Page 46 of Unruly
“Oh.” Catherine crawls over to the desk and grabs the box, flipping it over to show Farnsworth. “Maybe this inscription will make sense to you then.”
Leaning over Farnsworth’s shoulder, I read the scrawled words.
Hummingbird brooch
Samuel Brent Hotel
“Is that a lead, you think?” I ask.
Farnsworth nods slowly. “It might be.” He gazes at Catherine. “Thank you. We’ll take this object, but if you give me your husband’s name, I’ll see what I can do about contacting him.”
“Paolo Farina. We just want to know he’s okay now. He died of cancer, and we didn’t get a chance to tell him goodbye, you know? He went into a coma and never woke up.”
Farnsworth nods. “I know where to look. One moment.” He turns to me. “Stay here.”
“Yeah, of course.”
Farnsworth pops out of sight right before our eyes, leaving Catherine to gasp and Anthony to murmur, “Bruh.”
I smile awkwardly. “Uh, he can do that.”
“Where did he go?” Catherine asks.
“I’m guessing he went to the underworld. That’s where your husband would be.”
“The underworld? Like, hell? But he was a good man.”
“No, not hell. It’s not what you think it is down there. It’s closer to Greek mythology or even Dante’sInfernothan what you may understand from religious teachings.”
“You mean, it’s just a place where the dead go?”
“Basically, yeah. Souls get sorted based on different criteria. Your husband sounds like he’d be in the Natural Causes Room, which is pretty nice from what I hear.”
“Is your friend a ghost or something?” Anthony asks.
“He’s not a ghost. He has special abilities.”
Before more can be said, the air shimmers and Farnsworth appears again. He offers Catherine and Anthony a warm smile.
“I found him. He’s in the Garden.”
Catherine’s face lights up. “You saw him?”
“I spoke to him. He wanted to let you know a few things. Firstly, he’s very well and at peace There’s no more pain, sickness, or sadness.”
Catherine hugs her son.
“Secondly, he wants you both to know how much he loves you and misses you, but he wants you to go on living for him. Do all the things your heart desires. To Anthony, he said, ‘Bug, be there for your mom, but don’t forget to follow your dreams too. I want to hear those songs you’ve been writing.’”
“Oh my god, Mom. He called me Bug.” Anthony wipes at his eyes. “That’s his nickname for me.”
Farnsworth nods. “‘For my wife, I’m sorry I left before I could say goodbye. Thank you for the years of happiness and your dedication to me during my illness. Now it’s time for you to live your life again. Keep working on the cookie business, I believe in you. Also, if you haven’t found it yet, there’s a loose panel in the bedroom closet with a box stored inside. I love you both and I’ll be here waiting when it’s your time.’”
Farnsworth exhales slowly, rubbing his temples for a second.
“That’s all of it.”
Catherine, her eyes full of tears, nods and smiles. “Thank you so much.”
