Page 18 of Miracles and Marriage
“It’s a shock. You found him?”
“We were going to the hardware store together. I wanted some hinges, Hal said he needed some paint. JE said you’d be coming home one of these days to give him a hand with the bathroom. So when he didn’t answer, I went back and got the key I had and opened the door. He was still in bed. Died in his sleep, it looks like. I’m going to miss him. We’ve been friends for more than thirty years.”
Cal nodded. He glanced at Zoe.
“Sam, I want you to meet Zoe Blackstone, a friend. Zoe, this is Sam Friedman. He was a good friend of my uncle’s.”
Zoe greeted the man, feeling his sadness at the circumstances. He seemed almost bewildered at the loss of his longtime friend.
Cal spoke with Sam for a little longer, then unloaded the bags from the car. He motioned for Zoe to proceed him to the front door. Putting the suitcases down, he unlocked the door and opened it.
She stepped inside. It was an old home, but clean and kept up.
Cal followed her in and stopped, glancing around.
“It seems strange to know he’ll never come from the back of the house when I get home and give me a hug.”
“Tell me what I can do,” Zoe said.
“See if there’s anything for lunch. I’m hungry. Then we can head for the funeral home and do what we’ve come for.”
That night Zoe went to bed in a guest room that looked as if it hadn’t been used for a decade. She’d made up the bed with clean sheets. The room was dusted, but not decorated. It was utilitarian, with a few piles of books and other items that looked as if they’d been stashed a while ago and forgotten.
She settled in and stared into the darkness. Cal had managed fine during the afternoon. They’d met with the funeral director and the minister from Hal’s church. The service would be in two days.
Cal had gone through the motions appropriately, but she felt the tight control he held. He was grieving yet hiding it behind a wall of strength.
She knew how that felt. She’d cried for weeks when Edie died. She still got sad when she thought about all her friendmissed. Zoe had gradually accepted she would forever miss Edie. How much more would Cal miss the man who had raised him?
How much worse would it be if there was no one around to share the grieving with? She was glad she’d come.
The next morning passed in a blur of phone calls, visits from neighbors. Several ladies brought casseroles, for which Cal thanked them profusely. He knew many of the people who stopped by.
Zoe helped where she could, but the majority of the work fell on Cal.
Then there was the somber ride to the church and then the cemetery the next day. Zoe was glad for Cal’s sake the turnout for the funeral had been substantial. Hal Larkins had been important in his circle of friends. Many stopped to speak to Cal.
Almost half followed the hearse to the cemetery. The graveside service was brief. Zoe was moved by the minister’s words. She glanced at Cal standing at her side. His face could have been carved from stone. She slipped her hand into his and was startled by the sudden grip he gave. He didn’t relinquish her hand during the service.
Finally the last words had been said. The last mourners had drifted from the casket. Only Zoe and Cal remained.
“It’s time to go,” she said softly.
“I know.”
She waited a moment, then gave his hand a squeeze and pulled free.
“Say your goodbyes, I’ll wait at the car.”
The minister stood near the vehicles. He spoke to her as she approached.
“Hal was a fine man. He did his best with his nephew.”
“Cal will always miss him, I’m sure,” she said.
“Hal was sure proud of him. He often caught me up on some dignitary Cal was guarding. Or some exotic location he visited.It’ll seem strange not to have Hal on the left side of the church Sunday mornings. Be sure to remind Cal there will be a meal at the church. The ladies have been working all morning, and many of the mourners will be there. Not quite an Irish wake, but close. We’ve even rounded up some pictures from Hal’s life. Cal figured prominently in lots of them.”
“We’ll be there,” she promised.
