“I’m surprised he’s here and not ransacking Tommy’s condo right now. Must have been so close he forgot the address in all of his grief.” Hidden from the sight of others, a hand worked its way to the small of Ronnie’s back and began rubbing in gentle circles.


“They’ll be leaving soon, won’t they?”


“Well, there’s no reason for the them to stay. They all said their condolences to Mother and found out when the wake and funeral are scheduled. They’re just hanging out here because they have no place better to be. A loud crash from the game room drew her attention. “I’ll be right back.”


The crash turned out to be a barstool complete with its occupant. “Hey, Cuzz,” the drunken man slurred. Two of the half-dozen men standing around moved in to help him up. A breathalyzer was not needed to know they were all quite drunk.


“Frank, what are you doing.”


“The boys and I were just raising a few to Tommy.” He wobbled back onto his now upright stool. She walked past him and stepped behind the bar.


“A bottle of scotch and half a bottle of vodka. You guys have been toasting him quite well, I believe.” She capped the vodka and shut the light off behind the bar. “I think it’s time for your wives to take you home.” She walked around shutting off lights and hanging up the cue sticks. One by one the men grumbled and left the room, not all unassisted. It took her slightly longer to break up the clusters of women gathered together talking about every imaginable subject. Only when the last relative was gone did Maria appear with the vacuum. “Don’t bother tonight,” Ronnie said.


“Look at this room,” the housekeeper said incredulously.


“It will still be here in the morning, Maria. It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted. Please, just leave it until tomorrow, okay?”


“If you wish. I’ll be here first thing as usual. Should I pick up anything special at the market?”


“No, there’s nothing—”


“A roll of chocolate chip cookie dough,” Rose interjected. “Um, you know how kids love cookies. Maybe it’ll keep them occupied.” She caught the slight upturn of a smile on Ronnie’s lips and knew her idea was well received. “Better make that two,” she amended, her eyes never leaving those of her friend.


An hour later, two bodies were curled up around each other, both fighting yawns. “You are an incredibly thoughtful woman,” Ronnie mumbled into the young woman’s ear.


“Mm?”


“The cookies. And I know you put up with my mother to keep her away from me.” She squeezed the shoulder beneath her hand. “You don’t know how much I appreciate that.”


“You had enough to worry about.” She squirmed back into the warm body behind her. The biggest advantage of having her cast shortened was that she could snuggle up as close as she wanted to Ronnie. “She’s not that bad.”


“That’s because she’s not your mother.”


“True.”


“It’s a good thing too.” The hand that had been squeezing Rose’s shoulder, moved down to her waist.


“Why is that?”


“Because,” Ronnie answered as she flipped the smaller woman onto her back and put her hands on either side of the golden head of hair. She relaxed her shoulders, bringing their lips so close that their breath mingled. “That would make you my sister and I guarantee there are times when my thoughts of you are far from sisterly.” Even in the dim moonlight Rose could see the roguish grin before it was replaced with a more serious face. “You don’t know how much you’ve helped me today. You made me feel…well…very special.”


“With everything you mean to me, how could I do anything less?” She reached up and caressed the chiseled face above her. “And you are special. I know it’s going to be hard dealing with your family for the next few days but I’ll be right there to help you through it. Come on now, you’re tired, I’m tired, and tomorrow is going to be another long day. Enough talk for tonight.” Rose put her hand on Ronnie’s shoulder and pulled, forcing the taller woman to lie down against her.

“That’s better.”


“Rose?”


“Mm?”


“Can I stay like this…in your arms?” The woman who usually took charge sounded almost like a scared child with her request. As hard as it was for Rose to hear Ronnie in such pain, it filled her heart to know that it was she the older woman turned to for comfort. “Always,” she whispered, tightening her hold.


“I can’t believe he’s gone.” There was a long silence. “I know things have been hard between us lately but that’s not what I see when I think of him.”


“What do you see, Ronnie?” she whispered, her hand moving to stroke the long hair. “Tell me about the Tommy you grew up with, the one you loved.”


“He was the cutest little boy.” Rose felt the body against hers relax as happy memories surfaced.

“We were close when he was little. Whatever I was doing, he wanted to do. He was my shadow.” A tear fell and Ronnie swallowed hard.


“Hey, will you do something for me?”


A nod. “Anything.”


“Think back to a happy time, just you and Tommy. Close your eyes and picture it in your head.” She waited a few seconds. “Are you seeing it? Now, tell me about it. Is it summer or winter?”


“Summer.”


“Inside or out?”


“Out. We’re at the family camp.”


“What are you two doing?”


“Fishing.” Rose felt Ronnie smile against her chest. “It was a perfect day. We were on the dock, just the two of us.” Her brow furrowed. “I don’t know where everyone else was.”


“Don’t worry about them,” the young woman cooed, continuing her gentle stroking of the dark tresses. “You were fishing with Tommy. Did you catch a fish?”


“I didn’t but he did.” She relaxed against Rose again. “Nice foot long bass. Fought like the devil too.”


“Close your eyes. Now think about that day and how much fun you and Tommy had together. That’s right…” Rose closed her own eyes and let the deep and even breathing near her ear lull her into the same peaceful sleep.



* * *

Rose was a constant source of support for Ronnie. The autopsy report had come back with unpleasant news. A variety of illegal drugs were found in Tommy’s system. The Cartwrights had hoped to keep the information private, but they were a name in Albany and while the morning news reported that one of the Cartwrights had died in a freak accident, the evening news was not as kind. One station, finding the perfect excuse to reuse old footage, hooked the news of Tommy’s autopsy with a report on drugs in Corporate America. It produced, much to the family’s dismay, a gaggle of news reporters around Ronnie’s home, refusing to accept her short statement that the family was in mourning and had no comment on the autopsy findings. Before the day was out, they received word that the driver of the dump truck had filed a suit against Tommy’s estate. Beatrice declared the autopsy nothing less than an “exaggerated fabrication” and the truck driver “a greedy opportunist” trying to take advantage of an unfortunate accident. Rose listened to the remarks and nodded often, doing her part to make things easier on Ronnie.


By the day of the funeral, however, the executive’s patience and tolerance were both in short supply. The past few days had piled frustration upon frustration on her and the family seemed blissfully ignorant of the strain they were putting on her. Not only did they gather at her house to mourn, they gathered to visit with each other, allowing Ronnie no privacy or peace. Despite Rose’s best efforts, Beatrice still managed to slip past and grill her daughter about every detail of the service. There was bickering from the littlest thing, such as who rode in which limousine, to who would be the pallbearers, even to which plot in the family section he should be buried in. Ronnie kept her anger inside herself, releasing it only after everyone had gone. Then, her punching bag would be the recipient. Only when she was both physically and emotionally exhausted would she curl into bed and seek the comfort of Rose’s arms. The role reversal felt odd yet at the same time comforting to Ronnie. In the smaller woman’s embrace she was able to let the stress go and find peace. It reinforced her inner strength, allowing her to face the challenges of the recent events.


“Maria will be here in about an hour or so to pick you up.” Ronnie zipped up her skirt and reached for the belt. “She’ll be coming back here instead of going to the graveside service so someone will be here when the people start arriving.” She buckled the belt and pulled on the blazer. “There. I believe I’m ready now.” She put a small black hat on over her pinned hair.


“I wish I could be there with you,” Rose said earnestly.


“I know, Hon.” She cupped the younger woman’s chin. “I don’t know what I would have done without you these past few days.”


“I don’t know what I would have done without you these last few months,” Rose countered.


“You know if I had my way you’d be right up there next to me.”


“It’s better if I stay in the back with Maria. It will be easier to get in and out with my crutches.”


“Oh, let me help you with your sneaker before I go.”


“I can get it, Ronnie. You’ll wrinkle your skirt.”


“Sit.” Her long fingers made quick work of loosening the laces. She knelt down and put one hand on the back of Rose’s calf. The satiny material of her knee high hose was no match to the natural softness Ronnie usually felt. Using her knee as a footrest, she put the sneaker on her companion’s foot and began tying it. “Remember, the church is going to be packed. Make sure you get a seat. I don’t want to find you leaning up against the back wall, you got it?”