Page 6 of A Wild Darkness

“That must have exposed you to death…or the dead often while you were growing up,” she presumes, trying to make casual conversation although it’s not needed. “I’m sure that must’ve been difficult.”

Also common with families I work with is their desire to get to know me. I like to speculate it’s because I’m providing support to them during a vulnerable time. Similar to when a patient bonds with their doctor.

“That is correct. But it’s also given me the ability to do this job.”

She gives me a weak smile, and before she can continue speaking, Kristine appears in the doorway. “Oh, Shelly, this is Kristine, my assistant.”

Kristine shuffles into the room, additional paperwork under her arm. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Branson. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” Shelly replies.

Kristine takes the spot on the opposite side of the table.

Shelly pauses for a beat, then speaks. “I’m so glad we found you. I can tell Nevermore is going to be a good fit for us.”

“That’s great to hear,” Kristine replies. “We will take good care of your family.”

I lean across the table and give Shelly’s hand a squeeze. “I’m going to let Kristine finish up with anything that wasn’t decided on previously.” Then I stand. “We’ll be in touch soon.”

“Thank you, Stevie.” Shelly’s lower lip quivers.

I leave the room to give Kristine and Mrs. Branson time to go over the details.

Walking into my office, I head to the black velvet couch under the large bay window and open my laptop to start going through the emails for the day, when I remember my sister and I haven’t finalized plans for dinner tonight.

We’re meeting our father for dinner. We were supposed to celebrate my deceased mother’s birthday next weekend, but my sister Lux and her boyfriend are leaving for the South of France for six weeks in a couple of days. My dad knows little about River, her new boyfriend, but just enough to know he owns Thompson Innovations and worships the ground my sister walks on. He insisted we move the dinner to tonight, and if I don’t call Lux now, I’ll get caught up in work and the day will slip by me.

Placing a pillow on my lap, I get cozy and call my sister.

“Hey!” she answers right away.

“Hi, where are we meeting Dad for dinner tonight for Mom’s birthday?”

“Hmm…” she thinks aloud. “Maybe we could just go to Third on 3rd, Dad’s go-to spot?”

It doesn’t matter what I choose—what Lux wants is usually the same as my dad. She’s always been more like him than I have. The two have always been close, especially now that we’re older and because of my sister’s career choice.

After our mom died when Lux and I were young, my dad—being an overworked homicide detective—did his best to raise us, but he often brought work home with him. Not only emotionally, but the case files he was investigating took up a permanent space on our kitchen table. My sister turned that exposure into becoming a crime writer, whereas I developed a very complicated relationship with death.

Sure, it’s inevitable—we all die at some point. But I think being a mortician brings me close to it, creating a kind of fake control over it. Like walking to the edge of a cliff, without actually jumping off.

“I’m down for whatever,” I say.

“Sounds good. Let’s do that then,” she replies. “Oh, and when are you going to visit me at Thompson Manor again?”

My ears perked up remembering who else lives at Thompson Manor with my sister, her billionaire boyfriend River, his aunt—and River’s cousin Sebastian. Sebastian and I did nothing but get under each other’s skin the entire time. He’s untrusting and didn’t like me in his space, while I quickly grew irritated with his cocky nature and sarcastic comments.

“I was just there a couple of weeks ago.” With my laptop in one hand and the phone in the other, I head over to my desk while my sister chats.

“It feels like it’s been longer,” she coyly asks, as if Sebastian and I didn’t annoy the shit out of each other during the short time I stayed at their manor.

“We haven’t lived together since college. Why do you suddenly miss me?” I play it cautiously.

“I don’t know. Maybe because it was nice having you around all the time before,” she says.

I chuckle. “Aren’t you leaving for a month, though?”

“Yeah, but what about when I come back? Maybe you can join us for another family dinner again?”