by BL Miller
"Tommy was killed in an auto accident last night."
Like a mirror shattering, Maria's face lost all composure and she broke down into tears. As she did with Ronnie, Rose took the grieving woman in her arms and comforted her. The housekeeper allowed the contact for a few minutes before standing up and wiping her eyes. "Well then, I believe there are things I should be doing." She walked over to the coffee maker. "I'm sure a fresh pot would be in order."
"Maria, you don't have to do that."
The older woman turned and looked at her. "Rose, I am not a Cartwright. Ronnie says I'm the housekeeper but that does not make me family. I remember when her father passed away. I worked for that man for twenty-five years and on the day of his funeral I was here making sure there was enough food for the people who were going to be arriving after the graveside service."
"That's awful," Rose gasped. "Ronnie wouldn't give you the day off?"
"Ronnie wasn't in charge then, her mother was." Maria poured the coffee into the sink and turned on the faucet. "She said she needed me here to take care of everything for her. What was I supposed to do?"
"I'm sure Ronnie won't expect you to work." She hobbled forward another step and spoke in a lower voice. "Beatrice is here too."
"Well then, she'll be expecting hot tea when she comes down." Maria opened the cupboard and fished out the teapot. "What time are you going to wake Ronnie up?"
"I figured I'd give her another half-hour or so. She was up all night."
"Hmm, Beatrice usually wakes up by eight. You probably should wake Ronnie once the coffee is ready." Rose nodded in agreement. It would not be a good thing to wake her companion up and then make her face her mother immediately.
**********************
Maria followed Rose into the room and set the steaming cup of coffee on the nightstand. "I'll start breakfast for the boys. I'm sure they'll be up soon."
"Thank you. We will be out in a few minutes," she said, her eyes never leaving the sleeping woman. Once she heard the click of the door closing, Rose leaned her crutches against the wall and laid down next to her companion. She propped herself up on one elbow and looked down, silently wishing she did not have to wake Ronnie. Even in sleep the executive's face showed the signs of grief. Closed eyes still showed the puffiness of crying and there was no peacefulness in the chiseled features. "Ronnie? Time to wake up, Hon."
"Hmm?" Eyes that did not get enough sleep opened with momentary confusion. "What time is it?"
"About quarter of eight," the young woman replied. Ronnie groaned and sat up.
"I guess I'd better get up then. I have a busy day ahead of me." Her eyes widened at the sight of her coffee being handed to her. "Oh, thanks." She took a sip and smiled appreciatively. "I needed this." She took another sip, then looked at Rose quizzically. "Did you make this?"
"Maria did."
"Oh God, Maria." Ronnie put her hand to her mouth. "I have to…"
"I took care of it for you," Rose said in a low tone, her eyes betraying just how difficult it had been for her to be the bearer of bad news.
"Come here." The tall woman leaned her back against the headrest and held her right arm out.
"But you have things to do," she said, although there was nothing more in the world she wanted to do at that moment than curl up in Ronnie's arms.
"I can spare a minute." Sad blue eyes looked at Rose. "I really need to hold you." Careful not to spill the coffee, they snuggled up together, the blonde head resting against the executive's chest.
"Thank you."
"If there is anything I can do…"
"You're doing it right now," Ronnie said, pressing her lips against Rose's head. "I just need a few minutes of peace with you before I go out there and face anyone." She took another sip of coffee and began idly stroking the honey hair. "There are going to be hundreds of people going in and out for the next few days. Tabitha will be spending a lot of time in the laundry room." She nuzzled her cheek against the soft hair then took another drink. "If Jack and Susan stay, would you help keep the boys occupied? They like playing video games with you."
"Of course, Ronnie. Anything you need." As much as she didn't want to, Rose pulled away from the embrace. "I had better go back out there and see if Maria needs any help. Besides, I'm sure you want to get dressed before everyone wakes up."
"Maria? She didn't go home?"
"No, she's making breakfast."
"Tell her she can go home. She doesn't have to work today." Ronnie was surprised to receive a quick hug. "What was that for?"
"I knew you wouldn't make her work."
"Of course not. How could I expect her to work after this?"
"Your mother did when your father died." She watched Ronnie's jaw tense.
"I'm not like my mother," she said tersely. She flung the covers back and stood up. "Rose, would you mind telling Maria?"
"No, I don't mind at all," the young woman said just before Ronnie closed the bathroom door. She picked up the empty mug. "I'll have fresh coffee waiting for you when you come out." It was easier said then done as Rose tried to figure out how to maneuver with her crutches. The solution was to hold the handle by her teeth, which earned her a disapproving look from Maria as she entered the kitchen.
"You are as stubborn as she is, aren't you?" the housekeeper chastised as she took the mug. "You know I would have come and picked it up. You didn't need to carry it all the way out here."
"Maria, Ronnie said you didn't have to stay today. I'm sure we can handle everything."
"Was that her idea or yours?"
"Hers."
"I see." The housekeeper nodded. "I would expect that from someone as generous as Ronnie. However, I think I should stay."
"Why? You're just as upset as everyone else, why should you stay and work?"
"Maria? Maria are you down there?" Beatrice called down from the top of the stairs.
"That's why," the older woman said. She walked out to the living room and looked up at the matriarch. "There's tea waiting for you, Mrs. Cartwright."
"Oh good, you are here." Beatrice walked down the stairs, her face showing the signs of a grieving mother. "It's terrible, isn't it? Just simply terrible."
"Tragic," the housekeeper agreed.
"Where's my daughter?" She finally noticed Rose leaning on her crutches. "Hello, dear. Aren't you Ronnie's little friend? The one that was in the wheelchair?"
"Yes, Ma'am. My name is Rose."
"Rose, where's Ronnie?"
"She's getting dressed. She'll be out in a minute."
"Has she started to call anyone yet?"
"I'll be doing it in a minute," Ronnie said as she exited Rose's room. She appeared composed but Rose knew it was an act. The puffy eyes told of new tears of grief waiting to pour out. "Good morning, Mother."
"There's nothing good about this day, Veronica. You'd better get started. Call your Aunt Elaine first." The matriarch strode into the kitchen, effectively dismissing her daughter.
"I guess I'd better start making some phone calls." She looked in the direction of the kitchen and shook her head. "I'm going to use the phone in the office. Excuse me."
Rose waited until the door to the room closed before speaking to Maria in hushed tones. "Why was she so mean to Ronnie?"
"She's not trying to be mean," the housekeeper explained. "Beatrice has a certain way of handling things. This is her way."
"I know she's hurting but so is Ronnie. Can't she see that?"
"Some people can't see past their own pain, Rose." Maria looked at the kitchen. "I have to get in there."
Rose stood there for a moment, her first instinct was to keep Ronnie company but then she realized there was a better way to help her friend. Steeling herself, she followed Maria into the kitchen.
***************
Beatrice was sitting at the table with a cup of tea in one hand and a handkerchief in the other.
"Mrs. Cartwright, would you mind if I sat down here?" Rose asked sweetly. "I s
till can't stand for any length of time yet."
"Well yes, sit down. Maria, some more tea."
"Thank you," the young woman said as she took a seat. The housekeeper approached with the teapot and a cup of coffee for Rose. They exchanged glances but said nothing. Beatrice looked at her watch.
"I would think Ricky would be up by now. He's always an early riser."
"He was up late. I had trouble getting him to sleep."
"That's right, you watched them, didn't you?" Rose nodded. The matriarch sipped her tea. "That Ricky. He's a lot like Tommy, you know."
"I'm afraid I didn't get to know your son. Why don't you tell me about him?"
Ronnie stepped into the kitchen an hour later looking for her coffee. Her throat was becoming dry after making so many calls. An eyebrow arched at the sight of her mother, Rose, and Susan sitting at the table chatting. Since Beatrice's back was to her, Ronnie hoped she could sneak in, get her coffee, and get out. The sound of her sister's voice, however, dashed that hope. "Ronnie."
"Morning Susan." She turned and faced the table. "Mother, Frank and the kids will be here in a little while. Most of the others will be here this afternoon."
"Did you make the arrangements? I want you to make sure that he gets the best, the very best."
"I'll take care of it," Ronnie said. "I have a few more calls to make. Laura can handle the business associates and the press releases." Maria handed her the mug. "I'll be back out later."
"Did you reach your Aunt Elaine?"
"I got her answering service. She'll call back."
"But you're on the phone." The matriarch's voice raised a notch. "She won't be able to get through. Veronica, I don't want her to hear about this on the news."
"I have call waiting, Mother. She won't get a busy signal."
"She can't hear about this on the news. Tommy was her favorite nephew."
"I left a message with her service." What do you want me to do? I can't make her call me. She gulped her coffee, wincing at the burning heat going down her throat.
"Mrs. Cartwright, would you like some more tea?" Rose asked.
"Not right now, dear. I should go spend some time with my grandsons." She looked at her younger daughter. "Susan, I assume if you and Jack have another child you will name him Thomas."
"Mother, we've decided that three…"
"Nonsense. You're certainly young enough and it's not like your figure could be ruined by another child. Your sister continues to show no interest in having children." The matriarch rose to her feet. "I'm going to go visit with the boys and then you can take me home, Ronnie. I'll let you know when I'm ready."
The tall woman's knuckles turned white as she gripped the handle of her mug and glared at her mother's retreating form. Susan stood next to her sister. "She doesn't know what she's saying. She's just hurting over Tommy."
"She knows exactly what she's saying, Sis. The problem is we keep putting up with it." She turned to Rose. "People are going to start arriving soon. You might want to go into your room before it happens."
"No." She picked up her crutches. "I can help. I'll keep an eye on the kids so the adults can be together. I don't mind."
"Are you sure?" Ronnie looked at her and was hard pressed not to seek an embrace. You know how crazy it's gonna be and you still want to help? She was certain she would not be as generous if the situations were reversed. Then again, when it comes to you, there isn't anything I wouldn't do. "Thank you," she said softly.
"Of course. It's the least I can do." Rose smiled and Ronnie found herself helplessly lost in it.
"Ahem." Susan's polite cough broke the moment.
"I'd better get back to the phone calls."
"Ronnie, I'll make sure Mother gets home. You worry about getting in touch with everyone," the redhead said.
*****************
It was almost nightfall by the time Susan and her family took Beatrice home. Ronnie made it a point to stay hidden in the office as much as possible while unbeknownst to her Rose was doing her best to keep the matriarch away from her. When the minivan backed out of her driveway, the black-haired woman breathed a sigh of relief and stepped into the living room. Damn. In her hiding, she had not noticed that the group of relatives arriving was outpacing those leaving and now close to thirty Cartwrights were floating around. She spotted Rose immediately and made a beeline for her. "Hi."
"Hi. Your mother left."
"I see that." She looked around, her tall frame allowing her to see past the mass of people. "Do you think they could be a little louder?"
"Who's the one in the blue jacket with the tie undone?"
"Michael. He owns a Toyota dealership. One of the cousins," Ronnie said as she looked at the young man, frowning at his bereavement act.
"Oh."
"Why do you ask?"
"He was telling me that he and Tommy were close."
"Yeah and he was 'close' to Dad after he died. Didn't get him anything then and it won't now."
"You mean he's only acting like that because…" Rose stopped, thinking about how Delores acted when her father died. "That's terrible."
"I'm surprised he's here and not ransacking Tommy's condo right now. Must have been so close he forgot the address in all of his grief." Hidden from the sight of others, a hand worked its way to the small of Ronnie's back and began rubbing in gentle circles.
"They'll be leaving soon, won't they?"
"Well, there's no reason for the them to stay. They all said their condolences to Mother and found out when the wake and funeral are scheduled. They're just hanging out here because they have no place better to be. A loud crash from the game room drew her attention. "I'll be right back."
The crash turned out to be a barstool complete with its occupant. "Hey, Cuzz," the drunken man slurred. Two of the half-dozen men standing around moved in to help him up. A breathalyzer was not needed to know they were all quite drunk.
"Frank, what are you doing."
"The boys and I were just raising a few to Tommy." He wobbled back onto his now upright stool. She walked past him and stepped behind the bar.
"A bottle of scotch and half a bottle of vodka. You guys have been toasting him quite well, I believe." She capped the vodka and shut the light off behind the bar. "I think it's time for your wives to take you home." She walked around shutting off lights and hanging up the cue sticks. One by one the men grumbled and left the room, not all unassisted. It took her slightly longer to break up the clusters of women gathered together talking about every imaginable subject. Only when the last relative was gone did Maria appear with the vacuum. "Don't bother tonight," Ronnie said.
"Look at this room," the housekeeper said incredulously.
"It will still be here in the morning, Maria. It's been a long day and I'm exhausted. Please, just leave it until tomorrow, okay?"
"If you wish. I'll be here first thing as usual. Should I pick up anything special at the market?"
"No, there's nothing--"
"A roll of chocolate chip cookie dough," Rose interjected. "Um, you know how kids love cookies. Maybe it'll keep them occupied." She caught the slight upturn of a smile on Ronnie's lips and knew her idea was well received. "Better make that two," she amended, her eyes never leaving those of her friend.
An hour later, two bodies were curled up around each other, both fighting yawns. "You are an incredibly thoughtful woman," Ronnie mumbled into the young woman's ear.
"Mm?"
"The cookies. And I know you put up with my mother to keep her away from me." She squeezed the shoulder beneath her hand. "You don't know how much I appreciate that."
"You had enough to worry about." She squirmed back into the warm body behind her. The biggest advantage of having her cast shortened was that she could snuggle up as close as she wanted to Ronnie. "She's not that bad."
"That's because she's not your mother."
"True."
"It's a good thing too." The hand that had been squeezing Rose's shoulder, moved
down to her waist.
"Why is that?"
"Because," Ronnie answered as she flipped the smaller woman onto her back and put her hands on either side of the golden head of hair. She relaxed her shoulders, bringing their lips so close that their breath mingled. "That would make you my sister and I guarantee there are times when my thoughts of you are far from sisterly." Even in the dim moonlight Rose could see the roguish grin before it was replaced with a more serious face. "You don't know how much you've helped me today. You made me feel…well…very special."