"Mary Elizabeth, I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have been here sooner.” Kiesha was in the middle of relocating to a small town in North Carolina and was only back in Pirate's Cove tying up a few loose ends.
"Thank you. Just you being here means more than you realize.” Of all the people here, Kiesha was the only person to whom she really felt close.
"I know this is neither the time nor the place, but when you get the chance, give me a call. I have some business I want to discuss with you."
"Okay.” She wanted to know more but like Kiesha said, this was neither the time nor the place. Already the line was backing up and people were getting impatient. After giving Kiesha a final hug, she allowed her to move on. After about an hour, the church was finally empty and the family was free to go home. She was glad to see the last of them go. Her feet were killing her.
"Are you coming by the house to get something to eat, or going to your parents? There's plenty and you need to eat,” Charles said. Though they weren't close, Charles took his role as brother-in-law seriously.
"Neither. I'm heading home. Tomorrow's a work day and I have a lot to do between now and then.” Besides, if she didn't get some time alone soon she was going to scream.
"How can you go to work as if nothing has happened?” her mother asked in a shrill voice. “My Babs is dead,” her mother wailed, bringing her handkerchief to her eyes again to mop up the fresh flood of tears.
"Susan, leave the girl alone. She's got to earn a living. There's nothing she can do for Babs now.” Mary Elizabeth was stunned that her dad came to her defense, something he'd never done before in her life.
Taking advantage of her mother's shock, she gave her father and Charles a hug, and squeezed her mom's hand before quickly walking out the door. God, she was glad that was over. These last few days had been trying. Maybe now things could get back to normal. Well, as normal as possible with Babs gone. It was still hard to believe. There was a hole in her heart where her sister used to be.
Unlike most twins, she and Babs hadn't had the most loving of relationships. She'd loved her sister but couldn't always say that she'd liked her. Mary Elizabeth never imagined Babs would die. Babs had always been there, and Mary Elizabeth assumed she always would. She got in her car and headed home. Like her father said, there was nothing she could do for Babs now. It was time to pick up the dangling pieces of her life.
Glad to be home, she changed out of her dress into a comfortable pair of old, ripped jeans and a baggy, faded t-shirt. She looked in the mirror and sighed. As usual, she looked like a cleaning lady. Mother and Babs were always complaining about her distinct lack of style.
Mary Elizabeth desperately wanted to lie down and get some sleep, but she was too wired and her apartment was a mess. Cleaning would keep her hands busy and her mind quiet, she hoped. Starting with the kitchen, she loaded the dishwasher and then wiped down the countertops. From there, she worked her way through the rest of the apartment, cleaning everything in sight and as she cleaned, she did her laundry.
Her apartment was so small; it didn't take long to finish. Casting about for something else to do, she remembered Kiesha and gave her a call.
"Mary Elizabeth, I didn't expect to hear from you this soon."
"I came straight home after the funeral and cleaned. I know I need to rest but I'm too wired. I go back to work tomorrow.” Even now Mary Elizabeth was pacing around in her living room, unable to sit still.
"You know you don't have to return to work now if you don't want to. Feel free to take all the time you need."
"I'm ready to go back. Sitting around thinking about what happened will only make it worse."
"Well, I offered. If you change your mind later, the offer still stands. I know what you're going through.” She sure did, Mary Elizabeth thought. It was only a few years ago that Kiesha lost her mom. “But that's not why I asked you to call. You know that I'm opening another store in North Carolina, right?"
"Yes.” She heard about it from one of the other managers at the store where she worked.
"I want you to be the manager. It would mean relocating, but I'd be willing to pay all of your moving expenses. I have to warn you, this store is located in a really small town up in the mountains."
"I don't know what to say. It sounds wonderful, but the timing ... With Babs gone, I'm going to be needed at home now more than ever."
"Mary Elizabeth, that's exactly why you should leave. You need to get away from your family. It's the only way you'll ever have a life of your own. Your mom doesn't depend on you, she uses you, and you allow it. Remember how you hated being compared to Babs? If you come to Refuge, you'll be somewhere no one has ever heard of her. You'll be out from under her shadow and finally be able to be yourself, without interference from your family."
"I'll think about it. I promise.” It really sounded appealing and at any other time, she'd have jumped on the opportunity.
"Take all the time you need, but don't take too long. I haven't told the other managers what I'm about to tell you. The guy with me at the funeral? His name is Alex. We're getting married soon and already expecting our first child. I'm going to need a lot of help getting the new store up and running, and of course, I really want my best friend with me."
"Kiesha, that's great! I'm so happy for you. I didn't even know you were seeing anyone."
"I wasn't. It's happening extremely fast, but we're very happy. Anyway, that's what's behind the promotion. I really need help and you're perfect for the job. Also, the timing is perfect for you. I don't want to push, so I'll stop talking now. Think about it and let me know."
"Okay, I'll let you know real soon what my answer is.” Her other line beeped and Mary Elizabeth looked at the caller's ID. “Kiesha, got to go. I have to take this call."
"Talk to you later. Bye."
"Bye.” She clicked over. “Mother?"
"Mary Elizabeth, your father and I have been talking. Now that Babs is gone, we think it's time for you to move back home. Neither one of us are getting any younger. It won't be long before we'll need someone to take care of us."
"Mother, you're only fifty-three and Dad's not even sixty. Both of you are in perfect health. It could be another twenty years before you need someone looking after you, possibly longer."
"We're healthy now, but that could change overnight. You're not getting any younger yourself. If you had managed to get a husband and have children, I wouldn't ask this of you. I'd understand that your family needed you, but you don't, and at your age it's doubtful you ever will."
"Mother! I'm only thirty-two. I have plenty of time to get married and have kids."
"If you were as beautiful as my Babs, I'd say that was true, but you're not. In fact, you're rather plain looking, bless your heart. You take after your father's side. Then, there's your size. How many times have I told you if you'd just lose weight, you might be able to attract a man's attention? No, it's time to be reasonable and realize that you'll never find a man to marry you. Whatever small chance you had of attracting a husband is gone."
A knock sounded at the door. “Mother, there's someone at the door. I need to go. I'll speak with you later.” Thank God for whoever was at the door. She just didn't have the energy to deal with her mother right now.
"Don't forget what I said. We'll expect you here soon. Just throw out your furniture. Most of it's trash anyway. Where you got your taste in furniture from, I swear I don't know."