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I sat down beside her. “Where’s Khloe?”
“She fell asleep watching Moana. I’m trying to get up the nerve to make the first call.”
I placed my hand on her shoulder. “I know how hard it is to say the words. I promise it gets easier as you go.”
“I don’t know how you did this all by yourself.”
“I did everything by myself growing up. It was normal for me.”
She turned to face me. “I don’t ever want you to feel alone again. You are a part of our family, and we will always be here for you.”
I smiled. “The same goes for you, too. I’m always here whenever you guys need me.”
“I guess I need to get started.” She flipped through the pages aimlessly. “I don’t know who to call first.”
“Start with the people closest to you. Tim’s parents, your parents, or any brothers or sisters he might have.”
“That’s easy. Both of our parents passed away a long time ago, and we don’t have any siblings. It was really just the five of us for so long.”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she accepted the fact that their family was no longer a party of five.
“That’s okay. You guys will be the fearless foursome, now.”
She smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek. “I like that.”
“But you make us five, again.” Tanner sat down across from us at the table. “So, who are we calling?”
I smiled at him, thankful that he was able to put everything aside to help his mother.
“Well, I guess I should start with Steve and Howard. Then the Danielsons, next door.”
“Can I ask what Tim’s wishes were, for the funeral service?”
“He wanted to be cremated,” Tanner replied quietly.
“We will have a wake with the viewing. We felt like it would be best for Khloe to see him one last time.”
I nodded in agreement. “And then the cremation. You’ll be keeping his ashes?”
They both nodded.
“Why don’t you start there? This way, when you call people, you have the dates and times ready for them.”
“Good idea,” Beverly said. Her hand shook as she picked up her phone to dial.
Tanner and I began making a list of people to call. While Beverly was on the phone, Khloe stumbled out of the living room.
“Merry, you’re still here.” She crawled into my lap.
“How was Moana?” I kissed her head as I wrapped my arms around her tiny body.
“I felt sad watching it without daddy.”
“Me, too,” Tanner agreed.
“That will happen sometimes,” I said, rocking her gently in my arms. “You will remember all of the fun times you had together, and that can make you sad because you miss him. It’s okay to feel sad and miss him.”
“Do you know what I do when I get sad?” she asked. “I imagine him having fun with your dad in Heaven. I think he’s having a good time up there.”
