Page 23 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
Myfather looks like he’s just taking a nap, like he did every Sunday afterchurch. “How did they die?” I ask, surprised at the flat tone of my voice.
“Mrs.Page had a head injury. Mr. Page’s chest was crushed. Both died on impact. Theydidn’t suffer,” the man in the white coat assures me.
“Thankyou.” After signing a paper, he tells me they will be released to the funeralhome of my choice and hands me a paper bag with their personal belongings.Shit. I don’t know what funeral home. I mumble the first one that comes tomind. It was right down the street from our house growing up.
“I’llhave them picked up. Just contact the funeral home to make the arrangements.”
“Thankyou.”
Franniedrives us to a small diner. “I’m really not hungry,” I tell her.
“Youneed to eat something. You skipped breakfast and it’s past lunchtime.”
Imanage to choke down most of a turkey sandwich while Frannie stares at me likeI might burst into flames. “I’m okay, really. Just a little overwhelmed. Thanksfor going with me.”
“Doyou want to pick Ethan up from school?”
“No,I’ll tell him when he gets home. I should email my professors though, and letthem know I won’t be in today.”
“Youneed to tell them you won’t be in this week, Zo. You have to deal with thefuneral and a lot of little things you don’t realize yet,” she says softly.
Nodding,I compose a short email saying I’ve had a death in the family and won’t beattending classes. After sending it, I look up at Frannie. “I guess I need tocall Landon, too, but I’m not taking off a week. I can’t afford it.” She gazes atme when I let out a long sigh.
“What?”
“Idon’t want to talk to him. He’s going to be all sorry for me, and I just can’ttake it right now.”
Thephone is plucked from my hand and she lays a finger across her lips as shedials him. “Landon? Hi, this is Frannie, Zoe’s friend? She won’t be coming towork today. Her parents have been killed in an accident.” Her eyes widen, and Iwish I could hear his side of the conversation. “She doesn’t feel like talkingat the moment, but she’s fine. She has a lot to take care of right now.”
Afterlistening for a moment, her face hardens. “No, you don’t need to speak withher. I told you, she’s not up to it. Don’t be a dick. When she has taken careof her family matters, she’ll be back to wash your dirty laundry.” She pressesend and hands me back the phone.
Asnort of laughter escapes me, which just makes me laugh harder. I can justpicture his face at her words. “You’re such a lady,” she says, making me giggleagain.
“Whatdid he say? Was he insisting I come in?”
“No,just insisting on talking to you.”
“Oh.”I take a sip of my drink and check my phone. “Ethan will be out of school soon.I should be home when he gets there.”
Iflop into my recliner as soon as I get home. It’s early afternoon. Why am I soexhausted? Frannie disappears into my bedroom and emerges with the paper shewas writing on earlier. “These are the two companies that hold the lifeinsurance policies. I know you think there isn’t any money, but you need tofind out before we go to the funeral home. They’ll want to know how you intendto pay.”
Myphone beeps with a text from Ethan that says he’s going to Colin’s for dinner.Sighing, I take the paper. No time like the present, I guess. The first companyputs me on hold and I glance at the clock, suddenly realizing Frannie is latefor work.
“Frannie,you’re late. You’d better go.”
Shelooks at me like I told her to run naked through the yard. “I called in. I’mnot leaving you alone.”
“I’mfine, Fran, really. Don’t miss work.”
“I’mgoing to the funeral home with you. So shut up.” She throws a pillow at me.
“Ilove you,” I tell her.
“Loveyou too, girl.”
Finally,my call is taken by a man who sounds bored to death. I give him my parents nameand the policy numbers they put into their will and he puts me on hold again.When he comes back, his Ben Stein voice drones in my ear. “Okay, we’re going toneed you to fax the death certificates and we’ll process the claim within twoweeks.”
Surprisemakes me sit forward in my seat. “So, they did have a policy?”
