“No, I don’t mind at all,” the young woman said just before Ronnie closed the bathroom door. She picked up the empty mug. “I’ll have fresh coffee waiting for you when you come out.” It was easier said then done as Rose tried to figure out how to maneuver with her crutches. The solution was to hold the handle by her teeth, which earned her a disapproving look from Maria as she entered the kitchen.
“You are as stubborn as she is, aren’t you?” the housekeeper chastised as she took the mug. “You know I would have come and picked it up. You didn’t need to carry it all the way out here.”
“Maria, Ronnie said you didn’t have to stay today. I’m sure we can handle everything.”
“Was that her idea or yours?”
“Hers.”
“I see.” The housekeeper nodded. “I would expect that from someone as generous as Ronnie. However, I think I should stay.”
“Why? You’re just as upset as everyone else, why should you stay and work?”
“Maria? Maria are you down there?” Beatrice called down from the top of the stairs.
“That’s why,” the older woman said. She walked out to the living room and looked up at the matriarch. “There’s tea waiting for you, Mrs. Cartwright.”
“Oh good, you are here.” Beatrice walked down the stairs, her face showing the signs of a grieving mother. “It’s terrible, isn’t it? Just simply terrible.”
“Tragic,” the housekeeper agreed.
“Where’s my daughter?” She finally noticed Rose leaning on her crutches. “Hello, dear. Aren’t you Ronnie’s little friend? The one that was in the wheelchair?”
“Yes, Ma’am. My name is Rose.”
“Rose, where’s Ronnie?”
“She’s getting dressed. She’ll be out in a minute.”
“Has she started to call anyone yet?”
“I’ll be doing it in a minute,” Ronnie said as she exited Rose’s room. She appeared composed but Rose knew it was an act. The puffy eyes told of new tears of grief waiting to pour out. “Good morning, Mother.”
“There’s nothing good about this day, Veronica. You’d better get started. Call your Aunt Elaine first.” The matriarch strode into the kitchen, effectively dismissing her daughter.
“I guess I’d better start making some phone calls.” She looked in the direction of the kitchen and shook her head. “I’m going to use the phone in the office. Excuse me.”
Rose waited until the door to the room closed before speaking to Maria in hushed tones. “Why was she so mean to Ronnie?”
“She’s not trying to be mean,” the housekeeper explained. “Beatrice has a certain way of handling things. This is her way.”
“I know she’s hurting but so is Ronnie. Can’t she see that?”
“Some people can’t see past their own pain, Rose.” Maria looked at the kitchen. “I have to get in there.”
Rose stood there for a moment, her first instinct was to keep Ronnie company but then she realized there was a better way to help her friend. Steeling herself, she followed Maria into the kitchen.
Beatrice was sitting at the table with a cup of tea in one hand and a handkerchief in the other.
“Mrs. Cartwright, would you mind if I sat down here?” Rose asked sweetly. “I still can’t stand for any length of time yet.”
“Well yes, sit down. Maria, some more tea.”
“Thank you,” the young woman said as she took a seat. The housekeeper approached with the teapot and a cup of coffee for Rose. They exchanged glances but said nothing. Beatrice looked at her watch.
“I would think Ricky would be up by now. He’s always an early riser.”
“He was up late. I had trouble getting him to sleep.”
“That’s right, you watched them, didn’t you?” Rose nodded. The matriarch sipped her tea. “That Ricky. He’s a lot like Tommy, you know.”
“I’m afraid I didn’t get to know your son. Why don’t you tell me about him?”
Ronnie stepped into the kitchen an hour later looking for her coffee. Her throat was becoming dry after making so many calls. An eyebrow arched at the sight of her mother, Rose, and Susan sitting at the table chatting. Since Beatrice’s back was to her, Ronnie hoped she could sneak in, get her coffee, and get out. The sound of her sister’s voice, however, dashed that hope. “Ronnie.”
“Morning Susan.” She turned and faced the table. “Mother, Frank and the kids will be here in a little while. Most of the others will be here this afternoon.”
“Did you make the arrangements? I want you to make sure that he gets the best, the very best.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Ronnie said. “I have a few more calls to make. Laura can handle the business associates and the press releases.” Maria handed her the mug. “I’ll be back out later.”
“Did you reach your Aunt Elaine?”
“I got her answering service. She’ll call back.”
“But you’re on the phone.” The matriarch’s voice raised a notch. “She won’t be able to get through. Veronica, I don’t want her to hear about this on the news.”
“I have call waiting, Mother. She won’t get a busy signal.”
“She can’t hear about this on the news. Tommy was her favorite nephew.”
“I left a message with her service.”She gulped her coffee, wincing at the burning heat going down her throat.
“Mrs. Cartwright, would you like some more tea?” Rose asked.
“Not right now, dear. I should go spend some time with my grandsons.” She looked at her younger daughter. “Susan, I assume if you and Jack have another child you will name him Thomas.”
“Mother, we’ve decided that three…”
“Nonsense. You’re certainly young enough and it’s not like your figure could be ruined by another child. Your sister continues to show no interest in having children.” The matriarch rose to her feet. “I’m going to go visit with the boys and then you can take me home, Ronnie. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”
The tall woman’s knuckles turned white as she gripped the handle of her mug and glared at her mother’s retreating form. Susan stood next to her sister. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying. She’s just hurting over Tommy.”
“She knows exactly what she’s saying, Sis. The problem is we keep putting up with it.” She turned to Rose. “People are going to start arriving soon. You might want to go into your room before it happens.”
“No.” She picked up her crutches. “I can help. I’ll keep an eye on the kids so the adults can be together. I don’t mind.”
“Are you sure?” Ronnie looked at her and was hard pressed not to seek an embrace.She was certain she would not be as generous if the situations were reversed.“Thank you,” she said softly.