Chapter Twenty-eight - Lu
Chapter Twenty-eight
Lu
J ohn’s home was filled with several family members, colleagues, and friends. Pans filled with fried chicken and fish, casseroles, freshly baked desserts, sodas, bottled water were all delivered to the house. It seemed that people were bringing food every five minutes. There was barely room in the kitchen to hold it all. It was evident that he was a well-loved man.
Lillian had been busy greeting guests who had assembled after John’s memorial service. Milan had finally pulled herself together after nearly having a nervous breakdown. Jess was silent since the day she’d heard the news of her father’s death and John Jr. blamed himself for not being there during his father’s final moments.
“I just went home to shower and catch a quick nap. I was on my way back,” he said. “I can’t believe I wasn’t there.”
“Stop beating yourself up about it.” Milan rolled her eyes at her brother. “Don’t you know, he was waiting for her to show up.”
“Not now, Milan,” John Jr. warned.
“It’s true. He was asking for her, and then she showed up. After that, he had permission to die. End of story.”
“Why do you always have to be such a brat?” John Jr. asked, and then the two of them went back and forth about the timing of their father’s death.
Milan’s words struck a chord with Lu. She couldn’t help thinking there was some truth to them. It seemed that he had been awaiting Lu’s arrival. He’d somehow stayed around until she’d arrived. She neither agreed nor disagreed with Milan. However, she kept quiet about it because she didn’t want to give her the benefit of gloating. Instead, she glanced over at Zach, who was deeply engaged in a conversation with one of John Samuels’s navy buddies, who had been a medic in the military. The two of them had been talking shop for most of the afternoon. Zach gave her a wink, his eyes asking if she was okay. She gave him a light smile to let him know that she was.
She was grateful the memorial service had already been planned prior to John’s death. He had played an integral part in his own memorial service, insisting that it be celebratory and not sad. He had written some things that he’d wanted to be read and created a list of the music he wanted played. He wanted it to be swift, not a long, drawn-out event. He also wanted it to take place quickly after his death. Since he was being cremated, there was no need to wait. If someone couldn’t make it, then they’d—in his words— see him on the other side. The timeliness of it allowed Lu to extend her stay just a few days longer. Albeit she and Zach had to purchase new clothing, as they’d only packed for two days. Lu was grateful that it took place sooner rather than later.
“I’m going to see if your mom needs help in the kitchen,” Lu excused herself.
Lillian held a pan of food in her hand as she forced a smile and seemed to be trapped in a conversation with a woman who wouldn’t set her free. Lu gently took the pan from Lillian’s hands.
“I’ll take this.” She gave Lillian a gentle smile.
Lillian exhaled, offered a thank-you with her eyes.
Lu asked, “Would you like something to eat?”
The woman that Lillian was talking to observed Lu with inquisitive eyes. It was clear that she wanted to know who she was and would probably ask Lillian once they were alone. There were several observers at the memorial and at the house afterward. Particularly since Lu’s name was listed as one of John’s children on the ceremonial program, and none of them had ever met her. Surely people were curious, had questions. One of John’s brothers, Jared, had introduced himself after the service. He had known about Lu for years and had even seen her once when she was an infant.
“John was quite fond of you. Quite fond of your mother, too.” Jared’s smile was identical to John’s. He was a thinner version of his brother. “How is Yana anyway?”
“She’s fine,” Lu said.
“I wish she had allowed him the chance to be your father. It tormented him for years, you know.”
Lu kept her comments light, didn’t offer too much. “It was a difficult situation.”
“Yes, I suppose it was,” said Jared. “Well, it was good to see you again. I would like to stay in contact with you, if that’s possible.”
John had spoken about Jared often. They were close.
“I’ll make sure we exchange information before I leave for Jersey.”
“That would be great.” He pulled her into an awkward hug.
She hadn’t seen it coming, but she hugged him back.
* * *
Lu wasn’t sure who the woman who wasn’t allowing Lillian any peace was. She was watching them both like hawks.
“Maybe later. I don’t really have an appetite,” Lillian told Lu. “But you should eat something.”
“I will,” Lu assured her. “I’m going to try to arrange things in the kitchen.”
“Thank you.”
Lu was grateful for the reprieve, the opportunity to escape. She set the pan of chicken on the counter and started organizing the other containers of food. She busied herself by placing the meats together, the sides together, and organizing the desserts. She tossed empty paper plates and cups into the trash can. She turned on the faucet and filled the sink with water, added some detergent. She stood there, her hands grasping the edge of the sink, closed her eyes for a moment, hoping the tightening in her chest would ease up. She thought of her last moments with John and remembered the things he’d said to her.
Cherish the good things in life. Try not to waste time on things that don’t matter. Be quick to forgive and live your life fully.
Be quick to forgive. Those were the words that she couldn’t quite shake.
“You wash and I’ll dry.” The familiar voice shook her from her thoughts.
She turned and her eyes locked with Kenya’s. She was dressed in a black sheath dress that accentuated her curves. Her hair was in a bun on top of her head. Lu exhaled. Her friend was certainly a sight for sore eyes. They reached for each other at the same time and hugged tightly.
“What are you doing here?” Lu asked.
“I knew you needed me.” Kenya smiled and gently kissed Lu’s forehead.
“Oh my God. You have no idea.”
“Yes, I do.” Kenya began searching the kitchen drawers for a dishcloth and a drying towel. She found them and handed Lu the dishcloth. “You wash, I’ll dry.”
Lu turned back to the sink and started washing glasses. “I’m so sorry for the way I behaved . . . you know . . . that night. Everything just seemed to explode . . .”
“We don’t have to talk about any of that right now. Let’s get you through this.”
Lu’s heart warmed. She was on the verge of tears. “Thank you for coming.”
“I’m still your best friend, honey. That won’t ever change.” Kenya took the clean glass from Lu, dried it, and found a place for it on the shelf.
“Have you talked to Natalia?”
“No,” Kenya said. “Not a word.”
“Truthfully, I’m worried about her,” Lu admitted as she washed another glass, rinsed, and handed it to Kenya.
“I know. I am worried about her, too, even though I’m still very angry with her.” Kenya pointed a finger to drive her point home.
“I know, honey, but you have to realize that she would never intentionally hurt you.”
“I know that, but you have to understand . . . she kept this from me for three years. Three freaking years!” Kenya said.
“Now that was wrong,” Lu agreed.
“Darn right it was wrong.” Kenya’s voice was filled with angst.
“But I hope that one day you’ll find it in your heart to forgive her.”
Kenya breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth. “I don’t know that it will be anytime soon, though.”
“I hate the way everything happened.”
“She called me a few times, left a few apology messages on my phone, but honestly, I’m not ready to talk to her yet.”
“You will, in your own time. I know that you love her.”
Kenya nodded a yes and then moved closer to Lu. From the sink, they were both facing the living room. She whispered, “Now tell me, which one of them is the devil’s spawn, Milan?”
Lu giggled; she hadn’t expected Kenya’s candor. “She’s the one in the gray dress, long hair.”
“Did you know that you have the same face? She’s your twin!”
“Unfortunately, yes.” Lu laughed at her friend.
Kenya looked at Lu, then at Milan, then at Lu again. “I mean, she looks like a darker version of you. That is incredible.”
“Okay, yes. We favor a little bit.”
“A little bit?”
Lu changed the subject, moved the focus from Milan. “My sister Jess is the one wearing the black A-line dress.”
“The quiet one.”
“Yes, and my brother John Jr., he’s over there in the gray suit, multicolored tie.”
“Oh now, he’s a cutie! Is he single?”
“What do you care? You have Gideon.”
“ Well . . .” Kenya looked sheepish.
“Tell me you didn’t run him off already, Kenya.”
“Things were moving way too fast. Besides, he lives a million miles away.”
“He’s not all that far away.”
“Well, maybe not that far. But you know long-distance relationships never work.”
“Kenya, you have got to stop this madness. Gideon is a great guy.”
“A guy who cheated on his wife and left her for another woman. Who does that?”
“Zach told me all about it. That was years ago. And he’s been kicking himself over it ever since.”
“And rightly so. He should kick his own ass.” Kenya grabbed the plate from Lu, dried it.
“Kenya!”
“Next subject. What’s up with you and Zach? Are you two back together or what? Is the wedding back on?”
Lu sighed deeply. “We haven’t talked about getting back together, nor the wedding. He’s just been here for me through this and that’s all.”
“He’s a good guy. As much as I wanted to punch him in the face and throw him out the window, I must admit, he genuinely loves you.”
Lu had already resolved that very fact in her mind, but she neither agreed nor disagreed with Kenya. She just grabbed the next plate, washed, and rinsed it thoroughly. “I’m glad you’re here, friend. But did you have to take another vacation at my expense?”
“I just took a couple of personal days. I’m back in Jersey tomorrow. Unless you need me for longer.”
“We’re leaving tomorrow also, after the reading of the will.”
“Hmm . . . the reading of the will? Papa John left you something?” Kenya asked.
“Yes, and I told him I didn’t want anything. I don’t want to fight with his other children over money or property, or any of it.”
“There shouldn’t be a fight, sweetheart. It sounds like he was very intentional with his estate. Whatever you get is rightly yours and you deserve it.”
“I suppose.”
“Should I stay with you for the reading of the will? I can move my flight to a later time. I’ll act as your attorney through this matter.”
“I think I’ll be okay. Plus, you’re not a civil attorney.”
“They don’t know that.”
“Anyway, you need to get back. You need to prep the deacon for the trial.”
“Girl, that deacon is working my last nerve, you hear me?”
Lu giggled.
“No, seriously, he’s stressing me out. I warned him that if he talks to the press again, I’m dropping his case.”
“Did he hear you?” Lu asked.
“I don’t know. We’ll certainly see.”
“Don’t drop him,” Lu said playfully. “You’re all he has.”
“He’s on a short leash.” Kenya grabbed the plate and dried it. “If you change your mind and want me to stay, just say the word.”
“Thank you, friend.” Lu dried her hands with the dish towel. “I’m glad you’re here. Today was hard.”
“I know it was,” said Kenya. “You want to get out of here, go find some cocktails?”
“I would love that.”
Lu hung the dishcloth on the sink and walked out of the kitchen. Kenya followed. She found Zach, who was chatting with John Jr.
“I’m glad you made it, Kenya,” Zach said once they approached.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you for letting me know.” Kenya gave Zach a hug.
“Kenya and I are ready to get out of here. How about you?” Lu asked Zach.
“I’m ready, too. Where are we going?” Zach said.
“To find a cocktail or two,” Lu told him.
“Hello, I’m John,” John Jr. interrupted them and held out his hand to Kenya.
“Kenya.” She took his hand in hers. “Pleasure.”
“It’s all mine.” John Jr. lifted Kenya’s hand to his lips and kissed it.
“I’m sorry. Excuse me for being rude,” Lu said. “Kenya is my best friend.”
“Good to meet you, Best Friend .” John Jr. gave Kenya a wide grin. “My sister has told me absolutely nothing about you.”
“She’s told me everything about you.” Kenya smiled at John Jr.
“Really?” John Jr. returned an award-winning smile. “I hope it was all good stuff.”
“Rest assured, it was all good stuff.”
“Good.” John seemed to exhale. “I know a great place for cocktails.”
“I just need some air,” Lu explained. She felt contained, smothered.
“I understand. Let me just say goodbye to my mother and I’ll meet you all outside,” John Jr. said.
“I should say goodbye to her, too.” Lu followed John Jr. to the den, where Lillian was entertaining guests.
He hugged his mother, kissed her cheek. “I’m leaving, Mother.”
“Where are you going? It’s still early.” Lillian frowned.
“I’m taking Lu out for a few drinks.”
“I see.” Her eyes veered toward Lu, giving her a sideways glance.
“I wanted to say goodbye,” Lu interjected. “The memorial service was beautiful.”
“Thank you for cleaning the kitchen. Milan, Jess, and I will try to find somewhere for all that food.”
“It’s really a lot of it. It’s very apparent that John was well-loved.”
“He was indeed,” said Lillian. “I’ll see you both tomorrow for the reading of the will, right?”
“Yes, Mother. We’ll both be there,” John Jr. interjected.
“Okay, good. Don’t be late. And don’t drink too much.”
“I love you, Mom. I’ll come back later and stay with you again tonight, okay?”
She touched John Jr.’s face. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
Lu felt sad for Lillian. She knew that tonight would be another hard night for her. Learning to live without John Samuels would be a difficult road, she presumed. Good, bad, or indifferent, he’d been her husband for more years than Lu was on earth. She thought of her life with Zach, and how she had only been apart from him for a few weeks after their breakup. However, his absence was very real; she’d discovered that she could barely breathe without him. She couldn’t imagine having to live the rest of her life without him, like Lillian would have to live the rest of hers without John. She couldn’t fathom the woman’s pain, having to say goodbye to a man she had loved for so long.
“Good night,” Lu said to Lillian.
“Good night, Lu. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
John Jr. grabbed Lu’s hand and led her through the crowded living room and out the door. It felt good to be outside, the California air blowing through her hair; the mild temperature was perfect. She exhaled. She could breathe.