17. Elite Bowl Dreams
Chapter 17
Elite Bowl Dreams
Mia
“ I t’s Mia, invading your podcast airwaves. We are the number one go to for the culture and sports news. We are hosting a special live tonight. Who you got for the Elite Bowl? You don’t have to ask who I’m cheering for. Our Armadillos, of course. We’re going to open our phone lines tonight. Tell me who you’re willing to put your paychecks on,” I said.
I peeked over at Harley sitting next to me, coloring.
After Marcus boarded the team plane yesterday, she had been my shadow.
Tonight, I was too tired to convince her to stay home.
She packed a bag, and I let her tag along.
With the Elite Bowl coming up, Scott and I shifted back to our evening format for the live.
I pressed the number one.
“It’s Mia, who you got,” I said into the mic.
“Aye Aye. I’m on live. This Torrence. I’m a New York fan, but this gon’ be a good game.”
“Where you live, Torrence?” I asked.
“Houston. I know, I know, but I think Todd and Urban gon be too much for Allen and Landry,” he said.
For the last week, I’d watched Marcus dissect New York’s defense.
He admitted the corners were good, but he tried to convince me they had weaknesses.
“We will see,” I said and punched the number four.
“It’s Mia, who you got,” I said.
“This Andrew. Man, Houston got this. It ain’t gon’ be easy, but I already took off for the parade.”
After an hour of fans calling in with their predictions, we shut it down.
It was Harley’s bedtime, but she was still awake.
I’m glad because I could not carry her to my car.
As I removed my headphones, my phone vibrated.
Marcus
Go home and prop those feet up.
Me
Yes, Coach.
Marcus wanted me to tell him before he boarded the plane, I was going to relax.
I chose not to lie to him with a response.
This past week, all Marcus did was babysit me and watch football film.
He had the nerve to call me hostile when I objected to him following me around the house.
Mrs.
Eddy made him sit in the living room with her to give me a break.
Stacie and Kindness were supposed to meet me at the studio, and so far, Kindness showed up.
Something was going on with Stacie and we didn’t know what.
“Harley, I’m going to talk to Kindness for a minute, and then we will leave,” I said.
She nodded but refocused on her coloring sheet.
Stepping outside the studio door, I greeted Kindness to find Stacie hightailing it down the hallway.
Kindness joined me as we watched our friend finally make an appearance.
“Heyyyy,” she said with a light, playful tone.
I sucked my teeth, while Kindness folded her arms across her chest.
“Excuse me, ladies,” Scott said as he squeezed by us.
“What is this about?” Stacie questioned our disapproving body language, waving her index finger
“Oh, nothing. I just want to know where the hell my friend has been for the last few weeks. She doesn’t return phone calls or text messages,” I said.
“Nothing. She returned nothing,” Kindness chimed in with her version of disapproval.
Stacie’s mouth parted as she stood in disbelief.
“You guys, things have been a little crazy. I had to get Rex moved out. I’m taking on more responsibility with the baseball team, and I-I…”
Stacie’s words faded to a whisper by the end of her sentence.
Before I could question her, Kindness interrupted.
“Well, both of your friends are pregnant.”
“And engaged,” I said, and both women’s heads turned in my direction.
I gave an easy grin as their eyes traveled to my bare finger.
I removed the box from my jacket pocket and slid my ring on.
Stacie seized my hand and brought my ring to her eye.
She closed one eye lid and shifted my finger from side to side.
“Shit, he spent some money on this. The word on the street is he a cheap millionaire,” Stacie said.
“Engaged. Really, Mia? Why didn’t you tell me?” Kindness questioned.
I turned to put eyes on Harley and then back on my best friends.
“Someone didn’t show up at your house,” I said and rolled my eyes at Stacie.
“I had proposal boxes for you guys,” I said.
Stacie slapped her hand over her mouth.
“I’m sorry, friend. Life has been crazy,” Stacie said.
“We’ve been worried about you and this Rex situation,” Kindness said.
Stacie opened her arms for us to come in for a hug, but we remained still.
“You guys, I’m sorry. No need to worry. Plus, I was going to find y’all anyway. I need Elite Bowl tickets, a seat in the suite, and a hookup for the night,” she said.
We laughed as we embraced.
It’s game day, and I might be more nervous than Marcus.
Over the phone I played up my confidence in his ability.
He had a tough match up, but he did say he was an elite wide receiver.
Hopefully, the nasty promises I made him would give him motivation.
Me
I got everybody covered on my end.
Remember, You.
.
Are.
.
Him.
.
.
Get my touchdowns.
Love you.
“Mom, can I sit with Grandma and Grandpa at the game?” Harley asked as we stood in front of the elevator.
After I sent my message, I smiled down at her.
Once the doors opened, she gave me her hand.
Climbing onto the empty elevator, we headed to meet up with the rest of our family.
My parents, Mrs.
Eddy and Ms.
Renee, were already downstairs in the lobby.
I made a last-minute bathroom run, making us late.
Thanks to Kindness, we were able to get our hands on special edition jerseys.
The elevator panels put our reflections on display.
Harley surprised me and asked for one ponytail instead of her signature three she loved.
The oversized bow paired well with her jeans, custom bubble jacket, and jersey.
We represented Marcus well today.
Last night, he FaceTimed me and was pleased with our custom fits.
Once the doors opened, we traveled down the marble hallway, passing the six other elevators.
Our family sat waiting for us, nervous energy and excitement radiating through the grand space.
I kissed Mrs.
Jordan on the cheek as we landed with our families.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” she said.
I smiled and bunched my shoulders.
“Thank you,” I said.
She reached for my hand and viewed my ring.
Serena shook her head with a satisfied grin.
I scanned the area in search of Kindness and didn’t find her or Stacie.
“Bathroom run. She should be on her way down,” Mrs.
Jordan said.
The Jordans rented transportation to get everyone from the family hotel to the stadium.
Turning, I watched Kindness and Shaunie exit the elevator, talking as they moved toward the crowd.
I squinted my eyes in her direction, but she smiled back.
Shaunie, Vick and Bryce’s triangle had been the top story of the sports year until two weeks ago.
Kindness finally stopped in front of me.
“Hello, ladies,” she said.
“Hi, Auntie Kindness. My daddy told me that’s your official name,” Harley said as she stood next to me.
Kindness’s lip protruded and her eyes glossed over.
I knew she was getting ready to cry.
Marcus
I stood in the tunnel, reciting the message Mia sent me.
She knew I needed the affirmations.
It’s something about her saying I’m him that pumped me up.
All week, announcers had doubted my ability to get open.
I’m not going to lie, my confidence took a hit.
A championship and money both hung on this game.
I pushed away the negative noise and readied myself for the battle.
Bryce exposed the game plan to shift me to the right, and to feed Vick in the beginning.
Pop!
Pop!
The cannons went off, and smoke filled the air.
My ears burned from the noise of the crowd; viewing the stadium, our fans showed up for us and now it was our turn to bring home the Elite Bowl.
As Jhae’s fine ass sang, I focused my thoughts on football.
Mia, Harley and Granny were safe in the suites, allowing my fears of them being in danger to dissipate.
We discussed Mia staying in the suites after the game and I would find her to celebrate.
I couldn’t have anybody putting her or the babies in harm’s way.
“Armadillos won the coin toss,” the referee said and we all exhaled hard.
By the fourth quarter, Bryce had already thrown a pick six and I could tell he was rattled.
We had to score in order to bring the Elite Bowl home.
“You ain’t shit today,” Todd said, and I brushed him off by repeating Mia’s words
“Hike,” I ran straight at him and then slanted to see Bryce hitting the ground.
When he didn’t get up, the stadium noise died down as he laid on the grass.
My heart raced with fear and uncertainty until I heard the whistle and saw Bryce stand.
“Late hit on the quarterback by the defense. Fifteen-yard penalty, automatic first down,” the referee called.
When Bryce stood, I let out a sharp breath but I knew what needed to be done.
Todd had a weakness, and it was time for me to exploit it, regardless of the double team.
As we gathered in the huddle, I became him.
“Throw me the ball. Go inside the numbers. He can’t do hard stops,” I said, and my teammates glared at me.
I never requested the ball in the huddle, but I knew this was on me.
Everything had to go right, including the o-line giving Bryce time, keeping the coverage, and me forcing Todd into making a mistake.
We dispersed and moved to New York’s forty-yard line.
With the crowd being alive again, no one could hear me call the play, but it didn’t matter.
The audible was going to be a dummy play.
Bryce gave me the nod and my mind went back to the battle with Hill.
Todd had morphed into him, and I needed one play.
He was standing in the way of my Mia’s dream wedding.
“Palm Trees. Palm Trees. Hike.”
I hopped and slanted inside for a few yards and stopped, and Todd hit the ground.
I re-adjusted my route to the outside at the right time before Bryce let the ball rip.
Tracking the ball, I had the mindset to run over anyone in my way.
The ball landed in my hand, and I turned on the jets into the end zone.
The crowd exploded with cheers while the entire offense ran in my direction.
Collectively, we performed the body roll along with a few fans.
Chills covered my body with excitement as I pointed at the camera and said, “I am him.”
Coach Owens threw up the two fingers, wanting the two point conversion.
Bryce went no-huddle because the blitz was coming.
The offensive line showed up yet again and Bryce walked into the end zone untouched.
He bowed to the crowd as the stadium was at max noise level.
He found me afterward, connecting our helmets.
“This is just the beginning of our Brotherhood and championships,” he said, and I believed him.
Connecting with Bryce had been a blessing I couldn’t explain but I’m grateful.
A week later
“Granny, are you sure you don’t want to go to the parade? You can ride inside the bus behind the players,” I said.
She shook her head no, but extended her arms for a hug.
“I’m proud of you. Do you hear me?” she said to me with my face cradled in her hands.
Before we left, she kissed Harley and rubbed Mia’s stomach.
The closer we inched to the stadium, my excitement had elevated.
I struggled to park, thinking about celebrating with my brother, Bryce.
I seized Mia’s hand and kissed it as we sat in the car.
“Thank you, baby, couldn’t have made it through the season without you. I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle to me,” I said.
She smiled back and gave me a shy shoulder shrug.
As I unbuckled my seat belt, an eerie feeling nudged at me, but I pushed it away.
Dr.
Choice and I have been working on my celebration trauma, he called it.
We held a brief call this morning and he encouraged me to celebrate with the team.
He wanted me to hang out with some of the players, but he was pushing it.
I reminded him they were my coworkers.
After I helped Mia and Harley out of my Bentley, with Harley between us, we walked toward the parade buses.
My teammates and their families were standing, and Ed spotted me with Mia.
“Shit,” I whispered underneath my breath.
Mia gave me the side-eye and then followed my line of vision.
“What’s up, champ?” Ed said as he extended his hand.
He stood next to whom I assumed was his wife but you never know with football players.
She was petite with a cropped haircut and a caramel skin tone.
“This is my wife, Whitney,” he said.
I extended my hand in her direction and shook it.
A long pause stood between us until Mia nudged me in my rib cage.
“Ed, this is my fiancée, Mia, and our daughter, Harley,” I said.
“Fiancée? When did you get engaged, Marcus?” he questioned.
I examined his face with no intention of answering.
“Hi, Ed. We kept the engagement a secret. I wanted the focus to be on the game. After our house is complete, I would love to invite the team and their families over,” Mia said.
“The team wants to get to know Marcus. I have a daughter about Harley’s age. We should schedule a playdate,” Ed said.
Mia smiled and Harley peered up at me with furrowed brows.
Nothing Mia said was happening if I could help it.
As Ed walked off, I wanted to push him down for meddling.
“Marcus, stop it,” Mia said between gritted teeth, and Harley giggled.
Mia tried moving closer to the crowd and I stopped her, nudging her to stay next to me.
Waiting for Bryce, Stedman and I locked eyes as he stood next to his wife.
Allison pulled him in our direction and I shuffled Harley closer to Mia.
My action pulled a concerned face from my wifey.
“Hello, I’m Allison.”
Stedman’s wife extended her hand toward Mia as I glared at him, trying to read his body language.
“I’m Mia and this is our daughter, Harley,” she said.
My eyes traveled up and down Stedman’s large useless stature.
“Fellas, relax. We are here to make peace. Right, Sted?” Allison said.
She tapped her husband’s chest, and he relaxed his shoulders, peering down at her.
Mia tugged on my jacket and widened her eyes.
“The guys got off on the wrong foot this season. But they will learn to play nice. Right, Sted?” Allison said.
“Yes, they will,” Mia answered for me.
She gave me a tight lip, with a play nice face, and I deflated my chest, giving into her demands.
“I don’t know. I don’t think they care for each other,” Harley stated the obvious, and the women cackled.
“Daddy will play nice. Right?” Mia said, with a threat riding in her tone.
“Stedman is going to play nice, isn’t he?” Allison said to her husband.
He extended his hand in my direction for a shake, but I didn’t budge.
“Daddy, you are supposed to say sorry and shake hands,” Harley said with hopeful eyes.
“Shake it,” Mia requested with hiked brows, and my nostrils flared.
I did one better.
I reached in for a hug, pulling him into my body.
“Fuck you,” I whispered in his ear.
“Feeling is mutual,” he said, and we released.
By the time Bryce finally made it with Kindness to the buses, I was heated.
We slapped hands as Mia and Kindness talked.
“You cool?” he asked.
“Ed brought his ass over here, creating play dates and shit. Then Allison tried a let’s be friends’ handshake,” I said, and Bryce held his stomach, laughing.
“I’m knocking him and Ed out,” I said to Bryce, and he walked away, still holding his stomach.
“Because he introduced his wife?” he questioned.
“He took it a step further and brought a few other wives to meet Mia,” I replied.
When Bryce made it back to me, his face was red as he gasped for air.
“Man, keep your hands off Ed. Chill out on Stedman. He’s not getting a new contract and hopefully, Vick won’t either,” Bryce said as we moved to board the bus.
Turning the last corner of the ride, I was hype and half naked.
The crowd calling us champs did it for me.
“Marcus, put your shirt back on!” Mia warned.
I kissed her cheek and slid my shirt over my head.
The bus stopped, and the band switched songs.
The soft sultry voice of Jhae belted through the speakers on the bus.
Mia nudged me, pointing to Bryce on one knee in front of Kindness.
He told me he was going to ask, but he neglected to tell me the details.
I couldn’t hear her answer, but I figured she said yes when they kissed.
“I see you, Bryce,” I yelled and pointed at him.
Kindness covered her mouth and cackled at me.
A week later
“Marcus, it’s been two weeks. Are you still on the Elite Bowl high?” Dr.
Choice asked and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
“I don’t think it’s possible to come down from the championship cloud,” I said.
Things were going good on my side of the world.
Mia and Granny both had a great report from the doctor.
For the next few weeks, I could focus on getting the house ready.
The construction company knew to leave the bedrooms and nursery unpainted.
I wanted to paint them, install light fixtures and switches and build Harley’s bed.
Afterward, I planned to lay underneath my woman.
“Tell me where to begin?” Dr.
Choice asked.
A knock came at the door, pausing my words.
The receptionist asked for Dr.
Choice, and he stepped out.
I rested my elbow’s on my knees.
When the door opened, Mia followed behind Dr.
Choice.
“Baby, what are you doing here?” I asked.
The puffy redness of her eyes sent my body into high alert, lifting the hair on my arms.
I stood and searched her body with my eyes.
“Are the babies okay? Where is Harley? Is Ms. Renee with Granny?” I asked, and Mia seized my hands and motioned me down to the purple couch.
She looked over at Dr.
Choice and he nodded.
“Marcus, Granny passed away in her nap this afternoon. Ms. Renee found her, and she wasn’t breathing. She performed CPR but Granny had already passed on,” Mia said.
I snatched my hands away from her and jolted my head back.
She extended her hands to me again, but I moved out of her reach.
“I just had breakfast with Granny,” I said.
This morning, I surprised everyone with pancakes, eggs, and bacon.
Some of it was burned but Granny laughed about it as Mia prepared something else for us to eat.
Numbness froze my body, but a tear dropped on my arm.
“It’s because of me. I won the damn Elite Bowl,” I said and smacked my chest with an open palm.
Tears filled my eyes to the point I couldn’t see.
I looked at Mia.
“You gon’ leave me next, ain’t you,” I said with venom, but she didn’t respond.
I shot straight up and flipped over the table.
“You can leave. I can take care of the babies. I raised Harley by myself. All y’all can leave!” I belted until my chest hurt.
Moving toward the door, I paused at Mia standing in my way.
“Get out of my way. I got to get Granny’s funeral planned and Harley from school and...” my voice faded.
Mia grabbed my hand and put it on her stomach.
“We’re not going anywhere. You are my family and my future husband. My mother has Harley and as her parents, we’re going to tell her together. But right now, it’s Marcus’s turn to grieve. Remember, I take care of you,” she said.
I dropped to my knees and wailed hard until I coughed from choking.
Mia
“Mia, the police will be here soon,” Ms.
Renee said as she stood in my bedroom doorway.
I lifted from the bed and tossed my blanket back.
She paused my steps before I could move.
“Mia, I need you to listen to me. You are carrying two babies, and I can’t have you upset. Mrs. Eddy is non-responsive, and I have called 911. Can you arrange for someone to pick up Harley?” Ms.
Renee said, and my ears couldn’t register her words.
Tears escaped my face as I tried to find my voice.
I shook my head and searched the room for my phone.
Scrolling through my phone, I dropped it and cried hard.
Ms.
Renee sat me on the bed.
“Mia, you cannot raise your blood pressure with two babies. I’m going to call your mother and then we need to find Marcus,” she said.
I jumped up from the bed.
“Marcus, I got to find Marcus. Don’t let them take her without Marcus getting to say goodbye. I will pay the city extra.”
With the back of my hand, I wiped away tears, grabbing my purse and phone.
I checked Marcus’s location and found him at Dr.
Choice’s office.
With one hand on the steering wheel, I prayed.
Then, I called my Mom.
“Mom, I know it’s last minute, but can you pick up Harley?” I said.
“Mia, what is going on? You’re crying?” she questioned.
“Mrs. Eddy she . . . ”
“Died,” my mother finished, and another round of tears fell down my face.
“Okay, Mia, where is Marcus?” she asked.
I closed my eyes and inhaled a deep breath.
“He is at the therapist’s office and I’m on my way to get him,” I said.
“I prefer you let someone take you, but you’re not going to let anyone. Stay on the phone with me,” she said.
Pulling into the lot for Dr.
Choice’s office, I couldn’t swallow my spit.
I knew this was going to take Marcus out.
“Mom, I made it. Thank you for getting Harley. I listed you as an emergency contact. It shouldn’t be a problem getting her,” I said.
“You call me, do you hear me?” Mom said as she sobbed.
After hanging up with Mom, I called Bryce.
“Hey, Mia, what’s up?” he said in a light tone.
I sniffled before I could get the words out, and Bryce was on alert.
“Mia, what’s going on? Where is Marcus?” he asked.
Leaning my head back, tears fell to my ears.
“Mrs. Eddy died this afternoon and I’m getting ready to tell Marcus.”
“Kindness and I are on the way,” he said and hung up.
Thankfully, my parents sent a car service over and they drove us home.
Marcus and I held hands in the back seat and cried in silence.
Pulling into the driveway, Bryce sat on the steps waiting for us.
Marcus hugged him hard as he approached the house.
Seeing Kindness and Stacie waiting for me, allowed me to take a breath; but I cried as they approached me.
“Thank you. Thank you,” I said between sobs.
“We got you,” Stacie whispered.
“Granny! Granny !” Marcus yelled from inside the house, and I broke down in my friends’ arms.
“Bryce got him, but you have to calm down, Mia,” Stacie said, as she touched my stomach.
My father pulled up, parking the car, and left it running.
He grabbed me and kissed my temple.
“Your mother texted me. She has Harley and they’re eating ice cream nearby,” he said.
“Noooooo! Get your fucking hands off her,” Marcus yelled.
My father sprinted toward the house.
Following my dad inside, my heart broke at the sight of Bryce consoling Marcus.
Bryce had a bear hold grip on him to prevent him from running after the corner.
“I got you, Marcus. I got you,” Bryce said as they zipped the bag over Granny’s face.
We sat around for an hour before my alarm sounded off.
Viewing the screen, I confirmed it was my mother’s car.
I swallowed hard to prepare to console Harley.
“Daddy,” Harley said as she ran to Marcus.
He lifted her in the air and embraced her hard.
“Daddy, what’s wrong, why are you crying?” she asked and wiped away one of his tears.
Marcus looked over at me and I knew he couldn’t speak the words.
“Harley, baby, can you sit between us?” I asked, patting the seat.
She climbed out of Marcus’s arms and peered up at me with those big brown eyes.
“Harley, today Granny went to heaven to be with your grandpa,” I said.
Her eyes ballooned, and she jumped up.
“No, I prayed for her knee, not for her to die. I want my granny,” she said and passed me, running to the back.
I paused my mother from chasing after her while Marcus stood in stillness.
“She is gone! She is gone!” Harley screamed as she ran back into the living room.
I extended my arms, and she ran to me and cried into my shoulder.
It was three in the morning before I could climb out of bed with Marcus and Harley.
They sandwiched me in, making the bathroom trips hard.
Marcus moved Harley between us.
The more Marcus cried, Harley followed suit and my mother stepped in, cradling Harley until she drifted off to sleep.
Dr.
Choice warned me they would be clingy, and he was on standby for grief counseling.
He also recommended his wife to Harley.
She was a child trauma therapist.
Stacie and Kindness prepared dinner but I couldn’t keep anything down but water, and Marcus couldn’t eat at all.
As I made myself a cup of tea, I noticed a large envelope on the kitchen table.
I walked over and opened it.
Inside were Mrs.
Eddy’s funeral wishes, including a paid burial plot.
Even the obituary was complete.
Inside were letters for me, Marcus, Harley, and her daughter, Mariah.
“All right, Mrs. Eddy, I will make sure your wishes are carried out,” I said into the void and sipped more tea.
I placed the items back inside the envelope and sat back in the chair with closed eyes.
“Baby.”
Marcus’s deep voice pulled my attention.
He joined me at the table, kissing my hand.
“I’m sorry about yesterday, and I think we need to go to the doctor. Later today, I will get Granny’s burial planned. Baby, I think we should go to the courthouse and get married. We can have the wedding later,” Marcus said with a shaky voice.
Caressing his hand, I turned to him.
“I will not accept your apology because you don’t need to be sorry for anything. Your grandmother died, Marcus. You are allowed to grieve and be angry. We can check in with Dr. Betts if it would ease your mind. We are getting married on the date we planned and not a day sooner because you’re going to trust me. Granny already made her own arrangements,” I informed and passed him the envelope.
“Baby, I would,” he stuttered.
“Feel better if you try to put clamps on me and Harley,” I finished.
Marcus lowered his eyes, and this time, I kissed his hand.
“We don’t need clamps because Harley and I love you. We’re going to trust in our support system, which means family, friends, and teammates,” I said, rubbing my hand up and down his arm.
“Listen to those heartbeats, they are strong,” Dr.
Betts said.
She gave Marcus and Harley the stethoscope and allowed them to listen.
Relief and happiness returned to their faces.
When I called Dr.
Betts, she rushed over for a home visit instead of us coming into the office.
She gave me a full check up and said my blood pressure was a little high but nothing else to be concerned about.
“Harley, are you still praying for more siblings?” Dr.
Betts asked, and Harley’s response broke my heart.
“No, I don’t pray anymore,” she said.
I turned to Marcus, but he was still numb.
As he walked Dr.
Betts out, I patted the seat next to me for Harley.
“Hey lady, why don’t you pray anymore?” I asked after I lifted her chin.
Harley’s shoulders fell and her jaw slacked.
“Because I asked for Granny’s knee to be healed, not for her to die,” she said.
“Healing comes in a variety of ways, Harley. In heaven, Granny’s knee doesn’t hurt, and she gets to see your grandpa. Yea, it hurts because we want her here with us, but we got a new guardian angel to watch over us. It’s okay to be sad, but we’re going to do things to remember and honor her,” I said.
Harley twisted her lip from side to side.
“How do we honor her?” she asked.
“We keep praying because I believe it would make her happy. We can cook her favorite food, remember the lessons she taught us, do balloon releases, and still eat cake on her birthday. There are tons of things we can do to honor her memory. I believe when we pray, we can pass messages to her,” I said.
Harley reached for my neck and hugged me.
“Can I sit in Granny’s chair?” Harley asked.
“I think she would love it,” I said.
Marcus and I watched our daughter climb in the chair and prop the legs up.
I snuggled more into his chest as we sat in silence.
He exhaled hard after his phone vibrated.
He pulled it from his pocket, and it was unknown.
“Do you want to tell her?” I asked.
“No, I will curse her out,” he said.
“Do you want me to tell her? Granny left her a letter in the envelope and it’s her last wish for her to have it,” I informed.
“We will mail it,” he said and I agreed.
When his phone vibrated again, he tossed his head back.
“Ed, I will curse you...”
“No you won’t,” I said and motioned for his phone.
He placed it in my hand, and I answered it.
“Hello Ed, this is Mia.”
“Please accept my condolences from my family and the team. How is Marcus holding up?” he asked.
“Marcus is a little raw right now with his words. It’s hard, but we will make it through,” I said as I smiled up at my future husband.
“The team and my wife want to know if we could do anything. Food, anything, just name it. We will also be attending the funeral services,” he said.
“Thank you, Ed. Food would be great. No one has any allergies. And I will pass along the funeral arrangements to you.”
“Give me an hour,” Ed said.
Marcus gave me the side-eye, and I patted his knee.
“They are your village, and they are showing up for you. Let them, Marcus.”