Chapter 3

We went inside Percy’s room. The initial look showed he was gone. His skin was white and like wax. His mouth was ajar.

After checking his vitals, Judy said, “I’m so sorry, Ruth. Better to phone the doctor for a death certificate. Contact the undertaker and the Rabbi to arrange the funeral for today.”

“Barry, could you please contact the office to inform them of the sad news? Wear your black suit today with a black tie.”

Judy and Ruth cuddled each other. I glanced at the ashtray and thought about how much I detested smoking. Judy and Ruth broke from their cuddle.

Ruth looked at me, and I said, “Ruth, I’m so sorry, I feel for you today.”

As Ruth took me in her arms. I felt her fingers on my waist, feeling the firmness of my skin. The way her fingers were fondling my bare skin, as I was only wearing my boxers, she was sending me a message.

She caressed my bare skin as I was only wearing my boxers, “Barry, yesterday Percy told me you were the person to lead and guide the company in the future. When my period of mourning is over, we must meet so I know my future and the future of the company are in safe hands.”

As she said this, I felt the weight of her massive breasts on my chest. They felt so big and juicy. Ruth was also pushing her snatch against my leg with a suggestive circular motion.

Ruth’s actions were telling me she wanted me.

I said, “Ruth, after the funeral, I will go directly to the office. If you need me here, please let me know.”

Ruth whispered, “Barry, we can communicate on WhatsApp, but don’t let Mum know we’re doing it.”

Judy had been on the phone. The doctor, the undertaker, and the Rabbi would be here in the next thirty minutes.

The Rabbi had said the funeral would take place at ten this morning. Which left me wondering how many of Percy’s many friends could attend on such short notice.

I went to our bathroom and was in the shower when Judy joined me.

“Barry, Ruth knows we’re having sex now. Did you see her looking at your monster cock? She’s now in her week of mourning. She’ll be planning her next move.”

I interrupted her and said, “How can the funeral be at ten? How can all of Percy’s friends be there on such short notice?”

“Barry, that’s the Jewish way of doing it. It dictates that the body must be buried on the day of death. The Rabbi’s office will already have contacted all of Percy’s closest friends who live locally.

“The synagogue will be packed with a crowd. Ruth now has a week of mourning, during which she’ll receive Percy’s friends to accept their condolences.

“Ruth, because she is sixteen years younger than Percy, will also use this week to reflect on how she wants the next chapter of her life to be.”

As we were dressing, Judy said, “What was your Mum’s reaction to the pink diamonds?”

“Judy, she loved them, and she looks fantastic when she wears them. We haven’t seen each other for so long. She has downsized from a large house to an apartment.

“We went out for a meal on Saturday night, and on Sunday, I did several minor tasks she needed done around the apartment.

“I’m going to visit her at least once a week, as there’s so much that needs to be done at her apartment.”

We were both dressed in black when we went into Ruth’s part of the house. Ruth also wore black. She had the death certificate, and the undertakers were preparing Percy’s body for burial.

Ruth had been in the room with them. Judy asked if Ruth had eaten anything. She hadn’t. Judy suggested coming to her apartment for breakfast.

When the undertakers had loaded the coffin into the hearse, Ruth joined us for breakfast.

Over breakfast, Judy said, “Ruth, this will be a tough week for you. The important thing is that you stay strong. Barry and I are here for you if you need us.”

“Thanks, Mum. Barry must look after the office. That’ll be a tougher job as we can’t let anything slip there.”

We left for the synagogue at a quarter to ten. Surprisingly, the place was filled with people. We had front-row seats on the left side reserved for us.

The Rabbi gave an excellent insight into Percy’s life, including his philanthropy, charity work, and success as a diamond trader.

We left for the Jewish cemetery, where Percy would be buried. After the brief service, Ruth asked me to stand with Judy and her as the mourners filed past them.

It took over ninety minutes for them all to disperse. It was beneficial. So many of the older traders had offered their support to me.

I drove Judy and Ruth back to Percy’s villa and then returned to the office. I didn’t realise it, but they had shown the synagogue service on screens in the synagogue car park.

All the staff had attended. In the afternoon, I must have taken over thirty condolence calls from traders whom Percy had dealt with.

Having the feeling that I should let Mum know about Percy’s passing and her desire for a Wednesday night meeting, I sent her a message, as I’d be there on Saturday night.

“Hi Babs, today’s been some day. Ruth found Percy dead in his bed this morning. He had died peacefully in his sleep. I was not aware of how a Jewish funeral is conducted.

“Which is based on the principle of burying the deceased on the day they pass away. Percy’s funeral took place at ten this morning. It amazed me how many attended with so little notice.”

“After the service. I went to the office and worked all day. The possibility of seeing you on Wednesday doesn’t look good, but I’ll see you on Saturday night.

Knowing that Percy’s health wasn’t good prepared me for his passing. It was still a shock. I’m so happy we did the things we did on Saturday and Sunday.

“I had the feeling that we both enjoyed the things we did to each other. That makes it even more special to me. Darling, write soon, as it’ll take my mind off all the things that are happening here. All my love, Barry xxx.”

There was still a lot for me to do. I had heard nothing from Judy. I was thinking she’d be helping Ruth if any mourners had come to the house. I was sure that many would do this.

Last week’s sales had been excellent. The previous year, our turnover was up by over 70 per cent, which was a significant increase.

Ruth had suggested we could communicate on WhatsApp. I wanted to let her know we had a great week trading and see how she’d respond.

I chose my words and wrote, “Dear Ruth, what a sad day for us all. The Rabbi gave an excellent summary of Percy’s life. As I listened, I felt proud that I had the privilege of spending so much time with him.