“I think so, but if I feel bad, I’ll tell you right away.”
“Okay.” her mom took her hand.
Her dad held open the car door for Annamarie and she insisted, “I can’t sit behind you. I have to sit behind Mom. Remember when we went on trips with Carl, we had a boy’s side and a girl’s side. I can’t sit on his side.”
“Okay, have it your way and sit on the girl’s side.”
When Annamarie got in the car, she suggested, “When Carl comes home on leave we should take a trip. It would be nice. I miss him so much.”
They all missed him and they knew he was going to feel terrible he couldn’t be here for Annamarie when she needed him. He idolized his little sister.
“Everyone in the right spot?” asked Theo. “Because I’m leaving.”
“Ready.” But neither was prepared for the evening ahead.
* * *
It was a short five-minute drive to St. Therese Church. The only vehicles in the parking lot were George and Maureen’s car and a large black sedan parked at the back of the lot alongside a black hearse.
Annamarie moaned, “This looks like the setting for a horror movie. I wish I was home.”
“Everything will be okay, dear,” Paula assured her.
Annamarie wasn’t sure. They parked the car and walked up to the front doors of the church. A young man in a black suit opened the door for them.
“Good evening.”
“Horror movie,” Annamarie whispered to her mom and her mom gave her a stern look.
The entire front of the church was blanketed with flowers and Daniel’s casket was in the middle. Annamarie stopped and gasped when she stepped into the church and saw that the casket was open. She thought it would be closed.
“I can’t do this, Mom.”
“Let’s go up now before everyone arrives and then you can sit down. I’ll tell people you’ve been ill.”
Annamarie agreed. She walked up to Daniel’s casket with her parents and began to shake when she saw Daniel. He looked exactly the way he always did, except he was extremely pale.
Maureen and George walked up and Maureen asked, “Don’t you want to kiss him goodbye, dear?”
Annamarie’s knees buckled and her dad caught her. Her mom explained she’d been ill and they helped her to a seat in the second row of pews. She could sit and hold onto something in front of her if she felt sick.
Terror filled her. “Mom, Dad, do I have to kiss him? I can’t do it. I can barely look at him.”
“No,” Theo declared. “You don’t have to do anything but sit here. I’ll be sure people leave you alone.”
Another young man in a black suit and tie approached Annamarie. “Mrs. Logan, I have your husband’s wedding band.”
He handed her a small burgundy velvet bag. She handed it back to the man from Walker’s, saying, “This ring should stay with my husband, please take care of it.”
“Of course, Mrs. Logan.” He bowed and walked up to Daniel’s casket to fulfill her request.
Annamarie looked up and saw the Frants walk in. Maureen began to raise her voice saying, “What are those people doing here?”
Mrs. Frant stopped and turned to leave. Annamarie gathered strength from within and asserted, “No, stop, I told them they could come. Garret was Daniel’s close friend and they deserve to say goodbye to Daniel.”
Annamarie walked up, hugged Mrs. Frant, and thanked her for coming.
“I don’t think Maureen will cause more problems. You can stay for the service if you wish.”
Mrs. Frant thanked her. “We’ll sit in the back and leave before everyone else.”
Then they walked up to the casket and Mrs. Frant began to cry. Maureen looked as if she were going to say something, but for the first time, she was silent.
Others arrived and Maureen began acting like a hostess instead of a grieving mother. Annamarie returned to her seat and her parents could tell she was visibly shaken.
“You need to relax a bit.”
“I know, but I told Mrs. Frant they could come. This is my husband’s funeral. Maureen should shut up and leave people alone.”
Annamarie’s wish came true. The people she cared about most came in, spent a few minutes by Daniel’s casket, and sat around Annamarie and her parents. The Hansons arrived first, followed by Elaine, and then Steve and Deb. Bonnie and her dad were there. Ray came in with Greta and told Annamarie he closed the diner for the evening. Sheriff Richardson walked in with Dr. Norse and they sat behind Annamarie. The high school principal and several teachers also sat near her. Everyone offered her their condolences first and then approached Daniel’s parents. Annamarie thought that maybe Maureen would begin to see she wasn’t the center of attention tonight, even if Daniel was her son.
The service was less than an hour long and Father Mueller had some nice things to say about Daniel.
George stood and spoke about his son. “It’s horribly sad that the three best friends are gone. They were always together. It’s hard to believe two of his friends and his grandfather have passed away in the three weeks before Daniel, and that his other best friend has left the state.”
Annamarie now knew Bulk had taken off. George talked about Daniel when he was a little boy and as his partner in their insurance business. No one else stood to say anything and there was no way Annamarie could say a word without babbling and crying, so she sat and listened. Mr. Hanson did stand in his pew and said Daniel and Ben were now together, and he hoped they were happy. He sat down quickly. Annamarie thought he might begin to cry. The choir sang a song Annamarie had never heard, and she was grateful they listened to her wish and didn’t sing “Amazing Grace.”
Slowly, people began to leave until the only people left were George, Maureen, Annamarie, her parents, the three strange men in black suits, and Daniel. Annamarie knew the men were from Walker’s Funeral Home. Maureen walked up to Annamarie and hugged her, saying she was sorry she’d been ill. She hoped she felt better and if she needed anything, she should be sure to call. Maureen would see her in the morning. Maureen said goodnight to Annamarie’s parents and walked up to George, who was speaking to the men from Walker’s.
* * *
Annamarie’s dad took her hand. “Let’s go home.” Annamarie gratefully left with him after one last glance at Daniel’s casket. She assumed it would be closed tomorrow, and she hoped it would remain closed.
Annamarie and her parents arrived home before it was completely dark. Her dad went in the house first and turned on several lights for Annamarie.
“Thanks, Dad, I’ll pay the electric bill this month.”
“Okay, rich girl.”
Annamarie was tired and she hugged her mom and dad and went off to bed. Annamarie slept soundly for the first night in days. She didn’t have any dreams she remembered and the sun and the chirping birds woke her the way they usually did. She groaned, remembering what morning it was, and slowly got out of bed. Her parents were dressed, leaving the bathroom free for her. Annamarie bathed and then ate breakfast. She dressed exactly the way she had the night before and told her mom she hated the black dress. Her mom found a gold chain with a heart pendant and a small gold bracelet for Annamarie to wear.
“It’ll make the black a bit more bearable.”
It helped. They left the house a little before nine-thirty so they would be early again.
* * *
The church looked the same except Daniel’s casket was closed this time.
The man from Walker’s said, “If you would like to say goodbye, we can open the casket for you, Mrs. Logan.”
“Thank you, but no.”
She struggled with the idea of looking in the casket. She was sure he was in it, but afraid he would sit up and grab her by the neck and try to strangle her. She shuddered at the thought and prayed Daniel would stay away from her thoughts forever.
The man in black made the same offer to Maureen and George and they agreed. From where Annamarie was sitting, she could see Dani
el clearly. Tears began to run down her face, but she was secretly happy to know he was there. Afraid he would move, she breathed a sigh of relief when the casket lid was closed again.
Mass took approximately an hour and there were hymns, gospel readings, prayers, and Father Mueller spoke again, but Annamarie couldn’t remember any of it. She was in some sort of trance, it seemed to her, and before she knew it, Father Mueller said it was time. Several members of the town had volunteered to be pallbearers for Daniel since his friends were gone. Annamarie followed her parents and Maureen and George. They walked across the parking area in front of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and on the path through the trees to the cemetery. Daniel’s casket was driven in the hearse for less than a block to Blessed Heart Cemetery. Annamarie stopped at Ben’s grave for a moment to say she hoped he was with Daniel. Then she walked to the center of the cemetery--into the sunlight away from the trees. Father Mueller blessed the ground and Daniel’s casket and those who wanted could sprinkle some holy water onto the casket.
When it was time to leave, Annamarie refused. She told the man from Walker’s it was her right to be sure her husband was properly buried, and she wasn’t moving. No one could convince her to leave. She watched as they lowered Daniel’s casket into the ground, placed a concrete cover over the casket, and then the cemetery workers slowly covered it with the soil piled near the grave. When they were done, Annamarie placed the flower she was carrying onto the soil, spoke a few quiet words, and left with her parents. Maureen and George couldn’t watch and returned to the church for the luncheon.
Everyone had waited for Annamarie and her parents to arrive before beginning to eat.
“Please have something to eat, thank you for coming.”
Her parents made her sit down, saying they would bring her food and only her favorites.
While Annamarie waited, Dr. Norse walked up and asked, “How are you feeling?”
“A little tired, but less stressed now that the funeral’s over.”
“I’m glad. You should continue with the vitamins and a good food plan.” He handed her a card and continued, “Make an appointment with Dr. Fox soon. This may not be the best place to tell you, but you’re pregnant, Annamarie.”
Annamarie jumped up and hugged Dr. Norse before she realized what she was doing.
She sat right back down saying, “This isn’t the place to be happy, but I am.”
“I understand.” He sat with Annamarie until her parents came back. When Paula saw Annamarie hug the doctor, she knew what it meant, and nearly dropped the plate of food.
“What’s going on with you two?” Theo asked.
“I’ll tell you when we get home, dear.”
Annamarie realized she was hungry and ate, but she was also so happy she wanted to burst with the news. She knew she had to restrain herself while they were there. Everyone stopped by her table on their way out, offering condolences again and telling her if she needed anything to please call. Steve, Deb, and Bonnie were the last to leave and Annamarie walked them to the door.
Bonnie asked, “What gives? Something’s going on. We all know it and why did you hug the doctor?”
“Okay, I was going to keep the secret longer, but I’ll tell you, providing Deb doesn’t scream.”
Deb promised.
Annamarie whispered, “I just found out I’m pregnant.”
Deb screamed.
Maureen began to march over to them with the look of a wild cat on her face and Theo intercepted her. She tried to tell Theo that Deb had no right to act inconsiderately at Daniel’s funeral and Theo told her to go sit down; they were all stressed and letting some of it go.
Bonnie quipped, “We better leave. The dragon lady’s coming.”
Annamarie smiled. “My feelings are so confused. I’m happy and incredibly sad. I don’t know what to do.”
“Do what makes you feel best for the baby’s sake.”
Deb agreed and they both promised they’d call soon.
Theo walked up and said it was time to leave because Maureen was at her breaking point.
Chapter Four - Beginnings
Theo refused to drive the car until Annamarie explained why Deb screamed, and they seemed so happy at a funeral.
Paula shook her head “yes” and Annamarie said, “Dad, don’t get upset, but I’m pregnant.”
“What?”
“I’m….”
“I heard you the first time. How’d this happen?”
“Dad, really?”
Paula asked, “Should I drive home?”
“No. It’ll mess up the boy-side girl-side thing.”
Everyone laughed.
Theo looked at Annamarie and said, “One thing ends and another begins. We’ll see you through, little girl, don’t you worry.”
Annamarie was going to complain that she was not his little girl, but right now, she liked it.
When they pulled into their driveway Paula and Theo saw the yellow envelope sticking out of the screen door. They looked at each other apprehensively, knowing bad news can come in a telegram.
Annamarie was out of the car in a second saying, “I bet it’s from Carl.”
She was right. It was a typical telegram, short, but the message understandable. It read in incomplete sentences:
sorry Annamarie
heartbroken for you
will call next port
love you squirt Carl
Annamarie knew exactly what he meant. She wished she knew when he would call. She missed him so much. Paula and Theo were pleased it wasn’t more bad news. Annamarie read it until she had it memorized.
* * *
After the funeral stress and eating more at the luncheon than she should, Annamarie was extremely tired. She went to her room, took the black dress off, rolled it into a tight ball, and threw it into the corner.
She was going to need maternity clothes. While she lay on her bed, she planned a shopping spree with Bonnie and Deb before Bonnie left for nursing school. It wouldn’t be considered in poor taste since she needed the clothes and Deb and Bonnie would want to do more than walk through a maternity store. There would be a day of shopping in Oaklin away from the prying eyes in town. Annamarie was excited about the idea of getting away for a day, but first her mom would want her to see Dr. Fox. She would be sure to call him first thing Monday morning. She drifted off to sleep thinking about shopping.
The pine scent drifted to where Annamarie was sitting. She wasn’t in the woods, but the meadow. Magdalena appeared at her side and sat down. Her words sounded like a soft breeze, “Evil will try to harm you again, but will not succeed. You will be triumphant over the evil.” She touched her cheek the way she had before, saying, “I will never let harm touch you.”
Annamarie woke refreshed, aware of a gentle scent of pine. The scent was calming.
* * *
Annamarie walked out of her room and down the hall to see her parents talking hurriedly, as if to finish before she heard them.
“Okay, what’s up?”
“Not much, we’re worried about how you’re feeling physically and emotionally. Maureen called, saying we should all come for lunch tomorrow after church.”
“Noooo,” Annamarie groaned. “I don’t think I can take an entire afternoon with Maureen. She was so cruel to the Frants last night and I know she’ll be upset with me because I spoke up for them. Also, if we go over, she might figure out about the baby. I’m not ready to tell them.”
“You have to tell them soon. They’re the baby’s grandparents, too.”
“I know, but I was hoping to wait until after I saw Dr. Fox. Dr. Norse gave me his card and told me to call him first thing Monday for an appointment.”
Theo asserted, “It might be wise to wait until she sees the doctor. He can advise her how to handle these situations. We certainly don’t want to put her or the baby at risk.”
They all agreed the wise thing would be to wait. If the doctor told Annamarie to avoid stress whenever possible, Pa
ula might have to be the one to tell Maureen and George, and keep them away from Annamarie.
“It’s settled. If Annamarie feels up to it tomorrow, we’ll go to church and after we’ll go into Oaklin for a nice lunch. No cooking, working, or stress.”
“You’re the best dad in the world.”
Annamarie thought going to church would be fine because people were always so nice to her. She always enjoyed being in church. She knew Maureen and George wouldn’t be there because they attended Good Shepherd.
“We can sit in the back in case I feel ill and leave without making a commotion.”
Paula agreed and dialed Maureen’s number to thank her, but said they wouldn’t be able to make lunch. Maureen seemed a bit taken aback, but understood Annamarie might not feel up to lunch yet.
“You’re going to have a difficult time with Maureen over the next several months.”
Annamarie nodded.
“Mom, Dad, I’m worried how I’m going to get through this alone.”
She sat on the sofa with her elbows on her knees and dropped her head into her hands. She felt tears begin to fill her eyes.
“Honey, you’re not alone. You have Dad and me plus lots of friends and Mr. Hanson will make work easier for you. George and Maureen will eventually come around. When you decide on going back to the Logan house, Elaine will be there.”
“I have to go back. If a Logan doesn’t live there, it’ll become a museum. That’s why Grandpa left seventy-five percent to me because he knew I love the house and will always want to live there.”
“What if you didn’t live there as a Logan? What if sometime down the road you remarried?” Theo asked.
“I can’t imagine being remarried, Dad, but I suppose my child would be the Logan residing in the house with me and it would stay in the family or I could live in sin.”
She grinned at her dad. “Not funny,” he said.
“It’s a long way off. I’m concerned about the next seven months.”
“Well if I can deal with it, you can,” said Theo with a wink.
“Oh, I have to write to Carl and tell him everything. Even if he calls sometime soon, he’ll want to know more than we can talk about in a short phone call.”
Annamarie and Magdalena (Gypsy Spirits Book 2) Page 5