Page 50 of By His Play

I give myself a few minutes to allow the adrenaline from that phone call to lessen, then I tap in the number of Grams’ lawyer and lower myself back to the couch.

“What do you mean, she’s planned it all?” I balk after the person I’m talking to has pulled up Grams’ files.

“It’s all here. Everything she wants. Her casket, her flowers, the songs, and readings. It’s all been paid for.”

My mouth opens and closes like a fish as I try to process what I’m hearing.

“All you need to do is arrange the date and let family and friends know,” she continues.

“Wow,” I finally breathe. “When?”

“A year ago.”

That was before her health really declined.

She knew.

She knew what was coming, and she did this.

She did this for me.

Tears burn my eyes, and my nose itches with emotion.

Shaking my head, I fight to find something to say.

“We also have her will here,” the lady on the phone informs me softly.

“O-okay.”

“Would you like to book an appointment for it to be read?”

“Umm…yeah, I guess.”

Honestly, Grams’ will has been the last thing on my mind.

“Shouldn’t my father be there for that?” I ask. Technically, he’s her next of kin, not me.

“Effie, your grandmother made her wishes very clear. If you’d like your father to attend with you, then that is your choice, but there is no need for him to be here. Just you.”

My heart rate picks up.

Grams, what have you done?

After agreeing on a time, I finally hang up the phone after she’s promised to email me with all of Grams’ wishes.

“Is everything okay?” Kieran asks, not able to hear the details of that call as easily as the one with my father’s booming voice.

“She did it all,” I say in disbelief. “Planned it, paid for it, everything.”

Kieran shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Of course she did. I don’t know why we didn’t see that coming.”

“Yeah,” I agree. It really is a Grams’ thing to do.”

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I nod, although it’s not the real answer. I’m not okay, I’m not sure I ever will be again, but I feel better now I’ve gotten through speaking to Dad, and having Grams lift the weight of planning everything myself sure helps.

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