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“It definitely wakes you up.” I shutter as a shiver runs through me. “But I think my feet are already going numb.”
“Well, you’re in luck because Dad and Darla just pulled up.” She smirks and stops short of calling me a pansy, even though I know that is what she is thinking.
“Being back here is exactly how I want to remember Mom,” Mandy says as we walk back up the hill to meet the rest of the family. “After cooling off here on a hot afternoon, we would take the Mustang to the Dairy Bar before heading home. I wonder if it’s still open?”
“Since we have the Mustang, I think we should find out after the service.” I pull her into my side and we walk stride for stride the rest of the way up to the big oak tree.
Ray starts out the informal ceremony by reminiscing about when they first moved out here from the city. He had grown up in Manhattan and had never imagined that he could be happy in a boring rural setting such as this. Now his concerns have shifted to whether or not he would be able handle the hustle and bustle of the big city again. He smiles and looks over at his in-laws. “Thank you for taking us in and being so good to us all of these years,” he says with utmost sincerity.
“You stop that talk,” Maggie’s oldest sister replies on the verge of tears. “You are all family and you would have done the same for us. Now lets talk about something happier, before I start crying again.”
“This was our favorite spot,” Mandy pipes up. “Mom and I came here a lot when I was little and I’m glad she wants us to spread her ashes here. There is no place I would rather come to visit her.”
After everyone takes their turn telling stories and offering memories it comes around to me. “I didn’t really know Maggie,” I admit. “But I’ve seen a different side of Mandy since I’ve been here. Between the clothes, the Mustang, this creek and seeing her around all of you, I have a real appreciation for where she comes from. It’s awesome.” I look into Mandy’s eyes and can see the tears that she is bravely holding back. “Thank you for making me feel welcome,” I add, looking over at Darla and Ray.
“You are welcome, son,” Ray says, nodding his head. “I do want to bring up one thing before we leave, however.” He closes his eyes momentarily as if he’s composing himself. “You might have noticed all those little orange flags on the way in.” Everyone nods their heads in unison, as we had all seen them. “Well, the Coomer brothers inherited this land from their great uncle last year and I hear they are dividing it up into a dozen different parcels for development.” He sighs and the small crowd grows silent except for a few gasps and moans.
I look over at Mandy who looks like she just went into shock. “When is this happening?” she asks following several seconds of silence. “You knew about this?” She walks toward her father.
“I just heard about it a couple weeks ago, but I didn’t have the heart to tell Maggie. They haven’t even finished surveying the lots yet, so it’s only in the early stages,” he explains calmly. “We can still spread her ashes down by the creek, honey.”
“I know, but it will never be the same.” She closes her eyes as tears burst from the corners of her eyes.
The look on her face just about breaks my heart. “Don’t worry about it,” I whisper, putting my arm around her. “I’ll figure something out.”
“But they obviously have plans to develop it. I’m sure they have already found some interest since they are going ahead with it,” she says through her tears.
“When I tell you not to worry. Don’t worry,” I reiterate, looking her directly in the eyes. “I will take care of it.”
“Everyone come over to the house for some lunch,” Ray tells everyone as they begin to shuffle about. “We’ve got a ton of food to eat up.”
“I still want to go to the Dairy Bar.” Mandy gives me a cute little look that I’m sure she gave her mom as a little girl.
“You’ve got it,” I agree, slowly turning to head back to the Mustang.
“Mom and I talked a while back,” Darla says, coming up to us as we get into the car. “You get all her jewelry and stuff, but Bill and I get the Mustang,” she declares with a somber look on her face. “Bill is really mechanical,” she adds, as if that justifies it.
Mandy doesn’t say a word, so I reply, “Okay, I’ll be careful with it then.” With that, I turn the key, slap it into gear and let out the clutch. She stands there with her hands on her hips tracking us as we drive around the oak tree and head back toward the driveway. “Hmm, maybe I don’t like Darla that much.”
