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He smiled at her and laughed a little. “I know that now, yes. It happens with every book. I know I just have to keep plugging along.”
“That sounds hard,” Sophie said. “You’re such a talented writer. Do you enjoy it while you are doing it?”
“Oh, I love it. It’s just this middle stretch that isn’t as fun. Once I get through it, then it’s like skiing downhill and I’m all excited again and type as fast as I can to keep up with my thoughts. It’s a real rush at that point.” Sophie could see how much he loved it. She envied him a little that he got to do what he truly loved for a living.
Later that night before they headed to bed, Aunt Penny was in a contemplative mood. She sipped her chamomile tea and smiled at Sophie.
“It’s been really lovely having you here dear. Thanks for keeping an old woman company.”
“I’ve loved being here, Aunt Penny. And you’ve never seemed like an old woman to me,” Sophie assured her.
“You make me feel young again. I think you’re close to finding your passion. Don’t be afraid to make the jump and really go for it. Follow your heart, in business, and in life. It goes by too quickly, and you don’t want to have any regrets.”
It was good advice and Sophie knew it. “I will, I promise. I think I want to explore the real estate industry more. I’m just not sure what my role should be.”
“You’ll figure it out. I have no doubt. I’m off to bed now, I think.”
“Good night. Sleep well.”
Aunt Penny smiled again. “I always do.”
Aunt Penny was still sleeping when Sophie left the next morning. It wasn’t unusual. Her aunt often slept in until nine or so, and Sophie left a little after seven to make sure she was at the office by eight.
Her day went by quickly. Her role was similar to the role at Fulton, answering phones and greeting visitors and helping on various computer projects, mostly for marketing material. Sophie loved pulling the listing materials together, seeing the photographs and the agent notes about the properties. This assignment was only for a week, covering for a vacation and today would be her last day. She didn’t have an assignment lined up yet for next week. She expected Kara would call that afternoon with something.
And she did, at four thirty. “Sophie, I have something new to run by you. It’s not real estate. It’s on the trading floor of a financial services company. Very busy, what do you think?”
Sophie laughed. “I think I’ll pass on that one. No more trading floors for me. Too chaotic.”
“No problem. I’ll be in touch early next week with more ideas. Have a great weekend.”
When Sophie finished for the day, she set off to walk home and stopped off for a box of macarons to surprise her aunt. They were her favorite treat and Sophie loved them too.
She stepped into the apartment and was struck by an eerie quiet. There was no sign of her aunt. Maybe she was out or possibly napping. Sophie noticed that her aunt’s purse was on the kitchen counter, where she’d left it when she went to bed the night before. So, she wasn’t out.
Sophie walked to her aunt’s bedroom. The door was ajar. She peeked in and her aunt was in bed with the covers pulled up to her chin. Her cat, Charlie, was curled up next to her. That was odd. Usually if Aunt Penny laid down for an afternoon nap, she never got under the covers. She just laid on the bed itself with a throw blanket over her.
“Aunt Penny, are you not feeling well?” Sophie called softly. There was no response. She opened the door and walked over to her aunt and as soon as she saw her face, Sophie gasped. Her aunt looked at first glance as if she was peacefully sleeping but her mouth was ajar and her skin was slack. Sophie reached out and touched her forehead and it was oddly cool. She picked up her hand and frantically felt for a pulse but couldn’t find one.
She dialed 911 immediately and they said they’d come right out. She paced the apartment in a shocked daze until the EMTs arrived. She let them in and led them to her aunt’s bedroom.
“I think she might be gone. I just got home from work and found her here. I couldn’t find a pulse…” her voice broke as she spoke, and her throat felt thick with unshed tears.
The EMTs checked Aunt Penny over and confirmed that there was no pulse. “I’m very sorry. We can call the funeral home for you. Do you know who your aunt wanted to use?”
Sophie took a deep breath. “I don’t know. But she has a folder with important papers. I can check that to see if she has it listed.” The first night Sophie had arrived, her aunt had casually mentioned that she had a folder with emergency information in case something ever happened. Sophie had brushed it off as she didn’t want to think about anything bad happening. But now it made sense why her aunt had told her that when she did. She knew that she didn’t have much time left.
Sophie found the folder on her aunt’s roll-top desk and opened it. The first page had the necessary information.In the event of my death, please contact Bartlett Funeral Home. All arrangements have been made and paid for. You just need to call them.
Her aunt had thought of everything. She brought the paper to the EMTs and the lead guy nodded and dialed the number. When he ended the call, he handed the paper back to Sophie.
“They will be out shortly. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
They left and Sophie was alone in the apartment. Her aunt was there but she was gone, and Sophie felt utterly alone and sadder than she’d ever felt. She walked around the apartment, looking out the windows as the tears fell and turned into full body-heaving sobs. She curled up on her aunt’s favorite armchair and pulled her cozy fleece throw over her. It smelled faintly of her aunt—the familiar scent of cinnamon and vanilla. She already missed her.
Her aunt had such a lively spirit. Sophie had thought she’d be around for several more years at least. And when Aunt Penny told her about the cancer she seemed so unworried that Sophie was sure she had more time. But in retrospect, she understood that her aunt knew the time was closer. And she probably waited as long as she could before saying something. Sophie knew that Aunt Penny had enjoyed their time together, too.
A short while later, two black-suited men came from the funeral home. They were polite and respectful as they told her how sorry they were for her loss and assured her that Aunt Penny would be in good hands. Before they took her, one of them assured Sophie that everything was taken care of.
