Page 62 of Kill Your Darlings

Wendy had a sudden and complete vision of a brick house on a narrow, tree-lined street. The weather was cold but they were dressed for it, in sweaters and scarves. “That sounds really good,” she said.

1992

August28

The funeral, like everything else in Texas, was blazingly hot. One of Bryce’s multiple uncles, Hollis, had appointed himself Wendy’s escort for the afternoon, sitting behind her during the service and repeatedly pressing a hand onto her shoulder, and then bringing her constant drinks and snacks during the interminable reception afterward. She wondered if Uncle Hollis, who’d already had three wives, was hoping that she might be his fourth.

The only thing that made the day bearable had been her brother, Alan, who’d arrived two days after Wendy’s husband Bryce had been discovered dead in the pool of their house. Wendy’s mother had actually booked a flight to come out for the funeral but at the last moment she’d had an emergency with one of her dogs. Wendy had been relieved but was ultimately glad that her brother had made it. Bryce’s family had alternated between over-the-top concern and bouts of chilliness, especially Bryce’s older sister, Sloane, who was either pulling Wendy in for long, awkward hugs or staring at her from across rooms like she was a cat stalking a mouse.

After the small service at the burial site, the immediate family plus a few close friends (the family’s, not Wendy’s) gathered at herin-laws’ house. Wendy had known that this moment was going to arrive, Bryce’s funeral, and she had wondered how she would feel when it did. That morning, before she got out of bed, she had gone over her feelings about the day. She allowed herself one moment of sadness, thinking back to the first night she got to know Bryce, how he’d seemed almost childlike, desperate for someone to take care of him. And she allowed herself a moment of worry that everyone at the funeral would take one look at her and know what she had done, that the house of cards would come collapsing down and she would spend the rest of her life either incarcerated or penniless. And then she put those feelings away again. She got out of bed and dressed for her husband’s funeral. And now that she was at the funeral reception, all she felt was palpable relief. Bryce was gone from the world, and that meant she would soon be gone from his world as well. Gone from Texas. Gone from his soulless, money-grubbing family. Gone from this tacky ranch with its giant rooms and gaudy furniture. She felt no remorse. And, truthfully, didn’t feel any real sadness for the family. She knew they hadn’t really liked him. No one really had.

“How are you holding up?” This was from Bryce’s aunt, his mother’s younger sister, one of the more poisonous members of the Barrington clan.

“It’s surreal,” Wendy said. “I keep looking around and just expect Bryce to walk into the room. I can’t quite comprehend that he’s really gone.”

Aunt Shelby was nodding her head up and down on her freakishly long neck. “Well, look, the only good news is that you’re a Barrington now. Just because Bryce is gone doesn’t mean that you’re not still part of this family. I was talking to Sunny and she said the same thing. The only thing that makes this at all bearable is that Bryce brought you into this family before he died, another daughter, another niece, another sister for Sloane. Goodness, she needs a steady hand in her life.”

“I feel the same way,” Wendy said, then managed to catch Alan’s eye from across the room. He made his way toward them to break up the conversation.

By dusk most of the guests had either departed or, if they were staying at the house, retreated to their rooms. Wendy and Alan sat next to each other on the sofa that had been upholstered to look like the Texas flag. Alan said, “I think Mom really did want to come. But you know...”

“It’s fine that she didn’t. I can’t quite imagine her here, can you?”

“These days I can’t imagine her anywhere but in her home. She’s happy, you know. She’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her.”

Wendy was quiet for a moment, taking that in, realizing that with the money coming to her, her mother would never have to change her life again.

“I’ll come out as soon as I can, just as soon as everything’s settled here.”

“How long will that take?” Alan said.

“Hopefully less than a day.”

Alan did one of his silent laughs, his shoulders hitching up. “This is quite a family you married into.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Several of them told me how they hoped you’d keep living here now that you’re a Barrington.”

“Yes, they’ve told me that too. I think it has more to do with keeping the money here. They’re worried I’m going to take Bryce’s money away with me.”

Bryce’s father’s dog, some kind of terrier, wandered by, sniffing along the white carpet for dropped food. “Is it a lot of money?” Alan said.

“Here in Texas it’s pocket money. Across state lines I’m a rich woman. It’s your money, too, Alan. Yours and Mom’s.”

“I’m fine. Mom’s fine too.”

“I know you’re both fine, but I also want you both to know that if you need any money, I have it now. I mean, I had it before but now it’s all mine.”

“Mine, all mine,” Alan said, rubbing his hands together. Then his face suddenly dropped, and he said, “God, I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be. It was funny.”

Bryce’s father’s girlfriend, Melanie, came flying by, having spotted the dog eating food off a low coffee table. She snatched him up and as she walked past Wendy and Alan, she said, very drunkenly, “Wendy, you and I are going to go out on one epic girls’ night soon, okay?”

“Okay,” Wendy said. Then turned to her brother and said, “I’m going to go back to the pool house. You want to come, or do you want to go back to your hotel?”

“No, you go be alone, unless you want me there. I’ll stay here a little longer and tell anyone who asks that you’re taking a sleeping pill and getting into bed early.”

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