Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
B eth watched her father-in-law, Thomas, as he stood in front of his wife’s casket. His shoulders slightly hunched, he struggled to stand upright.
Gabriel moved next to him to offer support, and when his father put his hand on Gabriel’s arm, he didn’t fight the tears that fell.
A strong presence in their family, Thomas sighed and walked away from the casket. It was time to share what was in his heart. He needed to tell everyone of his love and admiration for his now deceased wife, Veronica Walker.
He continued his walk to the podium, and when he reached the top, he looked out at the congregation. Clearing his throat, he began.
“Tori was more than a wife and mother,” he said, his voice breaking. “She was the heart of our family, and though this disease took her from us too soon, it could never take away the love she gave us. When she went into the assisted living facility I didn’t feel as if I’d lost her. I kept telling myself that she was just staying at a luxury retreat, and I’d have no trouble visiting her whenever I wanted. Well…I did go…every day, and in time, she didn’t know me. At least that’s what I thought, until someone at the facility told me that she wanted to be called Tori. I smiled when I heard that because that was the name I’d called her ever since we were kids. She hated the name Veronica. She thought Victoria was more elegant. She wanted everyone to call her Victoria, but to me, she was always Tori. When she insisted everyone call her that…well, I knew the love of my life would always remember me…remember us. ”
Beth wiped the wet from her cheek. She’d become part of Gabriel’s family and hated this for her father-in-law. She could only hope to have as loving a marriage as her in-laws.
Gabriel was next to speak. As his father walked back to his seat, Gabriel placed a comforting hand on his father’s shoulder as he walked toward the front of the church.
“My mother was the guiding light in my life. She was my true north and the only person in the world, besides my new wife Beth, who could tell me I was wrong about something and still make me feel as if being wrong was a good thing. That somehow, there was much to learn from being wrong. I have no idea how she did it, but because of it, I did indeed learn so many lessons. Those lessons and her words will stay with me forever.”
Gabriel looked over at the casket before him. “I’ll never forget your wisdom or your love, Mom. I’ll carry it with me always.”
James followed his brother. He said only a few words, but they were poignant. He looked at his daughter Willow. “Hello sweetheart, Grandma loved you to the moon and back. She loved all of us that much.”
James looked down at the paper in front of him but couldn’t get the words out. When he finally spoke again, it was only a whisper, but Beth could hear him.
He nodded as if he could hear his mother’s voice.
“I will. I promise.”
No one would ever know what James meant, but it didn’t matter. Those words were between him and his mother, and that was all that mattered.
When the funeral service concluded, the mourners slowly made their way back to Thomas’s house. Gabriel came up beside Beth, who was looking at photos on the wall leading up to the second floor.
“That was me back when I thought I had the beginnings of a beard. No one wanted to burst my bubble by telling me that I didn’t look like I had hair on my face, but more like a little bit of dirt.”
Beth laughed. “You think if they’d told you that you might have given up the idea of growing a beard?”
Gabriel shook his head and then sat on the stairs. “Not likely. I was a defiant little guy.”
Beth laughed at the thought of Gabriel trying to grow a beard at thirteen years old. She rubbed his now, very full beard. “Well, you finally did it.”
Gabriel smiled and pulled her close.
The atmosphere in the house was a blend of somber reflection and the comforting hum of family and friends reconnecting. The catering staff had set up an array of Tori’s favorite dishes—quiche, smoked salmon, and an assortment of delicate pastries.
“How do you think your dad will be after we leave for Massachusetts?”
Gabriel shrugged. “That’s a good question. James and I have to discuss that. I think it makes sense for Dad to come to the east coast so that he can be closer to his family. He doesn’t have anyone out here. A few friends, maybe, but what he needs now is family.”
Beth knew the truth. Gabriel needed his father close. In the past, she’d hear the longing for his parents in his voice, the frustration at not being near them in case they needed anything. Now that Thomas was alone, it seemed a perfect time to make the transition.
“Do you think he’ll ever leave California?”
Gabriel shook his head. “I think it will be difficult. I don’t think he’ll come willingly. I’ll talk to James to see what he wants to do. It doesn’t make sense to talk about it today. I have no doubt there are too many other things on his mind.”
Beth nodded. “He needs time to grieve.”
“That’s true, but we don’t have that much time before we head back east. Willow has to get back to school. We’ve all got to decide before we leave. I just hope Dad sees moving east would be best for all of us.”
Gabriel got up from the steps and looked around.
“Where is James anyway? It won’t hurt to get the conversation started.”
“I’m not sure. A few minutes ago, I saw your father go into the den. Maybe he’s in there with him.”
Beth stood and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you go look for them? Linda and I will keep an eye on things here and make sure the guests have everything they need.”
Gabriel kissed Beth and then went to the den to find his brother and father.
He pushed the door open and saw the two men talking.
“Gabriel, come in and join the conversation. Your brother here seems to think I’d be better off moving back to Massachusetts to be close to you all. What do you think?”
Irritated that James hadn’t waited to talk to him about it before approaching their father, he did his best not to appear to push Thomas.
“Well, I think it makes sense. I mean, you’d get to be near Willow, and Beth and I will have children at some point. We all could be together.”
“I think it was what Mom wanted,” James said.
Gabriel wanted to kick his brother for being so insensitive. “We don’t know that, James.”
James nodded. “I do. I know because Mom said it to me.”
“What?” Thomas asked, surprised Tori had said anything to their boys about this.
“Mom told me that when her time came, she wanted us all to live close. She asked me to promise that we’d find a way. I think this is the way.”
Thomas looked stunned, and Gabriel didn’t know what to say.
“I don’t know, James,” he replied, his voice weary. “This house… it’s filled with memories of your mother. I don’t know if I can leave it behind.”
Gabriel walked closer to his father. “We understand, Dad. But we also don’t want you to be alone out here. We worry about you. Beth and I have plenty of space, and Linda and James live just a short drive away. You’d have all of us, and Willow would be overjoyed.”
Thomas sighed, running a hand through his thinning hair. “I appreciate that, Gabriel. I do. But it’s a big decision. Your mother and I built our life here. It’s hard to imagine leaving.”
James reached out, placing a hand on his father’s arm. “We know it’s a lot to ask. But think about it. We’re not saying you have to decide right now. Just… consider it. For us, and for yourself.”
Thomas looked at his sons, their faces so earnest and full of concern. He saw his Tori in them. “I’ll think about it,” he promised. “That’s all I can say for now, but I will think about it.”
Gabriel and James exchanged relieved glances. “Thank you, Dad,” Gabriel said softly. “That’s all we ask.”
As they sat together in the quiet of the den, the sound of laughter and conversation from the gathering outside filtered through the closed door. For a moment, they allowed themselves to simply be—a father and his sons, united in their grief and hope for the future.
Beth took Mrs. Henderson’s hand in hers. The elderly woman, who had been Tori’s neighbor for years, approached her with a gentle smile. “Beth, dear, it was a beautiful service. Veronica would have been so proud.”
“Thank you so much for coming,” Beth responded, not wanting to correct her. Not everyone called her Tori, and the guests ranged from those who still knew her as Veronica Walker.
James and Linda stood near the doorway, speaking with a couple who had been friends with Tori and Thomas for years. “She was an incredible woman,” said Mrs. Lawson, shaking her head.
“I used to tell Veronica that she needed to open a restaurant and sell her pies to everyone. I especially loved her apple pie. I even begged for the recipe, but she wouldn’t budge. She said it was an old family recipe and she couldn’t part with it. I don’t know what was in her pies, but they weren’t like any I’ve ever tasted.”
Linda smiled warmly. “She poured her heart into her baking. It’s comforting to know that others loved her pies just as much as we all did.”
Mrs. Lawson nodded, squeezing Linda’s hand. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here for you all.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Lawson. That’s very kind.”
Thomas was out in the backyard, talking to two of his golf buddies, while James talked to his childhood friend, Rob.
“I can’t believe it,” Robert said, his voice thick with emotion. “Your mom was like a second mother to me growing up.”
James nodded, his eyes glistening “I know. She loved you like one of her own. Thanks for being here, Rob. How did you hear about it?”
“My mother told me. The two of them were good friends back when your parents lived in Massachusetts. It’s funny how they both moved out here within six months of each other. I'm glad she did. They continued their friendship and were always there for one another.”
Rob hugged James tightly. “If you need anything, you call me, okay?”
James nodded. “Will do. Thanks.”
Once Thomas’s golf friends left, it was just the six of them. Willow looked at her mother and pleaded, “Mom, can I take this dress off?”
Linda smiled. “Yes, come on, let’s get upstairs and I’ll help you get into something more comfortable.”
“Someone gave me these flowers,” Willow said, handing them to her mother.
“We’ll find a vase for them. Let’s go.”
The house was quiet now, and everyone was tired, but there was still much to do.
“Why don’t you all go into the living room and watch the football game? Linda and I will clean up. There are tons of leftovers with all this food, so we won’t have to cook the rest of the week.”
“Wait,” Thomas said. “I want to say a few things. First, thank you all for being so wonderful this week. I don’t know what I would have done without your love and support, not to mention making all these arrangements. I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Now, I know you all want me to move back to Massachusetts. I wish I could say yes, but I’m just not ready. We’ve got another few days together and I want them to be happy times. I don’t want to argue with you all about where I’m going to live.”
Gabriel and James looked at each other.
“I’m not as young as I used to be, but I’m not so old that I can’t live on my own if I want to. So, can I get you all to agree not to keep pressing me on this while you’re here?”
Beth and Linda looked at their husbands and waited along with Thomas for an answer. Gabriel and James nodded reluctantly, but it was progress, nonetheless.