Page 26 of The Fallen Man

“I thought it might be a little too plebian for your tastes.”

“No, it’s too full of calories, but you can’t really say no to the hashbrowns, can you?”

“I never could,” said Ralph. Jackson restrained himself from commenting, but it was hard work. “Don’t bust a button over there,” said Ralph, eyeing Jackson. “You might as well saywhatever you’re thinking.”

“No, sir,” said Jackson, who, despite an entire life of evidence stacked against him, knew how to stay out of trouble.

“Uh-huh,” said Ralph.

“Ralph, as much as I enjoy the Waffle House,” said Eleanor, “I do have to ask why we’re here. Instead of, say… at the office. It’s enough to make one think you didn’t want people to see us speaking.”

“Well, you’d be right on that,” said Ralph. “I dislike people knowing that we know each other.”

“Yes, I imagine so,” said Eleanor. “Democrats are so much worse than mistresses when it comes to the press.”

“Sarcasm doesn’t become you,” he said sternly.

“That wasn’t sarcasm,” said Eleanor.

The two eyed each other, and Jackson had to admit that when it came to confrontations like this, Eleanor was ballsier than he ever would be.

“Although, apparently, that situation is about to become unavoidable,” said Ralph, and Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “How’s the wedding planning coming? I heard that our two lovebirds were engaged. Hadn’t seen it in the paper yet, though.”

Jackson turned Ralph’s words over in his mind. It was well-known that Olivia and Evan were dating. Eleanor said it had become something of a joke on the Senate floor. He wasn’t surprised that Ralph knew—Olivia had told her siblings and father, so it was sure to get back to her grandparents at some point. The engagement could not be what had Ralph meeting them in a Waffle House.

“We haven’t announced their engagement yet,” said Eleanor. “They’re still discussing dates, and I thought it might be better to announce after Congress goes on break. It will be nice in my Christmas newsletter.”

Jackson frowned at Eleanor. That was far more informationthan he would have shared with the Senator.

“Meaning that you’re still hoping to talk them out of it,” said Ralph, slicing into his waffle with vicious strokes.

“Oh, no,” said Eleanor. “I love Olivia. She is absolutely the sweetest girl. I cannot imagine anyone making Evan happier. I don’t look forward to being related to you, of course, but considering that Olivia is maintaining her policy of not talking to you with a side order of periodically telling you to drop dead… I think I’ll manage.”

Eleanor ended with a devastatingly sweet smile. Ralph opened his mouth to make a rebuttal, but the waitress returned to pour Eleanor’s coffee just then, and Ralph had to stop. Jackson guessed that Eleanor, who had a clear line of sight to the coffee station, had timed it that way on purpose.

“Thank you, dear,” said Eleanor, beaming at the waitress. The waitress looked as though it was the first time someone had saidthank youall day.

“You’re welcome,” she said with a smile as she left.

“I want that to change,” said Ralph, sitting back against the pleather bench, leaving his cutlery on the plate.

“Want what to change?” asked Eleanor, raising an eyebrow.

“Her not talking to us,” said Ralph. “Her grandmother is upset.”

“Oh, you mean she blames you?” asked Jackson, and Ralph glared at him.

“You need to fix that,” he said, ignoring Jackson and turning back to Eleanor.

“Not a chance in hell,” said Eleanor, and for the first time, Jackson heard what he thought of as Iron Eleanor come through in her voice.

“She’s my granddaughter,” said Ralph. “She needs to pick up the phone.”

“She doesn’t need to do anything,” said Eleanor. “She’sperfectly happy as she is.”

“Well, I ain’t,” snapped Ralph. “It’s one thing to not get along in private. I don’t care if she hates me from here ‘till the Resurrection. But I know you. You’re going to put on a big shindig for that wedding.”

“Yes,” agreed Eleanor. “I’m fairly certain I can get at least one past president.”