“I’m sure that Tom and Mary won’t be cooking either,” said Abby. She thought about them missing Brian’s birthday party because they were away in Florida. Abby would now be seeing them soon.
Caroline took three plates from the cabinet and set them down in front of the makeshift buffet. Abby started to take the covers off from the food.
“You two just have a seat,” said Caroline.
On each plate Caroline put an assortment of the salads and meats. She placed the plates in front of Abby and Mitch and then took a seat across the island from them. Abby had not realized how hungry she was. Once she started eating, the food went down easily.
Caroline asked, “Have you eaten anything since we talked last night?”
“I’m not sure,” said Abby. Everything was confusing for Abby right now.
Mitch went to the refrigerator, took out a pitcher of lemonade, and set the pitcher on the island. Caroline told him which cabinet to get three glasses from so that she could fill them. The more Abby ate the more color came to her face and the faster she ate as well.
“I guess eating was a pretty good idea,” said Mitch.
“That’s what you’re supposed to do at times like this,” said Caroline.
They ate silently and then Abby reached across the island and took Caroline’s hand and smiled. Mitch was glad to see a smile on Abby’s face. Mitch picked up his glass of lemonade and gestured a toast, “To Tom and Mary for this great food.”
“Here, here,” they toasted back.
“I almost forgot,” said Caroline. She got up from the island, went over to the side counter, and lifted a towel from a tray. Below the towel was a plate of frosted sweet biscuits. Caroline picked up three from the top and covered the plate then brought them back, distributing one to each plate.
“I made these this morning. They’re good,” said Caroline.
Abby picked up and held the biscuit in front of her, “All of this food and you still baked these?”
“That’s not all I baked,” said Caroline, pointing to a sidebar lined with towel-covered trays. “I was baking all evening.”
Mitch bit into his biscuit and with his mouthful he said, “Some things never change.”
Abby asked, “You’ve seen her bake like this before?”
“Any time she get’s stressed,” said Mitch. “I remember back in college heading to Caroline’s around midterms and finals for all of the cupcakes you could eat.”
Caroline and Abby laughed.
“My dear Caroline was a chronic baker way before she went off to school,” said Abby. “I remember when she was waiting for Bobby Collins to ask her to homecoming. She came to my house and we made every kind of fruit pie possible. Two of every kind.”
All three laughed at this.
Caroline continued, “We kept sending Michael to the Orchard Hill farm stand to get more fruit and each time he would come back with something different.”
Abby added, “We moved the pies out to picnic table to cool and when we went to check on them they were gone. So we go out to the studio and there was Will with a pie on the workbench and a fork in his hand and a bunch of empty pie tins in front of him. We asked him what he thought he was doing and he looked up and said,” Caroline joined in unison, “Waiting for some ice cream.”
The girls laughed again harder. Caroline held up her glass of lemonade again, “To Uncle Will.”
“To Will,” said Mitch raising his glass.
“To Will,” said Abby.
Then they fell silent.
Mitch asked Caroline, “Did you bake any pie?”
“Just apple, that’s all I had around,” said Caroline.
“I love pie,” said Mitch.
“Me too,” said Abby.
“You know, I do too,” said Caroline, and she brought the pie over.
Caroline took out three pie plates and then cut three pieces. She offered to heat the pie in the microwave and both declined. Caroline then offered ice cream to which all three laughed yet still declined. All were satisfied to eat the pie as is.
Mitch and Caroline could see a noticeable difference in Abby’s strength and color. Food had been what she had needed, at least one of the things. Being with family was helping as well.
After lunch Mitch stood and took the car keys out of his pocket. “ I need to take the car back and get my truck. I’ll be available for anything you need once I pick it up.”
“Where is your truck?” asked Caroline.
“The Fremont Airport.”
“What’s it doing out there?”
“The only rental car I could find last night was at the airport. Do you want to go into Fremont Abby?”
“No, I think I am going to stay with Caroline for now. I’ll see you when you get back,” said Abby.
“Ok then, let me get your bag out of the car. I’ll be right back.”
Mitch brought Abby’s bag into the house and the girls met him at the door. Mitch gave each of the girls a tight hug then turned and went back out to the car. From inside the atrium Abby watched Mitch drive out of the yard. Her arms were crossed and her head tilted, she sighed lightly as he pulled away. He did not see her.
“You’re like an old couple already,” said Caroline as she stepped up next to her cousin and put her arm on her shoulder. The two let the sides of their heads rest together.
“I knew you two would be a match,” said Caroline.
“He’s a great guy. There’s no doubt about that,” said Abby.
“But what?”
“No buts. Just a lot to ask from him so quick.”
“It was nice of him to drive in this morning and pick you up.”
“He’s a doll,” said Abby.
“You look like you could use a nap. Why don’t you lie down? Everything is set up for tonight. Will had it all together, surprising enough.”
“You gotta give him that.”
Abby turned and began walking the length of the room toward the lake. Without looking back at her, she asked Caroline, “Have you been over to the house?”
“Yea. Brian and Mitch took me over there. Mitch had the guys patch it up.”
“Yea, he told me,” said Abby. “How bad was it?”
“Architecturally? I don’t know. Not bad I think. Honestly, I couldn’t focus,” said Caroline. “I had just been over to see him.”
“Of course,” said Abby. She had sauntered to the sliding glass doors overlooking the deck. “I’ll have to ask Brian what it takes to fix it.”
“The boys already have it worked out. I don’t think it’s that much. They just haven’t discussed it with me,” said Caroline. She too was now staring out onto the lake with Abby, each seeing nothing.
“Right,” said Abby. “They’re good guys.”
“Yea, they are,” said Caroline.
* * * * *
Chapter 65
Abby carefully applied the mascara that Caroline had shared with her. She had not worn hers in so long, the tube had dried out. How odd she felt to wear make up to a funeral viewing. Abby assessed herself in the mirror. The globe bulbs surrounding the glass cast off an amber light that she thought made her appear tan. “Tan in winter,” she thought, “and in a cocktail dress.” The black dress Abby wore was not a cocktail dress, though the dress was elegant, perhaps she felt too elegant. Abby thought she appeared as if she were going to a fancy party. She had even blown her hair out and she never blew her hair out. Abby turned to her right and Caroline was standing in the door. She was wearing a black dress and had blown her hair out as well. They smiled girlish smiles at each other.
“You look silly,” said Abby.
“Not as silly as you look,” said Caroline. Caroline stepped up next to Abby and peered intently into the mirror. With the end of her finger, she rubbed her eyebrows.
“You’re beautiful,” said Abby, admiring her cousin in the mirror. “I don’t want to do this.”
“Who would? Are you ready?” asked Caroline. “Brian has the
car running.”
“Yea, sure. As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The two hugged each other tightly again then went downstairs. Caroline produced two winter shawls for them to put on.
“The way we’re dressed, we should be going to dinner,” said Abby.
Caroline gave her another hug and the two went to the waiting car.
* * * * *
Chapter 66
The Bennington Funeral Home was a prominent funeral parlor in Fremont. The Bennington family had run the business for generations and the Bellens always used their services as a matter of tradition. The Funeral Home was a large Victorian House the size of a small mansion that sat on the corner of Second Avenue and River Street, Second Avenue being the grand estate avenue of Fremont. An ivy branched garden wall, naked in the cold, ran along River Street for almost the full block concealing a parking lot behind. There were several viewing rooms in the funeral home and at any time there could be two or three families mourning a loved one there. When Brian drove up to the home, both sides of the street were already lined with cars and the three could see people moving along the sidewalk and up the stairs into the building.
“The parking lot must already be full,” said Caroline.
“It’s alright. There’s a deli parking lot two blocks up,” said Brian as he trolled the car passed Bennington’s.
“There must be a lot of viewings tonight,” said Abby.
“I don’t think so,” said Caroline.
“They can’t all be there for…” Abby drifted off. She kept her gaze in the direction of the funeral home, slowly turning her head back as the car drove forward.
“Sure,” said Caroline.
Brian pulled the Subaru into the parking lot and parked below a large lit sign that had a picture of a tubby boy eating a long sandwich. Brian turned off the engine and he and Caroline stepped out of the car. Abby stayed inside. Over the top of the car Caroline arched her eyebrows high at Brian. Brian nodded his head and shut his door, then without a word walked around the car and opened Abby’s door. Brian reached in and took Abby’s hand to help her out of the car.
“Be careful on the ice hon,” said Caroline.
Abby put her hand beneath Brian’s arm and he walked her out of the lot and up the sidewalk. Caroline led the way a step ahead of them at an easy pace so that Abby would not get overwhelmed. When they got to the bottom of the wooden porch that wrapped around the front of the house Caroline stopped. Abby let go of Brian’s arm and took Caroline’s.
“Shall we,” said Abby.
“Let me get the door,” said Brian, and he side stepped around the two to make his way up the porch to get the door opened for them.
When the door opened the girls could feel the flood of heat and were washed in a sweet floral smell that permeated the funeral home. The interior of the foyer was classic Victorian in style with lush wallpaper in shades of peach and pink. Abby remembered the room all too well. Nothing had changed since her last visit. As they stepped in they could hear low talking in the sitting room to their right. By the sound of the chatter they could tell that a lot of people were in that room. Abby stopped Caroline at the edge of the French doors to the sitting room. She could see the back of a dark suit and knew that the next step would expose her to the visitors that had come to mourn and pay their respects. Once Abby was exposed a chain of events would be set off that would entail small talk and discussion and ultimately the journey to the adjoining parlor where Abby knew there would be a coffin, a coffin with yet another member of her family inside. Her chest tightened and her breath was short. Abby felt something brush her shoulder and was startled. Brian was removing her shawl. Abby turned her head to Brian then to Caroline and smiled. The distraction was appreciated. Abby took Caroline’s hand and squeezed, then released and walked into the sitting room.
The large sitting room was full with people sitting on the sofas and chairs, and standing in every available space. All were talking amongst themselves, sipping coffee, and eating cookies from silver trays in the corners. The reception could have passed for a formal party with the attire and the décor except the theater was not what was in the next room.
The people, mostly of her father’s age, took notice to Abby and Caroline’s entrance. The chatter dropped off to a silence as all in the room looked in the direction of the black clad women at the door. Abby distinctly heard her name whispered in a tone of pity in the back of the room paired with the phrases, ‘poor girl’, ‘so beautiful’, and ‘so sad’. The expressions on the faces of the group were saddened smiles. Abby looked across the room and brightly greeted everyone. “Hi everyone,” said Abby, as exuberant as she could sound and still maintain an appropriate tone. Immediately the expressions of grief lessened and cheerfulness replaced them. Murmur picked up again as she was greeted by old friends of the family. Abby heard other phrases with her name that pleased her, like ‘she is so much like Emily’ and ‘her parents would be so proud’. Men and women alike took their turn to pull her aside and offer condolences and anecdotes from times years passed.
Caroline tried to stay near Abby’s side yet she herself was pulled away after stepping into the room. Caroline’s mother and father would not be flying in until the morning, and in lieu of their presence she became their proxy.
Abby smiled at each and every mourner as they shared with her their joy for her father. With each person the theme was common, celebration not sadness. So many funny stories, Abby soon realized that she had not stopped smiling since she entered the room, and people were still waiting their turn to speak with her. So many people, so many she did not recognize, and more were coming through the door. Abby could see that more people were floating in then out, she did not know how all of these people were fitting in the room. Caroline touched her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “You have to see this.” Abby did not want to go. Caroline eased her over to the parlor doors. Abby took a breath and tightened her chest. If the funeral chamber were as she remembered, she expected to see with her father’s coffin across the room to the right. Abby lifted her head and her eyes widened. Abby did not see a coffin before her. Rather, the partitions between three viewing rooms had been removed creating one large room. That large room was occupied with over a hundred people.
“Oh my,” said Abby.
“Oh my, is right,” said Caroline. “I think we better go say hello.”
* * * * *
Chapter 67
Abby and Caroline stepped into the larger room and began the ritual again, condolences, stories, smiles, and adoring kisses upon the cheeks. Sometimes Abby would see Caroline and for a little while they would try to hold conversations together. Before too long they would be separated, having to wait for their opportunity to get back together again. Brian kept up a constant supply of coffee and did his best to seek out Caroline if she had drifted too far to get back by herself.
Abby and Caroline were in the adjoining rooms for quite some time before Abby saw the coffin in the far corner of the last room. What drew her attention were large wreaths filled with white mums bordering the long dark polished wooden box. Abby could see that the lid was up yet from the far side of the room could not see inside. People sauntered up to the side, singly and in couples, some crossing themselves, others holding vigil momentarily over the coffin. Occasionally someone would reach inside to touch Will’s arm or hand or to place something next to him. Abby continued speaking to all that approached her, keeping one eye on the corner of the room. She stayed near the entrance of the room and made no attempt to cross.
Caroline joined Abby in thanking Mister and Missus Bauer for coming. As the older couple stepped away Abby whispered into Caroline’s ear, “Take me to the bathroom.” The bathrooms were downstairs by the main entrance. To get to them they had to retrace steps already covered, that wasn’t so hard, and nobody new was entering now to stop them. Caroline squeezed Abby’s forearm and led the way back to the entrance excusing the two as they made their way. When they we
re in the bathrooms Abby threw her arms around her cousin, “Thank you so much for being here.”
“It’s alright Abby. I’m always here for you,” said Caroline.
Abby asked, “Have you seen Will yet?”
“I saw the coffin in the far corner but I haven’t worked up the nerve to get close yet,” said Caroline. “You’d know if I had though. There would be no way I’d still be this composed.”
“Well it’s inevitable,” said Abby. “Can you go with me to see him?”
“Of course dear. Just give me a minute to freshen up.”
Abby stepped out of the bathroom ahead of Caroline. She thought the wallpaper in the hall tawdry with the pink background and deep red velvet fleur-de-lis print. How old that paper must be she thought. Abby inspected the trim along the ceiling for faults of age, finding as she expected, yellowing and bubbles from the old glue in a corner above a framed picture of a bouquet in a vase. This paper had been here in her teen years Abby remembered.
Caroline opened the door of the bathroom and Abby turned toward the stairs. Caroline touched her shoulder and gestured toward the other end of the hall where a stairwell would lead them to the other side of the house, the side of the house that held the entrance to the viewing room where Will was in his coffin.
At the top of the stairs another sitting room held a group of people, some Caroline and Abby had spoken to prior. Caroline and Abby were focused in the direction of Abby’s father in the room beyond. This time no one directly approached, rather nods were shared with lightened brows of sympathy. As the two entered the room Caroline took the lead by holding her cousin’s arm once more. This last section of adjoining rooms had folding chairs lined up in rows back to the door with an aisle between them for a direct path to the coffin. When those occupying the aisle saw Will’s daughter enter the room they stepped into the rows clearing the aisle for her. Caroline and Abby found the action strange though knew better than to react inappropriately, besides, seeing the coffin at the end of the aisle caused the girls to relinquish any comedy they may have found in the situation. Abby’s jaw clenched and she reached for Caroline’s hand on her arm.
The Potter's Daughter (Literary Series) Page 21
