Book 3- Annie Adams-College Years

Annie Adams-College years

                                                                                        Chapter 40

                                                                                          Surprises

     The following Monday after seeing Lilah Stevens, the aged up likeness of "Ponytail" was delivered to the Waterbury Sheriff's Department.  And after Beth's husband, deputy Eric made multiple copies of the flyer, Cela, Dee, Eleanor and Sydney got busy hanging them in stores, business and on telephone posts all over town; everyone involved with Derby's case, hoping that someone would come forward to identify the man's picture.

     Len had gone to see Pastor Murphy the previous Wednesday about officiating Derby's funeral.  As Len had expected, the pastor said he would be honored to do it.  Then Len called Lilah Stevens and asked if she could meet with him and Pastor Murphy the following Monday to discuss the funeral arrangements.

     She agreed, so Len gave her directions to he and Annie's apartment house, where Pastor Murphy would meet them in a hour's time at ten o'clock that morning.  Lilah Arrived wearing a tartan plaid skirt and white blouse under a long camel brown coat.  Pastor Murphy arrived a few minutes after garbed in tan slacks, blue button down shirt and a navy blue vest.  He wore his usual black long coat.   When the two old friends saw each other they immediately embraced and tears flooded their eyes; partly from the joy of seeing each other again after so many years, and partly because of the sad situation which brought them together again.

     Annie, dressed in her signature blue jeans and a long sleeved burnt orange tee shirt, was sitting on the sofa under the living room window.  She rose to hug Pastor Murphy as he came in and to shake Lilah's hand with both of her own.  Her twins, Noah and Sara were not sitting in their bouncy seats that day, for Aunt Beth had taken them for a few hours so their parents could have a quiet time with their guests.

     "Annie, this is Lilah Stevens, Lilah, this is my wife Annie Adams Summers,"  Len said with a proud grin at his wife.  He hadn't changed out of his brown sheriff's uniform when he came home from work. "So nice to meet you," the two ladies said at the same time.  Then they laughed heartily.  Annie and Len then ushered Pastor Murphy and Lilah to the sofa on the other side of the coffee table, and they sat down on the other.  Father Murphy took out a book size note book from his coat pocket and a pen, then laid his coat over the sofa arm.

     Annie had put out a pitcher of lemonade along with several small glasses and a plate of oatmeal cookies for her guests.  When they were seated, she said, "Help your selves."  Then Annie looked up and gave Lilah another smile, "So, I presume since your last name is still Stevens," Annie started, "that you have never married."  Lilah smiled back at her and said,  "That's right.  I've been close to it a couple of times, but I just couldn't find anyone that could measure up to Derby."  "He must have been a wonderful man," Annie said.

     "He was.  His loss still hurts," Lilah admitted, as her eyes begin to tear.  Annie quickly handed her a tissue from the box on the coffee table, and regretted her question.  "Thank you," Lilah said, wiping her eyes.  Then she sniffed once and said, "But through the grace of God I have made a good like for myself.  I have my church family, my egg business, my volunteering at the local homeless shelter, and my gardening club."

     "It sounds like you lead a full life," Annie told her with a grin.  "I do. and I'm very grateful for it.  Pastor Murphy suddenly cleared his throat and asked Lilah, "Have you thought about what you'd like to do for Derby's service?"  "Yes," Lilah answered.  "I'd like to have the service at your church Pastor.  If that's okay with you."