Page 61 of By His Play

“Careful, I know all of Gracie Hart’s moves. I could take you down if necessary.”

Kieran chuckles. “Is that right?”

“Yep. You wouldn’t even see it coming.”

“Now that I want to see.”

“Shhh,” I hiss. “It’s starting.”

He laughs again and wraps his arms around my shoulder, pulling me into his body.

Snuggling against him, I relax as I lose myself in Grams’ favorite movie.

Tomorrow, I have a long list of things I need to do to ensure her final send-off is worthy of her, but right now, I’m going to reminisce on the good times with my best friend.

She may be gone, but her spirit will live on through us forever.

16

KIERAN

Ispend the next three days following Effie around town as she meets with the funeral directors, the florist, and the reverend who is going to perform the service for Grams.

Every time we return home, there are more flowers, condolence cards, and food waiting for us.

I can’t say that I’m disappointed, especially when it’s cookies, but I know they make Effie feel weird. Of course, she appreciates them and all the gestures from those who cared about Grams. But she’s struggling with the fact that people want to help her. I genuinely think she expected that everyone would forget she existed once Grams left us.

It’s just another thing that shows what an awesome person she is.

The KC Foundation sent her a huge bouquet of flowers and a card expressing their condolences and how much they miss her in the office.

Out of all of the gifts, that was the one that affected her the most. I think it was because it was from people who know her, not just Grams’ friends. A reminder that she has a life, a home outside of here.

“Ready for this?” I ask as I kill the engine outside the lawyer’s office.

It’s the second time we’ve been here this week. But today, we're hearing the will reading.

Effie blows out a long, calming breath as she focuses on the building before us.

“Yeah,” she says, sounding a little more confident than she looks.

She’s put makeup on today to cover up her reality, but I’m not sure it’s possible to conceal the dark circles under her eyes.

She stays in the car, putting this off for as long as possible, as I round the front and open the door.

Taking her hand, I pull her out and we walk into the building together.

We’re right on time, and no sooner has Effie said hello to the receptionist than Grams’ lawyer emerges to invite us into the back room.

I sit awkwardly beside Effie, feeling completely out of place as the lawyer goes through the formalities of the reading.

“She’s left everything to you, Effie,” the lawyer says softly, clearly able to tell that my best friend’s emotions are balancing on a knife’s edge.

Effie doesn’t react. She remains sitting ramrod straight in the chair, her eyes locked on the woman sitting behind the desk.

“Effie,” I whisper, squeezing her hand to get her attention.“Did you?—”

“Everything?” she whispers, proving that she was listening.

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