Page 30 of Shape Of My Heart
“Soundsinteresting.”
“It wasgreat.”
He wanted to ask why she left but didn’t, he didn’t want to pry too much. She hadn’t pried with him, and there was a lot to pryabout.
“Okay, I’ll let yougeton.”
He left her and thought back to when they first met. They really had started off on the wrong foot. But hey, here he was trying and he was just looking forward to getting tomorrow outtheway.
Later she left with Hilda, talking excitedly about going shopping for a new eyeliner. That was one thing about women he didn’t get. How could they be so excited about somethinglikethat?
He got his clothes ready for tomorrow. He didn’t want anything extravagant so turned down the option for a stylist. He’d been doing shows long enough to know what to wear and what suited him. That was always one of his dark-colored Boss suits. Only Boss made suits tailored to fit his height and build the way he wanted. He took out a black one from his wardrobe and added a white shirt and a tie with blue specksonit.
The landline rang as he was about to sort out his shoes. It would be his father. Josh listened out for the rings until it kicked on the answer machine, then came his father’svoice.
“Hey son. It’s me. Just seeing how you are. I’ll be watching your show tomorrow. Let me know if you need me to come by. I’d like to support you and be there.” Josh marveled at how his father always tried to sound cheerful. “It’s Clarissa’s birthday on Sunday. I just wondered if maybe you’d like to come with me to the cemetery. We can get some flowers and maybe do something. Pete will be there. He’d like to seeyoutoo.”
Joshstilled.
An uncontrollable tear ran down his cheek. He’d been so wrapped up in this show that he forgot it was his sister’s birthday onSunday.
He’d never forget when her birthday was, as in the date. It was more of the case that time was so jumbled in his mind that he just got from one day to the next onawhim.
Josh walked over to the phone and pickeditup.
“Josh,” hisfathersaid.
He opened his mouth to answer but found it too difficult. They hadn’t spoken since the funeral and there was so much he wanted to say but couldn’t. And he couldn’t go Sunday. Pete was Clarissa’s fiancé, who was still so in love with her and distraught by her death. How was Josh to face eitherofthem?
“I’m sorry, Dad. I’m so, so sorry.” That was all hecouldsay.
“Josh.” His father’s voice filled him, but it was too much to bear. “Joshuait—”
Josh hung up the phone and sank into the despair that would normally overtake him at this hour. It was like a thick blanket ofdarkness.
He made his way into the kitchen and grabbed a few bottles of rum from the pantry. It was the only medication for this problem, and the only way he knew how to deal with the oncoming grief that would accompany the despair that filledhissoul.
* * *
“Hey sweet girl,”Amy’s mother said in her warm, soothing, southernaccent.
“Hey Mama, are you okay?” Amy called her mother the minute she got back. She hadn’t managed to speak to her last night because her brother said she had a rough day from abadcold.
“I’m better. I even managed to tend to the vegetables patch.” Her mother did sound morecheerful.
“I wasworried.”
“I know.Don’tbe.”
Amy sat on the edge of her little bed staring at the flashing police lights outside. Earlier there were gun shots and screams, which enhanced the discomfort she felt in being here by tenfold. New York could be rough, and she’d lived in a lot of places where she had to continuously watch her back, but this place was by far theworst.
Focusing on her mother was giving her the distraction she needed and also the strength to be positive. Josh had made the miraculous turn around she was praying for and it looked like tomorrow was going to go really well. Today was great. The easiest day she’d had since working for him. It was like what she firstimagined.
“I’ll get the money tomorrow, Mama. Make sure Tristan organizes everything from your end.” Tristan had a tendency toprocrastinate.
“Amy, it still doesn’t sit well with me that you’re doing this. Maybe we should pray more and let the good Lord decide which path he’d like me to follow. It all costs so much.” Her mother’s voice shook. “And you’re giving up a lotforme.”
“Don’t think about that, it’s no trouble.” There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her mother. Even when it wasn’t in her power. “Just please make sure you guys get everything inorder.”
