#4evermore

The drive to the local diner was nothing short of quiet and squeamish as Dallas Dubois and Terry Richmond arrived for a dinner the ex-marine felt was long overdue on many different fronts.

It was there that you’d find the ex-friends sitting across from each other at a booth while Dallas answered questions and queries about topics he never got to ask. Like the parameters of the Dubois family dynamic. 

“ I can’t for the life of me understand why Devin acts the way he does. When I look at him and then look at y’alls daddy. It’s like night and day. If I didn’t grow up here, I’d find it hard to believe that’s his son–that’s he’s your brother. Wild, man.” Terry shook his head, taking a sip of his lemonade.

“ Half-Brother.” Dallas pointed out, making Terry quick to frown. He never did like it when people did that. Made distinctions like half or whole when referring to having siblings. He personally didn’t believe in any of that. Blood was Blood, whether it’s a drop or a liter. Which also meant family was family. 

Period.

“ Hey! Don’t scrunch those bushy brows at me. I’m just repeating the same thing he tells everyone anyway.” She playfully scolded as Terry was swift to fix his face at her request,“  He’s quick to correct anybody that Ramsey and I are his half siblings. So why shouldn’t I get to.” 

“ I’m aware.” Terry noted, remembering actively hearing Devin make the distinction very clear on the rare occasions they found themselves intermingled in the same social settings. “ But I guess I just can’t wrap my head around why? I mean it’s not like you and Ramsey run around calling each other half of anything.” 

Which was true. The bond that Dallas carried with her oldest brother was one that couldn’t be defined as half anything, or nothing less than wholesome. In moments of triumph and tragedy, Ramsey remained Dallas’s closest confidant for things that she found herself not even being able to share with her mother or Anora. And in return Dallas found herself being the soundboard for the most important and curious moments in Ramsey’s life. They had always supported each other in these ways and she had been thankful to have him all this  time. 

“ Well that’s because to Ramsey and I we don’t see each other as anything else. Blood is Blood, no matter the quantity of what shared cells may run through our veins. He’s my brother, plain as that.” Dallas explained. “ Besides, we were raised by the same mother and father. Grew up with the same values and lessons instilled in us. The only main thing that would make us differ is the age gap. But even still I’ve always felt he and I were of the same wave length. So…” She shrugged, leaning over the table and reaching a hand over to Terry’s basket of food to snag another cajun fry to dip into the delectable orange sauce on her plate. 

“ If you don’t mind me asking…” Terry started, slightly pushing the basket more toward the center of the table,  “ What happened to Ramsey’s mother? Do you know? Because I’ve never heard any of you talk about her before. Just about your mama or Evaline.” 

Dallas nods, “ Ramsey’s mother, Lydia, was Daddy’s first wife. They were college sweethearts and fell in love during undergrad when he was in mortuary school and she was studying nursing.”

“ After they got married their junior year, she switched to accounting to learn how to help Daddy manage the business after she got fascinated with the idea of opening up their practice.” 

“ Long story short they both graduated, and Daddy got an offer from a professor of his to buy the professor’s family’s older and outdated mortuary that needed a bit of work but was otherwise good. The only thing was that the mortuary building was here in the professor’s home town of Savannah. Which meant they would have to leave Oklahoma and move here.”  

“ Of course they decided to do it. And when they got here they convinced Seymour Flemming’s son, remember him? He was the old white guy who struck all that oil in Alabama. Well, Daddy negotiated with his son, Wallace, who he knew had a black wife, to invest in the business for the repair costs and such. While promising to give him a stake in the company.” 

“ Once that deal was sealed they started renovations on the place and they opened up in spring of 1985. And by that time Lydia had gotten pregnant with Ramsey but unfortunately she died giving birth to him in early 86’.” 

Dallas sighed, “ Doctors missed her having severe hemorrhaging after she kept complaining of abdominal pain post delivery.”

Terry felt a wave of sympathy flash through his chest for Ramsey and Mr. Dubois both, “Damn. I’m sorry.”

“ Yeah.  After that Daddy decided to raise Ramsey by himself with the help of other people at the home like Anora’s mama and Mr. Ducane, who have both been there since the home started.”

“ That was until he met Evaline at an old juke joint in Knoxville she was singing out of during one of the times Uncle Amos, Daddy’s twin brother, had a gig there that night. And had asked Daddy to come and fill in for their sax player who was out sick.”

At this piece of information being divulged, Terry found his eyebrows touching a bit in shock. Because while it had been a known fact around town that L.T Dubois once had a fondness for music and could be seen frequenting the local jazz clubs with his third wife on a good night, Terry still had never heard of him being a player himself,  “ Yo’ daddy on the sax? Really? I know he liked music. But I never knew he played.” 

Dallas gave a short laugh, “ Hmmph. I don’t even think ‘play’ is the right word, to be honest.” A smile danced on her face at the memory of being a young girl, sneaking out of bed, and following the hum of the music all the way to the garage where she could find her Daddy working his Sax to the sound of a reference track in the back. And never did he scold her or shoo her away. Instead he indulged her curiosity by allowing her to be his devoted audience member until her eyes shut and his music became a background music to her sweet dreams. 

“ He was absolutely extraordinary with a sax. Never heard anything quite like it.” Dallas beamed, “He’s one of the reasons I still like listening to Jazz music when I need to fall asleep. It’s comforting.” 

Terry watched the admiration on her face with a small smile of his own, happy to know that despite the years Dallas had to watch the unfortunate demise of her father, that in the end she was able to hold onto images and memories of them together in a happier time. 

“ Anyway, he and Evaline met, hit it off, and he married her after six months of knowing her. Then she moved up here. But she never worked anywhere unless it was at one of the local clubs singing. Never helped with the funeral home and barely looked after Ramsey or Devin once they had him.”

“ Which may explain where Devin gets his spirit of laziness from.” Terry commented, beginning to piece together the similarities of what he knew of Evaline to then compare them to present day Devin.

“ Right. But eventually after a while, and against Daddy’s many protests, Evaline decided she wanted to get back on the road and decided to get a gig singing back up for a blues band touring up north. And she left my Daddy to figure out how to juggle a seven year old and a baby under two by himself, while still trying to run a business.” 

“ But like many other unfortunate young singers during the height of the Reagan administration, Evaline went out on the road and got hooked on crack, bad, after a band member laced a cigarette he gave her with it.” Dallas explained. 

“ When she came back home. She was just never the same. Just really erratic all the time, impulsive, and even started abusing both crack and alcohol.”

“ Daddy tried his best a couple of times to take her to rehab. But it never stuck. And the final straw was when she almost burned the house down with her, Devin, and Ramsey in it.” 

“ What?!” Terry’s voice unintentionally carried over the confines of the booth as a few patrons looked to catch a glimpse of the slight disbelief spreading on his face.

“ Mhmm.” Dallas confirmed, “ They said she had been trying to make a pot of greens and left it on by itself. It caught on fire and by the time the fire department got there after Ramsey managed to call 911, half the kitchen was in flames.” 

“ Once they put out the fire, they found her in the basement laundry room strung out. Pipe in one hand with an unfolded bed sheet in the other.”

“ Daddy made the decision then to press charges and she ended up going to county jail for six years on different charges of child endangerment and drug possession. He divorced her and got full custody of Devin too.” 

“ Fuck. He couldn’t catch a break.” Terry slid a hand across his back of his neck as he tried to imagine the absolute strain L.T must have been under to endure all those events occurring on-top of each other like that.

“ Yeah, it seems like he couldn’t. When in actuality the truth is my Daddy was just someone who always found himself in the oddest of cases. Whether they’d be on purpose or not.” Another small smile appeared on the young mortician’s face as she prepared to tell Terry another fact that she knew he wouldn’t be able to believe. 

“ Case in point, after everything that had happened to him during that time, including his first wife dying, his second wife being a drug addict with the marriage ending in divorce, and him now having two young children to see about on his own.  It wasn’t until about a year later that Daddy found himself in another curious predicament when he met my Mama at a funeral in Dallas, Texas mind you…for her late husband.”

Immediately Dallas stifled her laughter when she watched Terry’s face drop as he began shaking his head in rightful disbelief, “ Just stop it. Forreal, stop. Cause ion’ even wanna hear anymore at this point. Cause this the most messy Tyler Perry bullshit you’ve said thus far. And I don’t think I can keep listening.” 

“ Oh yeah. It’s messy for sure, No doubt.” She laughed, “ But you have to let me finish since I done started now.” 

“ Well then go ahead.” With a smirk, Terry dropped his napkin on his plate before leaning back against the booth with his arms crossed giving her his undivided attention, “ Finish telling me how your nosy ass spawned from all these messy ass events with this name too. Dallas.”

At his remark she frowned, opting to throw a regular fry from her plate at a quietly chuckling Terry who she called a jackass before she continued, “ Like I was saying before you rudely interrupted me. This incident occurred when they had just opened the Dallas location under Uncle Amo’s leadership back then.” 

" Wait, I thought your Uncle Beau was over the Dallas location?" Terry questioned, mentioning the baby of the three Dubois brothers.

" Mmm. Mmm. No! Uncle Beau would NEVER, ever, ever, EVER..." Dallas found the need for dramatics in her words important, " Take over leadership of either home. He draws the line at sitting on the board of trustees for the business. And that was a task Daddy had to practically tackle him into."

" No, instead he prefers keeping to himself up in Philadelphia, teaching and living his life. He always sends a card around the holidays though, or he may call on a birthday for a quick catch up. But that's it and that's all. He sort of disappeared after Daddy died. And I know for a fact him and Uncle Amos don't talk." Dallas explained.

" And I don't blame him either. Uncle Amos is a piece of work..." Dallas dryly laughed.

But before Terry could probe furthered she continued,“ Uncle Amos had called Daddy and told him of the husband’s passing since they knew him. And Daddy went to Texas for the funeral so he could pay his respects to her late husband who he’d played football with way back in college at OKS.”

“ I remember that he once said that from the minute he saw her sitting on the front row in front of the congregation, she was the prettiest thing in black he’d ever seen.” Dallas always found it funny to think that in the midst of grieving and crying people Dallas had somehow made this out to be like it was a scene pulled straight from LoveBoat regardless of the fact of its setting. 

“ But he knew it was inappropriate to pursue a woman after her husband had just died, so he left it alone and went back home. Plus he was still getting over what had happened with Evaline.” 

“ It wasn’t until a couple months later that he was back here in Savannah and stopped to get a drink after work one evening down at Viola’s. That low and behold who was the first person he saw when stepped in the door…”

“ You have gotta be fucking kidding me.” A sarcastic laugh passed his lips , “ What was she even doing down here?!”

“ Visiting her sister, My Aunt Tootie, here in Savannah. Who at the time had followed her now ex-husband up here who came to work for your Uncle at the construction company funnily enough.”

“ Wow. Just goes to show you that the south is too gotdamn small.” Terry concluded.

“ Indeed it is.” Dallas agreed before continuing, “ Yet, he found himself practically tripping over his feet trying to get her. And tried to play it off like he wasn’t ready to fly through the roof at seeing her.”

“ So, he sat down, bought her a drink, and they hit it off. Next thing you know four months later they got married, she moved down here, and they had me. The end.” Dallas clapped, leaning over to take a sip of the half melted strawberry milkshake she’d impulsively ordered off the menu.

And as Terry began trying to process the Dubois family crash course Dallas had so eagerly given up, there was only one thought pressing against the forefront of his mind,  “ Damn, yo’ Daddy moved quick. I mean that nigga didn’t waste anytime calling the preist and jumping that broom. Cause that’s three wives in ten years is crazyyyy.” He laughed.

“ Yep! And he dared anybody to comment on it too. Especially to his face. Because even though he always knew people talked shit about it behind his back. He also knew that nobody would have the balls to say anything to the Undertaker of all people, to his face about his affinity for marriage.” 

“ Undertaker.” Terry snorted, “ I remember him having that nickname. And I also remember you starting it and him hating it.” Terry recalled the alter-ego that the children of Savannah had made up for L.T, that was accompanied by a town legend that said if he ever caught you staring at him long enough, you’d be faced with a tombstone. And whether that meant the wwe move or him actually hitting up you upside the head with an inscribed cement slab would be left up to your own imagination. 

“ Me too. But it just fits! I mean they’re both big, tall, intimidating, and have a knack for keeping a collection of ridiculous ass hats.” She shrugged, snagging another fry from Terry’s plate, “ What can I say. Besides I think he secretly liked it. I remember hearing him jokingly refer to himself as the Undertaker once to Mr. Ducane in the staff office. So I think he was just frontin’ is all.” 

“ The same way you front about people callin’ you, Precious?” Terry said, noting the way his words snatched the playfulness out of the air around them as Dallas tensed her body, angling it away from him to stare off toward the front of the building.

“ It’s not a front, Terry.” Dallas arms found a home crossed against her chest, “ I don’t typically like people calling me that. You know that, and you know why too.

“ No, I don’t know that.” Terry countered, leaning forward on clasped hands,  “ What I do know though, is that yes, you don’t like certain people calling you that. But I’ve seen when some people have called you that and a smile a mile wide has stretched across your face.” 

“ Like…” 

“ Well for one, your Daddy.” Terry noted, watching as her face softened, “ I remember that he could have called that name out to you in the middle of a crowd and you would’ve heard it clear as day with a grin on your face.”

“ Then I heard your mom call you it a couple of times, even though I know she prefers to call you her dumplin.” At the mention of Terry knowing that, Dallas turned her head even further away to try and hide the flushed cheeks she now sported; that was evidence of embarrassment at the fact that he even knew that was a thing.

“ I also know that Ramsey sometimes calls you Precious even though he prefers to call you Pinky.” 

“ And I call him Brain right back.” Dallas noted the silly nicknames she and brother had for each other based on the comical rodents as seen in episodes of the Animaniacs cartoons he’d watch with her on Saturday mornings over a bowl of cereal. See, Ramsey even in his youth could have always been described as an academic, preferring to always have some kind of older literature Dallas couldn’t pronounce in his hand as he always was being carted off by their mother to attend young writer’s conferences and guilds. Which in turn made Dallas compare him to Brain, due to their shared intellectual abilities. With Ramsey then calling Dallas, Pinky, to give reference to the young girl’s silly personality.

“ Right. But my point, is that even though in the past people have used this nickname in an ill fitted way. And you claim that nowadays you hate hearing it. I just don’t think that’s true.” Terry resolved. 

“ Because I think that if said by the right people, it’s something you actually love hearing.” He offered.

“ Yeah? And you may have been right about that once. But none of that matters now, because after years of having peers call me that only to throw things at me or hurl hateful comments my way about my weight as a young teenage girl or other...issues…I was having. You have to know that hearing the nickname, no matter who says it, doesn’t give me the same joy you’re talking about.” 

“ And you can partially thank your little teammate and your fiance for that.” Dallas turned to him now taking in the seriousness that had seeped into his face.

“ Right, well hopefully things have changed since then." Terry's eyes narrowed. 

“ Because I don’t like the way he treats you.” Terry states, “ At all.” 

“ And you know if I’m around I’m going to tolerate him or anybody else’s shit when it comes to you at this point. So keep that in mind. Cause I mean that.” At his declaration Dallas felt a small flutter occur in her chest, a familiar movement that she still felt foreign to have after all these years. Especially here…with him. 

But one tiny passing flashback to a time before was enough to let the feeling flee away and bring her back to the present, “ Well those are pretty words, Terry. I appreciate that.”

“ But.” She sighed, “ Not much I can do about it, that’s my brother. Whether I like it or not.”

“ Although it hasn’t always been this bad. I mean, yeah, he was terrible when we were younger. But I remember a time right before y’all graduated he became half-way decent to me.”

“ I think maybe it’s because Daddy died and he felt some kind of way. Grief can do that to a person, make them more compassionate I guess.” 

Ass whoopings can do that too. 

 I can still remember when I hemmed him up senior year and threatened to beat his ass in the locker room after a game once in front of everybody when I caught him call you a—

Terry didn’t wanna finish the thought, but he’d made it clear then that if he heard of Devin disrespecting or mistreating Dallas whether he was around or not, he’d rearrange his face into one only a mother could love. And for the rest of the year, he hadn’t heard a peep from Devin other than a play being called on a field.

“ Yeah, death can sometimes bring people together that way.” He agreed, taking a sip of his lemonade, “ Y’all getting along better now? ”

“ Sure.” Dallas put on a smile as real as a counterfeit bill.

Which prompted Terry’s eyebrows to take on that famous frow in them that she secretly loved,“ Sure? What does that mean, Dallas?” 

“ Sure. That’s what that means, Terry. That it’s neither here nor there on any given day. The end.” She squeamishly attempted to dismiss his concern.

“ Dallas—”

“ Stop.” She held up a hand, “ I don’t wanna talk about him right now. Especially not while I’m having a good time dishing out the family lore here.”

At the notion that Dallas was actually enjoying the two of them being in the space together, Terry found himself relaxing for a moment with a small smile, “ Speaking of…I don’t think you’ve ever told me how your parents met.” Dallas shifted, “ I think after my yapping it’s only fair I get to hear how Terry Richmond came to be.”

When a small silence took a space with them in the booth, Dallas mentally kicked herself for becoming comfortable enough to let her curiosity sour the content mood they’d built over the course of the last two hours. She could especially tell by the way Terry had suddenly gone quiet, opting to send her a small tight lipped smile before he said, “ It’s getting late, D. And I wanna make sure you get back home before it gets too dark..  So, how about I tell you another time, yeah.” Terry quickly explained before motioning for the young waitress to return to the table for their tab. 

From there returning to the car had been even more awkward then the actual drive there. 

It wasn’t much to be said under the guise of the setting sun who so graciously painted a picture on its surface using hues of pinks, oranges, and blues that Dallas focused on through the windshield, instead of paying attention to the many racing thoughts she had in her mind. 

Whereas all Terry could try to do in addition to watching the road in front of him, was to try and sort the many thoughts floating into his brain into a variety of different categories that were already filled to the brim with previous things he’d put there in a promise to himself to sort later.

The only thing was, now just couldn’t be later.

Instead now , just needed to be now. 

And at that moment he needed to figure out how to rejuvenate the atmosphere between them that his involuntary shut down at the restaurant had induced. Because while he hadn’t meant to recede into himself in that way at the innocent question posed by her, he still couldn’t help that it was as if he had felt every vein in his body calcify into stone as his chest began to weigh down with an eerie feeling of grief…and anger… at the thought of his parents. 

But whatever personal shit that he needed to work out between himself and the unfamiliar person he’s seen in the mirror every morning for the last eighteen years would have to wait. 

Because he didn’t want anything to taint his time alone with her while he had. 

Not even himself. 

“ Dallas, look... I’m sorry.” His voice broke over the low sound hum of the radio,  “ I didn’t mean to brush you off like that it’s just that–

“ It’s fine, Terry. Really.” Dallas quickly turned, offering a sympathetic, “ I should’ve known better. I just forgot that that’s a sensitive topic for you. So it’s my fault for talking too much.” She apologized, returning her gaze back out of the passenger window.

“ Hey.” He softly called, “Hey.”

When attempts failed he pushed forward,“ Lorraine.” 

At the sound of her actual name, Terry succeeded in grabbing her attention once more before speaking, “ Dallas, you weren’t talking too much. You talking is never too much, alright?”  He did his best to watch the near vacant road while still trying to hold the seriousness of her eyes. 

“ If anything…” He paused, “ It’s really just about me learning how to talk more about stuff. Even things that’s a little sore for me…”

“ So you don’t have anything to be sorry for.” He spoke, “ If anything I’m sorry for cutting it short. Cause I really didn’t want us to stop talking.” 

“ I like us talking.” The words coming out small but meaningful across his lips. 

“ I like it, too.” Dallas quietly quietly, allowing a somber smile to take residence on her face once again. 

Then there was another silence that took to the air, only this time it felt…comfortable. 

That was until the universe decided to reveal a gesture to the two of them, as that song began to plan on the radio...

We were holding hands in the park We had to hurry home before it's dark I can't wait to see your smile again And I love the time we spend...

Out of the corner of his eye he caught the slight turn of her head she did, more than likely wanting to gage what his reaction to it would be.

“ You can turn it if you want.” He spoke, timid in a way meant to not scare her off.

“ No, it’s alright…I like this song.” She whispered, feeling a long forgotten fleet within her stomach she hadn't in she couldn't recall when.

“ Me too.” 

I just wanna be alone with you (I just wanna be alone with you) And there's nothing else I'd rather do (There's nothing else I'd rather do) I just want the chance I had again…

Though neither of them would acknowledge why. 

The same way neither of them would acknowledge how their hands had found their way to clasping together on top of the console just as Terry hit the side street leading back to the back parking lot. And with each turn of the wheel, another thought seemed to turn in the back of Dallas’s mind. Thoughts that she knew were being brought on by the better part of her conscience whom she usually always listened to without failure…at least until now.

Because as of now it had seemed that the finicky little organ beating rapidly in her chest had begun to take over, and it seemed that all Dallad could do was say a silent prayer that the man next to her would mistake the sound of her loudly beating heart for the bass of the song they both knew they loved.

From there it only took a moment before the car became stationary in the lone back parking lot beside the black Audi A5 that sat close to the garage door.

His grip never seemed to slip on her hand.

“ Thanks for going with me.”  He spoke first, looking to her. 

“ No, thank you for offering.” She countered, “ It felt nice to talk over dinner for a change. Usually we if I don’t visit Nory & Ethan or go visit my Mama, It’s just me, some meal prep, and a stack of paperwork.” 

“ Mmm. Well maybe we'll have to start changing that more often.” He shot out into the air, hoping she’d receive it. 

“ Yeah, maybe.” She hummed in agreement, “ Not too often. But every once in a while wouldn’t–Ah—mmm.” She winced out in slight pain.

“ What? What’s wrong.” The concern in his voice was prominent as he lowered the radio, ready to hear whatever discomfort he was sure to try and remedy. 

“ Nothing stupid eyelash.” Dallas waved him off, reaching up blindly for the visor. 

“ Let me see—

“ No, Terry, it's fine. It’ll come out on its own in just a minute. I got I–”

“ Dallas.”She felt her body slightly jolt when she heard her name come across his lips again that way.

 There goes that tone again, she thought to herself. 

“ Move your hand and let me see.” He beckoned her over.

Reluctantly complying to his request with a small huff of protest and pain, she let go of his hand and released herself from her seat belt before clambering to somewhat lean in his direction, careful to steady her shaking hand back on the console.

When he noticed she stopped short he encouraged her further, “ Come closer.”

Alarms going off in her head at the prospect of being almost face to face with him if she moved a couple inches more to the left, Dallas fixed her mouth to protest again, but found the words falter once she seen the stern set of his own mouth out of the current good eye she had.

So now she had moved so close she could feel his minty breath gently blow against her cheek as he attempted to get the eyelash, and in turn made her eyelashes and heart all in one sick synced movement.

“ There.” He said, “ Got it.”

“ Thank you.” She whispered, drawing back some, but not completely. 

“ You’re welcome.” He whispered back, the air stilling between them. 

“ I should go.” She practically had to force the words to tumble out, seeing as it was a declaration that was the complete antonym of what she actually felt.

“ Yeah, you should.” He paused, “ But I don’t want you to.”

Girl, don't leave me, don't leave me Don't leave me, baby (Ooh) Girl, don't leave me, don't leave me You know I'll be here for you (Oh) Girl, don't leave me, don't leave me Just me and you (Mmm)

“ I don’t really want to either.” She returned, this time letting honesty coat her words. 

“ Then don’t.”

She didn’t have time to blink or be confused about his last statement because all the working power her brain had left was zapped with the quick shock that inhibited her body at the feel of his hand on her cheek and the taste of his lips on hers.

The moment his lips touched hers she should’ve pushed him away, but instead her hands desperately grasped at the flex of his back to draw him closer into her. 

With only one thing being whispered into the cool Savannah air against each other’s lips.

Before we start.

I want you to sit back and ask yourself a question.

In your personal hometown, no matter big or small, no matter the coast or plain, and no matter the miles between yourself and your neighbor.

How fast does gossip travel where you live?

Truly, when something happens, no matter if its jaw dropping or just stomach tickling like that deacon being caught with the choir member that's not his wife at the local motel, that baby not quite looking it's siblings or their alleged father, your council person driving drunk on the wrong side of the highway, somebody dying, or whatever is deemed news in your town?

Whether it's scandal or someone's regular business being poured into the street, who do you think is the person in your town that always has the first scoop? The juice? The mess? The business?

Hmm? Who?

I'll give you three guesses.

No, it's not your local friend on the police force.

No, it's not the girl that swears everyone and they mama is her cousin.

And while this may be a good guess, no it's not your local trusted beautician who does everybody's head while listening to them talk about everything under the sun when they're under the dryer.

Because if you weren't aware before.

I promise you that the person who gets the fresh and first knowledge of everyone's affairs, mess, drama, and in-between.....

Is your local funeral home greeter/counselor.

Oh yeah. C'mon now think about...

This is the person who truly gets to know everybody.

They have interactions with both grieving, distraught, and most importantly nosy people day in and day out. And since they already have the advantage of being one of the first people to know when somebody dies, they also get to have conversations with the many people passing through the parlor for viewings and funerals. With most of them always being eager to obtain a listening ear that your local funeral home greeter or counselor is all too eager to give.

And with us now having that knowledge in our minds, it was no wonder that after almost forty years of working as a full time funeral home greeter and a part time counselor at Dubois Family Funeral homes, Mrs. Marjorie Anne Houston was and had always been the number one trusted source for information, gossip, mess, or whatever someone may have needed of her.

Which is precisely why Anora Houston-Blake didn’t mind the two routine calls a day from her mother which always proved to be resourceful with keeping up with the all the latest happenings in the city. 

Hitting the weathering green button her steering wheel, Anora immediately went into greetings. 

“ Good afternoon’, Mama. How are you?” 

“ Afternoon’, sweet baby!” The elderly woman chirped while watching the families come in and out of the funeral home's big black oak doors, “ Oh! Fine. Other than my gout actin’ up, eyes a little fuzzy from the cataracts, and missing my god darn number in the midday again. I honestly can't complain, baby."

“ Mama—

“ Oh! Don’t start Nory." The blonde haired woman huffed, “ I'm fine. I didn't call to hear you fuss at me. I called to ask did you hear about Mr. Richmond? ”

Instantly Anora’s curiosity piqued at the mention of Mr. Eddie Richmond, the local construction man and yard extraordinaire , “ Mama, what are you talking about?!"

“ You ain’t hear?"

“ Noooooo.” Anora dragged out.

“ Child…Deacon Richmond done left us and took that trip to claim his place with the Lord. We got his body up here at Dubois’ and as it turns out I’ve been assigned the counselor on the case.” 

Immediately the pupils of the young woman enlarged to hear the shocking news of the passing of the only man she knew to make magic with some peaches, sugar, and crust.

“ Mama, hush!!! No! “ Anora shook her head,“ Deacon Richmond done died?! Mama, I just saw him and Efrain at the Publix two days ago getting okra and carrots! Had a conversation with the man and everything about doing Ethan and I a circle driveway this summer, Mama. And you gon’ tell me he gone just that quick!” 

“ Baby, as they say. Here today, gone tomorrow.” The elderly woman sighed, “ And that’s exactly what happened. You know him and Mrs. Henderson had been a little sweet on each other, would check in and look out for one another. Since they were next door neighbors and all."

" Well, they say the yesterday morning she went over there after he didn't come to her house for their morning coffee. And since she'd never known him not to be on routine, she used her spare key and found him sitting up in his bed, bible in hand, gone."

“ Lord have mercy.” Anora shook her head, “ Be a fence around the family at this time, Lord. Especially Efrain. His daddy was his best friend. I remember when I used to babysit him during the black business meetings on Sunday after church for Mrs. Richmond.” 

“ I know. He was a cute little chocolate baby, like a little Hershey kiss. And just as sweet and bright. Was happy to hear when he got that full ride to Morehouse. Even if he chose not to go.” Anora could hear her mother’s sigh through the receiver, " Instead he stayed her and took care of his Daddy."

" Eddie did a good job of raising him. Such a nice young man."

“ Terrance too.” She added, “ It was always so special to me how Eddie and Edie took him in."

" He turned out to be so handsome and polite. I used to enjoy watching them’ basketball games he played in when I used to come to watch you cheer. Yet I never did understand why he ever went and ran up behind that rotten ass Simms girl. She’s so pretty but her attitude is rotten as I’ll get out.”

Anora grimaced at the reference of her former cheer captain and the once resident mean girl of Savannah Community high school. Nefari Simms had helped make the first two years of her and her best friend's high school experience the hardest years they’d face in their adolescence. 

And for as pretty, smart, and popular as Nefari had been all those years ago, she had also been twice as mean, nasty, and unyielding in her pursuit to bully the select lowerclassmen girls under her. Just all around a mean spirit. So, it had truly seemed strange to everyone all around when she and Terry had begun dating on and off their eighth grade year. 

But maybe she wasn’t as bad as she seemed, maybe it was something Terry brought out of her that the rest of them couldn’t see...not even with the clearest magnifying glass provided by the Holy Spirit itself.

“ I just hope he doesn't bring her to the appointment tomorrow. I don’t have time for her and her smart ass mouth while I’m trying to help that boy.” Marjorie spoke as she waved to a patron out the door.

“ Mama…”

“ Mmm? “ 

“ You say Terry is going to be in town tomorrow morning?”

“ No.” Marjorie sighed, “ Told Miss Lonnie on the phone that he’ll be here tonight, but in the office first thing in the morning.”

“ I—Ma ain’t that a little quick to start making arrangements? I mean it’s Saturday and ain’t he just go yesterday . Why they making arrangements so quick? Y'all even physically got his body prepared yet?! His body is barely cold! When’s the service?” 

“ Not quite.  I mean he down there on a tray already. But Marvin ain’t started embalming or nun yet. Couple of bodies in front of him that need to be done and put out on the floor. Plus we need to know what Terry plans to do, cause if they crematin’ him ain't no use in wasting allat’ fluid. Don’t know the date of the service yet.” 

“ Right.”

“ Mhmm.” Marjorie hummed, “ In fact when they first handed me the case file, I was tempted to give it to Dallas for her to personally oversee since she and Terry used to be real fond of each other when all y’all was in school. But when Mr. Ducane called her to let her know that Mr. Richmond had passed, she told him she’ll be out of town for the next week starting tomorrow. But to treat them with the best of the best during this time and to keep her updated on the arrangements.” 

“ Oh.” Anora blinked, “ So, you saying Dallas already knows?"

“ Mhmm. She found out yesterday morning when Big Ed and Mr. Ducane went to collect the body. That’s why I was surprised when you said you didn’t know about Mr. Richmond. I was sure she had told you when y’all went to lunch yesterday afternoon.” 

Anora pushed her tongue around in her mouth at the thought of her best friend beating around the bush and dodging a topic only truly ever discussed between Dallas and her, “ Nope must have slipped her mind I’m sure. She does have a lot going on. We mostly talked about her plans to travel out west for a bit for a little break.” 

“ As she should. It's deserved.” Marjorie blew a breathe, “ That child be every which way between this home, helping with LA’s in Texas, and then keeping up with Evaline’s drunk ass and her antics all the time. She be running around her like a little chicken with its head cut off! Poor thing.” 

“ Shame that Devin won’t help her more than he does, especially since Ramsey did his part after L.T passed. Bout’ time he should contribute some way other than collecting his part of the money every month.” 

Anora grimaced at the thought of Devin Dubois, her best friend's ass of a brother, “ I agree, Mama. I agree.” Anora reiterated pulling into the driveway of best friend's house,  “ Well, Mama I’m here at Dallas's now to see if she needs any help before she leaves. So, I'll call you back tonight when you get home."

“ Okay, Mama’s baby. I’ll talk to you later. Love you, Punkin'."  

“ Alright, love you too.” 

“ Oh and Nory? “ 

“ Ma’am? “ 

“ Tell Dallas I said hey.” 

“ Will do. Bye, Ma’.” 

Collecting her bags, Anora made her way along the beautifully done walkway while taking in the nicely trimmed evergreen bushes and their accompanied pink and white primroses along the border. Not bothering to knock, her ringed hand found its way into her purse before she produced her keys and allowed herself in. 

Immediately upon having one foot inside the door, Anora welcomed the mixed scents of early summer and baked goods wafting through the cool AC ridden air, followed by the sound of Janet Jackson coming from what she knew to be the kitchen. 

Allowing her feet to guide her way through the pristinely furnished home, Anora made her appearance in the kitchen to find Lorraine Dallas Dubois , her best-friend since 1st grade vacation bible school, moving around the kitchen in a flour cover pastel pink apron with about seven different variations of cooling pies on her marble countertop while she stood at her kitchen island greatly focused on decorating an assortment of different cupcakes into trays.

Stress eating that ass up. Anora thought, stepping deeper into the space. 

Not bothering to look up from her task, Dallas called out, “ If I would’ve known your ass was coming over here, I would’ve sent you to the store first to get me some more powdered sugar for that pie I plan to send you home with for Ethan.” She pointed to a still steaming lemon crumble pie. “ Call much? “ 

Anora promptly laughed, taking a seat at an island stool, “ Ha! The devil is a lie! You ain’t sending shit home with me! Not about to ruin my little diet. Send a slice of it for him if you want but that ain’t comin’ up in my house.” 

“ You mean the diet that’s already holding on by a thread, Nory?” Dallas placed a freshly piped strawberry chunk cupcake into a tray, “ Besides, why should my brother in law have to starve cause you wanna play games. Knowing dang well I caught you eating that honey bun in the car on Tuesday when we were supposed to be going to the gym.” 

“ A slice would never even see the inside of that house if I sent it by you.” Dallas furthered, knowing her friend to a T. “ So, I’m sending him and my god baby a pie. Least they have a fighting chance that way.” 

“ Oop. Not you in my business. But go off.” Anora nodded, reaching for a whipped frosted lemon cupcake, “ Cause while my diet may be hanging on by a thread, as long as that thread is upon the hem of our Lord and Savior Jesus’s garment!” Anora goofily pounded a fist on the tabletop before shaking it, “ Then I know my body will treat this cupcake as if it’s a pack of carrots! In Jesus name.” She took a bite smacking a muffled, “ Can I get a Amen!”

“ Amen…I guess.” Dallas offered a laugh, “ Good? “ 

“ As always.” Anora didn’t hesitate, “ But you wanna know what would go great with it? ” 

“ What some milk? I’m out of Almond because I had Raemiah the other weekend and she drank the rest. But it’s some Oat in there or leftover two percent from the cupcake batter. Either way feel free.” 

“ No thanks, Sugarlumps. Don’t need that.” Anora waved her off, reaching in her bag and producing a SMART water. 

“ Mmm. Well if you want to go the more sour route I got some freshly squeezed lemonade in there or if your serious there’s some cold Evian–

“ Nope. What I would like is the truth.” 

“ The truth?!” Dallas’s eyebrows touched to almost meet the scrunch of her nose, “ Truth about what?!” 

“ tRuTH ABoUT WhAT.” Anora childishly mocked, “ You know what! Heifer!” She said, allowing more seriousness to seep into her town, “ Don’t play with me!”

Still not giving in,  Dallas did what she’d been trained to do in many kinds of social situations by many in the DuBois family before her, which was to deflect like hell!” 

“ Fine, you want the truth.” She reached for a cloth to dust her hands.

Arms folded across her chest, Anora’s eyes narrowed, ready at a moment's notice to reach across the island and snatch up her best friend if she didn’t produce an answer she wanted to hear, “ That’s what I asked for, ain’t it?”

Feigning to be taken aback by her friend’s sudden hardening in attitude, Dallas stopped all her movement before placing both hands on the counter while gazing directly in the eyes of one of the only people in her life she’d never been able to lie to, so she never tried, instead she resorted to other tactics like…

“ Fine.” She shrugged, “ I’ll admit it.” Dallas began, purposefully leaving a hang of silence in the air to Anora’s annoyance, before she spoke again. 

“ Yes, Anora.” Dallas sighed, “ I did use a box mix instead of making the cupcake batter from scratch. And I’m aware it doesn’t taste the same as when I do it from scratch to finish but you gotta know’—“

“ Dallas stop playin’ with me before I reach over the counter too and shove this fucking cupcake so far down your throat you’ll be sneezing sprinkles."  

“ Why didn’t you tell me Mr. Richmond had passed?”

A question that made Dallas’s seemingly cheesy resolve mellow back into that of an unreadable face, prompting Anora to continue her interrogation. 

“ And better yet, why are you being a scary ass bitch and going out of town to avoid seeing Terrance Richmond up at the funeral home YOU OWN mind you?” 

“ Well seeing as your mother works there and y’all talk about five times a day I was sure she had told you, Nory.” Dallas shrugged, increasing her pace in stirring, “ Besides, ain’t nobody running me out of town, I told you a while ago I was due for a visit out west anyway. One of which you encouraged.” She pointed a finely manicured finger at friend. 

Anora scoffed, leaning back in her seat, “ You’re absolutely right, Dallas I did. I did encourage a little visit out west for you. Thought it might do you some good.” Anora agreed, “ However if I would’ve known that the prospect of Terry being in town was the one to spark the idea for your sudden need for travels then I surely would’ve sang a different tune when you told me.”

“ You deadass can’t keep doing this, Dallas. You can’t flee the county every time this man comes in town.” Anora lectured, “ Besides, I mean do you truly think that a trip out west, as pleasant as it may be, will really be enough to take your mind off of—-

“ Alexa, increase the volume! “ Dallas called out bluntly, before abandoning her mixture and turning to go and grab her strawberry themed oven mitts to check on her baking snickerdoodle cookies.

“ Oh I know this heifer did no– ALEXA SHUT OFF NOW !”

Obeying her programming and the young angry baptist woman’s commands, the sounds of Janet Jackson’s Velvet Rope album ceased, while Anora quietly whispered how she’d wished she’d had a velvet rope of her own to strangle her best friend with, due to her current annoying behavior.

“ Dallas…” Anora began softly chiding, “ Look I know you’re still carrying what happened with you, and I understand it completely. But at the end of the day, he’s somebody who you cared about and we both know he definitely cared about you at some rough points in your life.” 

“ And I just think after given you alls’ history and especially the way he was there for you after your Daddy passed, it would be the right thing to at least show your face at the funeral, honey.” 

“ And if you won’t do it even for the littlest care you still may have for Terry, Dallas. At least do it for Mr. Richmond.” Anora reasoned, “ He was always good to you—to everyone, matter fact. So the least we could all do is show our faces at the service.” 

Clearing her throat and carefully removing the mitts from her hand, Dallas quickly swept away at her eyes for traitor tears looking to escape their confines of her waterline, before turning back to the island with her head nodding, “ I know, Nory. It’s just that..*sigh*… it’s hard…you and I both know I didn’t just care for him like a friend.” Her comment did not come as a shock to the woman across from her. “ I had some pretty strong feelings for him, Nory! Like Strong.” 

“ I thought at one point he may have felt the same way too.” Dallas added.

“ And while I know it sounds crazy to anyone else I could say that to other than you, because of how young we both were. How young I was! And how everyone would probably say I was too young to know what I was feeling! ” Dallas threw up her hands, “ I mean you were there! You saw me–Us! “ 

“ Nory, I believe I once had been…” She paused quickly trying to find a word to swap out the one she truly wanted to say, “ greatly enamored…with Terrance Richmond from the time he moved here when I was in the fourth grade and him in the sixth. Given then I always knew my crush was just that...a crush. He was too old for me and not to mention Devin's teammate at the time and a whole two grades ahead of us.” She bitterly pointed out. 

“ It was just a silly harmless little crush, ya know? Someone to giggle about in the morning when Mama would fix my hair or someone to daydream about in Mr. Hig’s math class.” She recalled the times where secret initials were written and doodles drawn made many appearances on her geometry and earth science homework. Though no one could ever truly decipher the scribbled true meanings. 

Not even Anora.

“ It was an innocent crush I would have never paid any mind to." Dallas reaffirmed. 

“ Which would’ve been fine by me, had we not gotten to high school and all of freshman and sophomore year happened.” She moved to steady her hands as she poured the lemon infused batter into new trays. 

Dallas thought back to September 23rd, 2010, during fifth period elective when Terry Richmond appeared at the Community Gardening Club meeting to sign up to become a member in an effort to fulfil his required volunteer hours for graduation.

She wouldn’t ever forget the feeling that jolted in her chest when he took the seat next to her instead of all the other empty ones in the room since the club only consisted of herself, three other peers, and now Terry. 

She remembered the way he’d greeted her and began to ask questions about her role as the club’s secretary for the year while Mr. Creeks rambled about with the life cycle of weeds. She also remembered how she’d stuttered over every answer she’d given him until the bell rang and it was time to go. 

From there, the two became almost inseparable at times, granted when she wasn’t with Nory, Terry wasn’t with his girlfriend, and Dallas wasn’t working or caring for her Dad. You could’ve probably found her somewhere right next to Terry discussing what flowers and plants they’d plan to plant where in the city, him tutoring her in math since he was an honors student in the subject, what new music had just dropped the previous night on 106 n’ Park that they deemed cool, or just her listening to Terry go on and on about whatever new Anime he was currently interested in.

They’d spent so much time together then, that at some points Dallas had wondered if Terry would ever be willing to look over their age gap and pursue whatever she thought might be forming between them. But alas, that was never an option…at least not back then.

So, at the time she settled for what of him she could have, until she couldn’t have him anymore.

“ Because Nory…as delusional as I may sound… he made me feel something when we were younger. Something I’ve yet to feel as an adult.”  The admission came through tired lips,“ Granted we never kissed, or touched, or dated because of the age gap back then and of course…” Dallas took a breath, “ Nefari.” 

Dallas watched her best friends run her hands together as her body somewhat tensed with what she knew was a flashback to a night neither of them would ever be able to forget in their lives. 

“ But there was still something there.” Dallas admitted, “ All those evenings studying at Arlene’s, the Saturday mornings at the school garden picking weeds and planting flowers while we talked, glances in the hallway, him visiting me when I was sick at St. Martin”s …” Dallas swallowed,“ That night on Mr. Eddie’s porch swings after Daddy’s funeral.”

“ All that meant something to me. “ She acknowledged, feeling her heart pulse a little slower at the thought of them in those years. Young & Happy. “ And I know things got a little awkward after Anette aired me out for liking him so she could get a spot on the squad.”

This time both pairs of eyes rolled in reference to the event that had transpired at a party all those years ago in front of half of Savannah Community High School's student population. 

“ But we were still friends even after that. And he told me we’d stay friends regardless. That we'd never become strangers."

“ Which is why I know it’s all childish now and I can’t be mad at him for what happened between him and Nefari at his grad party because they were dating and it makes sense that they'd get engaged like that before he left for basic.”

“ And I ESPECIALLY can’t be mad about them even ending up together in spite of what she did.” She took a breath, “ Cause I never even opened my mouth and told him what really happened that night at Arlene's, Nory.  Because it’s not like it would’ve mattered anyway.” 

“ Moonie.” Anora's eyes slowly began to water and her defense finally dissolved as more memories began to come forth into her mind. “ Of course it would’ve mattered. That’s not even tr–”

“ Stop.” Dallas raised a hand, “ It’s okay. I’m alright. I’ve let that go. We’ve both let that go. I’m not even upset about it anymore. I’m fine.” She emphasized, to which person in the room she didn’t know. But what she did know was she no longer was accepting any sympathy for the unfortunate events that occurred during her youth, not even from Nory.  

“ I’m not mad about the things that happened during highschool cause I had made peace with that and I had accepted that all Terry and I were meant to be was friends.” 

“ Even after we both graduated, we stayed in contact when he was at Lejunene and I went to Tulane.” Dallas said, “ I enjoyed us still exchanging letters, talking on the phone, seeing each other on holidays because I enjoyed still having him as a friend.” 

“ So you can imagine all the shock and mixed feelings that came after me accepting all of that, when he showed up that night at my apartment at Tulane…professing his so-called fucking love for me.” Dallas seethed at the memory of what had just started out as an unexpected friendly visit from Terry had quickly morphed into them crossing a line that neither of them could ever really come back from.

“ That night. He looked me dead in my eyes and told me that he had been in love with me, and wanted us to be together.” Dallas recalled, “ And like a dumbass I believed him.” She sighed, “ So much so to the point where I let him…inside of me, Nory.” Her face twitched as her back felt goosebumps when an image of the two from that night fleeted through mind. 

“ That night I thought that I had finally been blessed by God that the man I’d been in love for soooooo long, actually loved me back.” She whispered,“ And wanted to make love to me.” 

“ But it was all a lie. And he confirmed that when I woke up that morning to a cold bed and a post it note that read ‘ I’m sorry. I can’t. Don’t hate me’.” 

“ So no, Nory.  It was never about the fact that he didn’t return the same feelings I had about him in high school, that’s not the case. I had accepted that and I had moved forward.” Dallas affirmed, “ No, what HURT ME. Is the fact that after everything that happened. Us staying friends after highschool. All the laughs and dreams shared, the small seldom hugs, the talks, the support and care for one another, hell our entire friendship, Nory!” 

“ He took one night to dangle all of that being something more, in my face.” Her fist balled up, “ And the next morning he just threw it all away without the slightest explanation as to why.” Dallas forced herself to wipe away another defiant stray tear, “ Like none of it ever existed. Or as if we never meant anything to one another at all.” 

“ Which to me, reads as him making it very clear, Nory. That he never truly wanted anything to do with little Dallas Richmond, the fat, weird, pretty princess charity case he toted around for two years. Only having me around until his obligation ended when he walked across that stage that May.” 

“ Then when he briefly got bored of playing house with her, he came and laid in my bed for a night when he needed some comfort. Because that’s the only time when people truly want me around, is when they need something from me. Not like I’m good for anything else at this point.” Dallas sighed, turning around the bowl of beaten batter in her hands. 

At this Nory found herself becoming somewhat offended at the cruel words being thrown at her best friend's younger self. Because she had loved that version of her friend all those years ago, and as quiet as a secret that has been kept…she knew for a fact that Terry once had loved this version of her too. “ Dallas.” Her name spilling from Anora lips in a firm tone only usually reserved for her goofy husband and child, or students.

“ Sorry…” Dallas cleared her throat in immediate apologies at the mere thought of upsetting her best friend, “ I didn’t mean to say all that it just—” She let her hands stop fiddling around with the piping bag full of rich brown chocolate icing before her. 

And when she couldn’t find any words to articulate the feelings she’d been confronted with, she resorted back to a phrase she felt like was a part of her default setting. 

“ I’m fine.” She shrugged 

“ And therefore while I'm sorry to hear about his Uncle, and will do everything I humanely and possibly can to make sure he and the family are taken care of at the home. Outside of that , I have nothing else to offer or give. No desire to see him. To talk to him. Nothing.” 

“ Things can stay just as they are. Silent.” 

“ Dallas I hear you but—” 

“ Nory.” Dallas whined, knowing only her friend would be able to decode and hear the full message being communicated simply by calling her name.

Leave it alone. 

“ Fine.” Anora huffed, “ I understand and I’ll leave it be…for now.”

“ Thank you so much, sissy. I appreciate it.” Dallas softly beamed, smug in the way she was able to cease the unchargeable therapy session she’d just endured, picking up an already done cupcake from out of the trays, “ Orange Twist?! “ 

“ Now tell me, what time ya’ flight leaving out of here?” Anora took a delicious chunk from the desert, eyes cutting something serious as she muttered past her mouth full of sweet treat, “ Betty Crocker ass heifer.” 

“ Flight leaves from the Regional at 10pm tonight and it’s about a four hour nonstop all the way there, so I should get there around eight o’ clock their time. Since they are about three hours behind us.” 

“ I see.” Nory nodded, her lips flipping up into a bit of a half smile as she took a sip of water, “ And what did he say about your sudden need to come and pay a visit.” 

And naturally just like they were too school girls again, Dallas couldn’t stop herself from being infected by her friend’s gigglish behavior, “ Nothing much.” She coyly shrugged, “ If anything he welcomed it. Said they’d been needing some…time...themselves and even offered to pick me up from the airport.” 

“ OH?! “ Nory dramatically leaned to the side of her seat, “ We’re making offers of public appearance now? That’s new.” 

“ Could this possibly mean that these little visits have been more than what you actually say they are.” Nory pressed forward, “ What you over there holding out for?! You done told me everything else y’all do already….whore.” Her last remark sent the pair into a fit of laughs and howls as Dallas playfully shot Anora the bird, with a blown kiss being reciprocated. 

Grinning now with a mouth full of water, Dallas quickly waved her hands in denial before taking a gulp and going in, “ No. No. No. That isn’t what this is. At all.” She affirmed.

“ I don’t want any of that and neither does he, alright. We agreed on no strings and no hang ups.” 

“ Right..” Anora sighed, “ At least not of those kind of hang ups right?” 

“ Bit– Put another cupcake in there please. Before that mouth fuck around and write a check you can’t cash.” Dallas laughed. 

“ Oh I can cash the checks I write. In full too, thank you. Cause I’m a grown ass woman who can always fit my bill.” Anora huffed, “ The real question is can you? “ 

“ Always.” Dallas huffed back.

“ Prove it then.” Anora challenged, "Stay.”

Letting a small moment of silence swell between the friends, Dallas was the first to kiss her teeth and once again shift the topic, “ Anyway, so as we originally were discussing. My flight leaves at ten which means in the meantime I have to go and drop all of these off at Mr. Ducane’s, then to Elder Henley at the shelter, and a dozen of the orange twists to Miss Cheryl’s before I leave.” 

“ Awe I’m sure they’ll enjoy a nice sweet surprise like this one. Especially Miss Cheryl and Ava. Been meaning to go down there and pick out some flowers to be sent for Mr. Richmond to your place. Just haven’t gotten the chance yet. What did he always have planted in his yard? “ Anora questioned.

“ Begonias, right?”

“ Tulips.” Dallas corrected , “ He had white tulips planted there. It was in memoriam of Terry’s Aunt.”

“ Yeah.” Anora nodded, “ Mrs. Edith was a really sweet lady. My Kindergarten teacher. The literal best. Especially her Fun Fridays.”

“ Mmm. I remember that. I had Mrs. Rankin but I still remember when we’d combine classes and watch Bill Nye on Fridays at the mat. She was always super sweet for buying us little chips and stuff to have.”

“ Yeah. School system lost a gem when she passed.” Dallas added.

“ Right. Well I won’t hold you.” Anora shifted off the stool, “ I know you have errands to run before you leave and I have to go home. Lesson plan and apparently have a pie. So I’m out.”

“ Anora.” Dallas's tone playfully warned, while waving around a large spoon, " Make good choices."

“ Oh girl, I’m just joking.” She waved, “ Maybe.”

———

After Anora's departure, Dallas somehow managed to fit her entire bakery casing worth of desserts into her backseat before carefully driving around to all her desired destinations. First beginning with Kendrick Ducane, her father's previous second in command and her most trusted mentor who would have been devasted had he found out of her baking and he had not received a Dutch apple pie. Then to Elder Henley of the Women and Children's shelter so they might have something sweet to look forward during dinner. And finally she stepped out onto the parking lot of the Cherished Florals, a place she had worked during her adolescence under Cheryl Jones, the town's coveted flower lady.

Seeing as she knew the shop was near it's closing time, and Mrs. Cheryl was not doubt already in the back breaking down the drawer or readying the portable hosing units for last call drinks.

She wasn't surprised to find her former classmate, Ava, at the register with her head down as she began going over the order logs and books of the day.

Walking up, Dallas plopped the two boxes on the counter, startling the woman, " Jesus, Dallas. Speak much?"

" Hear much?" Dallas laughed, " Didn't you hear the bell on the door when I came in? Besides, I texted you that I was dropping these off here before I go out of town."

" Yeah, but I thought you'd be stopping by later after we close-close." Ava shrugged, fiddling with the black leather binder, " You're early."

" Maybe a little. But since I was out running errands and they went quicker than I thought. Here I am.“ Dallas explained, finally beginning to question the sudden demeanor coming from behind the counter, " Why you acting werid?”

“ I’m not.” Ava immediately countered, eyes quickly darting behind Dallas and then back to her narrowing expression.

“ You are though, Ava. Is everything alright? Mrs. Cheryl good? Does she need help in the back? I mean it's not problem I got a little bit of time to kill so I can he-"

" No seriously, D. Everything is fine. We've got it covered." Ava came around the counter just as her eyes flickered again behind the confused woman as she began trying to usher her out, " She's just wrapping something up and I don't know when she'll be finished. But I'll her know you dropped these off."

" Righttttt." Dallas nodded, a certain skepticism creeping in her bones as she tried to run over scenarios of what could've been the cause of Ava's peculiar behavior, " Well. Before I head out I wanted to order some flowers for Mr. Eddie Richmond's funeral. Do you guys have any white tulips? Or white hydrangeas?"

" Um, I'm not sure bu-"

" No worries. Mind if I just take a quick peek in the nursey. Won't be long. Besides I wanted to see how the sunflower seedlings are doing anyway." Dallas turned moving quicker toward the back of the store than Ava could anticipate.

As moved throughout the rows she could faintly hear Ava's voice from behind, " Dallas! Wait before you go back there. I'm not sure if they're ready to be seen yet. Maybe just wait a second before you--"

" Oh it's alright." Dallas called back over her shoulder, " Everything should be-

And just like that, Dallas had felt every single atom within her body seize on reflex. Barely any air passed through her lungs for those four seconds.

Because there standing in the flesh with a soft and skittish smile on his face was, Terrance Richmond, holding a tray of sunflower seedlings while Dallas silently prayed that this was all a sick dream she may have induced herself into at home sampling too many desserts.

But she knew it wasn't a dream since nothing to her felt, smelled, or sounded remotely sweet in this moment. Not even his voice as it rang out in the quiet of the room against the sound of her thumping heart as he simply said, " Hi."