Changing Places with Yourself

Chapter 8

Thanksgiving was tomorrow and I wasn’t going to be anywhere.  Oh, yes, Judy, who insisted I call her Mom now, invited me to feast with them, but I had it on really good authority i.e. Harmony, that Evan was taking a date to eat with his family.  Guess he thinks I’ll be there and he can rub my face in it that I’m going to be alone with no family on my own, plus the fact he isn’t going to be faithful to our marriage.  Whatever!  The prenup has been signed and notarized.  My lawyers got help from a friend of Grandpa Novell in the state department and my parents we're on their way home.  The funeral home will pick them up from the airport on Friday and have them ready by Saturday afternoon for the first viewing.  I wanted to give the company employees a chance to pay their respects before the funeral on Monday at 4:30 p.m. for anyone that wants to attend they are being allowed to leave early.  The burial will be at their family plot is right after the service is over.  Grandpa said he would be coming and so would Jimmy, Dad, and Judy, Mom.  I used the excuse of wanting to be alone to get ready for their arrival the next day as my primary reason for wanting to be alone on Thanksgiving Day.  I fully plan on being there when the plane lands to see them and make sure they have the right bodies sent to me.  I asked Mom, Judy, if she will come with me for moral support.  She was there with her arm around my shoulder as a funeral home director had to open the caskets, they have been placed in, for me to verify their identities.  I had to use the memories stored in my mind because neither of them looked like my real parents.  Drawing on the photos I had seen in the memories of the day they left to go on their cruise to the Greek Islands, I was barely able to nod that it was them before I broke down.  I suffered all the grief and all the pain, my namesake, in this dimension endured when she was told about their deaths.  When I started to drop to the ground I felt 2 strong arms wrap around me and at the moment I didn't care whose they were.   I just melted into their owner’s chest and let the tears fall.  I can feel someone rubbing my back and whispering soothing words in my ears.  Judy took over and began giving instructions to the funeral home director to take the caskets, she told them she would be by later to pick out the new caskets and flowers and go over the viewing times, then finalize the funeral service with them.  I wanted to object but the arms around me held me tight, and his voice told me I didn't have to be so strong and in control at all times.  They wanted to do this for me so that I can finally grieve and be at peace as well.  When my tears had abated enough I was able to see who shirt they had soaked, Grandpa Novell.  He pulled a hanky out of his pocket and used it to wipe my face before saying, “Becky, we know we can't replace the family you lost, but we would like the chance to become a new family unit with you.”

“I don't remember much of my own grandfather's, but I would be honored to call you Grandpa Mr. Novell.” I eke out as fresh tears start to fall.

“It would warm my old heart greatly I hear you call me that, honey.” He grinned as he replied.

“Thank you, Grandpa. It’s been a long time since I felt safe like I did while you were sheltering me in your arms.”  I divulged to him before turning to Judy.  “Mom, thank you for taking the burden off my shoulders and allowing me time to process all this.  I don't think I will be in any shape to deal with the final arrangements when all I want to do is curl up into a ball and cry myself to sleep.  Knowing that you're handling it takes a weight off my shoulders and lets me focus on grieving for a little bit longer.”

“Oh, my darling, we're here for you.  We will be by your side throughout the viewings and the service and the graveyard goodbyes.  Jimmy is at the cemetery right now making sure the gravestones will be ready by Monday night.  We don't want you to have to worry about anything, Grandpa has already paid for everything.” she informed me before she pulled me in and let me cry on her shoulder for a while. “Our driver is taking you back to our house. We want you to stay there at least until after the funeral.  I can have some of your clothes brought over from your house.” Judy whispered in my ear as she took my car keys and handed them to one of the security guards.

“I don't live in that house that's near you anymore.  I moved to a new place downtown.” I started to say only to have Grandpa interrupt me.

“We know, Bruce, here, is head of our security and he is impressed on how safe your new location makes you.  He'll use the key cards located in your car to go up to your penthouse and pack case for you so you can stay with us.  Don’t worry about anything, he’ll be the soul of discretion and won’t go snooping around I would.”  Grandpa laughed at his own joke, “Bruce, get going.  I'm sure Becky may want her car back later.”

“Yes, sir.” Bruce answered as he gave me a brief nod, “Sorry for your loss ma’am.”  With that said, he hopped in my Porsche and headed out to get my clothes.  I was ushered into the back of a big black Escalade that Grandpa and Judy arrived in and they tucked me in the back seat between them.  Tears started to fall as I watched the hearses being loaded with the caskets.  Everyone in the SUV stayed silent and just let me cry.  When we got back to their home, Judy had her arm around me as we went through the front door.

“What the hell is she doing here?” Evan demanded as we passed the living room heading toward the stairs.

“Watch your mouth, boy.  You’re still in hot water for the crap you pulled yesterday at dinner.  Becky is staying here for a few days.” Grandpa told him.

“Jeez, does that mean I have to see this fat ugly b***h every time I eat with you all. Way to kill my appetite.” Evan complained.

“Evan, go to hell!  You're nothing but a self-centered, egotistical, prick.  Why don’t you do everyone a favor and grow up?  In the meantime, shut the f**k up!”  I yelled at him before slapping him hard across the face and then I rushed up the stairs.  I could hear Judy and Grandpa continuing to berate him as I reached the room I had used before for changing when I was using their pool.  Judy had revealed to me that is where I would be staying after we got in the SUV.  Once I got inside, I locked the door and slid down until I was sitting up against it holding my knees to my chest and sobbing into my arms.  I don't know how long I was like that cuz I must have cried myself to sleep.  I woke up on the bed and my suitcase was on the chest at the end of the bed my car keys and purse were on the nightstand.  Judy poked her head in and saw I was awake. “Hey honey, you slept through lunch and it’s almost dinner time.  Would you like me to help you unpack?  Then you can have a quick shower and change before dinner.” She advanced the idea to me.

“Who put me in the bed?  The last thing I remember I was on the floor by the door.” I asked, a little bit confused about what was going on.

“Bruce.  He carried you to bed after he unlock the door when he came to give you your cases of clothes,” she responded.

“Wow, he must be very strong then.” I blurted out.

“Actually, he said you weren’t that heavy.  He said after looking in your closets it’s clear that you purposely wear clothes that are two or three times bigger than you actually are.  Why are you covering up the fact that you're not as big as you used to be?” she wanted to know.

“I don't want fake friends who like me only because I look or act a certain way.  And heaven forbid, they find out that I'm not as poor as they think I am.  I buy my clothes at Goodwill for school because it keeps the wrong type of people from me, the superficial crowd, who wouldn’t understand real emotions if it slapped them in the face.” I stated sardonically rubbing my hand.

“Evan deserved everything you said to him, Becky, and that smack was perfect.  I only hope you knock some common sense into that thick skull of his.  His dad grounded him for a week, including taking away his driving privileges.  So, he’s pouting in the game room for now.” She informed me as she hung up some of the dresses Bruce packed.  “Honey, are you going the funeral home wearing these oversized outfits?”

“No, Mom, it’s ok, Bruce didn’t look at the right closet.  I have a full wardrobe of clothes that fit me correctly in the second bedroom, but I haven't got the chance to purchase anything suitable for a funeral.  I'll head out to the mall after dinner and get a few dark suits and dresses.  Dang oh, I wish I had had Bruce switch out my Porsche for my cavalier.” I lamented as I grabbed something to wear for dinner.

“Why?” came the simple question from Judy.

“I’ll need to see if Harmony or Gwen can go shopping with me and I really didn’t want them to see me driving a different car,” I tell her.

“Becky, I think those girls have proven to you that they are real friends and you should let them in on your secret.  But if you really want to keep it hidden just tell them I’m letting you borrow one of our cars and that I’ve given you one of our credit cards to shop with.” she offered as an explanation.

“Thanks, Mom.” I hug her quickly before heading to the shower.

She really is a wonderful woman and I can't understand how Evan turned out to be so awful.  When I got out of the shower I texted Harmony asking her if she could help me pick out some clothes for a funeral service and viewing.  She sent a reply agreeing to go after dinner and wanted to know if Gwen could come too as she was spending the night with Harmony.  I shot a text back saying that it would be great and ask them if they could meet me at Gillows at 8 p.m. it was one of the best places for clothes in the mall.  She sent back an affirmative answer and I finish getting dressed before going down to dinner. Evan glared at me all through dinner but said absolutely nothing. Jimmy and Judy gave me a hug before we sat down along with a quick rundown on what was going on at the funeral home.  I didn't eat much because I wasn't hungry as they gave me all the info that I would need at dinner as Evan continued to glower at me.  Soon I asked if I could go ahead and leave since I'm always going to be insane given that it was Black Friday.

After they said ‘yes’ I grabbed my keys and my purse and headed out.  I hope that Gillows wouldn't be as busy, because it was a pricey or store than most.  I got there first and started picking out dark outfits to try on 4 after they arrived.  I needed two dresses for the Saturday and Sunday viewing and an outfit for the service on Monday.  I was looking through a rack of clothes when they came in.

“Hey, Beck!” Harmony called is a walked over.

“Have you found anything yet?” Gwen asked

I was waiting for you before trying anything on. Let's face it, I have no fashion sense at all.” I replied they took the outfits that I had and held them up to me then looked at each other and shaking their heads no.

“These are too big, honey,” Gwen informed me as Harmony asked one of the workers to come to measure me, so we could get the correct sizing on the outfits.

“So, whose funeral do you have to go to, Becky?” Gwen inquired as Harmony wrote down the measurements.

“My parents,” I said trying to quell the quiver in my voice.  “I need three outfits, viewing starts tomorrow and the service is on Monday.”

“Oh, babe!” They both say at the same time and rush to hug me.

Even the Gillows employee patted me on the back in sympathy as I broke down once again.

“I need to look my best for them.” I sob

“We’re here for you, Becky.”  Harmony held me while Gwen rubs my back and handed me some tissues. We are the only customers in the store so the employees start bringing me dark outfits in my size to try on.  Gwen came in the changing room with me the first one since the zipper was in the back and I couldn't reach it.  Everyone was waiting as I tried on a few of the outfits, and they were ready to give me their opinions.  Once I had something on they thought that was perfect they went and found the matching shoes and accessories that would go along with the dress.  Thankfully the shoes were low heel since I would be standing a lot getting condolences from people as they showed up.  After 2 hours right before closing, I had all three outfits to wear for each day.  The girls walked me out to my car and we're shocked.  I had told them how Judy had insisted I stay with them until after the funeral, so Gwen asked if they’d let me borrow one of their cars.  Time to fess up, sort of.