by Aliyah Burke
Her father appeared in the kitchen, his eyes blurry and full of grief. She stood immediately and went into his embrace. For a few moments they stood there, holding one another.
“The casserole will be done in a few, dad. I’ll head over to the museum and get her things packed up. I made a list of everyone I’ve called, when you tell me who else needs to be contacted I’ll make those calls as well.”
“Kassidy,” he murmured. “What would I do without you?”
“You’ll always have me, daddy. I’m right here with you. We’ll get through this together.”
“I’m so sorry we didn’t tell you, baby. Mama didn’t want to worry you and have you see her as a sick person.”
“But if I’d known…” she trailed off, not knowing what to say.
“You would have been hovering over her. She didn’t want that. And don’t think you could have had more time, this was so sudden. It was a heart attack.”
Those words didn’t really make her feel any better.
“I guess so,” she mumbled, mainly because she didn’t want to argue with her dad. Not right now.
The timer dinged and she soon had dinner on the table. She found herself insisting he eat for he merely pushed food around on the plate. When they were done, she sent him back to lie down after he’d written down the information she needed. Sure he was in bed, Kassidy swallowed hard and headed to her car and on to the museum.
With a final check to her face, Kassidy got out and headed up the steps into the large museum where her mom loved to spend her time. The smile on her face only there because there were still patrons in the building. Lucy sat behind the information desk with another person, Willard Graves.
“Hi, Kassidy.” Her expression fell and she pushed to her feet. “Kas?”
“Can you come with me to mom’s office?”
“Of course.” She and Willard shared a look before Lucy slipped from behind the counter. When they were away from prying eyes, Lucy placed a hand on her arm. “What’s going on, Kas?”
She opened the door to her mom’s office and waited until they were closed off. Meeting Lucy’s gaze she took a deep breath and said, “Mom died today, Lucy.”
All color leeched from her friend’s face. She sank down to a leather chair and ran a hand over her face. “What? How? I… oh Jesus, Kas, I’m so sorry.” Lucy got up and wrapped her arms around Kassidy.
Furiously blinking back the tears, Kassidy allowed the comfort offered. When Lucy pulled away, her own face had tears on it.
“She had a heart attack brought on by… well, it doesn’t matter. She didn’t survive the heart attack. Can you tell Jackie? I’m going to clear out her office and get back to dad.”
“Of course. Kas, if there is anything I can do, you let me know. Any hour.”
“Thanks, Luce. That means a lot to me.” She shrugged and walked behind the desk, her fingers lingering over the smooth polished top. “I just need to get this done.”
“I’ll bring you a box.” A brief kiss on the cheek and Lucy vanished through the thick door, closing it silently behind her.
Sitting in the high-backed leather chair, Kassidy stared at the desktop. There were several pictures there and she picked one up of her and her mother at the fair when she’d been six. She stared at it, not even moving when a box appeared in her peripheral view. Not until the chime of her cell phone broke the silence did she move.
“Hello?” she asked softly.
“Hey, beautiful.” Justice’s voice settled around her like a warmed blanket on a cold winter night.
“Hi.” She traced her mom’s image with her index finger before pushing to her feet and placing it in the box. “How are you?”
“I wanted to know if you would like to do a late dinner. I’m almost done with work here, then have an errand to run, afterwards though, I’m free.”
More frames went in the box. She took the awards and commendations down from the vanilla colored walls.
“Kassidy? You still with me?”
“Yeah, I’m here. Sorry, Justice. I can’t.”
“Okay.” She could hear his disappointment. “Where are you, Kassidy? Your voice sounds hollow.”
“I’m at the museum.” Tears threatened.
“Ahh, okay. Having dinner with Lucy?”
“Packing up mom’s office.”
“Why?”
She could imagine his eyes converging as he asked that.
“Mom died today, Justice. I’m cleaning out her desk so dad can go through it later.”
“Kassidy, baby, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you say something? I’m on my way.”
“No, I don’t need you to come here, Justice. I’m just finishing up and then I’m going home.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. You, go… do whatever you had to do. Have a nice night, Justice.”
She ended the call before he could say anything else. Hand shaking, she put the phone down and wiped away the fallen tears before getting back to it. There weren’t that many personal items for her to take with her. The majority of what her mom had there were pictures. She paused with her hands on the edge of the box and took several deep breaths. At the last minute she plopped her phone on top of everything else, hefted the cardboard in her hands, and walked out without a look back.
A small thank-you-for-your-concern smile pasted on her face, she left the museum with Lucy at her side. Storing the box in the trunk, she slammed it down and shuddered as another wave of tears began.
Lucy rubbed her back and murmured words she didn’t even try to understand. After a bit, she wiped her eyes and squared her shoulders.
“I have to get going.”
“You keep me posted and let us know when the services are.”
“Of course.”
“Kas, any time day or night, you need me… you call, okay?”
One final hug to her friend and Kassidy headed for the driver’s door. “I will. Thanks, Luce, for everything.”
She drove off into the night and headed home. It was dark inside when she pulled into the drive. Box in hand, she walked slowly up the steps to the door and entered. She set the box down by the door and paced back to the room she’d left her father in. Peering in, she saw him lying wrapped up in a blanket, sobbing. As quiet as she arrived she backed away, not wanting to intrude on his time.
After her shower, where she allowed herself to cry until her tear ducts ran dry, Kassidy snuck into her dad’s room and covered him with another blanket, gave him a kiss and left. In the living room, she sat curled up in an afghan her grandmother had made. The dogs lay beside her and when her phone rang, she ignored it. She remained there until morning when she woke to her father shaking her shoulder.
“Wake up, Kassidy.”
She stirred and sat up. “How are you doing, daddy? Can I get you anything?”
“You took real good care of me yesterday. Why don’t you go to bed and sleep for a while longer. I’m going to the funeral home to arrange everything. I’m taking your car.”
“I can come with you.”
He helped her up and led her back to her bed. “No, honey. It’s okay. Your mom and I had everything worked out beforehand. I’m really just going to see how it’s coming along. Then I’ll go to the paper and talk to the preacher about the service. You rest, I’ll bring some food back.”
As much as she wanted to argue, Kassidy didn’t. She slipped between her sheets and sighed when her dad tucked her in, like he used to do so many years ago. He maneuvered some hair behind her ear and kissed her cheek.
“Rest, my angel. I’ll be back just as soon as I can.”
“I love you, daddy.”
“I love you, too, Kassidy, so much.”
She watched him leave the room and closed her eyes. About five minutes later her bed moved when the dogs jumped up, turned circles, and lay down. Their bodies against hers provided more heat and comfort. She closed her eyes and waited impatiently to be led to sleep by Hypnos.
&nbs
p; Her exhausted body took what she gave it and when she woke later, she felt tons better. The dogs were gone but she could hear some noise coming through the opened door. She got up and strayed up the hall. The television was on, her father in the kitchen cooking, and a huge bouquet of flowers sitting on the counter.
She strode up to the large display and reached out for the card. The bouquet was beautiful, in a light blue vase and filled with roses, lilies, Gerbera daisies, lisianthus, daisy poms, salal, and waxflowersall muted shades and very soothing, respectful, and touching. With a swallow, she looked at the card.
All you have to do is call and I’ll be there.
It wasn’t signed. It didn’t have to be, she knew who it was from. Justice. She met her father’s gaze and he sent her a kind smile that she returned. Yet he remained silent.
* * * *
Justice was going crazy. He couldn’t believe Kassidy’s mom had died. And that he wasn’t with her. He knew she needed him. So he’d gone into work and put in an emergency leave request. He’d already had some flowers sent to her house but it wasn’t enough. Not until he could see her and hold her in his arms would it be enough.
When he’d finished for the day, he couldn’t get out of there fast enough. He barely slowed down to make it home for a shower and a change of clothing. Rushing out of his apartment, he hurried to her house. Her car wasn’t there nor did she answer his knocks.
A frown on his face, he jogged back to his vehicle and drummed his hands on the steering wheel as he sat there. With a snap of his fingers, he started the engine and drove to her parents’ house. The drive was lined with vehicles and he took a deep breath before he climbed out. He was glad he had not worn jeans but instead something a bit dressier. A brief hesitation before he pressed the doorbell gave him a moment to relax before the door swung open.
Lucy stood there dressed in black. “Hi,” she said, stepping back so he could enter. “Thank you for coming.”
He sent her a terse smile even as his gaze scanned the open living room in hopes to see Kassidy. Arlen was there and he returned the man’s nod.
“Justice,” a deep voice pulled his attention from the living room packed with people, talking, eating, and laughing.
He found himself face to face with Ethan. Shaking his hand, Justice said, “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
The eyes that met his were sad and empty. “Thank you. And thank you for coming. Kassidy didn’t say you’d be here.” He smiled wanly. “She’s in the kitchen.” Ethan walked away without another word.
A final glance at Lucy, Justice made his way through the people and headed toward the Barrow’s kitchen. Kassidy was the only one in there and he was grateful for that. She had her back to him and he saw her fingers in a tight grip around the counter’s edge. He cleared his throat so he didn’t startle her and she stood up and her hands disappeared, he assumed to wipe away her tears.
“I’ll be out with more in a minute, just finishing up putting this on a tray,” she said without turning around.
The devastation in her voice tore through him. He began to walk toward her.
“Kassidy.”
She whirled about on her heels, eyes wide with surprise. “Justice.”
Her expression said it all and he opened his arms. She bolted into them and held him tight. Small shudders racked her, but she didn’t say a word. After a short time she pulled back and looked up at him.
Her hands smoothed across his chest almost like she wanted to focus on straightening his attire. “Thank you for coming.”
The urge to press her and find out why she hadn’t let him know the wake was today filled him. He stroked his knuckle across her cheek wanting to drown in her beautiful gray eyes. The sorrow in them broke his heart though, he loved seeing her happy and full of life.
“How are you holding up?”
Her smile was strained. “I’m doing what I have to.” More plucking on his clothing. “You look really nice.”
He glanced over his olive drab knit linen ribbed v-neck sweater and light wool charcoal gray pants. Then he looked at her. A simple and elegant black dress. It hugged her body’s silhouette, had a v-neck and a flared, sweeping hem. Her shoes matched.
“And you are beautiful.” The smile he got this time was a bit less strained. “What can I do to help?”
“How’s Torrie?” she asked as she led him to where the platter sat.
He couldn’t help but grin at the mention of the little girl he was doing his best to adopt. “Getting cuter every day.”
“Wonderful. Can you take this one out to the table? I have one more to fill.”
Her request was taken care of quickly and he returned to her side. Standing there, he gazed down at her. Her curls hung down around her face, bringing with them a serene expression. Unable to resist, he brushed some back and tucked them behind her ear.
“Kassidy?”
“Hmm?”
“Look at me, beautiful.” She did and he continued, “I want to be here for you during this time. But I can’t do that if you shut me out and keep me in the dark.”
“I don’t want to burden you with my troubles. You have enough on your plate with work and going through the thing for Torrie.”
“Stop it!” he whispered in a harsh tone.
Her gaze grew bigger. “What?”
It was as if she had absolutely no idea how much she truly meant to him.
“Kassidy, let me be there for you. Allow me to help you bear some of the weight. I’ve taken a few days off from work. Don’t you know how much you mean to me? I love you.”
He could see her weighing his words. She was so expressive with her thoughts, there was no hiding how she felt. It sat all out on her face, exposed for everyone to see. His admission had shocked her.
“Kassidy, how you comin’ with that other tray, hon?” a feminine voice broke into the heated silence between them.
He didn’t move, remained with his gaze fixated on her. Her tongue snuck out and skimmed her lips, adding a shine to their fullness.
“On my way, Miz Dottie.” She blinked and drew back to reach for the tray.
He put his hand on her arm. “Kassidy.”
“I can’t do this right now, Justice. I… I have to go back out there.” Tray in hand she slipped by him after one final look.
He clenched his fist and cursed himself. This was not the right time to tell her that. She was a short time away from burying her mother. It had just happened. Great job, Justice, his mind continued with the admonishing.
“You okay, son?”
Justice met the gaze of the woman Kassidy had addressed as Miz Dottie. “Ye,s ma’am.”
“This is such a tragedy. I feel just horrible for the Barrows. Kassidy especially. I know she’s being strong for her dad but the loss of Philyra has struck a blow I wager is much deeper than anyone may expect.”
He nodded as he recalled Kassidy feeling like they weren’t telling her everything about her mom’s sickness.
The woman continued, her gray hair bobbing with each nod of her head and wave of her hand. “I’ve known Kassidy since she was born. Such a bubbly little girl but always worried she wasn’t good enough. She pushed herself hard to make them happy. When her grandmother died she drew deep into herself and it was a long time before she became the Kassidy we all remembered.” She reached out and laid a hand on his arm. “I know you’re wondering why I’m telling you this. Ethan told me about you and how good he thinks you are for his daughter. I love Kassidy like she was my own. She will try to push you away, she’ll turn inward although you won’t see it.”
Justice frowned a bit, for he thought her expressions were easy to read.
“I hope you’re the right one to help her though this. Kassidy puts herself last so often and she’ll pour all her energy into seeing to her father and forget about herself.”
“When’s the funeral?”
Miz Dottie didn’t miss a beat. “Tomorrow afternoon. There’s a viewing at the church
before the service begins. About ten it should start.”
“Quiet Harbor Baptist?”
“Yes. You’re a member of our congregation?”
“No, ma’am. I went with Kassidy one day.”
“Ahh, must have been the Sunday Philyra was visiting me in the hospital.” She fixed him with a fierce glare. “I never miss Sundays if I can help it.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow,” he informed her, not even attempting to tell her how often he went to church.
“Good.”
“Thank you for telling me a bit more about Kassidy, Miz Dottie.”
“Just be ready.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He stepped around her and left the kitchen. I’m ready. I live by that code of being always ready.
Once in the living room, he immediately zeroed in on Kassidy. She stood off by herself, her dove gray gaze flitting around the room, checking on everyone else. Her hands were clasped loosely before her.
With a beeline, he made his way across the room to her, slipping in behind her. He stopped when his body pressed against her back. Slowly he wrapped his arms around her and guided her back to sink into his chest. She did so effortlessly.
“Why don’t you go sit down?” he whispered in her ear.
“No. I need to make sure no one needs anything.”
She needed to stay busy. “Okay. What about the dogs? Can I take care of them?”
“They’re in the backyard.” Kassidy looked at the clock. “But it is time for them to eat. I’ll—”
“Tell me where the food is, Kassidy. I’ll do it.”
After she told him, he went to take care of that. Content the dogs were fine, he returned to the warm house and began gathering empty dirty dishes and carrying them to the kitchen.
“You don’t have to do that, Justice,” Kassidy said from behind him as he added the dish soap to the sink.
“Kassidy, don’t argue.” He rotated so he could see her. She wrung her hands as she stared at him. He closed the distance between them with a sigh. “Go be there for your dad, I’ve got this. You’re already exhausted, and if I can do this so you don’t have it to do later, then I will.”
