At age 65, Della decided to move.
She had spent forty-five wonderful years building a life and making a home with her husband Stanley in their quaint two-story brownstone, but with his passing, it seemed too big and too quiet. She weathered those lonely times with the support of her loving friends. She allowed herself to grieve, but in true Della fashion, she picked up the pieces of her broken heart and pressed forward.
The house sold quickly, for a tidy sum, and she moved in with her niece Korynn.
Korynn was her only surviving relative. She already lived nearby, and insisted that Della move in with her. She had been searching for a roommate, and would find none better than her dear Aunt Della.
Della, for her part, thrived in her new surroundings. She was still close to the many friends she & Stanley had made together, and she soon set out to make more. Della was the life of the party, and making friends came easily to her.
Korynn was more reserved than her aunt, and had only a few close friends. There were a few women at work that Korynn especially enjoyed visiting with. There was Pauline, whose husband was a retired carpenter, and Rita, whose partner worked in the accounting department. Sally, a young single mother, was a hardworking CNA who always had a smile on her face. They spent many long hours working together at the Avalon Terrace Community Hospital.
None of those ladies had ever met Della, but in some ways they felt like they knew her. Korynn's face always lit up when she talked about her best friend, their adventures together, and the upcoming cruise they had planned.
That cruise would never come.
Della's death came as a complete surprise to Korynn. She hadn't noticed any sign that her feisty aunt was wearing down, and she felt a twinge of guilt. Korynn was a nurse, after all; surely there must've been something she could've done. Now all that she could do for Della was live up to her example, and be strong.
Della had always been quite vocal about the way her affairs should be handled when the time came to 'send her off,' as she put it. Now, facing the reality of it all, Korynn felt that there was too much left unfinished, and she had no idea where to begin. She sobbed as memories, old and new, crashed upon her in waves.
There was a soft knock on the front door. She fought back her tears and opened it, and soon a flood of Della's friends were rallying around Korynn. They all knew how much she cared about their beloved Della.
Visitors came and went throughout the day, and Korynn drew comfort from their presence. The ladies from the country club, and the gentlemen who watched the ladies, could be heard singing Della's praises. They shared fond memories of the outgoing woman with a heart of gold. An occasional anecdote or tall tale would draw a hearty laugh from the crowd, and Korynn would smile in spite of herself. In the morning, she had an appointment at the funeral home, and the tears would return, but for now, she was thankful for the brief respite from her grief.
*************************************************
The funeral parlor was operated by Charles Greene, and his son Drew. They had known Della through a family friend, and Korynn had met them once or twice. She wasn't sure what to expect, but the men were helpful and compassionate, and Della had made most of the arrangements already. As she stood to leave, they suggested that she might speak with their grief counselor. She appreciated their offer, but declined, hoping that time and rest would help her cope with this loss.
Returning to the painful quietude of her home, she kicked off her shoes with a sigh. She wandered towards the old cordless handset on the kitchen counter, and checked her voicemails; more friends offering condolences, a telemarketer, and a call from Drew Greene. Some paperwork had been overlooked, and he was hoping to meet her at A.J.'s Cafe at 2 o'clock the next day, to complete them. She returned his call, and confirmed the appointment.
She arrived at the coffee shop early to order a cup of tea and gather some paperwork, and her composure. Drew was right on time. He ordered a coffee, and sat down across from her.
He stared at her for a moment, blowing on his coffee.
"I have a really odd request," he said.
"Okay....what is it?"
"I'd like you to close your eyes, just for a brief moment."
She hesitated but obliged.
"Now what," she asked.
"Take a deep breathe in, and let it out."
Korynn exhaled, and opened her eyes.
"Thank you," she said,"That was just what I needed."
"Good," he said,"although, some of the other customers were giving us strange looks."
He pulled the remaining documents out of a manila envelope. She read through them, and affixed her signature to each one. She was involved in her task, and Drew's voice startled her.
"Della always spoke warmly about you," he said.
Korynn smiled. "Della always spoke warmly of everyone," she replied.
He returned her smile, and an awkward silence ensued.
He cleared his throat.
"I ran into Della at Den's Market last month. She said something...surprising."
"Oh? What was that?"
"She asked me to look out for you."
Korynn was in shock. Had Della known that she was sick, and kept it from her?
They told each other everything. Was Della trying to shield her from the truth?
Drew broke into her thoughts again.
"Are you alright? I didn't mean to upset you-"
"I just don't know why she would ask that of you."
"I don't either," he said.
With their business concluded, they parted ways for the time being. Della's wake was to be held in two days, and Korynn had a lot of things to sort out physically, and emotionally, before that time came.
Korynn was exhausted, and she passed the night in dreamless slumber.
The next day, she was deluged with floral arrangements, and she was running out of room for them. She was holding a vase of white tulips in one hand, and a potted fern in the other, when the phone rang for the umpteenth time. She set them down on the crowded kitchen table, and answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Korynn? This is Drew. I was just calling to see how you're doing."
"Oh! Good morning! I'm knee deep in chrysanthemums at that moment, but given the circumstances I'm doing pretty well."
"At least you still have your sense of humor."
"I come by it naturally."
"Your aunt was a real card."
The doorbell rang.
"Drew, I don't mean to rush you off the phone, but there's someone at the door."
"Okay, but before you go, I wanted to ask if you'd have a casual dinner with me tonight."
Korynn was taken aback, but not in a bad way. She wasn't sure how to answer.
"Korynn, I'm sorry if I'm out of line by asking at such a sensitive time."
"Not at all. I enjoyed seeing you again, even under these circumstances."
Korynn knew that Della would've giggled in approval.
Although neither one could tell, they were both smiling on opposite ends of the phone, and those smiles were just the beginning.
