One Call Away

Friday afternoon arrived. It had been the longest week of Hailey’s life. She hadn’t eaten or slept much. The tension that Vicky brought to an already tense situation was unbelievable.

Helen dissolved into tears at one point. Steven, Vicky’s husband, had to take her outside, and they had a very loud discussion out in the backyard.

Birdie and George Robbins were shocked to see how Vicky was acting. She was acting like a prima donna, and no one quite understood what was happening.

Sophie, Ashley, and Hailey had always gotten along, and the two were able to keep Hailey sheltered from the comments and sneers.

Carter was doing his best to help with communications with Dan’s work and other friends since Hailey was so overwhelmed.

Carter sipped his and Dan’s favorite brand of bourbon as he watched the people mill around the large house.

Vicky pushed and pushed until Hailey gave in from being emotionally exhausted on having a reception after the service at the house. Birdie and Rita almost lost it on Vicky and Helen over their insistence on the party.

Birdie and Rita were glad that they would never really have to see the bitch anymore after the day.

“You okay, son?” George Robbins asked, resting a hand on his son’s shoulder.

“Sure,” he replied before taking another sip of the liquid to wet his throat. “If we can survive twenty-four more hours without bloodshed.”

Nodding his head in understanding, George said, “I can honestly say I have never seen two people act so viciously to another human at a funeral.”

“I know. Dan would be so pissed right now.”

“Do you want us to stay for the reading of the will tomorrow? We can wait in the living room just to make sure we don’t need backup,” George asked.

“I think that would be good, just in case,” Carter replied gratefully. “Thanks, Dad.”

Before anything else could be said, Candace came bounding up and threw herself into her grandfather’s arms with tears swimming in her eyes. “Hi, Papa! Hi, Daddy!”

George loved his oldest grandchild and hugged her tightly. “How are you, love? Are you doing okay with this?”

She nodded. “It’s just so sad! Look at Hailey; she looks so sad. I miss Uncle Dan already; I can’t imagine what she is feeling!”

Carter walked away to let them talk. He walked into Dan’s man cave, sat on one of the leather couches, and sighed.

“How are you holding up, Carter?” he heard and turned to see his ex-wife coming up. She sat next to him and put a hand on his leg.

“I’m okay.” He smiled weakly.

“You look like shit, so try again,” Megan said and took a sip of her water.

He chuckled. “I’m exhausted.”

“Birdie told me about the drama. I’m so sorry that you have to deal with that shit. And poor Hailey, I just can’t imagine.”

“Yeah, Vicky has been a complete bitch and just keeps riling Helen up. It’s a fucking mess, if I’m honest,” Carter explained.

Carter stopped and watched as Hailey walked past the doorway, hugging and talking to someone offering her condolences.

Megan watched him, then took another drink of her sparkling water.

“So when is everyone going home?”

“Sunday, except Ashley; she is staying the week.”

“So, still in love with Hailey?” Megan asked slyly.

Carter choked on his drink and coughed and sputtered. “What?!”

“You forget, Carter Robbins, that I have known you since we were nineteen years old. I know your looks and the way you look at Hailey—I know you are in love with her,” Megan said confidently.

“Fuck, can you just keep that to yourself? I had no idea that anyone knew.”

“Your secret is safe with me. Are you going to tell her or act on it?”

“Her husband—my best friend—just died, Megan. It’s not like I can ask her out for next weekend,” Carter hissed.

“I totally get that, and I feel for both of you. But you and I both know that Dan was an ass to her; she didn’t deserve the way he treated her. Hailey is a great lady, and if she makes you happy, then when you find the right moment, go for it!” Megan urged.

Carter looked at her. “How are we discussing this when you are my ex-wife?” Carter asked, chuckling.

“Because you are also one of my closest friends. We are adults, and I still love you. You gave me the greatest gift in the world—our daughter—and we had a great life together. We just grew apart.

“We both needed different things, and I found my new thing with Larry. You will find yours too—maybe with Hailey,” Megan said, then stood up. “I’m gonna go. I’ve got an early morning and a report to finish for Monday.”

Carter stood up and hugged her tightly. “Thanks for coming. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Anytime you need me, just give me a call. I’ll go say bye to your family and Hailey’s. Love you, Carter.”

“Love you too, Megan.” She kissed his cheek, then left the room to go back to the party.

Hailey was done. She wanted these people out of her house. She wanted to crawl into her bed and sleep—something she hadn’t had much of over the last four days.

She was bone-tired—the kind that doesn’t feel like it will ever leave you no matter how long you sleep. She couldn’t even remember how many of their friends had come up to her, hugged her, and given her their condolences. She just kept nodding her head and accepting the hugs and handshakes.

Ashley, Sophie, and Carter were right behind her the whole time at the funeral home receiving line, with Vicky and Helen next to her. She did her best to ignore them, but they just kept twisting the knife they had slipped in her back as soon as they stepped foot into the house Tuesday.

The people were slowly leaving, and Hailey was beyond grateful that her mom and Birdie insisted that a company cater the party and clean up so Hailey wouldn’t have to be responsible for it.

Helen and Vicky agreed reluctantly until Hailey said she would pay for it; then they were all for it. Hailey just wanted them to leave so she could be in her house in peace.

“Hailey?” a gentle voice called. She looked up to see Simon Hennesey next to her. “Are we still okay to do the will reading here tomorrow morning at eleven? Dan wanted everyone to be together when it was opened…”

She nodded. “That’s fine, Simon. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He squeezed her shoulder, then walked to the door. Carter watched the exchange and went up, rubbed the small of her back, and asked if she was okay.

“I just want a hot shower, a massive glass of wine, sleep,” she admitted and moved closer to him, feeling his warmth and breathing in his scent.

“Go up; everyone is almost gone. I’ll bring you a glass of wine,” Carter urged.

Hailey looked skeptical at his words, but as she heard Helen’s voice coming closer, she paled further and quickly walked to the stairs.

Birdie smiled sadly seeing the sweet woman, Hailey, run up the stairs. She also saw the look on her son’s face as he watched her walk away and wondered what was happening there.

Carter slipped into the kitchen, poured a large glass of Hailey’s favorite wine, slipped up the stairs to set the glass on the sink outside of the shower area, and went back downstairs.

An hour later, Vicky declared it was time for her and her mother to go since Hailey’s family had the cleanup well at hand. They left with the promise to be back for the reading; everyone could see the gleam in her eye like she was expecting something big.

“I am not ashamed to admit that I am so thankful to God that I won’t have to see those people anymore after tomorrow!” Rita hissed.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Birdie gritted out.

“They both are just such pieces of shit,” Ashley snarled.

“Amen!” Sophie yelled.

The two families wrapped up the few leftovers, then watched the catering company pack up and leave.

All five men had their ties and suit coats off and their shirts unbuttoned. Some had their sleeves rolled up. The ladies had taken off their heels and walked around in their silk hose.

“Well, I don’t know about y’all, but I’m heading to Carter’s and crawling into my pajamas. I’m beat!” Sophie said, yawning.

“Agreed. We’ll see you all tomorrow. We will all be here, just in case,” George said as he started hugging the ladies in Hailey’s family.

“Thank you for all your help. I can’t thank you enough for being here,” Max said, shaking Davis’ hand.

Carter wanted to check on Hailey, but he didn’t know how to say anything. Ashley saw his worry and hugged him, whispering, “I will check on her for you.”

He nodded gratefully and followed his family home, dreading tomorrow and what shit would hit the fan.