–but I don\u2019t believe I\u2019ve had the pleasure of meeting them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mother is very dedicated to her charitable causes,\u201d Toby said with a fond smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the\u2026 eldest in your family?\u201d Agatha guessed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the middle foal,\u201d Toby explained. \u201cI have an older brother, Tribute, who is a physician in Grayton; and Tendril is my younger sister.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe doesn\u2019t do anything in particular,\u201d Tabby interjected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s working on her master\u2019s degree in sociology,\u201d Toby corrected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow nice,\u201d said Agatha with polite interest. \u201cWell, Toby, what plans do you have for the future? Do you have aspirations beyond Misty Hollow General Hospital?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight now it seems Misty Hollow has everything I want,\u201d Toby said with a significant look at Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery nicely said,\u201d Agatha said, beaming \u201cI can see that you\u2019ve been very good for Tabitha\u2026 a stabilizing influence, if you will. Perhaps there will be some developments in the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Toby said with a significant look at Tabby. She ducked her head, unwilling to meet his gaze. Toby wasn\u2019t concerned–though she was a strong-willed mare, she was also adorably shy when confronted with hints of their future together, which he found endearing. \u201cAll in due time,\u201d he said softly, taking Tabby\u2019s hoof but not pursuing the topic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Agatha looked on approvingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I don\u2019t know what happened, but my hoof caught on the table leg and it overturned, and all those cupcakes flew everywhere!\u201d Becca giggled. \u201cI don\u2019t know why these things always happen to me!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas smiled politely. It was clear to the rest of the town that these things happened to Becca because she was a hopeless klutz; but to her, the reason was a mystery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tonight, at the SSSS, Becca had flagged down Thomas to verify information for the clinic\u2019s entry in the Chamber of Commerce business directory. Thomas had been chatting with Strawberry and Vanguard, and Becca had been invited to join the group.<\/span><\/p>\n

Out of the corner of his eye, Thomas noted a group entering the area, which stopped in front of their table. It was Toby, along with an almost unidentifiable Tabby with her hair done up and cosmetic paint on her face. With them was a blue unicorn who bore an uncanny resemblance to…<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrawberry, my dear!\u201d The blue unicorn stepped forward and singled out the mare, embracing her. \u201cHow are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Fershund?\u201d Strawberry asked, startled. \u201cTabby didn\u2019t mention you were visiting!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I wasn\u2019t aware of it myself,\u201d Tabby said as chairs were rearranged and space made for all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI almost didn\u2019t recognize you,\u201d Thomas said, eyeing her curiously as she slid into the seat next to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she hates you,\u201d Tabby hissed under her breath, \u201cso have fun with that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe? I haven\u2019t even met her,\u201d Thomas protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, she\u2019s crazy,\u201d Tabby said with a shrug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you must be Vanguard?\u201d Agatha looked inquiringly at the country blue stallion with seafoam green hair. \u201cI\u2019m Agatha, Tabitha\u2019s mother,\u201d she continued without waiting for an answer. \u201cWhere are you from, dear?… Woodlawn?… Binks University?… Lovely part of the country,\u201d she chattered effortlessly. \u201cBecca, hello, nice to see you,\u201d she said, moving on, before finally acknowledging Thomas. \u201cAnd Dr. Fairfax.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d Thomas responded, uneasy. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou probably don\u2019t remember me,\u201d Agatha cut him off, \u201cbut you may recognize me by my professional name, Agatha Westcliff.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAgatha Westcliff? Of Westcliff Enterprises?\u201d Thomas asked incredulously. That was the agency that handled events at New Pony University. \u201c<\/span>You\u2019re<\/span><\/i> Tabby\u2019s mom?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cQuite,\u201d said Agatha crisply with a cool incline of her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had no idea,\u201d Thomas said, looking curiously at Tabby, who just looked uncomfortable. \u201cI worked with Gwen a number of times over the years for the trainee committee and–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, you got Gwen on the wrong side of Wexford at the banquet last year,\u201d Agatha interjected. \u201c<\/span>Unjustly<\/span><\/i>, I should add. I almost had to cancel my contract with the university over it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh my gosh, Mom, enough with the drama,\u201d Tabby snapped. \u201cIt can\u2019t have been that bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a misunderstanding over the dessert menu,\u201d Agatha said with a sniff. \u201cDr. Fairfax failed to pass on a critical message, and as a result there was some… <\/span>confusion<\/span><\/i> at the event.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Dessert?\u201d Now Tabby was eyeing Thomas critically. \u201cWhat did you <\/span>do<\/span><\/i>?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat fool Wexford tried to substitute Preuben chocolate cake for lemon creme cake,\u201d Agatha answered for Thomas. \u201cGwen, in due diligence, discovered the error and corrected it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPreuben chocolate? <\/span>Really<\/span><\/i>?\u201d Tabby looked at Thomas incredulously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t my idea,\u201d Thomas protested. The thought crossed his mind that Wexford and Tabby shared a similar fascination with dessert, and that they might get on a little <\/span>too<\/span><\/i> well if their paths ever crossed. He made a mental note to never let that happen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was just surprised to find that Caprice had raised such a clod,\u201d continued Agatha.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaprice? You knew my mom?\u201d Thomas asked curiously, ignoring the insult. It seemed that Tabby\u2019s mom held one surprise after another.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we grew up in the same town,\u201d Agatha said calmly. \u201cCaprice was younger than me and we didn\u2019t cross paths much until\u2026 well, she was well-known in the environs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMom never talked much about her foalhood,\u201d Thomas said slowly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I suppose she wanted to forget that, what with all that unpleasantness regarding your grandparents and all. Stubborn fools, the lot of them,\u201d Agatha said, shaking her head. \u201cBut I\u2019m not surprised at the name she chose for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA foalhood friend, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d Thomas supplied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, something like that,\u201d Agatha said. \u201cThere was an oversized feline she was always packing around–Tom Underhoof, she called it–fat and lazy as sin. She was inconsolable when the creature passed away, and had an obituary published on the front page of the paper–a very maudlin affair, as I recall.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe never mentioned that,\u201d Thomas admitted. \u201cBut\u2026 it sounds like her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was sorry to hear about the cruise incident, the poor souls,\u201d she added, her visage softening. She sighed. \u201cWell–perhaps if you are away from Wexford\u2019s influence, you can make a decent stallion of yourself after all.\u201d Looking at Becca, she said to him <\/span>sotto voce<\/span><\/i>, \u201cI would set my sights a little higher, though. That one is a trainwreck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not–\u201d Thomas started to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust stay away from my girl,\u201d Agatha interjected sharply. \u201cYou don\u2019t know your own mind.\u201d Her phone rang just then, and she turned away to answer it. When she returned her attention to her companions at hoof, it was with apologies. \u201cI\u2019m afraid a board meeting has been rescheduled, and I have to take the next flight to Lewiston,\u201d she stated. \u201cI must get to the airport straightaway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust like old times,\u201d said Tabby dryly, and the party hastily said their goodbyes as Tabby and Toby left to accompany Agatha.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt least we had this time together.\u201d Agatha embraced her daughter at the airport and kissed her on both cheeks. \u201cDon\u2019t run off and get married without giving some advance notice,\u201d she said with a stern look at Toby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Mom<\/span><\/i>!\u201d Tabby exclaimed, reddening. Toby only grinned and held her hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabitha, you have no head for event planning and would make a muddle of it,\u201d Agatha continued. \u201cYou\u2019ll need a mother\u2019s guidance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be sure to include you\u2026 whenever that happens,\u201d Toby assured her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye, dears. We\u2019ll get together again soon,\u201d Agatha assured the couple.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour mother is delightful,\u201d Toby remarked as Agatha went up the escalator to the security gate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t give any credence to what she says,\u201d Tabby pleaded. \u201c<\/span>I <\/span><\/i>certainly never have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know; I thought she made some interesting points,\u201d Toby said, drawing her closer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby laughed uncomfortably.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs if it\u2019s a coincidence that <\/span>Thomas Fairfax<\/span><\/i> ended up here, of all places,\u201d Agatha murmured to herself as she settled into her first class seat. \u201cYou can be sure that <\/span>they\u2019re<\/span><\/i> behind it. Those days were supposed to be behind us, but…\u201d She shook her head. \u201cTabby hates being maneuvered, so they may find that they have finally met their match.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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