“Hello.” Shade’s calm voice settled the rising tide of the anger she was feeling toward her father.
“Shade, can you do me a favor?”
“Yes. What do you need?”
“Can I get my portion of the profits that is coming to me at the end of the month early?”
“No problem,” Shade agreed. “You want me to send it to your saving account like usual?”
“No, send it to my checking account.”
“Are you in trouble? Do you need more money?”
Shade was aware she was frugal with her money. She had never asked for money early before, and she had let Shade have access to her accounts in case of an emergency. They had learned that lesson when Reaper had gone missing.
“No, my pay will be enough. And before you ask about the check cashed this morning, I gave it to my father.”
“Jewell, I usually keep my nose out of your business, but what the fuck? Both of your accounts are empty?”
Jewell surmised Shade had already pulled up her checking account information.
“It’s only money, Shade. Believe me; it’s worth it.”
“If you say so. I take it you’re in your hometown?”
“Yes, I’ll need more time off.”
“Take what time you need. I have you covered.”
“Thanks, Shade. I appreciate you.”
“Same. If you need anything else, call.”
“I will. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Jewell redialed the last number that had called her.
“Mr. Norton, the funds are available.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll proceed with your wishes. Will you be coming in this afternoon to pick out your mother’s casket, or do you want me to set up a time so both your father and you can come?”
“No, it will only be me. I’ll be there in about two hours. Will that work?”
“Yes, that will work perfectly. See you soon.”
Disconnecting the call, Jewell tiredly rubbed her temples.
“I’m ready when you are,” Greer said, coming out of the bathroom.
Jewell had forgotten he was there.
“I’m ready.” She got up to head to the door, only stopping briefly to check out of the room.
They started driving toward the hospital when Greer had her stop at another drive-thru. Becoming a pro at dealing with him, she rolled her window down and let him place the order. Pulling forward, Jewell reached for her credit card.
“I got this.”
Arching a brow at Greer offering to pay for his own food, Jewell took the card.
“Find a spot. I’ll get sick to my stomach if I eat while you drive.”
Pulling into a parking spot, Jewell was surprised when Greer took out a hamburger and fries and gave it to her then handed her a straw for the other drink.
“Eat up. You look like a hard wind will blow you away.”
She peeled back the wrapper of the burger to take a bite.
“You want me to stay with you? I don’t have to head back today,” he asked.
“No, I’m all right.”
Greer looked around the outside. “The funeral home you pick near here?”
“No. It’s farther away, closer to where my parents live.”
“Hmm …” he said, eating his food. “You used to live in Ohio before you moved to Treepoint?”
“Yes,” Jewell told him.
“How was it growing up here? I’ve never lived anywhere, but Treepoint.”
They ate as Jewell described the area of Ohio she grew up in then different parts of the state.
“Treepoint’s a big change for you, then,” he said, throwing his empty wrappers in the bag.
“Yes, it was. I’m used to it now. I don’t know if I could be happy living in a big city anymore,” she confessed, throwing her own wrappers away before she restarted the car.
When they arrived at the hospital parking lot, she easily found Greer’s massive truck and parked next to it.
Greer reached for the door handle. “I think you would do just fine wherever you live.” He took his soda from the cupholder with his other hand. “Humans adapt. It’s critters who have a hard time.”
Jewell gave him a wry smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You do that.” Getting out, Greer bent down. “Sorry you lost your ma.”
“Greer … are the scales balanced now?” Jewell asked before he could close the door.
For a split-second, Jewell saw the huge weight he carried on his back each day.
“Yeah, it’s even. You’re good.”
She waited until Greer got in his truck before she drove away. She missed his company on the drive to the funeral home. With him in the car, she hadn’t felt so cold and lonely.
Her day went further downhill. Having to pick out her mother’s casket, which memorial service to have, and picking which flowers consumed most of her afternoon.
When she finally left the funeral home, she wanted nothing more than to find a hotel and go to sleep, but she had one more detail to see to.
Texting her father that she needed to pick out an outfit for her mother to wear was met with a text stating the key would be under the doormat. Relieved that she wouldn’t have to see him so soon, she drove to her childhood home.