Chapter 28 - Jane
1608 Words
It’s a good thing that I don’t have to go to work or get an assignment done.
I snuggle in closer to Kadis as I watch the morning sun track it’s way across the floor. I feel a little guilty sometimes that I spent the last few days doing nothing. But then I think of Bea and I am thankful that I am able to take this time to be able to grieve without having to pretend that everything is okay. I’m also thankful that I get to spend time with Kadis. The man is addicting for sure. I don’t think I would ever get enough of him. Having him around has really helped me cope with Bea’s death. I’m surprised he was single to be perfectly honest. I still can’t believe my luck or why he looked my way in the first place.
I’m just about to doze off again, when I hear my phone buzz. Groaning to myself, I crawl out of Kadis’ embrace. A frown passes across his face as he shifts in his sleep to accommodate my disappearance. I grab my phone and see that it’s my lawyer. Leaving Kadis to slumber alone, I head to the kitchen. I might as well start breakfast since I’m up.
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I’m just about to go wake Kadis up, when I hear the bathroom door close. Serving up some plates and coffee, I dig in. Lost in thought about my conversation with the lawyer, I don’t notice Kadis until I feel his arms around my shoulders. He gives me a squeeze, buries his head in my hair and breathes in deeply. After a few seconds, he lets go and sits down to eat.
“Good morning. Sleep well? I was just going to go wake you up.”
He gives a small smile, but just shakes his head in response.
“What do you have planned today? I was just talking to my lawyer and everything is ready for me to claim Bea’s estate. I just have to go sign some papers and get the keys to her apartment.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
I don’t want to reject his offer, but I really want to take a walk through her place by myself first. I don’t know how I’ll take it and I want to be able to do it in private. I shake my head.
“I want to go in by myself first, if that’s okay with you?”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, I’ll just stay here then and keep reading. If you need me just call or come back home.” He gets up to clean the table off. “When are you planning on doing this? Today, I’m assuming.”
“I meet with the lawyer in an hour.”
“You sure you’ll be alright?”
“I think so. You’ll be here anyways if I need you.”
Another smile touches his lips.
“I’ll finish up here if you want to go get ready then.”
I tiptoe to give him a quick kiss then go to jump in the shower. My mind goes over what I’m going to be doing today. Am I really okay with going to Bea’s by myself? Guilt washes over me as I realize that I haven’t really thought of her that much since the funeral. I close my eyes in shame. I feel terrible. I stand under the water trying to get a grip on my feelings when I hear a knock on the door.
“Yes?”
“Jane? I just got a text from my friend Jaed. I’m going to go meet up with him for lunch. Is that ok with you?”
I poke my head out of the shower at him. Luckily I don’t have to wipe the tears off my face. He looks concerned.
“I can stay if you want.”
“No. That’s alright with me. You should go see your friend. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Go see Jaed. I’ll text if I need you.”
I pop my head back in, but I don't hear the door close. Peeking back out, I see Kadis still standing at the door, shuffling his feet.
“Did you need me?”
Looking down at his hands, he mumbles something.
“Give me a second, I can’t hear you.”
Turning the tap off, I grab my towel and wrap myself in it. When I open the curtain I find Kadis has crossed the few feet between the door and the tub and is now standing right in front of me.
“I asked if I could have a goodbye kiss.”
Shaking off the shock of finding him inches from me, I nod mutely. Grabbing me around the waist he lifts me out of the tub.
“Stop it! I’ll get you soaked!”
Ignoring me he lowers his mouth to mine and my thoughts scatter. His kiss is soft and gentle. Unfortunately it ends sooner than I wanted. Letting me go he ‘boops’ me on the nose.
“See you soon, Jane. Call if you need anything,” he says as he walks out the bathroom.
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Taking a deep breath, I insert the key and open the door. A faint smell of mustiness hits me as I step in and lock the door behind me. I don’t want anyone coming in right now. Her apartment looks exactly how I remember it. I wasn't sure what to expect. When I try to remember the day she died, it seemed like there were so many people in and out of her place. But seeing it now, everything looks normal. I stand for a moment to steel myself. I walk into the living room slowly, letting my eyes pass over the room. I’m not here to do anything today. I just want to go through and ‘see’ my friend again. It’s almost surreal. I can almost believe that Bea is just in the other room and she’ll walk out at any minute. Tears start to build as my eyes wander over her collection of pressed flowers hanging on the wall, the pictures of her son and husband, and the knick knacks from over the years. My gaze falls onto a small framed picture on the mantle of her electric fireplace. It's a selfie of her and I. I took it during one of my first visits with her. We became friends so quickly. Wiping my eyes, I leave the room and head towards the bedroom. I slowly make my way down the hall. The door is open and I can see that someone had made her bed. A sigh of relief escapes me. I enter the room and see that this one is untouched as well.
Though it’s only been just over a week, it seems like this place has been empty forever, stuck in time. So much has happened since Bea died. Tears threaten to fall again and I don’t try to stop them this time. I go over to the bed and sit down. A dainty silver watch is sitting on the end table. I remember her telling me about her husband buying her this watch for their Silver Anniversary. She wore it everywhere. I’m heartbroken that she wasn’t wearing it for her burial. I decide that I can’t leave it here. I hear a sound in the other room as I pick it up.
Wiping my eyes, I storm out ready to give whoever is in here a piece of my mind. I stop dead in disbelief.
“Bea!”
She smiles and looks at me. Wait! She’s not looking at me but at something over my shoulder. Turning I find myself nose to nose with a man.
“Gah!”
Screaming, I trip over my feet and fall on my ass! I scramble away.
“Bea! Look out!”
Looking back, I notice she doesn’t move away. She actually steps towards him and holds her arms out.
What!?
I see movement to my side. The man! Whipping my head in his direction, he grins at Bea, ignoring me completely.
What is going on?!?
I fumble to my feet.
“Vincent, dear! Happy anniversary!,” Bea gives him a hug and a kiss. Then holds out a small package wrapped in silver paper. “I hope you like it.”
“Beatrice, my love. You chose it, I know I will love it.”
Kissing her hand, he produces his own gift. Her face lights up at the sight. I look at her a little more closely as she unwraps her gift.
“I love it Vincent! I’ll wear it always.”
She holds out a silver watch for him to help her put it on. I look down at the watch in my hand. It’s the same one!
I get it! It’s her memory.
I don’t question how I am seeing this, I’m just happy to be able to see Bea again. She looks so happy. The years of sadness caused by the death of her husband and son haven't touched her yet. I walk closer to the man and study him. If this is a memory, then he must be her husband. He does look a lot like the man in the pictures. I didn’t recognize him at first because he is so stoic in the photos and here he is smiling like a cheshire cat. His adoration for Bea is written all over his face. After he helps her with the watch, she helps him with the silver tie pin that she got him. Their love is evident in their speech and gestures. I watch them with envy until they fade through the front door as they leave to have their anniversary dinner. She told me that they went to a little bistro near here every year without fail. Just before they disappear Bea looks over her shoulder and winks. It was almost like she could see me. Then they are gone.
I look around the empty apartment, but nothing else happens. I look at the watch in my hand again and smile with the knowledge that she is reunited with her husband.
- Writer
