by Syndi Powell
That actually was a great idea. At this point, she could commit to considering the idea of moving. She couldn’t live in Mama’s house as it was, and she didn’t have the money handy to get it fixed. But she couldn’t live in limbo for long because Presley was right—she wasn’t fine.
Suzy agreed. “On your next day off then. I’ll call a real estate agent to set up some showings. And I should go to the bank and discuss my options. I can’t put this off anymore.”
Pres rubbed her arm. “I know it feels like you’re lost right now, but you’ll find your way.”
Suzy hoped so. She held up a light green top with matching linen skirt. “What about these?”
Pres wrinkled her nose. “I think we can find something better.”
* * *
HIS MOTHER HAD decided it was time to start thinking about her funeral. “I want to be buried next to your father.”
The harmless conversation between Will, Carol and Tori about the weather ended with those words. Will stared at her. “Ma, you’re not going to die.”
“You don’t know that.”
“And you do?” He glanced at Tori who was blinking back tears. “Why are you bringing this up now?”
“Because your father never had a chance to talk about it. I did what I wanted even though I knew he’d hate the service and all those long-winded speeches by people who didn’t really know him.” She put her tea cup down on the table next to her bed. “I want my funeral to go my way. And I want to be buried next to your father. We already paid for the plot.”
Tori got up from the chair and hurried to their mother’s side. Sat on the bed next to her and held her hand. “Ma, you’re not going to die. You can’t.”
“I wish it was up to you, baby.” She placed a hand on Tori’s cheek. “But no one knows when something like it will happen. And I want to be prepared.”
Carol glanced at Will who shrugged. What had brought this on? And why? “It sounds like you’re giving up.”
“Not giving up. Just being prepared.” She gave him the eye. “And I figured you of all people would understand that. Isn’t that what you would do?”
She had him there. He’d already written a will and had purchased his own plot in the cemetery where his father was buried. He had written out instructions for how he wanted his funeral to be and had even suggested songs to be sung and scripture to be read.
So he could see her point. Almost.
“Then this isn’t a way of giving up?” He leaned in towards his mom. “You’re not doing this as a way of surrendering?”
She shook her head, but didn’t look him in the eye either. Shoot. He’d hoped they’d gotten past that. She glanced at him then at his sisters. “It wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.”
“But talking about funerals and caskets and stuff is depressing,” Tori blurted. “I don’t want to think about it. So I don’t want to talk about it.”
It was the Stone way. Will took a seat on the bed opposite Tori and asked, “Would it make you feel better to talk about it, Ma?”
She didn’t answer for a moment then shook her head. “Not really. But I think we should.”
Will nodded and got off the bed. He found an empty envelope and a marker. It would have to do. He took his seat at the chair next to the bedside table. “Okay then. We’ll do this. Who do you want to hold your service?”
Carol jumped up. “What? No. We’re not doing this. Ma isn’t going to die and I refuse to sit here and listen to this.”
“This is what Ma wants.”
“You’re forcing her to deal with this because you’re too weak to deal with the details yourself.” Carol picked up her purse and walked to the door. “Sorry, Ma, but I gotta go.”
After his sister left, Will sighed and glanced at Ma. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”
“Carol’s wrong. I need to do this.” She thought for several minutes. “I’ve always liked that Rick fellow. You know, the mayor? Do you think he’d agree to do the service?”
“Doesn’t it have to be a pastor or something?” Will wrote Rick’s name down anyway. If anyone could manage to get around the rules, it would be him. “I’m writing his name, but we’ll have to check to see if he can officiate.”
“I don’t need a fancy party either. Just get me in the ground. Sing a few songs. Then done.”
“That’s what you want?” Tori looked at her as if she had really lost it. “When you said you wanted the funeral your way, I was expecting something...I don’t know. More elaborate.” She grimaced. “This talk is depressing me. Will can help you plan.” She kissed their mother on the cheek. “I’ll check in on you tomorrow night. Lovey.”
“Lovey.” Ma kissed her back and waved as Tori departed. She looked at Will. “You planning on leaving me to this too?”
“I gave my word. Besides, I’m tough.” He poised the marker on the envelope. “Now, be honest. Is a few songs all you want?”
“Do you remember Great Grandma Heller’s funeral? You must have been about nine at the time.” His mother closed her eyes and smiled. “Now that was some funeral. People drove for days to come and pay their respects. My ma and I must have cooked enough to feed a hundred people. It was tiring, but it was so nice to see everyone.” She opened her eyes. “Weddings and funerals. They’re the only occasions when you get to see the whole family.”
Will put the marker down. “So why don’t we plan something now while you’re still alive and kicking? Like a family reunion so you can see everyone too? Why should you have to miss out on the party?”
Ma smiled. “I’d like that. But I’m going to lose my hair and become skin and bones with that chemo.”
“So we’ll plan it for when you’re better. A celebration of beating this thing.”
She looked at him sharply. “Do you really think I can beat this?”
“With the right attitude, yes.”
Ma swallowed and closed her eyes. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up, son.”
“My hopes or yours?” Will stood and stalked to the window. “We need you to fight this, Ma. Don’t give up and give in to the cancer. Do what you have to do to survive.” He turned and looked at her, his eyes burning. He approached her bed and sat next to her. “I need you to fight. I can’t do this without you.”
She reached up and touched his cheek. Looked deep into his eyes. “You’ve always been the strong one. Tough. On your own. I didn’t think you needed anyone.”
“You’re wrong. We all need you, Ma. Especially me.” He looked up at her and shrugged. “There’s this woman.”
His mom nodded. “Suzy.”
“I don’t know what to do about her.”
“What do you want to do?”
Kiss her. Hold her. Love her.
But he pushed those feelings down to examine later. “I want to help her.”
She eyed him over the top of her glasses. “Has she asked for your help?”
“She needs it whether she wants it or not.”
“She’s a tough woman. Dealt with things you may not know about. And you need to let her decide what she wants on her own.”
He pictured Suzy standing in the living room surrounded by all the stuff. “But I know I can help her. I’ve already started to fix it for her.”
“After we told you not to?”
“I thought I knew what was best.”
“And now?”
He still thought he knew best, but it didn’t bring him any comfort. What if fixing it himself only made it worse?
Ma glanced down at her hands. “I don’t know if I should tell you this, but management asked her to take some time off from here.” She looked up at him, and he wanted to squirm in his seat. “Because of the house and everything she needs to do, she can’t work here.” She
took a deep breath. “It’s been two days, and I miss her already.”
He did too.
But Ma wouldn’t let it go. “You want my advice? Wait until she asks for help.”
Too late. To cover that up, he gave a crooked grin. “If you didn’t notice, she has a hard time asking. She can be stubborn.”
“She can also be an amazingly loving and patient nurse.” She smiled. “Believe me. I’ve put her through enough.”
Will shared her grin. “Me too. She’s tough enough to take it though.”
“You are too.” Ma grabbed his hands in hers and clutched them tightly. “No matter what happens, you’re strong enough to cope with whatever comes. You did it after Daddy died. And if I die...”
“Ma. No.”
“Hear me, son. If I die, the others will certainly be looking to you for direction. You need to be prepared to help them through this.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “I know you can do it.”
He blinked away the tears. “I don’t want to do this without you.”
“I don’t either.” She pulled him into her arms and put his head on her shoulder. “But whatever comes up, we can face it. We’re Stones.”
Will nodded and made himself stop the tears. He sat back and put his hands on her shoulders. “We’re tough.”
“When your dad said that he meant to ignore how you felt and do whatever it was anyways. But I’m telling you that it means we don’t give up. We get scared but we do it because our family is worth it.”
She took another deep breath, her expression calm. “So can we talk about my funeral now?”
Will nodded and got off the bed. Found the envelope and marker he’d discarded. He was poised, ready for her instructions. “It’s whatever you want.”
* * *
IT SEEMED LIKE the entire town of Lake Mildred was on the guest list for Rick and Lizzie’s wedding. The church’s parking lot was full, so they had started to park in the empty space next door and walk the half block. Suzy was glad that Pres had volunteered to drive. It was one less thing for her to worry about.
But she did have to manage in high heels all the way to the church. Maybe she should have planned her outfit better. She had eventually found a dark pink dress that hit her just above the knee. It was lacy and flirty, and Pres said it made her skin glow. She’d put her hair up into a knot on top of her head and borrowed an ivory crocheted shawl from Pres to complete the ensemble. So maybe it wasn’t the outfit that was the issue but the heels. She took them off and walked barefoot on the cold concrete.
Pres looked down at her feet and shook her head. Suzy shrugged. “What? I don’t want to get blisters before we even get to the reception.”
“And you wore heels why?”
“We shorties need something to get us attention.”
Pres leaned in close and gestured ahead of them. “I think you’re getting plenty of that without them.”
Suzy squinted and saw Will standing outside the church watching them approach. He wore a grey tailored suit that brought out the hard lines of his body. He cleaned up really nicely. “Just the person I don’t want to see today.”
“Be nice.”
“I’m always nice.” She pasted a smile on her face as they reached the church and Will strode towards them. “Mr. Stone, good to see you.”
She glanced at Pres as if to prove her point. Her friend rolled her eyes.
“Suzy. Presley. I think the entire town is here,” he said.
“We should probably get inside and find our seats. Bye, Mr. Stone.”
He took a fast step towards her. “Will you save a dance for me later?”
“Why?” Okay, so she lost points for the question. But why in the world would he want to dance with her? And why would he think she’d agree? “I mean, I don’t plan on doing any dancing.”
“That would be a waste of a great dress.”
Suzy looked down and fingered the silky material then turned to Pres. “Should we go inside?”
They entered the church, and Suzy was awed by the decorations. It had been transformed from a typical church into something magical with hundreds of lit candles giving it an ethereal glow. Pretty satin bows decorated the end of each pew, and a red carpet runner ran from the back of the church down the center aisle to the front where the ceremony would take place. Pres nudged Suzy, and they entered a pew that was already filling quickly.
Suzy whispered to Pres, “When I get married, I want to do this.”
“Might be nice to find the guy first.”
As if on cue, Will entered the pew in front of them and turned around to face Suzy. “You really look fantastic.”
Suzy bit her lip to keep from answering him, but Pres nodded. “I knew Lizzie could make this something special. She’s got the touch.”
Will glanced at Suzy then switched his attention to the altar when the organ started to play Canon in D. The ushers seated the mother of the groom and of the bride, and then took their places at the front. Rick, his brother Dan, and the pastor arrived via the side door and stood near the front of the church as the flower girl started her march down the aisle, strewing pale pink rose petals on the red carpet. Two bridesmaids came next then the maid of honor, Dawn, who winked at her husband Dan. The organist went on to play a selection from Lohengrin, then Lizzie appeared. A hush fell on the crowd as she began her journey up the aisle. When she almost reached Rick, he left his position by the pastor and dashed towards his bride. He took both her hands in his and smiled at her. Then he walked with her, the rest of the aisle, to the front of the church.
Suzy dabbed at the corners of her eyes as the ceremony happened. Rick and Lizzie loved each other, and everyone in the packed church could feel it as well as see it. When the pastor announced them as husband and wife, people shot to their feet and applauded.
Suzy sighed. Yep, she had to do this. But like Pres said. Maybe she should find the guy first.
* * *
WILL SCANNED THE seating chart and snickered when he found his name. Rick and Lizzie had placed him at the same table as Suzy. Thank you, Rick.
He placed his wedding card in the mailbox standing to the side then entered the VFW hall. He had played charity poker games in the room, but it didn’t look like the same place. Lizzie had apparently been hard at work because white lights twinkled behind see through fabric woven around the room and at each table. There was a photo booth in one corner next to a large dance floor where a band was setting up.
At table forty-two, he pulled out a seat then switched a few names around so that Suzy would sit next to him. Then he checked to see if she’d arrived yet.
He’d never been one for weddings, but even he wouldn’t mind having one like this. When Rick had kissed his wife for the first time, Will had fought the urge to find someone to do the same. The fact that an image of Suzy had popped into his head wasn’t lost on him. He already knew he cared about her. What would a marriage to her be like?
Before he could go down that path, several guests joined him at the table. He knew Suzy had arrived even before he heard her voice. It was like a tingling at the back of his neck that made him turn. And there she was. Beautiful. Intriguing. Caring. He held up a hand and waved.
She frowned at him. Okay, so he knew she was still angry with him. But he’d hoped after she’d comforted him the other night...He pulled out her chair for her when she got to the table. “Seems Lizzie sat you next to me.”
Suzy glanced at the place cards then plucked Presley’s to switch them. Her friend shook her head. “I’m fine where I’m at.”
“But don’t you want to sit closer to the buffet?”
“I think I can handle the six inch difference.” Pres took her seat.
Suzy glanced at the chair that Will still held for her then sat with a frown. “Fine.”
“You say that a lot, you know.” Will took the seat next to her. “But somehow I don’t think you quite mean it.”
She turned at him, her eyes shooting daggers into his. “You arranged this seating, didn’t you?”
He held up his hand. “We were assigned to the same table. I swear.”
She talked with Presley, non-stop until the bride and groom arrived at the hall. The band leader came to the microphone. “Everyone, please join me in welcoming for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Allyn.”
Everyone stood and applauded as the bride and groom took their places at the head table. Soon the band started playing music, and a hostess began circulating around the room, letting tables go up to the buffet. Will leaned towards Suzy. “I still want that dance later.”
It wasn’t long before their table’s turn at the buffet came. Will pulled out Suzy’s chair for her and tried to ignore the disappointment when she walked away from him without a word. He followed her but was stopped by town councilor Mrs. Winkle. “Beautiful wedding.”
Somehow he didn’t think she’d held him up to merely comment on the ceremony. “They’ll have a great life together.”
Mrs. Winkle nodded. “The budget vote is coming up soon.”
Ahh, so that’s what this was about. “I know. I’m hoping I’ll have your support.”
“My good friend George Steppey told me that you discussed volunteers mowing his lawn and helping him care for his house.”
“I think we could make a difference. Not just for Mr. Steppey, but for the other seniors who could use a helping hand.”
She peered at him. “I know you could use that. The community needs more people like you, people who see a problem and offer solutions, not complaints. Not to speak ill of my fellow council members, but they’re short-sighted and focused on numbers. We should be looking at results.
That sounded ominous. Was this a warning? Will held out his hand. “That’s what I want too, Mrs. Winkle. Thank you.”
“No, thank you, young man. Have you thought about running for council yourself if your position gets cut?“