Chapter 28
RORY
I’m more than thankful Truck had the foresight to get Grady new clothing for the funeral.
I had tried to find the time to take Grady to the mall and get him a new shirt and pants, but I just didn’t get around to it.
When Truck handed Grady new clothing and told him to wear them, be smart and stand up tall at the funeral, I kissed him.
I didn’t even have to think about it. I was, and am, so grateful to him, just for being the fantastic person he is.
I’m standing beside Grady and Jill at the graveside of their mother. I didn’t know her so it doesn’t affect me, but I can see it’s ripping into Jill. Grady shuffles closer to me and when I feel his hand slide into mine, I give it a small squeeze.
The chaplain reads from the scriptures and offers prayers. They feel fairly meaningless to me, especially when Jill had informed me earlier in the day that the chaplain didn’t know her mother.
Jill is softly crying. Grady is dry-eyed, which tells me he didn’t have a solid relationship with his mother.
Another prayer is started, and I mumble along with Jill.
What surprises me more than anything else was the arrival of Truck along with most of the club brothers.
They had all given Grady a small nod, which I’m sure helped him get through this service.
The chaplain continues, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
Jill sniffles as she tries to stop herself from breaking down. I understand some of this is relief that the suffering is over, but the rest is for the mother she has lost.
The chaplain continues as Jill takes a small amount of earth before throwing it onto the lowered urn.
"In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our sister, and we commit her body to the ground.
Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust… "
Grady takes a fistful of earth and aggressively throws it onto the urn.
Jill turns to reprimand him, but I shake my head at her.
This is Grady showing she wasn’t much of a mother to him, and he is angry about it.
I wonder if he needs to speak with someone about his feelings!
I will watch him closely, and if it’s needed, I’ll suggest it to Jill, and I’ll pay for it if necessary.
Walking to my vehicle I notice all the club brothers are quietly standing and waiting.
For what, I’m not sure. Truck wraps an arm around my neck and points at Grady, then at Jill.
“Come on to the clubhouse. We are holding a gathering for your loss. We didn’t know your mother, but we know both of you.
So, let’s have a drink and honor her life. ”
I don’t wait for Jill to decide. I give Grady a small flick of my head, and he climbs into my vehicle. Jill follows, which I’m happy about because I didn’t want to have a fight with her in the parking lot of the cemetery.
Two hours later, we are sitting in the common room of the clubhouse eating from an assortment of food Bessy and Jo, the cooks had provided.
Grady is chowing down on a plate so piled high I’m not sure he’ll eat it all.
Jill is nibbling and not looking at anyone.
If she keeps this up, I’ll be speaking to her about lifting her spirits for Grady’s sake.
I sit closer to Jill and tap her hand. When she looks up at me I ask the question that I think is needed. “What is happening with your financial situation, Jill?”
“The funeral had already been paid for. I didn’t know originally that it was, but I have to tell you, Rory, I was relieved.
There is an insurance policy, which is going through the process at the moment, so that will help with the medical bills that are outstanding.
There will be a small amount left after that.
What has…” Jill looks around to make sure Grady isn’t listening, then continues.
“What has me angry is the fact that I had been paying rent on the house. But my mother owned that house, Rory. I was paying rent to my mother for her children to live in it. How the eff does that work?”
“What was she doing with the rent money?” I’m astonished that Jill has been struggling financially to support herself and her brother while paying medical bills, yet her mother had been taking rent money from her. It’s staggering. Unbelievable. Ruthless.
“I have an appointment to see Mr. Lawson at the lawyer's office tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll have some answers about that. But there better not be a pile of bills that I need to pay because Rory, I’ll disappear if that is the case.
I cannot face any more debts because of her.
I’ve been working and paying for years and it’s got to stop. ”
I hug Jill and feel her body shake as she cries. This woman has suffered more than she should have, but she’ll come out of it strong and positive. I’ll make sure that happens, and I’ll make sure Grady doesn’t suffer. They both have clung to each other, and it’s time they moved forward.
“Do you want me to come with you tomorrow, Jill?” I offer as support and not as someone being nosey or pushing myself forward.
“Would you? I’m scared of what is going to be said tomorrow, Rory. I would be grateful if you would come with me.”
“Hey, we are sisters now, so I’m more than happy to come, and if I can offer help I will.” I take Jill’s hand and give it a small squeeze.
We both look up when we hear shouting. “What the fuck! Ayla said Tank? Are you sure, Finger?” Tracker asks, but he’s nearly shouting so I’m not sure what’s going on, but he’s not happy.
Finger snarls, “She sure did. What the hell is going on, Cilla?”
Cilla gives Finger a nasty look right before she answers.
“I can’t stop Ayla from saying what she wants to say.
Tank, Bono, and Pyro are around her every day, and near enough all day.
What do you expect? She listens to them telling her stories and saying their names to her.
You tell them to stop talking to her and see what happens. ”
I’m not sure what happens next because Grady grabs my attention.
But both Grady and I turn to watch as Finger runs around the common room.
Now, the thing that is causing hair to stand up on my neck and arms is the fact that chairs and tables are moving as he passes them or flying at him, I should say.
As Finger heads to the door to run out of the common room, the door slams closed in front of him.
Since there is nobody standing near the door when it slams shut, I can’t help the panic that rises.
I’m on my feet, grab Grady’s hand and drag him toward the other door that leads to the kitchen.
“Jill, move your ass. We are out of here…” I bellow, and drag Grady along with me, but he’s laughing and cheering at what is happening, which has my mind fried.
Why the hell would he think this is amusing?
Arriving home, I wave as Jill climbs into her vehicle, taking Grady with her. I arrange to meet Jill at the lawyer’s office in the morning and wave them goodbye. Truck had arrived right behind me, and he’s finding the whole thing highly amusing. Me? Not so much.
Sitting in the lawyer's office, I remain quiet while he speaks with Jill. Jill explained that I am her unofficial sister, and she wanted me with her for this meeting. Thankfully, the lawyer was good with that and continues speaking with Jill.
“Your mother, yes, had taken rent from you during the time you’ve been living in the house with your brother.
I’m not sure why she did what she did, Jill.
I can only tell you what is stated in her last will and testament.
The rent you paid your mother was split into two portions.
One portion is in a savings account for you to use now that she is no longer with us.
The other half is for Grady’s college fund.
Both amounts are in different accounts, one in your name, Jill, and one in Grady’s.
The house has been left for both you and Grady.
I have the deed in the process of being placed in your joint names.
The insurance, as you know, is being processed.
It will cover the outstanding medical bills and will leave you a little besides.
Do you have any questions?” Mr. Lawson asks.
“No, I don’t think so. I reckon you have covered everything that I needed to know. Rory, can you think of anything I should ask about?” Jill turns to me and I shake my head, that no I cannot think of anything else.
We left the office with two letters for the bank and one regarding the house deed. Jill is walking back to her vehicle like a zombie. I’m sure her head is all over the place. I remember mine was when I had all the legal things to sort out after Terrence died.
“Jill, you are clear of the debt. You have a house, so you no longer have to pay rent for it. You have a brother who loves the life out of you, be thankful that you are starting a new chapter and can live your life now as you see fit. I know, I’ve done it myself after Terrence died, and it takes time, but you’ll be okay, and so will Grady. ”
Jill turns and wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly.
“Thank you, Rory. For being the sister that Grady and I needed. Grady loves you so much, and so do I. I’ll be okay.
I’ll move forward. Today I’m going to work and then I’m going to have two days off where I go through the house and remove everything that I don’t want in it any longer. ”
I step back, but keep my hands on her shoulders.
“Get rid of anything that reminds you of anything negative. It took me a while, but as soon as I did that I started to live again. My heart will always hold love for Terrence, but as he used to tell me, move on and live if anything happened to him. I think he knew that we wouldn’t grow old together and I’m sad about that, but we lived happily together and I’m grateful we had that time. ”
Jill nods, then steps back. “I’ll clean the house and create something that Grady will live in happily. He’ll always want to come to you, Rory, and if it’s okay, I’d like him to stay with you when it is convenient. He’ll miss not being with you now that he’s gotten used to it.”
“Oh, he’ll stay with me, don’t you worry about that.
Truck has a house being built on the compound, and he has already told Grady he will have a bedroom where he can stay with us.
I’m thinking he’ll enjoy having a second place he can stay, and you’ll be happy to have a little time for yourself.
” I grin when Jill thinks about it, and mentally decides that yes, that is a good way to look at it and gives me a grin along with a small giggle.
We speak for a few minutes and then Jill leaves to go home before she’s needed at work, and I head home where I’m going to Google how to keep ghosts out of the house.