Except For Grace by Terry Fowler

Author:Terry Fowler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-09-12T00:00:00+00:00

Eleven

Kim had just finished writing up a customer’s purchase when the phone rang. “Eclectics. How may I help you?”

“Hi, it’s Mari. I wanted to let you know Mrs. Allene died this morning.”

Kim felt a knot grow in her throat. “How’s Maggie doing?”

“She was with Mrs. Allene. She said she had pretty much slipped into a coma. She didn’t think she suffered. She said Mrs. Allene drew one deep breath and passed from this world.”

“Where is Maggie now?”

“At her house. She said Dillon Rogers went to the attorney’s office to pick up the will. She tried to tell him Mrs. Allene had told her what she wanted for her funeral, but he wouldn’t listen. He said they’d talk after he saw the will.”

“Why is he being such a jerk?”

“He’s grieving, too.”

Kim had her own opinion about the man after what Maggie had told her. He’d flown in at mid-morning Tuesday, and from the moment he’d shown up at the house in his rental car he’d treated Maggie like hired help rather than Mrs. Allene’s friend.

“I asked Joe about tonight’s practice, and he said we should go ahead,” Mari said.

“You think everyone will be up to it?”

“We’ll miss Mrs. Allene a great deal, but everyone has an investment in the play, too. I feel we should honor Mrs. Allene by forging ahead. Joe agrees.”

“I’ll be there. I’ll probably take a few minutes this afternoon to run by and see Maggie. You want to go with me?”

“Joe and I are going over later this morning.”

“What about food?”

“I’m sure the bereavement committee will want to take a meal over to Mr. Rogers tonight.”

“You think he’ll accept?”

“I pray he’s not difficult about accepting the meals or the funeral arrangements. Mrs. Allene has been part of Cornerstone all her life. It would be very cruel of him not to allow us to be involved in the services. Joe plans to go over there after Mr. Rogers gets back from the lawyer’s office.”

“I can’t believe he wouldn’t listen to Maggie.”

Later that afternoon Kim left the store in the hands of her assistant and went over to Maggie’s. Kim noted her red eyes as she hugged her friend. “I’m sorry. I know how much you loved Mrs. Allene.”

“I’ll miss her.”

“We all will. What can I do to help?”

“You’ve helped just by being here.”

“You want to come over to the condo and spend the night? Or I could stay here if you want.”

“I’m okay. Mari said you’re having practice tonight.”

“Do you think we shouldn’t?”

“Of course not,” Maggie declared. “Mrs. Allene was thrilled about the Easter program. She always asked how things were going before she got so sick.”

Kim stayed with Maggie until it was almost time to leave for church. She called the store and learned Wyatt had phoned. She dialed the number he’d left. “Hi. Ruby said you called.”

“I wondered if you could pick up Chase. I have to finish some cabinets for delivery tomorrow. I’ll probably end up working all night.”

“I’m at Maggie’s. Mrs. Allene died this morning.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.