I pointed a finger in her face, and she backed herself against the wall, eyes bulging. “I don’t give a fuck! Swear to me. Swear to me that you’ll stay the fuck away.”
Bridget’s throat bobbed and she nodded slowly. “I promise.” I took her by the back of her neck and kissed her forehead, forcefully walking back to my room. “Where are you going?”
“Out. I’m off today. Call me if, andonlyif…youneed me and it’s urgent. Got it?”
She stood dumbfounded down the hall and nodded again. I slammed my door and got my boots on, finding her gone when I came out, grabbed my keys in the box by the front entrance and marched out to my black Nova. There’s only one thing that’s gonna calm me down right now. I meant what I said when I told myself I’d give her a couple days. I’m still open to that.
…But nobody said I couldn’t go watch.
CHAPTER 5
The Mortician
Seems fitting that we’re receiving family and friends for a woman today that literally has no cause of death, was way too young, and the sky saw fit to rid itself of its tears and cover itself in a blanket of melancholy gray. I don’t have any deliveries scheduled for today, and I slept about as hard last night as Miss Montague is right now, so I’m able to give an extra ten percent to this. Every once and again, I get a random day or two to devote to putting my personal touches on someone’s service. These days are harder, especially with someone like this, but oftentimes…they’re the most rewarding part of this job. I can really tell this chick was loved. Florists from all over have been delivering arrangements since yesterday afternoon, and they’re still pouring in. Her fiance will be here around one this afternoon to bring a portrait and some personal items they wanted displayed in the lid of her casket tonight for the viewing.
Greg had laid her in the casket, and he must be feeling heavy too. I can tell he expressed a little more effort with her, and not because he knew I was beat. She really does look beautiful, resting in a rose-pink casket with a shimmered finish. Like a priceless porcelain doll in a case. I’d rather be remembered this way…youthful. But nobody cares for the idea of dying young, either. Especially the half-sized caskets that come in here sometimes. Days like that are way more difficult and I try my hardest not to be selfish, because I can’t imagine what the families are going through…but it leaves me prettyquiet for sometimes weeks, anytime we get a child in here. They get special treatment.
I have entire conversations the whole time I’m working on them and go out and personally shop for a parting gift after doing all I can to learn about the tiny person that they were before they left us. It’s usually a toy, and I hide it beneath their small pillow as a thank you for whatever time I’m privileged to spend with them before I let their families say their goodbyes. I told you…death is just different for me. I fully believe they’re still with us somehow and can hear every word we say. I’m convinced I have a humanity killswitch that shuts on and off whenever I get a call to go clean. I completely desensitize myself when that burner goes off.
Sadly, that hasn’t been the case today, while hanging out with Annaliese Montague. Maybe it was becauseConor…was still alive when I got to that house last night. I’m having a problem trying to find my killswitch this time. It’s been on my mind all day. That, and the other fresh body in that room, trying to bait me with his fucking psychosis.
Why…did hedoit? Better question…why is itworking?
My dreams were probably swimming all around that dimple last night, but damn if I can remember any of it. All I do remember is the intensity of his stare and the way it made my cunt string tight for the split second it took me to come to my damned senses. More than once. Fuck, I’m in one hell of a dry spell. I’vegotto get laid. If the consequences of waiting too long results in shit this reckless, then calling ‘two pump chump’ from a couple months ago will hopefully do the job. Not gonna be my finest half-hour—if that—but at least it’ll take the edge off. I also broke that burner in half and chucked it out the window this morning on my way to work…aftergetting rid of the cleaning ad. My little Irish butcher never took the money he wired out of theaccount. I emptied it before he could change his mind and closed it. I’m gonna get off the grid for a while.
“Looks good in here,” Greg muttered, breaking me out of my thoughts. I should actually thank him for it if I’m being wholly honest. I turned around and he was scoping out any available space for yet another arrangement that he was bringing in. “Where ya want it?”
“Put that one just in the side of the doorway. I think if we angle it a little, it’ll look nice while they’re walking in.” It was a pretty spray with carnations and fresh fern on a tripod stand. “We can put the little podium with her guestbook on the opposite side of the door.” He started setting it up and I crossed my arms, turning back to look at Annaliese. “You did good, Brudder. She looks peaceful.” I sensed him right behind me and he sighed over my shoulder.
“Don’t ever make me look down at you like this. I’m going first. You can’t always have your way…bitch.” I elbowed him in the ribs.
“You hear how he talks to me?” She just lay there, lifeless. Maybe Iamweird. “Neither of us are going anywhere for a long time, Greg. Besides, if you leave Maggie with those two babies to raise by herself, you won’t have to worry about anybody looking at you in a casket. I’ll beat your cold dead corpse until it’s unrecognizable.”
“Kinky.”
I couldn’t stop my scoff…or my dramatic eye roll. “Insufferable bastard. Come on.”
He followed me out and we slid the doors closed. It’s almost twelve, and I can smell whatever Mom made for lunch already. We made our way to the other side of the house, and I shot a glance his way.
“Are you really gonna let Emmy quit gymnastics over whatever this is, going on?”
Greg tightened his mouth and stared ahead, holding the door open for me. “I dunno. I don’t wanna push her if she really doesn’t wanna go back…but at the same time, you were right too. She doesn’t need to cower down to a bunch of asshole kids, either. Me and Maggie talked about it a little bit last night. I’m not really sure what to do.”
“Yeah, well…you know half those parents up there are the same people we went to school with. I’m more than happy to go up there to drop her off myself and show my ass.”
He got quiet. “We’ll give it another week and leave it up to her, yeah?” I nodded.
Lunch was quick, and I barely had enough time to scroll through all my neglected social media before Annaliese’s fiance showed up, twenty minutes early, absolutely devastated and begging for time alone with her before the rest of her family started piling in later. I set the rest of her suite up and left him to it, deciding I felt more like dipping out early than staying for her service. I’ve had my time. The service itself is more of an area for Greg and my parents. That’s where they thrive.
I texted my booty call, and lucky for me…he’s not busy tonight. Good. I only need a few minutes, anyway. My wipers were doing double time on my drive back home, and honestly? It feels good to have a semi day off. Especially after the past couple days. I’m gonna fuck it outta my system, take a long bath, maybe finish one of the books I started and pass out. Perfect ending to a rainy day.
Kit isn’t a stranger…to me, or my creepy apartment. I also didn’t have to explain what I did for a living or try to pretend that I didn’t see him mentally check out after the first few minutes of a date. We went to school together, and I’ve known him since we were kids. We had our first fuck before we graduated, though he was pretty adamant about keeping it between us. I was too high on getting some attention that itdidn’t really bother me then. Maybe that’s why every one night stand we’ve had after the fact, doesn’t bother me now. He also doesn’t linger, or try to do some awkward, unnecessary snuggle afterwards, which is why he’s always the first on my list if I’m ever feelin’ the drag.
I watered my black calla and burning ember lilies, and then I gave some love to my dahlias, started a pot of strong coffee, and lit a couple of my favorite candles. It’s a quick fix, yes…but I still like setting the mood, if for no other person but myself. I had just changed into a black silk night set and fluffed my hair when he texted, letting me know he was here. I buzzed him up and he knocked on the door a minute later.
“What’s up, Morticia?”
Ever the fucking gentleman.
