Page 34 of Left Behind

“Maybe not, but we can get you there. Don’t fret about that, okay?” he said.

“Thank you, Son. I appreciate that,” she said, then leaned back and closed her eyes.

“Are you hurting?” Sean asked.

She nodded.

“Wiley will be along shortly and we’ll get those pain meds started, and when Amalie gets home this evening, she and I will be making supper. You will be in bed with your foot on a pillow and the TV remote. I have some handheld two-way radios. When you need help, just give me a shout. We can do this, Mom.”

“I don’t know how lucky I became to have such wonderful sons, but I would marry Clyde Wallace all over again just for the blessing of being your mother,” she said.

Sean shook his head. “Thankfully, you’ll never have to do that again. Once around the block with Clyde was enough for all of us.”

Chapter 6

Wiley made a flying trip up the mountain with Shirley’s meds, then headed back into Jubilee. He knew Ella’s body had been sent to the funeral home and that extended family members were still being notified. He also knew that John and Annie Cauley were making the arrangements, and Marcus Glass was coordinating with Preacher Farley at the Church in the Wildwood regarding services. Everyone on the mountain was in mourning.

As soon as he got home, Wiley sent a text to Linette to let her know about Ella Pope, and that for the time being, his time was going to involve work, helping with his mother’s care, and burying the family elder. And then he ended the text with a promise.

Hold my place, Linnie. I’m coming back for more if you’ll have me.

***

Linette was shocked to hear about the passing of the Pope family member and felt nothing but empathy and regret for all they were going through. She wished she could help, but at this point, she was still on the outside looking in at the Pope family circle.

By the time she got off work she was exhausted and grabbed some smoked ribs from Emory’s Barbecue before going home. Not having to cook for herself was just one thing less to do before she could go to bed and, hopefully, dream of the man who was laying claim to her heart.

***

It rained in the night and was still overcast and drizzling when Dani arrived early the next morning at Shirley’s house, leaving Sean free to make his appointments and get the scooter from a medical supply company in Bowling Green. Amalie had made chicken and dumplings last night, so there would be food ready for lunch today, and Shirley was restless and achy and relying on the pain meds.

The overcast day stayed with them through nightfall, but the next day dawned with clear skies and sunshine. The families on the mountain were hustling from one task to another, and baking and cooking for the meal after Ella’s funeral service, and on the third day after Ella’s passing, they laid her to rest in the blue bridesmaid dress she’d worn to Sean and Amalie’s wedding.

She’d looked like an angel the day of that wedding, tall and regal with the sunlight pouring in through the windows behind her, and now she had become one. They buried her beside her parents and covered the freshly turned earth with flowers, cried through Brother Farley’s shaky, heartfelt prayer, then headed into the church for the family dinner. The atmosphere was somber. Only rarely did a laugh sound above the murmurs of conversation across the dining hall, until John Cauley stood.

“Could I please have your attention for a moment?” he said.

The room went silent.

“We’re all adrift, and that’s as it should be today. Ella was our anchor to the past, but there’s something we’re not acknowledging here that I think matters. Ella always considered us her link to the future. No one lives forever, but from the time we are born, we are standing in the footsteps of our ancestors. They’re within us and around us, and what we do now is honor Ella Pope’s place in our history. She loved these family gatherings at the church more than anything. Share your Ella stories with each other. Tell your children about the woman who could see into the past as easily as she could see what was ahead of her. It’s how we keep those we’ve lost with us—by keeping them alive in our hearts.” Then he picked up his glass. “To Ella. May she rest in peace!”

“To Ella!” they echoed, and after that, the lull in conversation lifted and the people who loved her most began their conversations with, “Remember when…” and stories were told, and laughter ensued.

***

Once the day of the funeral had passed, life settled back into daily routines.

Dani came up the mountain to help Sean during the day, and Amalie was home from work in the evening to help Sean at night.

B.J. and Wiley made regular trips up to check on their mother and bring grocery orders to save Sean having to go get them. Shirley was looking forward to having the cast removed and her life back to normal, and Wiley’s free time was finally his own again.

He sent Linette a text while he was on break.

I’m free after six tonight, if you’re free. I miss you. My place? We can order in and pretend we live really normal lives. Please say yes. You’re my safe place to fall.

Linette read the text with tears in her eyes and responded.

Yes. After six.

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