“I’m just going to reach into my coat pocket for my phone.” She retrieved her phone. Protecting it from the rain as best as she could, she dialed 911. The young woman didn’t move. She said nothing during the five minutes it took for the ambulance to arrive. The entire wait, Jen held the quivering girl whose tears mingled with the icy rain.
As the ambulance pulled away Jennifer debated whether or not to go to the hospital. She knew they wouldn’t let her sit with the young woman if she wasn’t a relative and wondered if there was a way around it. She’d given the paramedics her contact information, perhaps the hospital would call her. At any rate, she could phone later.
The theme from Jaws interrupted her train of thought. It was Elaine, calling from her cell phone.
“Hi Jennifer. Desta and I are at William’s with Marcia. Are you able to join us?”
“On my way,” said Jennifer, feeling a little guilty. In her concern for the young woman she’d put Desta out of her mind. Time had gotten away from her. She dumped her drenched coat across the back seat and turned up the heat in the car, trying to warm up and dry out her wet clothing.
She parked at the back of Williams Funeral Home fifteen minutes later. Pulling down her visor, Jennifer tidied her messy hair, pushing the wet tendrils back into place. She felt messy and bedraggled but did her best to return to her professional self.
In spite of the heat in the car she felt cold inside. Her contact with the woman on the escarpment had left her feeling helpless. Jennifer had seen much grief in her short life, but somehow this frail young women’s pain had wrapped its tendrils around her heart and clung to her soul. She couldn’t shake it off. She wanted to help make her pain go away.
Locking the car, she walked around to the front of the building. Marcia had been keeping the back door locked for security reasons and had a buzzer installed. Jeff and the other two part-time staff had keys; Jennifer’s key was for the front door only. The funeral home was due to open at nine, she had a half hour to meet Desta and then open Spencer’s.
Letting herself in, she entered the lobby and heard Elaine and Marcia’s chatter. Elaine heard the door open and poked her head out of the office.
“Hi Jennifer! Come meet Desta,” she said happily.
As Elaine made the introductions, Jennifer almost did a double-take. Desta’s large brown eyes, aquiline nose, and bow-shaped mouth were perfectly-balanced. Her dark skin seemed to glow. As she walked gracefully across the office and extended her arm to shake Jennifer’s hand, Jennifer couldn’t help but think this was one of the most stunning women she’d ever seen. She was nearly a foot taller than Jennifer. Then she remembered her own slightly rumpled and dampened appearance in contrast.
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” her cultured accent was warm and friendly.
“You too Desta. We’re pleased to have you join our staff.” She chose her words carefully. If Anne was on board with the purchase, and financing wasn’t a problem, then Desta was part of her staff.
After a few minutes of small talk, Jennifer excused herself, explaining she had to get back to Spencer’s. Marcia walked her to the door.
“Can you believe Desta? Beautiful, intelligent, graceful, gracious ... the adjectives just keep coming,” Marcia said.
Jennifer smiled. “Desta is going to be a valuable employee. Do you have time to get away for a bit?”
“Sure. I can leave Elaine and Desta to get started and meet you in about half an hour.”
“OK, I’ll make the coffee.”
Back at Spencer’s Jennifer hung her coat up to finish drying. She’d brush off the mud later. Her first order of business was to call Chaplain Regina Salinas at the hospital. She answered on the first ring.
“Hi Regina, it’s Jennifer Spencer. How are you?”
“Jennifer! Good to hear from you—I’m fine thanks. You?”
“Not too bad. I have a request. Do you have time to talk?” Jennifer had worked with Regina on one of her first calls when she took over the funeral home. The Chaplain had called her to work with a young couple who had a stillbirth.
“Absolutely. What can I do for you?”
Jennifer told the Chaplain about finding the young woman at the tree on her walk, and asked Regina if she could check on her and keep track of her. A shudder rippled over her skin. From the lingering damp or the situation, she wondered.
“I don’t want to see her put out on the street in the state of mind she is in,” said Jennifer as she finished the story.
“Goodness no, I’m glad you called. I have some time. I’ll check on her immediately and let you know.”
“Thank you. It is a huge weight off my mind knowing she’s in your capable hands. Talk to you later.”
“Take care,” said Regina.
As she disconnected, Jennifer felt a tug of sadness in her heart for the young woman. Forcing herself to push the emotion aside, she ran down her mental list of phone calls she still needed to make. Some days it felt as if most of her time was spent on the phone, not exactly how she had pictured her job as a funeral home owner. She felt married to her cell, it demanded so much of her time.
Putting the coffee on, she sat in her favourite club chair. Her next call was to Peter’s house. Angel answered.
“I’m just on my way to the hospital,” she said. “Peter’s doing great. The surgery went well. He has asked for his laptop and tablet.”
“That’s a huge relief. Anything we can do for you or Peter?”
“Not at all, we’re just fine. Elaine called earlier to say she’ll bring the insurance forms to Peter to sign.”
“Then I’ll let you go. Give Peter a hug from all of us.”
“Will do,” said Angel. “Bye.”
Jennifer’s next call was to her lawyer, Mr. Duncan.
His secretary greeted Jennifer warmly. “I was just about to call you,” she said. “Mr. Duncan would like to set up a conference call with you and Anne. I left a voicemail for Anne.”
“Then let’s set it up around Anne and Mr. Duncan’s schedule, I’m quite flexible. Let me amend that,” she chuckled. “I am quite flexible at the moment.”
“Then I’ll be in touch as soon as I hear anything. Of course, scheduling depends on how flexible Mr. Duncan and Anne are. The meeting is in two days. I’ll do my best to get everyone on board for tonight or tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” said Jennifer. “Talk to you soon.” Remembering the envelope Althea had given her, she half-ran down the hall to the back of the funeral home and upstairs to her apartment to get it—wanting to keep it on hand just in case. Walking over to the couch, Jennifer gave Grimsby a quick scratch behind his ears. He stretched and purred and yawned.
“See you later,” Jennifer whispered into his ear. Her trips up and down from her apartment over the funeral home during the day were therapeutic. Grimsby therapy, she thought.
She went down to her office off the lounge to wait for Marcia. They had a lot to discuss. She’d barely checked off her list of completed phone calls when Marcia breezed through the door, tossing her coat on a chair in the lounge. She poured herself a coffee.
“What’s up Jen?”
Jennifer smiled at her friend. “Couple of things, both major. First, can you join me for an interview tomorrow? I have a funeral director coming in at 10 a.m. He applied for the position at Williams’.”
“I will do my best,” said Marcia. “Tell me about him.”
As Jennifer related the details of her call with Brent Vaughn and ran down his list of qualifications, Marcia listened intently.
“He sounds like a good fit for Dimitri and William’s Funeral Home.”
“Well, that kind of brings me to the second part of the discussion ... I am telling you this in the strictest confidence. Nothing is carved in stone.” Jennifer put her coffee down and crossed her legs. Telling Marcia about the potential sale was making it feel real and a bit more intimidating.
“Mum’s the word.”
“I still have to discuss
this with Anne. Mr. Duncan sent her the information. Dimitri and Althea and Mr. Duncan and I will be meeting in Dimitri’s room at the hospital.”
Marcia cocked her head.
“Dimitri is selling Williams’ Funeral Home. He turned down a corporate offer.” She took a deep breath. “He gave me and Anne first right of refusal.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means if Anne is on board, and the financing works out, we’ll own another funeral home.”
“Oh my gosh,” said Marcia, her eyes widening. “You’re joking, right?” She leaned forward, eager to hear more.
“No joke. There are more than a few considerations and negotiations, and Anne has to be one-hundred percent committed. I’ve taken some time to consider the impact, maybe not the consequences, but I’d like to go ahead. If it should work out, how to you feel about it?” Jennifer and Marcia had worked together for several years but Marcia only recently accepted the job of Director at Spenser’s. They were a tight team and Jennifer wanted her approval to continue with the purchase.
Marcia let out a long breath. She shook her head. “I can’t believe it. I don’t know.”
She and Jennifer sat quietly while Marcia pondered the situation.
“I’m really happy for you Jen,” Marcia started. “I like Williams’ Funeral Home. I have enjoyed the challenge of bringing it back up to standard, but ...” She paused and looked at Jennifer, a small frown creasing her forehead.
“But?” prompted Jennifer, her heart pounding. She didn’t want to lose Marcia.
“I’d rather work here with you.” She looked Jennifer straight in the eye. “We make a good team. Well, other than yesterday’s mess, we are a pretty good team.”
“The best,” said Jennifer. Her relief at Marcia’s open attitude to the change washed over her. “If Brent Vaughn accepts the offer, we can look for another director for Williams. Desta and Elaine can be co-administrators of the two businesses.”
“I could come back here?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Then damn the torpedoes, it’s full steam ahead.” Marcia’s smile said it all. “I can’t imagine the initial learning curve and workload, but if you want to do it, I fully support whatever decision you make.”
“Thanks, it means the world to me to have your approval.” Jennifer changed the subject as she worried a wrinkle from the hem of her suit jacket. “How was dinner last night?” Now that Marcia knew the stakes and was on board with the decision, the relief she felt was huge. She wanted Marcia to work with her at Spencer’s and was thrilled her friend felt the same way, but they could discuss the details after the sale.
Marcia’s face softened. Watching her, Jennifer realized her friend was in love.
“I think, no, I know I’ve found someone I want to spend my life with,” said Marcia. “I’m in no hurry. Ryan will be across the hall. We have lots of time to be together.”
“Across the hall? Did your condo offer go through?”
Marcia laughed. “I’m pretty sure it did. Ryan was talking to the owner last night and she said she’d accepted it. The formalities have yet to happen, but it looks like I’ll be moving out of your cottage and into my condo in about four weeks or less.”
“I’m so excited! That is great news. And you and Ryan, that’s even better news. The first time the two of you met I had a feeling it would go places.”
“It was the last thing I expected. I hadn’t planned to move to Niagara and fall in love. It’s been so fast. He’s so kind and funny and attentive, and not too much older than me. I always thought my prince would be tall, dark and handsome, not tall and blond and average.” She laughed happily. “Did you hear anything more about Peter?”
“The surgery went well. Angel said he wants his laptop. Elaine will go to the hospital later today with the insurance forms and settle that up.”
Marcia’s phone rang, a second later the funeral landline rang. Jennifer rose and went into her office. It was a death call. The family wanted to come by in about an hour. She confirmed she was available and, seeing that Marcia was still on her call, got a file ready. At least she’d been able to give Marcia the information about the sale of Williams Funeral Home, even it was a little rushed.
Marcia rose to leave. “Gotta run, got an inquiry.”
“So did I. What’s the family’s name?”
“Gordon.”
“So’s mine. Sounds like they’re shopping. If the purchase of Williams goes through we’ll have to make sure we disclose ownership of both funeral homes.”
Marcia chuckled. In the meantime, it’s game on. They’ll choose the best one for their needs and I’ll ensure it’s Williams. They’re waiting for me now. Ta-ta.” She waved dramatically, swept up her coat and left.
Jennifer was pleased. It wasn’t every day one had the inside scoop on what their competition was up to. She’d have to make sure there was nothing more than friendly competition between the two funeral homes if she did purchase Williams. Families first, no exceptions.
The land-line rang again. This time it was Chaplain Regina Salinas.
“I checked on the young lady,” said Regina. “She was dehydrated, malnourished and has not said a word to anyone. The nurse said they won’t be able to put her on the psychiatric ward, there are no beds. The only other option is a women’s shelter. They are usually pretty full too, but if the hospital social worker calls they can usually make room.”
“Did you talk to the social worker?”
“No, I left a message at the office.”
“Would I be allowed to see her?”
“Probably not, but you are the only contact listed and I made sure to note on the chart I had been in. Between us we can get her settled somewhere. Once she’s out of hospital you and I will go and see her. Even if she doesn’t respond, she’ll have a sense of our presence.”
“Thank you so much, Regina. I wish there was more I could do.”
“Oh, one more thing. She’s pregnant.”
The revelation caught Jennifer off guard. The girl seemed so frail and lost.
“I appreciate you telling me, talk to you soon,” said Jennifer.
“Bye.”
Regina’s news about the pregnancy left Jennifer shaken and saddened. A grieving young woman, pregnant and seemingly alone—it was a mystery and she’d do all she could to solve it. Something about this situation haunted her. Although she couldn’t get a handle on her discomfort, she was determined to everything within her power to help the young woman.
4
The Gordon family chose Spencer’s. Marcia made herself available to help and sent Jeff off to do the transfer of the body. The Gordon’s were a large extended family. Mr. Gordon, the patriarch, a great great grandfather had died at the age of 102. Family members were flying in from both sides of the country and Jennifer had to open up the folding wall between the suites to give them maximum space. The panels were heavy and awkward and without Peter to assist it took her almost an hour.
She went upstairs rather than to the lounge to pour herself a glass of ice water. She wanted to give Grimsby a treat and cuddle him for a few minutes.
Back downstairs she checked her messages. Anne had texted and asked her to call. She dialed her sister’s number. Anne answered on the first ring.
“Hi,” said Jennifer.
“What’s your decision?” No hi. No how are you? just Anne with her usual “just the fact’s ma’am” approach to a situation.
Jennifer chuckled. “My decision is to go ahead.” She settled back in her chair, prepared for a long chat.
“You’re the one doing all the work. Go ahead, knock yourself out.”
Jennifer was a bit taken aback. She wanted reassurance, support, a little bit of excitement.
“Isn’t that a little blunt? No discussion? No pro’s and con’s? No what if’s?”
“We can save that for the discussion with Mr. Duncan later. I was just about to call his office and let h
im know I was free at 4:30 today. Jennifer, you have to remember, I’m not the one running a funeral home. I have nothing to do with the business. I just bank a piece of the profits. It all falls on your shoulders.”
“Alright then,” Jennifer sighed. “Talk to you later today. Bye.”
Anne disconnected without a word.
Jennifer felt herself tearing up. She was feeling alone and a little bullied by her sister’s blunt responses. It was essentially a joint decision and if she bit off more than she could chew, so to speak, there would be consequences. Maybe this is too much for me to handle. Maybe I’m over compensating, trying to please everyone else ...
She rose from her chair and paced the lounge, then the hallway—her anxiety rising with each step. She wanted Anne to support her, say she could do it. That just wasn’t Anne’s style. Her sister was confident and sure of herself. Jennifer got the impression at times that her own insecurity annoyed her twin. As she passed a mirror in the hallway she stood she quietly for a long time, staring at her reflection, struggling with her emotions.
Finally, she squared her shoulders, wiped her tears and forced herself to snap out of it. It’s up to me to do my best, she thought. I have been given an opportunity few have.
She heard the front door open. It was one of the Gordon family with clothing and pictures. As she chatted with them, Elaine came in, said hello to the family, and went into the office. Jennifer said her goodbye to the family and entered the front office just as the phone rang.
Elaine handed the receiver to her. “It’s Mr. Duncan’s secretary.”
Taking the receiver from Elaine, Jennifer put a smile in her voice. “Hi!” she said, her cheerfulness coming across, the inner turmoil silenced for the moment.
“Hi Jennifer. Are you free at 4:30 for the conference call this afternoon?”
“I am.”
“Then I’ll email you the details.”
“Thank you,” Jennifer said as she disconnected.
She turned to Elaine. “You have had a busy day Elaine.”
“It’s been fun,” responded Elaine. “Desta is a quick study and I’m only a phone call away. I see the Gordon family made their decision. I’m going to run over to the hospital and get Peter to sign the insurance papers.” She paused. “No, I’ll work on the Gordon file first, then go see Peter.”
Winter's Mourning Page 3
