Gerri Hill - One Summer Night

Kelly kissed her palm, then wiped her tears away.

154

Chapter Twenty-One

The whole day was a blur to Jo. Friends came and went.

Betsy took off work and stayed with her. Jo called the same funeral home they had used when Beth died. The reality of Harry's death hit hard. She started crying, and Betsy took the phone from her and talked to the funeral director, finishing the arrangements. The funeral would be Wednesday.

"You've got to pick out a casket," Betsy said gently.

Jo nodded.

"Janis and I could do that for you, honey," Betsy offered.

"Would you really?” She knew she should have the strength to do this herself, but she just didn't.

"Yes. Don't worry about it, okay. We'll take care of it."

155

"I love you guys," she whispered.

Kelly came over at three, after her last class. She walked in, unmindful of the others there and took Jo in her arms.

"How are you holding up?" she said into her ear.

"Not too good," she admitted, though she felt better now that Kelly had arrived.

Kay came by after work, as did Deb, and Jo was touched.

Everyone seemed to think that she would be in the mood to eat, as they all brought something.

"You need to eat something," Betsy insisted.

"I'm not really hungry," Jo said.

"Of course you're not, but you've got to eat.” She went into the kitchen to make her a plate, and Jo looked wearily at Kelly.

"They're just trying to help," she said.

Jo nodded. "I know."

"Do you want everyone to leave?"

"I don't want you to leave," Jo said.

"No. I’m not leaving you," she whispered.

Jo forced down nearly half of what Betsy had piled on her plate and soon everyone was leaving.

"I'll come by tomorrow," Betsy said at the door.

"No. I'll be fine," Jo insisted.

"I'll be with her, Betsy," Kelly said.

"You will?" Jo asked, surprised. She had not expected her to miss school.

"I've cleared it with Susan."

When they were alone, Jo settled on the sofa and laid her head back.

"What can I get you?" Kelly asked.

"A drink," she said. "Strong."

"Coming right up."

Jo closed her eyes, thankful for the friends who had come today. They had meant well, even if it was exhausting 156

for her. The only one she really wanted was Kelly, and she was here now, without question. Tomorrow would be difficult, probably more so than Wednesday. Tomorrow, she would say good-bye to Harry in private, at the lake.

"Here you go," Kelly said, handing her the drink.

"Thanks. And thanks for tomorrow, too."

Kelly looked at her with soft brown eyes, then took her hand and held it gently. "You've never told me about him.”

Jo closed her eyes and laid her head back. "I never knew my father. He left before I was born," she said. "Though Harry was never a father. He spoiled me too much for that.”

She smiled.

"My mother was killed when I was twelve and I went to live with Harry and Beth. Whatever Beth said I couldn't do, Harry said I could."

"You've always called them by their first names?"

"Yes, as long as I can remember. Harry said it made him old before his time to call him grandfather. I think Beth preferred the more formal name, though I seldom called her that."

"What happened to your mother?" she asked.

"Car accident.” Jo looked at her then. "She was an elementary school teacher."

"So you followed in her footsteps?"

"I think that's the main reason I became a teacher. I needed to connect to her, somehow. That seemed the only way. I hated it at first, though it sort of grew on me."

"You must be good," Kelly said.

Jo laughed. "I don't know. I sometimes think my classes are so very boring."

"Well, English. What do you expect?" Kelly teased.

Jo smiled at her and took her hand. "Thank you for being here."

"I want to take care of you," Kelly said softly.

157

Jo brought her hand up and kissed it. "Harry has been telling me for the last few months that I needed somebody.

I told him that I was fine being alone.” She shook her head.

"But I was wrong."

"Do you want me to stay the night?" Kelly asked.

"What about your friend?"

"She left today."

Jo nodded. "Yes. I want you to stay with me. But only if you want to. Not because you feel you have to."

"I want to be with you. I like waking up with you," Kelly said softly.

Jo looked into her eyes and was frightened by what she saw there. Kelly didn't try to hide her feelings and Jo quickly looked away. She wasn't ready for that.

"I'm sorry," Kelly whispered. "Come here,” and she pulled Jo into her arms.

Jo rested her head on Kelly's shoulder and closed her eyes. It would be so easy to love her, she thought. But she couldn't allow it. Not yet.

They went to bed a short time later. Jo closed her eyes, her hand curled around Kelly's breast, and felt safe. Kelly held her until she fell asleep.

158

Chapter Twenty-Two

They had a casserole for breakfast, one of the three that was in her refrigerator, and ate out on the deck, enjoying the warm November weather. It was another clear day, the sky blue and cloudless. They watched Bull Creek rush by as they ate in silence.

They had slept late, nearly until eight. Jo was still in Kelly's arms when the sun woke her, and she had watched for long moments while Kelly still slept. They had slept naked but they had not made love during the night, just like they had not the night before. As much as Jo wanted her, as much as she was attracted to her, she also just needed Kelly to be there for her. And Kelly was. Kelly seemed perfectly content to hold her during the night. Jo was convinced that what Kelly felt for her was more than just 159

sexual attraction and it scared her. Maybe if they had made love, she could have believed it was all just physical, that Kelly was only hanging around for sex. But Kelly hadn't even tried. She had simply held Jo until she fell asleep and had still been holding her when she woke up. Jo didn't know which frightened her more.

"I think I want to take the boat out today, if that's okay,"

Jo said.

"Sure. Whatever you want."

"Harry loved the lake."

"Would you rather be alone out there, Jo?"

"No. I want you with me," she answered.

Kelly nodded and took their plates inside, leaving Jo alone with her thoughts.

By ten, Jo was pulling into Harry’s driveway, where she parked in her usual spot and turned off the engine. Kelly said nothing as Jo stared at his house for a long moment before getting out.

They went inside, and Jo left Kelly in the living room while she went into Harry's bedroom to find his suit. As she walked in, she was overwhelmed with memories of him. His bed was still unmade. She swallowed back tears as she touched his pillow and smoothed the quilt that Beth had stitched. His dresser was cluttered with his personal things, his watch, change from his pockets, his keys. Her eyes flew around the room, picturing him there, going about his everyday business. She couldn't believe that he would never again walk in here, never again call her Jo-Jo.

She sat down on his bed and cried, her head in her hands. She should have seen him more. She should have been with him that morning.

160

Kelly heard her crying and walked into the room.

"Jo?"

"I should have been here. I could have helped him," she cried.

"Don't do this," Kelly said and sat down beside her. She put her arm around Jo and pulled her close. "You're not to blame, honey," she said gently. "He had a long, healthy life.

He was happy out here, and now, as you said, he's gone to join his Beth."

"I know," she whispered. "You're right.” She sat up and wiped her tears. "I'm sorry."