Same Old Truths Read Online Free

dealing with matters right in front of her. In this moment a family was counting on her to help them arrange a fitting celebration of their dying-mother’s life.
    Kay raised her head, turned off the car and took some slow, deep breaths. As soon as the brick on her chest finally dissolved, she got out of the car and headed toward the employee entrance, head held high as if nothing in her world had changed.

3
    The Black Dahlia
     
    “Kay, just a reminder your appointment at the McNab’s is at 9:30,” Ruth announced over the office intercom.
    Ruth Linton was the office manager and receptionist at Salinger’s Mortuary, positions she had proudly held for over twenty-five years. Her soft, grandmotherly appearance and demeanor were perfect for easing the fear and discomfort that usually came with being in a mortuary for the first time. But as often is the case, looks were deceiving. Ruth was tough-as-nails and Ed Salinger implicitly trusted her with the day to day operation of the business.
    “Thank you, Ruth. I was just getting my paperwork together.” Kay replied.
    She panicked for a split second when she couldn’t find the file folder marked “Emily McNab” she had pulled from the file cabinet on Friday afternoon. She was still a little rattled from her upsetting drive and wasn’t thinking all that clearly. There it was, right where she’d left it, in her In-box desk tray.
    Mrs. McNab had been battling leukemia off and on for the last six years and even though she was currently in remission, she decided it was time to get her affairs in order. During the call to set the appointment she’d said to Kay, “my mother did this for me, and it was a true blessing. I want to do the same for my family.” She told Kay that with everything they’d gone through over the years, she didn’t want her family burdened with the difficult task of arranging her funeral after she was gone.
    Today, Kay was paying a visit to the McNab home at Emily’s request. Kay had done hundreds of pre-arrangements, typically for people who were healthy and just, smartly, planning ahead. Providing these services to families who knew death might be lurking right around the corner was another thing all together. It’s what made her job so special. It was like being asked to come along on a very important journey and then trusted to handle intimate details of the trip. As emotionally daunting as it was, for everyone concerned, the sense of relief, peace and lightness that filled the room at the conclusion of the meeting was really a wonder to behold. The gratitude expressed by family members taught Kay what it was to feel truly humble.
    With a quick double-check of the file to make sure she had all the necessary papers and forms, she grabbed her keys and let Ruth know she was leaving.
    * * *
    Two and a half hours later Kay was back in the office treating herself to her first cup of coffee of the day. It was her own little private celebration in honor of everything going so smoothly with the McNab’s. She was bringing the cup to her mouth, taking in the delicious aroma, relishing the anticipation of its hot, full-bodied richness when the buzz of the intercom made her jump, causing her to scald her lips and dribble coffee down the front of her blouse. “Crap,” Kay muttered as she carefully put the steaming cup back down on the desk.
    “Yes?” Kay answered, blotting the wet mess from her blouse with the closest thing she could find - a crumpled-up Kleenex hastily pulled out of her wastebasket.
    “Kay, Mrs. Burleigh is here and she’d like to see you.” Ruth said. “Are you free?”
    Kay looked longingly at the cup of coffee getting colder with each passing moment. “Is it the usual?” Kay groaned, knowing Ruth understood what she meant.
    “That’s correct,” Ruth said in that telephone code meant to sound professional but really intended to keep the other person from knowing they’re being talked about in front of their backs.
    “Aw,