I was surprised to see
my boss’s car this morning. Her husband, Alan, had been in the hospital with
complications due to heart surgery, and usually she spent the mornings with
him. I told myself that it was because he was doing well but I don’t know if I
really believed that to be true. I made up a happy little story about how he was
discharged and would be inside watching TV and playing with his cat (Fat Cat as
we like to call her, though her name is Molly).
But he wasn’t and he won’t.
I got my morning coffee;
Penelope always leaves me enough for one cup. I wasn’t a big fan of her coffee
at first; I prefer the kind that puts hair on your chest. Her coffee has been growing
on me though, it’s really quite flavorful and with just a little sugar and a
drop of cream its perfect way to start the day.
I went upstairs, turned
on my computer, sat down, and looked out the window savoring the first few sips
while the computer warmed up.
An email from Mark?
He
once had my job as Penelope’s assistant. I haven’t spoken to him much but
Penelope can’t find anything bad to say about him. I love when I open a file
and see that he was the last one to touch it because I know it will be right.
I read the first
sentence a couple times. “I’m so sorry to hear about Alan’s passing.” He couldn’t
be right, I clicked on another email, Katie– “I am so very sorry.” Then I saw
it, the email from Penelope and I couldn’t make up any more excuses.
“All,
My husband, Alan -, passed away peacefully this
morning with his family and friends at his bedside. Thank you all for your
prayers and kind thoughts. He is with the angels.
Penelope”
I can hear her
downstairs right now. She seems so put together when we discussed business, but
then choosing a picture of her Alan for the church, and all her composer is
gone.
I really liked Alan.
He and Penelope were
always so perfect together.
I have four memories of
Alan and I guess that is all I will ever have.
One: He is a heavy
sleeper and the couch downstairs in the living room was his favorite place to
take afternoon/evening naps. He wouldn't even move as I opened the door to leave for the day.
Two: Molly is an angry
cat and won’t let anyone touch her, unless it was Alan, then she would purr
like a kitten.
Three: The first cold,
rainy day of fall. He liked to have chili on the cold days. As I was going to
leave, we stopped and talked for a bit. Penelope was at a conference so he
would be eating his chili alone tonight. We talked about traveling; about how
my mom had to sign a legal document saying that my father could take me out of
the country but not so when he took his daughter. He invited me to have chili
with him but I had friends waiting so we said good bye.
Four: My last memory.
He would be having surgery the next day. The last words he said to me were “see
you in five days,” I said, “good luck.”
I felt that this would
take longer to write. The service is Saturday.
