By His Play

16. Kieran

16

KIERAN

I spend the next three days following Effie around town as she meets with the funeral directors, the florist, and the reverend who is going to perform the service for Grams.

Every time we return home, there are more flowers, condolence cards, and food waiting for us.

I can’t say that I’m disappointed, especially when it’s cookies, but I know they make Effie feel weird. Of course, she appreciates them and all the gestures from those who cared about Grams. But she’s struggling with the fact that people want to help her. I genuinely think she expected that everyone would forget she existed once Grams left us.

It’s just another thing that shows what an awesome person she is.

The KC Foundation sent her a huge bouquet of flowers and a card expressing their condolences and how much they miss her in the office.

Out of all of the gifts, that was the one that affected her the most. I think it was because it was from people who know her, not just Grams’ friends. A reminder that she has a life, a home outside of here.

“Ready for this?” I ask as I kill the engine outside the lawyer’s office.

It’s the second time we’ve been here this week. But today, we're hearing the will reading.

Effie blows out a long, calming breath as she focuses on the building before us.

“Yeah,” she says, sounding a little more confident than she looks.

She’s put makeup on today to cover up her reality, but I’m not sure it’s possible to conceal the dark circles under her eyes.

She stays in the car, putting this off for as long as possible, as I round the front and open the door.

Taking her hand, I pull her out and we walk into the building together.

We’re right on time, and no sooner has Effie said hello to the receptionist than Grams’ lawyer emerges to invite us into the back room.

I sit awkwardly beside Effie, feeling completely out of place as the lawyer goes through the formalities of the reading.

“She’s left everything to you, Effie,” the lawyer says softly, clearly able to tell that my best friend’s emotions are balancing on a knife’s edge.

Effie doesn’t react. She remains sitting ramrod straight in the chair, her eyes locked on the woman sitting behind the desk.

“Effie,” I whisper, squeezing her hand to get her attention.“Did you?—”

“Everything?” she whispers, proving that she was listening.

The woman nods. “Her estate is fully in order. One bank account with everything in it, and the house she owned. It’s all yours.”

“But my dad…”

“Not mentioned.”

“Wow,” Effie breathes, shaking her head in disbelief.

I wonder if she had any inkling this was likely to happen—she must have known. But thinking it and hearing it are two very different things.

The lawyer begins explaining the probate process and how everything works, but I don’t hear most of it. I’m too focused on Effie.

Her tiny body trembles in the seat beside mine, and her eyes are full of unshed tears.

She doesn’t need any of this money from Grams. She has more than enough from her parents, and from her own income, but something tells me that this means so much more to her any cent that’s come from them.

Only a few minutes later, we say our goodbyes to the lawyer, who promises to contact us soon, and make our way out of the office.

Effie is in a daze as I guide her back to the car, and we sit there in silence for long minutes. But as much as I want to give her time and space to process all this, we can’t sit here all day.

“Did you want to just go home?” I offer.

We’d made plans for this afternoon, but I understand if she no longer feels up for it.

She considers for a moment before tucking her loose hair behind her ear.

“No. We’re going out for lunch, remember?”

“We don’t have?—”

“We do,” she argues. “You’ve done so much for me recently. You deserve that steak.”

“It’s not important,” I argue. I mean the words, but my stomach grumbles in complaint.

“Kieran...we’re going for lunch, and then we’re going shopping,” she reminds me.

Grams explained in her funeral plan that she didn’t want anyone wearing dark and drab colors. She wants bright and colorful. She wants it to be a celebration, not a dreary occasion.

It didn’t surprise me. Grams lived her whole life in color, and it’s only fitting that we say goodbye in a similar way.

I found Effie standing at her closet not long after she got confirmation about Grams wishes for her send off. When I asked her what she was doing, she tearfully told me that she didn’t have anything suitable to wear, so we’re rectifying that this afternoon.

I smile at her. Most guys would probably hate the prospect of a shopping trip with a woman, but I’m not most guys. I enjoy trailing Effie and giving her my opinion on the things she picks up and tries on.

Only with Effie, though. I don’t have the patience to do it with anyone else.

“Okay then,” I say, starting the engine and backing out of the space.

I make my way across town toward the best steak house in St. Louis. It’s my second-favorite place to eat.

“ G ood to see their portions haven’t gotten smaller,” Effie mocks when one of the biggest ribeyes I’ve ever seen is placed before me.

My stomach growls appreciatively as her slightly more modest filet is lowered to the table.

I watch her stare at it in horror. It’s barely a quarter the size of mine, but it’s probably more than she’s eaten all week.

After checking if we need anything, our server leaves us to our food.

We both dive in, but only one of us eats like they’ve been starved.

Effie mostly pushes her meal around her plate, only eating a few mouthfuls.

While I might be concerned, I don’t say anything. I know I’m driving her crazy, and I’m trying to lay off, but I hate seeing her like this.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, opting for just being upfront. On top of the recent revelation, her parents flight landed not so long ago, and I know she’s already anxious about seeing them.

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess I should have seen it coming. Maybe I did…I don’t know,” she rambles, focusing on the will reading.

“Your dad doesn’t need or deserve any of it,” I state firmly.

“No, I know that. But he’ll expect?—”

“Will he?” I argue, cutting her off.

“He’s a chauvinistic man who thinks women are the lesser sex. Of course he will,” Effie says, with more than a hint of bitterness.

“Well, fuck him. He’s wrong. You’re worth two of him, if not more. You deserve everything Grams has given you and then some.”

“I don’t need any of it.”

“That’s not the point. She wants you to have it because she loves and appreciates you.”

“I work for my money. Or at least, I did.”

“You still do. You’re on a sabbatical; you haven’t left.” She looks up at me through her lashes, and my heart sinks into my stomach. “You’re not, are you?”

“Not what?” she asks, her brow crinkling.

“Leaving.”

Her eyes widen and I relax back into my seat, relieved.

“No. Not unless you want me to.”

“Hell no. Your job will be waiting for you whenever you’re ready to return.”

“As much as I appreciate that, I really hate that I get special treatment because we’re friends.”

“That’s not—” I shake my head. “I’d do the same for anyone as good at their job as you are.”

She smiles weakly at me.

It’s true, though. She’s amazing—the best thing to ever happen to the KC Foundation. Hell, it wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for her. She is the beating heart of that place; it wouldn’t be the same without her.

“I mean it, Effie.”

Her lips curl up as more tears fill her eyes at the compliment.

I hate that seeing her upset and emotional is becoming normal.

She’s always been such a happy, joyful person. I miss that.

‘Thank you,’ she mouths before admitting defeat and pushing her almost full plate away before we pay the check and head out for our shopping spree.

The sun is shining when we emerge from the restaurant, and I put the windows down and turn the volume up on our playlist as I take the freeway toward the mall.

Before we exit the car, I reach into the glovebox and pull out a baseball cap. The last thing we need is someone spotting me. It’s fairly uncommon here. It’s not like being in Chicago, where everyone is on the lookout, but it does happen occasionally.After all the media attention our fake engagement has caused, it’s the last thing either of us need.

Allowing Effie to take the lead, I follow her to one of her favorite stores and give her my opinion on everything that steals her attention.

“This one,” I say, picking up a full-length bright floral dress.

Effie spins around, her eyes landing on the material in my hand.

Her brows pinch. “Uh…”

“It’ll suit you,” I say, holding it up to her body.

“Maybe on a beach holiday. It’s not exactly…funeral wear”

“Bullshit. Grams would totally back me with this.”

Effie rolls her eyes, but she doesn’t argue. She knows I’m right.

“Fine,” she sighs. “I’ll try it on, but I’m promising nothing.”

By the time we get to the dressing room at the back of the store, I have at least ten dresses of all different styles and colors draped over my arm.

I hand them over to the assistant, who counts the hangers before gesturing for me to sit on the couch to wait while directing Effie into the first dressing room.

Sinking into the cushions, I spread my legs wide and slip the cap off my head, running my fingers through my hair.

I don’t see the store assistant return until she gasps, trips over her feet, and almost ends up in my lap.

Thankfully, my reaction time is better than hers, and I catch her before she faceplants in my crotch.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” she says in a rush as I place her back on her feet. “Y-you’re… you’re…Kieran Callahan.” She stares up at me with bright eyes and a wide smile on her face.

“Uh…yeah,” I say reluctantly.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe this. I’m a huge fan. Go Chiefs,” she says, punching the air, her cheeks immediately heating in embarrassment when she realizes what she’s doing. “Sorry, I mean…I had pictures of you all over my college dorm.”

“Had?” I ask with a smirk. “Did you get a new favorite player?”

“O-oh n-no. I moved in with my boyfriend and?—”

“He didn’t appreciate them?” I ask lightly.

“No. Not so much. Plus, he’s a Saints fan.”

“And you’re still with him?”

She throws her head back and laughs like it’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard.