I smiled and knelt down, grabbing another trash bag to replace the one Dad took out. “She needed to get out, though. What’s the dilemma?”
“The dilemma? She’s got a cart full a shite and still piling it in. But…she wanted to ask you, red or deep orange?”
“Am I allowed the context of this inquiry?”
He mumbled, apparently asking Bridget, and then oofed like she’d hit him.“Afraid not.”
“Okay. Deep orange, then. Sounds very Halloween.” I stuffed the trash bag in, and started fitting it around the bin.
“What’s got you worked up? They still on about my uh…presence?”I could hear his smile and wished like hell I could smack it.
“No. Remember our friend downstairs, yesterday?”
“Mrs. Porter?”
“That’s the one. Her viewing is at six, and we had to send her casket back because it was all wrong. They fixed it, but it still won’t be here until tomorrow, and what we’ve got her in is like the equivalent to a generously used car.”
“Poor old bat. What are you gonna do?”
“Nothin’ Icando. I have a ton to finish up here before we start letting people in the door, and they apparently don’t have an available delivery guy.” I heard Greg calling for me from down the hall and I righted the lid to the trash can. “Anyways, I gotta run. I’ll text you when I’m on the road, kay?”
I didn’t give him a chance to respond and washed my hands real quick before rushing down the hall.
“I think the spray definitely helps.”
I’ve meticulously arranged all the flowers for the Porter service and stretched this casket spray as far as I could make it go, dressing the negative space with this and that, to the point that it’s almost gaudy. Mom is doing the thing she always does,and being way too nice when I know, deep down, she thinks the shit is about as horrid as I do. What’s probably more pressing than the actual fit this family is gonna throw, is the fact that I spread my legs right next to her body and I’m having a hard time not feeling incredibly disrespectful about it. Maybe that’s why I feel like this extra mile just isn’t far enough.
It’s also why I’d much rather be poking stiffs with sharp things rather than be responsible for this. I’m so much better suited downstairs.
Dad came rushing into the suite, rubbing his hands together and nearly breaking a sweat as he hurried down the little aisle towards us. “Move all that. You’re never gonna believe this.”
“Huh?”
“Her casket’s here. Greg’s helping him bring it in now.”
Oh, thank you, Jesus.
We turned to go unlatch the viewing room doors to make space for the incoming casket, but when we got halfway down the aisle, I nearly tripped over myself, choking on my own oxygen. Greg was completely oblivious, inching backwards with one side of the casket on a bier, while Malek pushed from the other side. He was wearing that pinstripe button-up again. It’s almost like heplannedthis. Mom narrowed her eyes, giving him a onceover, and I couldn’t tell yet if she recognized him or not.
“We can’t tell you how grateful we are to you for this…sorry, I didn’t get your name,” Dad reached out a hand, and Malek shook it firmly. The fact that I just watched my dad shake hands with a murderershouldbe second to the fact that those fingers were up inside his daughter in this house yesterday. I think I’m gonna throw up.
“Malek Byrne, sir. It’s no problem. Happy to help.”
Jesus, Seven…it’s fine. It’s just manners. They’re fake. THEY’RE FAKE. Calm down.
His green eyes flashed towards me and that smile set me on fire. I dunno how he pulled this off, but I’m so at war between ripping his clothes off for it…or ripping histhroatout for it. I just stood there in stunned silence.
“Wait, are you…”Oh, fuck…“Aren’t you the guy I saw leaving yesterday morning?”
And now she knows.
Greg abruptly stopped, the bier slamming into his foot as he jerked a sassy head in my direction. “You’re joking.”
“Yes, ma’am. Sorry, I didn’t want to impose.”LIE. Oh, my God!“I was just helping with something and thought it best not to wake the house.” My hands covered my face before I could stop them. Didn’t stop all the stares from burning my skin off, though. I feel like I just got kicked into the crematory while it was wide open.
“Oh, not at all! Please tell me you’re taking us up on that invitation for dinner!”
Noooooo!
