last two weeks. I love you, Mom.” Abby finally looked up and approached the head of the casket. She stared at Charlotte, lying there as if she were sleeping. “You look beautiful, and I know you wouldn’t want anyone to see you if you didn’t look perfect.” She carefully touched Charlotte’s cheek. She slipped a family photo from years gone by under her mother’s hand, and alone, behind the velvet curtain, she wept. The chimes rang out again at ten thirty. Abby kissed her mother’s forehead then left for the ladies room to regain her composure.
The chapel was standing room only. Every seat was taken by Charlotte’s acquaintances from the many clubs and committees she belonged to. Fewer than ten chairs held family and lifelong friends. Abby didn’t remember ever meeting the four people claiming to be family, but Charlotte’s cousin, a second cousin, a great uncle, and her mother’s sister-in-law were in attendance, sitting in the family chairs. They were strangers accepting condolences, relatives Abby had never met, who just happened to appear for Charlotte’s funeral. Forcing a smile, Abby asked each one when they last saw Charlotte. Not one had visited Charlotte in the eighteen years she had lived on South Battery. “Too little, too late,” Abby whispered under her breath.
The eulogist and minister did a fine job talking about the generous person Charlotte was to all her friends and family. She was a loving wife and a wonderful mother, too. Abby glanced in Betsy’s direction and raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows, knowing the eulogy was a little inflated, but she smiled anyway.
During the luncheon, Abby mingled with all the people in the dining hall. She learned of the many boards Charlotte was on and the charitable contributions she’d made. Her mother truly was a philanthropist. Abby felt better by the end of the day. At two thirty, the crowd dispersed, and Abby, Mel, and Betsy sat down on the chairs nearest the casket.
“She did look beautiful, Abby. I’m sure that was a relief for you. Would it be okay if I slip something in the casket?” Betsy asked.
“Of course, but what is it? I’m curious now.”
“I want to return the first dollar Miss Charlotte ever gave me as her employee. I saved it all these years. I didn’t have a lot of my own these past fifteen years, Abby, but I did have a beautiful home to live in. And even though your mom was strict, she still treated me fairly. I appreciate the years I lived on South Battery.”
“That’s really a nice gesture. Thank you. If you need some privacy, Mel and I can go in the other room. When we’re done in here, the three of us—and those mysterious family members—are going to escort Mom to the gravesite. There will be a small prayer service, and we’ll lay roses on her casket. After that, we’ll each drop a shovelful of dirt on the casket as they’re lowering it. Are you guys okay with doing that?”
The ladies agreed and had a moment to share a group hug. Betsy spent five minutes alone with Charlotte, then they followed the hearse down the gravel road to the gravesite.
***
Five days had passed since the funeral. Abby felt relieved it was over, and other than any settlements that might or might not be forthcoming, the only thing left was the reading of the will.
She had already filled out the papers on Monday giving Attorney Lewis permission to go forward with a lawsuit against City Waste and Recycling. The reading of the will would take place tomorrow. Abby felt odd, wondering who the other four people were that would be sitting next to her in the attorney’s office. She obviously wasn’t close to the few relatives that conveniently showed up at the funeral, yet she didn’t know if Charlotte had kept in touch with them over the phone.
Thursday morning, after dropping Melanie off at work, Abby came home and dressed in a simple eggplant-colored pantsuit with a string of pearls around her neck, and matching earrings. The
The chapel was standing room only. Every seat was taken by Charlotte’s acquaintances from the many clubs and committees she belonged to. Fewer than ten chairs held family and lifelong friends. Abby didn’t remember ever meeting the four people claiming to be family, but Charlotte’s cousin, a second cousin, a great uncle, and her mother’s sister-in-law were in attendance, sitting in the family chairs. They were strangers accepting condolences, relatives Abby had never met, who just happened to appear for Charlotte’s funeral. Forcing a smile, Abby asked each one when they last saw Charlotte. Not one had visited Charlotte in the eighteen years she had lived on South Battery. “Too little, too late,” Abby whispered under her breath.
The eulogist and minister did a fine job talking about the generous person Charlotte was to all her friends and family. She was a loving wife and a wonderful mother, too. Abby glanced in Betsy’s direction and raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows, knowing the eulogy was a little inflated, but she smiled anyway.
During the luncheon, Abby mingled with all the people in the dining hall. She learned of the many boards Charlotte was on and the charitable contributions she’d made. Her mother truly was a philanthropist. Abby felt better by the end of the day. At two thirty, the crowd dispersed, and Abby, Mel, and Betsy sat down on the chairs nearest the casket.
“She did look beautiful, Abby. I’m sure that was a relief for you. Would it be okay if I slip something in the casket?” Betsy asked.
“Of course, but what is it? I’m curious now.”
“I want to return the first dollar Miss Charlotte ever gave me as her employee. I saved it all these years. I didn’t have a lot of my own these past fifteen years, Abby, but I did have a beautiful home to live in. And even though your mom was strict, she still treated me fairly. I appreciate the years I lived on South Battery.”
“That’s really a nice gesture. Thank you. If you need some privacy, Mel and I can go in the other room. When we’re done in here, the three of us—and those mysterious family members—are going to escort Mom to the gravesite. There will be a small prayer service, and we’ll lay roses on her casket. After that, we’ll each drop a shovelful of dirt on the casket as they’re lowering it. Are you guys okay with doing that?”
The ladies agreed and had a moment to share a group hug. Betsy spent five minutes alone with Charlotte, then they followed the hearse down the gravel road to the gravesite.
***
Five days had passed since the funeral. Abby felt relieved it was over, and other than any settlements that might or might not be forthcoming, the only thing left was the reading of the will.
She had already filled out the papers on Monday giving Attorney Lewis permission to go forward with a lawsuit against City Waste and Recycling. The reading of the will would take place tomorrow. Abby felt odd, wondering who the other four people were that would be sitting next to her in the attorney’s office. She obviously wasn’t close to the few relatives that conveniently showed up at the funeral, yet she didn’t know if Charlotte had kept in touch with them over the phone.
Thursday morning, after dropping Melanie off at work, Abby came home and dressed in a simple eggplant-colored pantsuit with a string of pearls around her neck, and matching earrings. The
Similar Books
