The Right Call by Kathy Herman

Author:Kathy Herman [Herman, Kathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Mystery & Detective, Women Sleuths, Crime, Christian
ISBN: 9781434767844
Google: vVM0OgM4El4C
Amazon: B0045JL8EO
Publisher: David C Cook
Published: 2010-02-28T18:30:00+00:00

Ethan stood at his cousin’s casket and stared at the young man, who looked asleep. If it were possible for a dead person to look good, Drew did. Somehow the mortician had managed to get his coloring right—so much so that Ethan was tempted to shake him and wake him up.

Ethan felt a hand squeeze his shoulder, and then he heard his dad’s voice.

“People have started to arrive,” Tom said softly. “Would you like a few more minutes?”

“No. I’m okay, Dad.”

Ethan took comfort in his father’s touch for a moment longer, then walked over and stood next to his mother, prepared to help greet those who shared their grief.

Uncle Richard and Aunt Becca, eyes red rimmed and voices quivering, hugged the first arrivals and spoke quietly.

Ethan shuffled from one foot to the other, not quite knowing what to do with his hands. Why did he feel so confused? Part of him wanted to curl up and weep, and part of him wanted to pick up the ceramic vases in the room and smash them against the wall.

He shook hands with a white-haired man wearing thick glasses who introduced himself as Hayford Slocum. He watched the man’s mouth move but didn’t hear a word he was saying. Mr. Slocum patted Ethan on the shoulder and then moved on to his dad.

Martha Slocum hugged Ethan and said she had been his Sunday-school teacher when he and Drew were preschoolers. Her tears were as real as the scent of perfume that thickened the air around them.

More consolers came and went, but Mrs. Slocum’s scent remained for quite some time.

Ethan was pleasantly surprised at how comforting it was to hear others who had known Drew share their fondest memory. At times the laughter was almost healing and, for a moment, he forgot where he was and what they were doing. Until Vanessa showed up.

Ethan went over to her, took her by the hand, and led her to Drew’s casket, nervous about how she would react.

She stood silent for a long time, seemingly studying Drew’s face. “I was dreading this,” she said. “But he looks so much better now. I’m glad I saw him.”

“Yeah, he really looks like Drew.” Ethan took a clean handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped the tears off her cheeks. “I wasn’t expecting that either.”

“I can’t believe the line of people,” she said. “Did you get started late?”

“No, hundreds of people showed. It’s amazing. What did you do with Carter?”

“Emily has him outside. So how are you holding up?”

He brushed the hair off her wet cheek. “Better than I thought I would. I haven’t been to many of these. I guess I didn’t realize how comforting it would be.”

“It sure was when my grandparents died,” Vanessa said. “I’ll never forget how special it was that all those people came out to pay their respects.”

“Speaking of that, I probably should go back and stand with my folks.”

“Go ahead,” Vanessa said. “I’m fine. By the way, is your uncle Ralph coming?”

Ethan shook his head.

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