Lonely Souls

by Rosemary Fifield

  Shelby paused again, and this time she could hear people shifting in their seats. Then, suddenly, across the aisle she heard movement that sounded like someone standing up.

  Dawson’s voice rang out through the church. “Marcia was my friend.” Several people in the church drew in a breath, and Shelby’s heart skipped a beat.

  Beside her, Grant rose to his feet. “She was my friend, too.”

  There was a pause and then an older male voice came from across the aisle as another person stood. “And mine.”

  Shane leaned toward her to whisper, “Leon Dumaine.”

  Cassie’s father stood up in front of them and turned toward the back of the church. “Marcia Boardman was my daughter’s best friend, and I liked her. She made me laugh.”

  From the back of the church: “I knew Marcia in high school. We were the only Yankee fans among all you Red Soxers.” Several people chuckled.

  And from a woman across the aisle: “Marcia was my idol in high school. She was the only one in gym class who looked good in those ugly one-piece gym suits they made us wear.”

  Shelby sat down and bit her lip to keep from crying as new voices continued to join in. Some said things that made people laugh, and at one point she heard Cassie laugh along with them. Shane surprised her by leaning over and kissing her scarred cheek. “I know that wasn’t easy,” he whispered, “but they are standing up all over the place.”

  The comments wound down and the minister concluded the service with a final reading and a closing prayer, then invited everyone to the refreshments downstairs as the organist played a final piece. The majority of the crowd proceeded to the basement, and this time Shane and Shelby joined them. Shane sat Shelby at a table and several people stopped to talk with her, introducing themselves and thanking her for her comments. Cassie came over and asked her to stand so she could give her a long, grateful hug, then introduced her to Marcia’s mother, who hugged her as well.

  “Shane’s gone to get his guitar,” Cassie said, “but stay right here. There’s someone else who wants to talk to you.”

  “Hey.” Dawson’s deep voice came from behind her, and he rested his hands on her upper arms. Shelby turned to face him, and he put his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. “Thank you.”

  She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back, resting her head against him, savoring the feel of him. “Can I get you something to drink? Ma’s right over here. Come and sit with us.” He led her to the table where his mother was sitting with Cassie and the rest of her family. Miriam rested her hand on Shelby’s as the latter slid in beside her.

  Leon Dumaine had brought his fiddle in from his truck, and Cliff Burbank had gone home for his. Shane returned with his guitar and the three of them set up in the corner of the room and huddled for a few minutes, then tuned up and began to play an Irish jig.

  “Now that’s Marcia music!” Cassie’s father bellowed, and several people nearby laughed.

  “We’re gonna have us an old-fashioned wake!” Irene McIan answered from the next table over.

  Grant sat beside his mother, his eyes on Cassie as she settled into a chair across from Dawson at the other table.

  “There you are!” Corey came up on him from behind and leaned down to kiss his cheek. “I’ve been looking all over for you! I didn’t expect you to be way up front in the church!”

  Grant looked up at her without smiling. “Marcia was a good friend.”

  “Yeah. I heard you say that in the church.”

  “And I meant it. I’m not upset about her death because of being on the fast squad. She was truly someone I cared about.”

  Corey gave him a teasing smile. “What are you telling me? That you were one of her … johns?”

  “She wasn’t a prostitute, Corey.”

  “Oh no? So what would you call her?”

  “I call her my friend.” Grant stood up and took Corey by the arm to lead her away from the table where his parents sat. “I’m simply telling you this so you get the picture. Some of us truly liked her and will miss her.”

  Corey’s eyes narrowed. “Just what picture is it you want me to get, Grant?”

  “That maybe you and I are not who we used to be, and we shouldn’t pretend that we are. Shelby made me take another look at things today. She made me realize what I’ve been doing.”

  “What have you been doing?”

  “Looking out for number one. Taking the easy way out. Making excuses for being mediocre at a lot of things instead of making the effort to do better.”

  “So what does that mean to me?”

  “It means I’m interested in someone else, Corey. I can’t go back to what we used to have. It’s different now. I love someone else.”

  Corey laughed. “Who? Cassie Marsh? Dawson Penfield fathered her kid, and now they’re sharing custody. They’ll end up living together soon.”

  “I don’t think you’ve checked out Dawson Penfield lately.”

  Grant nodded toward the table where Cassie was sitting with her family and the Penfields. Dawson was standing behind Shelby Weaver-North’s chair, gently massaging her shoulders. “Have you ever seen Sonny do that in public with Cassie? He’s not going to end up with Cassie. I’m pretty sure of that.”

  “So you think she’s going to end up with you?”

  Grant smiled. “I hope so. And I hope you find what you’re looking for. For Allison’s sake, I hope you find it with her father.”

  Corey’s chin had begun quivering as she stared at him; the finality of his words was sinking in. “Can I at least get a kiss? For old time’s sake?”

  Grant shook his head. “I don’t kiss other men’s wives anymore.”

  “Anymore. Got it.” Corey turned on her heel and walked away from him. Grant watched her cross the room to say good-bye to Larry and Suzanne, and together the three of them turned to look at him. Grant smiled and nodded then turned away.

  The impromptu musical trio sounded pretty good, and they had just broken into a waltz. Several couples had moved into the center of the room, away from the tables, to dance. Dawson was leading Shelby out onto the dance floor, and Grant looked for Cassie. She was watching him from her seat at the table, and when his eyes met hers, she smiled. He headed toward her with his hand outstretched, and Cassie rose from the table to meet him halfway.

  The End