Mountain Storm

Chapter 4

My head is pounding as I wake up, Peggy and I had polished off 2 bottles of wine last night, and I am certainly feeling the effects of it. It was nice to have an evening talking about my Gram.

I found the keys to my Gram's safe where she told me in the past where she kept her insurance information and final wishes. I splayed the documents out on the kitchen table and started to read through them.

My phone buzzed. I didn't recognize the number, but answered.

"Hi is this Miss O'Conner?" a female voice asked.

"Yes, this is her."

"Hi, my name is Melissa. I am from Zimmermann Law Office, where your grandmother worked for many years. First, we would like to offer you our condolences on your grandmother's passing. She was an excellent paralegal with whom Mr. Zimmermann held in high regards. Second, Mr. Zimmermann would like to meet with you to talk about your grandmother's final will and testament. Normally, these are done after the services, so if you could please call us back when you have made all the arrangements, so that we may set up a time for the final reading of the will."

"Thank you, I appreciate your kind words, and will contact you with the final details soon."

I hang up the phone and continue to sort through the papers. She had an instruction book with everything from the funeral home to the style of her casket written down along with receipts. Everything for the funeral was already paid for.

I contacted the funeral home and was surprised they were there on a Saturday. I showered quickly and arrived at the funeral home around noon.

"Hi, I'm Miss O'Conner. I had called earlier to discuss the arrangements for my Grandmother Nina Yoder."

"Yes Miss O'Conner, right this way." She went around her desk and walked down the hallway, leading me to an office. "Mr. Schneider will be with you shortly." She walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

The door opened and a short man with thinning hair stepped in. "Hi Miss O'Conner, I am Carl Schneider." He said as he reached out his hand to shake mine.

"Please call me Lisa."

"OK Lisa, I am sorry to hear about your grandmother's passing."

"Thank you."

"I have here in our records that she had pre-paid for her services a few years ago." He reaches for a file on his desk and opens it. "Here are details of what she wants for her services, and a copy of her obituary. You can look over them and let me know if you wish to change anything."

"She wrote her own obituary?" He slid it across the desk and I read through it. She really didn't want to burden anyone with the arrangements of her death. "Everything looks perfect. I do not want to change anything."

"OK, well then let me show you around the facility and explain how things are done. I will also show you the casket and interior liner she chose."

We made the arrangements for the viewing for Monday evening and the funeral on Tuesday morning. That will give me enough time to get some things done before returning back to Georgia on Friday. I will come back in a couple of weeks to finish things if necessary.

I made a quick call to the law office and left a voice mail with the funeral arrangements.

***

I picked up my phone and tried to call Logan again. After it rang through, I decided not to leave a voice mail, but send him a text.

'Logan, where are you? Need to talk to you ASAP!!! Call me'

I was about to put my phone away when it buzzed.

"Hey Beth, I was going to call you then here in a little bit."

"Hi Leecee, I'm sorry about Gram. She will be greatly missed. Do you need any help with anything?"

"No actually, she had everything pre-arranged and paid for"

"What are you doing now?"

"I just left the funeral home, and I think I'm going to head back to the house."

"I've got an idea if you're up for it. How about we get our gang together, and we go out for dinner and a cocktail? Nowhere big like your restaurant, she chuckled"

"Sure, I guess that would be ok, I kind of need to relax a little. I can't seem to get in touch with Logan, and it is driving me crazy. I'm not sure if he knows or not about Gram. Last time I talked to him was two weeks ago, and his phone just goes to voice mail when I call."

"Did you guys have a fight?"

"Nope, we just had a normal conversation, that was it."

"OK, we will figure it out. You go get ready and I will swing by and pick you up at 5. Toodles"

"Slan." I say as we disconnect.

I drove back to Gram's and went upstairs to get a cool shower. There is no mercy here with the heat and humidity in August. I pinned my hair into a loose bun on top of my head and left a few loose curls down that framed my face. I put on some light eyeshadow and mascara, my bright green eyes don't need much to make them pop. I dabbed on some light mauve lip gloss and headed for my closet. I pulled out a thin strapped summer dress and a denim shirt to wear later if it gets cooler. I grab my sandals and head downstairs. I grabbed my small crossbody purse and placed a few items inside. Then I heard a honk outside.

I open the door and there was Beth in her Jeep Compass waiting for me.

"Hey girl," she says as I open the door. "It has been far too long since I have seen you," she says as she leans over and gives me a tight hug. "I have to make another trip down to see you soon, I miss your food." She says with a chuckle.

"Well, I need to make more time to come here instead of waiting for something bad to happen." I said while looking down at my lap. I reached over and grabbed my seatbelt and put it on. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." She said, looking devilish. She put the Jeep in gear and we were off.

We stop and pick up 2 of our other friends, Clair and Sophie.

"We have to make a pac. From now on, we agree to meet at least once a year. NO ifs ands or buts about it." Sophie says.

"No," I said, "it needs to be twice a year. You guys make a trip down to me and I will make a trip up here. One in the summer and one in the winter."

Everyone was in agreement. We all smiled and hugged, although Beth was driving, so all she could do was lean over.

We pulled up in front of a bar called 'Boots'.

"This is new," I said, "when did this open?"

"About a year ago," said Beth, as she looked back at Clair and Sophie and winked.

We walk in and Beth talks to a waitress. She ushers us over to a table that has been reserved for us, and asks what we want to drink.

I grabbed the drink menu and was looking at the cocktails when a familiar voice echoed in my ears. My breathing hitches in my throat, and I can feel my face turn red. I slowly looked up from my menu to see him standing on the business side of the bar, drying a glass as he was talking and laughing with an older gentleman.

Malik