Set against the backdrop of the 2020 Covid-19 outbreak, a young woman, Gravely Eaton, is stuck working at the family funeral home with a father she hates. The world is dying around her, but there seems no escape from her boring life with no friend...
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I hoped Healy was still at the meat plant doing what he had to do to quit, and that he'd be happy for the pick-up. Justin was back on the clock, taxi-wise, and I insisted he keep his meter running while we waited outside the City Meats front gate. To pass the time, he called his wife and chatted about family matters. I called uncle Mitch to catch up. Mitch had no idea that I'd stumbled into a boy-girl relationship, so I wanted to let him know that I was okay. As we spoke, I dropped a hint about my new boyfriend. I simply told him I might be unavailable for the next few days due to social responsibilities.
"Let me guess," was his comeback. "You found a guy."
"Well maybe," I hemmed and hawed through a smile.
Always supportive, uncle Mitch understood and we left it at that. He didn't need to know details about my private affairs unless I asked for his two-cents worth, and he never pried. Mitch was the best!
After I wrapped up the call to my uncle, Justin asked me something straight out, with his cell phone still glued his ear.
"Miss Gravely. My wife Indira is very confused. She wants to know, why we are waiting for your boyfriend since you gave the impression we were following your stalker in the black van this morning," he said.
I answered the question directly and simply. "Different stalker."
Justin called into his phone. "Stop asking silly questions. These days, a girl can have as many stalkers as she wants. I'll see you for dinner." With that, Justin winked at me and put his phone away.
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Healy finally came through the gate with a pack slung over his shoulder. I spotted him and sent Justin into action. As Healy neared us, Justin jumped out of the car and opened the back door, effectively blocking my boyfriend's path.
"Mister Healy I presume?" he said.
Healy was confused for a second until he spotted me in the back seat, smiling just a little too broadly.
"Ta da!" I said. "Thought I'd save you a bus ride."
Justin bowed courteously and Healy nodded, obviously impressed. Justin took the pack and put it on the front seat. "Go, go, go," he gently encouraged Healy until my man slid onto the seat beside me. Our driver assumed his position behind the wheel. Justin started the car, but before we pulled away, he adjusted his rear-view mirror and smiled at me.
