"Hailey!" I yelled at her as she continued to mop, swaying her hips side to side over the blaring salsa music. "Hailey!" I yelled again when she didn't hear me.
She was humming along as she helped me clean mom's loft the next day. Eventually, I gave up on yelling, tapping on her shoulder instead. She turned with a smile, grabbing my hands, and trying to make me dance with her. I wasn't in the mood though. There was a lot to get done before the service today. I shook my head at her, making her pout for a moment before she grabbed the stereo remote and muted it.
"What's up?" She co.cked her head to the side.
"I need to go get the flowers for today and take them to the funeral home as well as sign the release papers for mom's body. Do you want to come with me?" I bit at my cheek, hoping she would say yes. I didn't want to be alone.
"Of course!" She nodded, dropping the mop and giving me a big hug. "Let me clean myself off first."
Hailey and I ran around town for a while just getting what was needed. I signed the papers, avoiding looking at mom's body. It felt odd knowing that she was there, but not really there.
"I am sure you're tired of me asking, but are you okay?" Hailey turned to me as we entered the elevator.
I stared out at the hall seeing a familiar pair of broad shoulders. He turned, spotting me at the same time.
What's he doing here?
Leo was wearing a pair of khaki slacks, loafers and a baby blue button down that accentuated his beautiful eyes. His hair was tossed in a messy way, but you could tell it was done purposefully. He looked extremely handsome, and as his eyes landed on mine I felt almost exposed under his gaze. He arched a brow at me, recognizing me too, before the elevator doors closed.
"Earth to Olive!" Hailey waved her hand in front of my face.
"Sorry, Hails. I don't know how I am honestly. I am sad, overwhelmed, and all around numb. I hadn't spoken to her in 11 years and then we had this week, and now she's gone. It's killing me, but I know I'll be fine. I did fine when she left me the last time."
That last sentence sounded colder than I meant it to, but it was the truth. Mom had left me a while ago and I survived just fine without her. I know I'll be okay, just sad for now. Hailey stayed silent after that, until the elevator doors opened again.
"Liv!" I heard someone yell from behind us before we reached the exit doors.
I turned to find an out of breath Leo, making his way to us. He jogged over to Hailey and I, who just stared at him in surprise. He stood straight as he reached us, giving himself a moment to catch his breath before he spoke.
"I thought that was you." He smiled at me.
"So you just ran down because you thought it was me?" I raised a brow in amusement.
"Well, yeah." He chuckled nervously, scratching at the back of his neck. That seems to be his nervous habit. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"You ran down 3 flights of stairs to just make sure I was okay?" I was surprised by the effort he had put in. "You know, you have my number. You could have just called me."
"I like seeing and talking to you in person, so of course, I'll run down three flights of stairs to see you." His answer made me blush, and my heart swoon. It was sweet and I hadn't noticed he felt that way about me.
"What are you doing here anyway, Leo?"
"My dad's business wants to buy this hospital. I've been in charge of the company since his accident. I was touring the whole facility with a group. It's really boring." He sighed.
"It sounds important. Shouldn't you get back to it?" I raised a brow.
"Probably." He sighed, slumping his shoulders. "Can I get a hug from you to keep me going?"
I smirked at his request, rolling my eyes happily. I opened my arms towards him to show him my willingness. He grinned merrily as he wrapped his well toned arms around my waist, leaning down so that his face was in the crook of my neck. He kissed me there, surprising me with a rush of emotions I wasn't expecting. He stayed there a moment before pulling away.
"Thank you, Liv. Text Lucas and I when you're ready to spread your mom's ashes. We'll be there. I promise." He told me as he jogged away back to the group he had just run away from.
Honestly, I was surprised to see Leo or to hear that he was in charge of his dad's business like that. I didn't think about that kind of thing with his father passing away. I guess a lot of responsibility ended up falling on Leo's shoulders. I feel he's too young to be worried about this stuff. He seems to know what he's doing though, which makes me wonder how young these guys are when they are taught to run a business. How long had his father been grooming him to take his place before his accident?
"I like Leo. I think he's very sweet and very smitten with you." Hailey smiled at me as we walked towards the door again.
"I think I like him too." I admitted.
------
"Stop fidgeting, you look good." Hailey scolded me as I pulled at the collar of my black dress.
It felt like it was choking me, but maybe it's just the panic inside. I don't know how to do this. I have never held a wake before. Thankfully it wasn't one of my past experiences.
"Do you think they'll show?" I asked Hailey, worriedly.
"If they really were her close friends, then yes, they'll show." She nodded.
Surely enough people began to emerge out of the woodwork. They introduced themselves to me with sad smiles as they entered. The room was small with a few chairs for us to sit and view mom, who I had dressed in a white sundress I'd found in her closet. She looked stunning with her makeup on. You would think she had just fallen asleep.
As everyone arrived and greeted one another, I thanked them all for coming and asked if there were any memories of mom that they wanted to share. It didn't take long for someone to volunteer knowledge of her.
"Some of you already know me, and some are new faces. I'm Linda. I was Abi's first friend in New York about a decade ago now. Abi looked so scared when I first laid eyes on her. She had just arrived from New Hampshire and had no idea what she was doing. After getting to know her and seeing her stay at the homeless shelter I volunteer at, I offered for her to stay with me. She and I bought the loft she lives in together. She collected her life, going back to college and investing her money well. She bought my half of the loft from me when she got tired of my shit." Linda laughed along with a few others, who must know her well. "To Abi!" She raised her glass of water.
"To Abi." Everyone joined.
People continued to go up and talk about mom. She volunteered a lot, mainly at the women's shelter. She ran charities, was very smart and apparently funny. Mom was loved by every friend here, not a single one of them had a complaint about her. I felt oddly proud, but also jealous that she flourished so well without me. I was her daughter and I doubt any of them knew about me when they first met her. I wonder how long she waited before telling them about me.
"She helped me get out of my abusive relationship. She'd been through it before, and she knew how to help. She told me the right words to keep me from returning. I've lived outside that man's cage for 5 years all thanks to this woman." The woman gestured to mom. I think her name was Penny. "I can't express how much I needed her at that moment. It hurt me to see her hurting over her daughter." Her eyes landed on me.
Things continued on like that for a while. Sob stories, funny stories, touching stories. They are all beautiful, and I was hugged and kissed goodbye as they all left when mom was taken to the crematorium. A few promised to come visit me at mom's loft, and one even lived in the same building.
"That went well." Hailey smiled at me, hugging me again.
Hearing all those stories, seeing the life that mom had lived these past few years, had helped me start to heal. I felt a sort of bittersweet feeling in my chest.
"Yeah, it did." I nodded. I jumped when I heard my phone buzz on the table, breaking the silence. Hailey and I both giggled at me.
Lucas: We're headed to the spot now. We'll wait for you here. We didn't want to cramp on the wake. It felt more like something for you and your mom's friends to share.
Lucas' text made me feel even better. I was really feeling all the love from everyone.
Olive: Thanks, we'll be up there soon.
Thank you for everything, mom.