Read Online I Can't Die Alone by Regina Bartley - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Regina Bartley
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the couch, with my notebook and pen in hand. “Are you sure that you don’t mind helping me?”
My shoulders sagged because I knew this wouldn’t be easy.
“We’ll do whatever you want,” Ben promised as he patted my knee.
“Thank you,” I cleared my throat. “Okay… I plan on withdrawing all the money from my account. There will be more than plenty to cover my burial costs and you guys can have the rest.”
“Wait,” Bo interrupted.
“Don’t argue with me, Bo Cooper.” I pointed my finger. “It’s my dying wish.” And that shut him up really quick. “I only have one living relative that I know or have met. My grandmother is in a nursing home, and she’s not well. She doesn’t even remember me. I’ve paid for her stay and her medication very far in advance. She is more than taken care of, so the rest of my money will go to you guys. We clear?”
They both agreed.
“I want a white casket just like my Mom, and I don’t need any kind of visitation, because I’m not expecting visitors. Just you guys. There is a plot available next to my Mom, and I have all the info for it in my bag. That’s where I’d like to be. Oh, and I want to wear this ring that you gave me Ben, and blue jeans. No dresses! Also, I’ll leave you guys the address to my apartment and the name of my neighbor. They think that they’re just cat-sitting Duncan, because I didn’t tell them I wasn’t coming back. I’ll write them a letter if you don’t mind giving it to them. You’re more than welcome to anything in my apartment. There is a lot of furniture and stuff, or you can just leave it all there and the management will clean it out. It’s whatever you want to do. Don’t feel obligated to do anything; I just want to know that I didn’t leave any loose ends. Oh, and I hate roses. Crazy right? But I don’t want any on my casket, if that’s okay?”
Bo stood up and walked away quickly.
“Bo,” I called out, but he kept walking right out the front door.
I exhaled. “I’m sorry Ben, I didn’t mean to upset him. I…”
“It’s okay. It’s just a lot to process. He needs a little time, that’s all. We’ve never had to deal much with death in our family. My Mom passed away when Bo was just a toddler. He doesn’t even remember her, so I’m sure that it’s just hard for him to hear about it. He’ll be fine, though. I promise. Just give him a little time.”
I couldn’t guarantee the time part, but I’d let him process it in his own way. It was just too much too fast. It would be for anyone.
“Okay,” I said. “I think I covered everything. I’ll make sure I write it all down. Thank you for helping me. It’s not something that you’re obligated to do, and I’d understand if you didn’t.”
“I’m going to be here for you, so you don’t you worry. Okay?”
I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder. For a moment, I thought I should go talk to Bo, but I decided against it. Death wasn’t an easy subject. Like his father said, he’d come around in time. Space and fresh air were probably the best things for him.
I just hoped he didn’t need too much time.
Chapter Twelve
To do list
Bo left a set of keys on the dresser in my room and a note that said –Go Shopping.
It was sweet, and thoughtful, and I was dreading every single minute of it. He could be so kind, and I was happy to know that he wasn’t upset with me. I’d become such a realist and I easily forget that there are still such optimistic people in the world, ones who haven’t been touched by such darkness and dread. Bo was a prime example of good.
I pulled out my phone and used Google to find the nearest place to buy clothes. It wasn’t far. I grabbed my purse and snatched the keys from the dresser and headed out. Shopping was never something that interested me, even when I wasn’t sick. I dreaded the overcrowded stores, the needle-in-a-haystack searching, and the rude cashier that wished she were
My shoulders sagged because I knew this wouldn’t be easy.
“We’ll do whatever you want,” Ben promised as he patted my knee.
“Thank you,” I cleared my throat. “Okay… I plan on withdrawing all the money from my account. There will be more than plenty to cover my burial costs and you guys can have the rest.”
“Wait,” Bo interrupted.
“Don’t argue with me, Bo Cooper.” I pointed my finger. “It’s my dying wish.” And that shut him up really quick. “I only have one living relative that I know or have met. My grandmother is in a nursing home, and she’s not well. She doesn’t even remember me. I’ve paid for her stay and her medication very far in advance. She is more than taken care of, so the rest of my money will go to you guys. We clear?”
They both agreed.
“I want a white casket just like my Mom, and I don’t need any kind of visitation, because I’m not expecting visitors. Just you guys. There is a plot available next to my Mom, and I have all the info for it in my bag. That’s where I’d like to be. Oh, and I want to wear this ring that you gave me Ben, and blue jeans. No dresses! Also, I’ll leave you guys the address to my apartment and the name of my neighbor. They think that they’re just cat-sitting Duncan, because I didn’t tell them I wasn’t coming back. I’ll write them a letter if you don’t mind giving it to them. You’re more than welcome to anything in my apartment. There is a lot of furniture and stuff, or you can just leave it all there and the management will clean it out. It’s whatever you want to do. Don’t feel obligated to do anything; I just want to know that I didn’t leave any loose ends. Oh, and I hate roses. Crazy right? But I don’t want any on my casket, if that’s okay?”
Bo stood up and walked away quickly.
“Bo,” I called out, but he kept walking right out the front door.
I exhaled. “I’m sorry Ben, I didn’t mean to upset him. I…”
“It’s okay. It’s just a lot to process. He needs a little time, that’s all. We’ve never had to deal much with death in our family. My Mom passed away when Bo was just a toddler. He doesn’t even remember her, so I’m sure that it’s just hard for him to hear about it. He’ll be fine, though. I promise. Just give him a little time.”
I couldn’t guarantee the time part, but I’d let him process it in his own way. It was just too much too fast. It would be for anyone.
“Okay,” I said. “I think I covered everything. I’ll make sure I write it all down. Thank you for helping me. It’s not something that you’re obligated to do, and I’d understand if you didn’t.”
“I’m going to be here for you, so you don’t you worry. Okay?”
I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder. For a moment, I thought I should go talk to Bo, but I decided against it. Death wasn’t an easy subject. Like his father said, he’d come around in time. Space and fresh air were probably the best things for him.
I just hoped he didn’t need too much time.
Chapter Twelve
To do list
Bo left a set of keys on the dresser in my room and a note that said –Go Shopping.
It was sweet, and thoughtful, and I was dreading every single minute of it. He could be so kind, and I was happy to know that he wasn’t upset with me. I’d become such a realist and I easily forget that there are still such optimistic people in the world, ones who haven’t been touched by such darkness and dread. Bo was a prime example of good.
I pulled out my phone and used Google to find the nearest place to buy clothes. It wasn’t far. I grabbed my purse and snatched the keys from the dresser and headed out. Shopping was never something that interested me, even when I wasn’t sick. I dreaded the overcrowded stores, the needle-in-a-haystack searching, and the rude cashier that wished she were
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