Page 55 of My One

“Thank you. We’ve found out quite a bit actually,” Avery stated, and we all sat at the table.

“Oh?” Edna took a sip of her coffee.

Avery told Edna about his father’s will and that his parents were being cremated. “Would you be able to let the book club know about the viewing?” he asked her.

“Yes, of course.”

“Did they have any other friends?”

She nodded. “Yes, I know they did, but I don’t know them. Your parents went to a lot of functions and charities.”

“We can just text everyone in their phones,” I suggested. Did older people text? Surely if they got one, they’d know how to read it.

“I guess that would be the only way, but I don’t know the passcodes,” Avery replied.

“Have you tried?” I asked.

“No.” He shook his head. The phones were turned off and left in the clear bag we got from the coroner.

I thought for a moment. “I bet your mom’s passcode is your birthday.”

Avery stared at me for a beat. “I could try it.”

“Either way, you can count on me to be there. Just let me know what I should bring,” Edna chimed in.

“Bring?” Avery asked.

“Usually there are refreshments and finger foods,” she replied.

“Really?” he questioned. “So, it’s a party?”

Edna smiled. “It’s a celebration of life, honey.”

My gaze turned to Avery. I knew he wouldn’t admit it, but celebrating his father was probably the last thing he wanted to do. Unfortunately, even though people probably didn’t know about him, he would have to put on a brave face and go with it, and I would be by his side every step of the way.

“You don’t need to bring anything, Edna. We’ll take care of it,” he stated. “Let’s say three o’clock?”

“I’ll be there,” she replied. “And I’ll let the book club know.”

“Great. And one more thing,” Avery went on. “We found a safety deposit box key in my mother’s purse. Any idea what could be in it?”

She frowned. “No, I’m sorry. I have no idea.”

There was only one way to find out.

We left Edna’s and went to the closest Chase Bank. As we pulled up, Brooke called me.

“Hello?” I answered as we sat in the parking lot of the bank.

“Hey! Where are you?”

I furrowed my brows in confusion.Why would she be asking me that?“A bank.”

“Which one? Easton and I will come to you.”

“Um, what?” I looked over to Avery as he sat patiently in the driver’s seat.

“We just flew in.”