Chapter 5
Chapter Five
HAVEN
“Dr. Demato, actually. I’d say it’s nice to see you again, Joel, but I doubt that would be appropriate since you took the time to look me up.
So, I can assume you’re here in a professional capacity.
So please, tell me who died.” I point over to a desk and chairs that we can sit at to discuss arrangements.
“That’s it? That’s all you have to say to me? After all this time?” Oh, he has some fucking nerve to think I owe him anything.
“I beg your pardon? I did not seek you out. This is not a social call. If you are here looking for closure, you should have sent me a Facebook message.” I stand behind my chair and glare at him.
“I’m sorry, you’re right. I didn’t expect you to have grown up to be this gorgeous.” I raise an eyebrow at his fucked up compliment.
I sit, and after a moment, he follows my lead and I tap my pen on a notepad as he gathers his thoughts. I’ve learned not to rush people because their grief can be very unpredictable. They can snap to anger or shock in a heartbeat.
Joel sniffs the air and then frowns.
“You smell funny. Did you just color your hair?” What the fuck?
I may be patient with customers, but he’s working my last nerve.
“Oh, that’s the formaldehyde. I just embalmed a body.” Realization colors his face, and I smirk.
Yeah, you aren’t the center of my universe anymore, buddy.
“I’m sorry if my presence has disturbed your daily life.
It’s gran, she passed away. Your folks told me about this place, and even though it ain’t local, I can’t bear the thought of anyone else taking care of her.
” He chokes up, and I reach across my desk on instinct to cover his balled-up fist with my hand.
Tingles I haven’t felt in years shoot up my arm, but I ignore them.
“Joel, I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you for trusting me with this. When were you thinking?” I sit back and turn to my computer.
I watch out of the corner of my eye as he shakes out the hand I was just holding.
“As soon as possible.” I nod and place my glasses on the bridge of my nose so I can read the screen.
“Cause of death?” I look over the rims at his face.
“Natural causes, I guess. She just never woke up.” I nod and start typing.
“No autopsy?” He shakes his head.
“No, the cops said there were no signs of foul play. I don’t want her violated like that for no reason.” I nod in understanding.
“Burial or cremation?” He hesitates for a moment, and I take my glasses off.
“Money is an issue. She didn’t have much savings, and I can’t,” I put my hand up to stop him.
“Joel, this one is on the house. She was like family to me. As long as you can manage the cost of the plot, I’ll take care of the rest.” He sighs and seems to relax for the first time since I laid eyes on him.
“I’m not looking for a handout. I can pay you back once I start working.” I wave him off and pull out a catalog of coffins and one of urns.
“I need to pick up the body. In the meantime, you look at these to help you decide which is best for you. If the burial plot is an issue, then go with cremation and you won’t be out of pocket a dime.” He looks at me and stares.
His eyes are full of so much hurt and pain that I want to ask him what happened, but I refrain. It’s not the time to rip that wound open. I have my own problems to deal with in the back.
“Let’s set her up for next Saturday. I have a connection to a funeral home closer to home that has let me work on site.
That way, her friends can pay their respects locally.
I’ll give them a call and let you know. My partner Corvin got your intake information correct?
” He nods, and I stand and walk around my desk to offer him my hand.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Haven.” I keep my face neutral and a soft smile on my face, but inside, my inner bitch is growling.
I ain’t doing it for you.
He stands and grabs my arm with a rough hand, pulling me into a bear hug. His face buries into my neck, and I freeze. Should I push him off? Kick him in the balls? Scream for help?
No, Loki is armed, and Corvin may start planning a wedding if he catches the sparks coming off us.
“Thank you.” He kisses my neck right behind my ear, and I barely suppress a shiver.
He backs away, and I clear my throat.
“You’re welcome. I’ll be in touch.” I usher him to the door and barely have him out the door before I’m flipping the closed sign, locking the door, and turning off the lights so that no one gets the bright idea of trying to walk in after hours.
I make it into the preparation room before my knees give out.
“Ma’am! That chemistry was out of this world!” I roll my eyes at Corvin.
I do not have the bandwidth to deal with his Prince Charming syndrome tonight. I need to concentrate on what’s in front of me and deal with Loki and the biker gang.
“Fire up the furnace.” Corvin flips me the middle finger, but does what I ask.
“This is gonna take thirty minutes, so you might as well tell us that story.” Corvin points at my chest, and I sigh.
“Fine. Girl meets guy, guy takes her virginity after a hot and heavy summer, and then disappears. The end.” I grab an apron and step out of my heels and into my Danskos.
“He just fucked you and bounced? That’s cold.”
I sigh and shake my head.
“He never touched me.” They both look at me, confused now.
“He snuck into my room and slept with Danica. She then told him the next day that I was playing him and cheating with another guy. This was two days before he shipped off to the Navy. So I was left heartbroken knowing he cheated on me with my cousin, and he thinks I’m the cheater. ” I stare at Danica.
You always knew how to stir shit up, cuz.
“Ok, I normally don’t speak ill of the dead, but what a skank!” I let a giggle out and cover my mouth.
The stress of the day is finally breaking me, and the closest I’ve ever come to grief fills my chest. Regret is a motherfucker.
“We never spoke after that. I couldn’t, wouldn’t forgive her. I’m really not sure why she came to me now.” Probably ‘cause she knew no matter how mad I was, I did love her.
I sigh, and Loki clears her throat.
“About that. I might be able to shed a little light.”