Page 3 of Life

Exactly the question I would ask if I could form that many words at one time. As it is, I can’t keep my eyes off him. Gillian’s right. He is the souped-up version of my Tommy. Same height, same eyes, and same mouth. Hair’s different. Tommy was bald and clean-shaven, while Elijah has a rugged jaw with some serious scruff. Although he could have shaven it off and looked the part of grieving brother, if he’d given a flying fuck. Which he likely doesn’t, since he’s just now showing his face.

“Been estranged the last few years. Just got back to town,” Elijah says through clenched teeth. “Who are you to my brother? Saw you sitting in front. What’s your relation to him?”

I squint. If he were family, why didn’t he know about me? Tommy and I were an item for close to a year.

For the same reason you didn’t know about him.

“Your brother was my boyfriend.”

Elijah closes his eyes, smiles wryly, and shakes his head. “Of course he’d have a hot piece like you.” At those words, his eyes track all over my form from the top of my black one-piece jumper to the bottom of my boots. “I should have known.” He rubs his thumb across the bottom of his lip. “He always did have a way with women.”

I cross my arms over my chest. Chase reaches a hand out toward me, so I take it. When I get close, he wraps an arm over my shoulders. “You ready?”

“Listo para decir adios?No.” To say good-bye? No.

Chase nods sadly, and Gigi reaches out a hand to caress my cheek. “We never truly say good-bye to them, honey. They live on through us and those who loved them.” Then Gillian glances at Elijah. “We’re very sorry for your loss. Tommy died saving my life. It’s a gift I can never repay, but if you need anything, anything at all, my husband and I would be honored to provide it.”

Elijah’s broad shoulders seem to tighten and lift right in front of our eyes. “Maybe we could meet sometime soon, and, uh, you tell me how he saved your life,” he says, and clasps his hands in front of him.

My Gigi smiles so bright it’s as if the heavens are shining a light directly on her face. “I’d love to share how your brother was a hero.”

At that last part, Elijah winces and looks away. “Yeah, thanks.”

“Do you have a business card?” Chase asks Elijah, and the question seems so absolutely absurd, I can’t control the chuckle that slips out.

Elijah laughs and shakes his head. Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Chase’s brow deepens in a familiar way I’ve gotten used to. He reaches into his suit jacket and pulls out one of his own. “Here’s mine. As my wife said, we’d be happy to host you for a drink or a meal. Please call. It would do my wife a great deal of good.” He holds out his hand, and Elijah shakes it. Briefly, Chase leans in, far enough away that Gigi can’t hear, but I can make out the words. “The guilt over his death is brutal for her,” he whispers and backs up a few steps. “Again, please call.”

Elijah pockets the card in the back of his dark jeans. “I will.”

“Much obliged,” Chase says and then holds out his arm to me. “Shall we?”

I turn to Elijah. “I’m sorry about the way I reacted…” I lift my head and stare into his eyes, ones I know so well on a different person.

He places a hand on my cheek. “Babe, it’s cool. I’m used to it.”

Elijah wipes a stray tear away.

“I’m sorry about your brother.” I inhale and exhale, holding the tears at bay once more.

“Yeah, me too,” he says solemnly before dropping his hand away.

I lift my own hand to my cheek to replace the warmth that was there. His felt so much like Tommy’s touch, yet nothing like it at all.

Chase leads me down the aisle of the church toward the large, arched, wooden double doors.

“Hey!” Elijah calls out.

All three of us turn around.

“What’s your name?”

“Maria. Maria De La Torre.”

“Nice to meet you, Maria De La Torre,” he says before taking a seat at the front pew. I watch a moment as he leans forward, putting his elbows to his knees and his head down into his hands. He could have an anvil weighing him down with how defeated he looks in this moment.

“Come on,” Gigi urges, but something makes me want to stay, to comfort him, to get to know this man who’s so much like my Tommy.

---