Chapter 9: Epilogue

It was a cool Sunday morning, the day after Sharon and JT returned from their honeymoon. Sharon parks in Jimmy’s driveway and reaches for her laptop with the photos they took in London. She exits the car and pulls her jacket tight as a shiver runs through her with the blustery cool winds. As she approaches the front door she sees a woman exit the house next door and wave.

“Hello,” the woman calls.

Sharon looks past her, and then back to the neighbor. She really is talking to Sharon.

As the neighbor gets closer she takes a better look at Sharon. “Ahh, you must be Sharon. I’ve heard so much about you and JT.”

Sharon warily nods, but her questioning looks is obvious.

“Sorry, I’m Theresa. I’ve lived next door to Jimmy for almost twenty years.”

Theresa then pauses and takes a deep breath before blurting out, “I’m so very sorry to tell you this, but Jimmy died in his sleep Thursday night.”

Sharon felt the wind rush out of her lungs as if she were punched by a prized heavyweight boxer. She worked in the medical area and had patients pass away on a fairly regular basis, but she couldn’t process this news. This was Jimmy they were talking about. Jimmy.

Theresa took a step forward and held Sharon as she stood quietly, limply, accepting the embrace.

“I’m sure you know it, but Jimmy loved you like a daughter. He was so proud of you.”

Theresa tried to console Sharon, but her own emotions started to invade and she began to also weep as she held the stoic younger woman.

“Please, come inside, let me get you a tea,” said Theresa.

Sharon follows Theresa into her house. Theresa makes tea and they talk about Jimmy.

“You know, I saw Jimmy when he got home from the food bank Thursday afternoon. I had been out of town so we stood in the driveway for over thirty minutes as he told me all about your wedding.”

Sharon’s resolve breaks and she goes through the tissues in the box that is offered.

When Theresa returns with a new box of tissues she continues.

“He was so excited that you were in London, taking your honeymoon where he and Betty went so many years ago. It made him truly giddy when he described JT’s surprise proposal at a diner.”

Sharon is going through the tissues in the new box at a rapid pace as she is continually wiping tears from her face.

“I’m sorry,” burbles Sharon, “but I think I really just need to get home, and...”

Sharon tries to say more, but Theresa cuts her off. “It’s OK, I understand.”

Theresa leans over to an end table and collects a small pad of paper and pen. She writes for a few moments, tears off the top sheet, and holds it out to Sharon.

“Here are the details of the service. There will be a viewing on Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:00. Burial will be Wednesday morning. I also put my cell phone number there if you have any questions.”

As Theresa said ‘viewing’ and ‘burial’ Sharon broke out in another round of tears. She plucked several tissues from the new box, nodded her head in understanding, grabbed the note, and then rushed out of the house.

Sharon and JT don’t get to the funeral home until after 7:00 Tuesday night. She had a doctor’s appointment at 4:30 and didn’t get in for almost an hour, then she had to go by the house and pick up JT, then backtrack across town.

When they entered they were surprised to see so many people still in the parlor. They slowly made their way to the casket and paid their respects.

“He looks so peaceful,” whispers JT. “And he got his wish. He died in his sleep without a prolonged illness. I hate losing him, but it is how he wanted it to end.”

Theresa saw the couple from across the room and made her way to where they stood.

“Sharon,” she says as she throws an arm around her shoulders.

“And you must be JT,” she says as she shakes his hand. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Of course,” says Sharon, “Other than you, I don’t think I know anyone in the room, but I couldn’t not pay my last respects.”

The three migrate to a quiet corner and continue their conversation. At 8:00 an attendant appears at the rear of the room and rings a soft bell indicating that they should begin departing.

As the threesome turns, Sharon pauses and says, “You two go ahead. I want one more moment.”