Page 19 of Miracles and Marriage

It was another ten minutes before Cal walked back to the car.

Zoe reminded him of what the minister had said.

“I hate having to attend. But I will. Uncle Hal would have wanted that. I remember attending those after-funeral meals when I lived with him.”

“A way of celebrating a life,” she murmured. “His friends will want to talk about him, and give you their condolences.”

It was late afternoon by the time Cal turned into the driveway to the old house.

“I’m beat,” he said. “I’d much rather devise strategies to foil terrorists than have to do that again. But then, I won’t ever have to, will I?”

“Friends will die, there will be other funerals. It’s a part of life.”

“It sucks.”

Zoe nodded.

“After all we ate you probably won’t want dinner, but I can make a light snack later, if you like. We’ll need something before bed,” she said.

He looked at her. His eyes dark and deep.

“Thank you for coming. I did need someone, but didn’t realize how much until today. It helped not to be alone.”

The rest of the evening was spent separately. Zoe expected he wanted time alone. She roamed the house and found a mystery book in the living room that looked intriguing. Settling in the comfortable sofa, she read away the hours. By the time it wasclose to her bedtime, she began to get hungry. Rising, she went in search of Cal.

He sat on the stoop at the back door, off the kitchen. It was chilly, but Cal seemed unconcerned with the breeze. The yard was dark, the trees devoid of leaves. Nothing could be seen, except with memory’s eye.

She sat beside him.

“You doing okay?” she asked.

Even if he weren’t she suspected he wouldn’t tell anyone. Had he had a close relationship with his uncle or always been rather independent`?

They sat in silence for a moment, then he spoke.

“Something like this changes one’s perspective on life.”

“I guess.”

“If I’d ever thought about it, I’d have figured him to live to be a hundred. Yet, my mother died young, their parents died before either one reached seventy. I should have thought about that.”

“And done what? You said no one suspected he wasn’t in robust health. Sometimes these things just happen,” Zoe said.

“And they could happen to me, as well.”

“Maybe. But you’re not your uncle. And half your genes come from another family, maybe one whose members do live to be one hundred. Don’t borrow trouble, as my grandmother Elaine always says.”

He looked at her in the twilight.

“How is the baby quest going?”

“I haven’t found anyone yet, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“But you’re still looking, right? I saw the list of attributes you’re seeking.”

She shrugged.

“I’m trying to match my take of men with what I want. I noticed you made notes. Interested?” she ended on a joke.