Coming home wasn't supposed to be this hard. Was it? Jemma looked at her reflection in the mirror and saw the worry lines on her face. Make up wasn't going to conceal them. She turned to each side assessing whether her figure looked different. Of course it did. It was ten years since she had last come home to Greenville.
She left in hopes of starting her college career. But life interrupted her well laid plans. But, in spite of it all she had graduated from state university and been employed at an engineering firm for two years. It was fulfilling to help design or redesign products that people used every day. Although the firm was just three hours from Greenville, Jemma had not been back.
She regretted that she had not seen her favorite uncle before his death. She thought that there would be more time for things like that. He was only fifty five and he died suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart condition. She would have loved to see him again, but since her estrangement to her parents, she had avoided contact with all family. And she wasn't looking forward to seeing them now.
Jemma drew her hair up into a sophisticated chignon. She applied her tawny pink lip color to her full lips. Lips that had loved kissing Brodie, the love of her life. She put on her taupe pearl earrings and necklace. It was hard to go wrong with the classics.
Regardless, she needed to finish getting ready for the calling hours. She had already steamed her dress and she carefully donned her column suit dress. She wondered if Brodie would be in attendance. He was her cousin Mark's best friend, so the odds were good.
She was determined to be cool headed about him and their past. It would be good to see Mark again, but Brodie was a different matter. He was her first love and things didn't end well....for the most part. She wondered if he was married or if he was still so handsome and alluring. Of course he would be, he was still Brodie. What Brodie didn't know was that she was not still the naive, trusting Jemma that he had dated throughout their senior year and the beginning of college. Life had ensured that she had matured quickly. That, of course, wasn't a bad thing. But it was a different path than all of her friends' and Brodie's paths.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she added the wide belt that cinched the dress at her waist. Her taupe pumps and and clutch purse finished her appearance. For better or for worse, it was time to go.
~
Standing in line to give the family condolences, Jemma watched her sister Meg come over to her.
"You look beautiful, Jemma. How are you doing?"
"Hi Meg. I'm nervous, but am alright."
"Listen, Mom and Dad can't hurt you anymore. Whatever happens we will always have each other."
"I love you. Will you go through the line with me?"
"Of course. What are big sister's for?"
"You're the best."
At the casket, Jemma teared up and whispered her love to her uncle John. Meg took her hand and guided her to the line that consisted of his widow and their children. Jemma clasped aunt Mary's hands and told her how sorry she was for her loss.
Aunt Mary hugged her and said, "It is so good to see you dear. I'm so glad you are here. Mark was hoping you would make it."
"Of course I'm here. I loved Uncle John so much My favorite memories took place in your house."
"Thank you sweetheart. I'm so glad. We loved having you with us. You look good. Make sure you find Mark." With that, she turned to the next people in the long line.
Meg stood beside her through the exchanges with the cousins. She realized what a toll this appearance was taking on her sister.
When Jemma stood in front of Mark, he grabbed her and hugged her long and hard.
"God, I've missed you Jemmy. I can't believe how long it's been since I last saw you."
"I've missed you too. You know.....life just gets in the way. I'm sorry." Jemma knew her explanation was lame, but it was the best she could offer at that moment.
"I have to do my duty here. Promise not to leave before we've had a chance to talk. Are you coming to the funeral tomorrow?"
"Yes, of course," she replied.
"Good. I'm glad."
Reluctantly she and Meg moved off into the crowd.
"If you'll excuse me, I have to find the restroom," Jemma said to her sister.
"It's through the lobby and to the left," said a deep and familiar voice.
Jolted by the surprise of hearing his voice again, Jemma turned and offered her thanks.
"Let me show you. I'm not going to let you leave without talking together."
"Brodie. It is good to see you. ....I...alright. I'll just be a minute."
Rather than wait where he was, Brodie guided Jemma through the crowd with his palm on the small of her back. Tingles ran up and down her spine in response. This confrontation was here at last.
As Brodie waited for Jemma he thought about how good she looked. If it was possible, she was more beautiful than ten years ago. She looked much more sophisticated today. Her tawny blond hair was pulled up into a chignon and her clothing made her look like a model. He tried to tell himself to think about something else so he wouldn't have a huge erection when she came back.
She returned to find him waiting by the door. He looked good. Really good. His dark hair was a little shorter now. But it still made her want to run her fingers through it. His eyes were as blue as ever and his shoulders. Good lord. Damn, he looked so good.
Looking around, Jemma asked, "Are you here alone?"
"Yes. And are you?"
"Yes, of course." she responded.
"I'd like to talk if you don't mind," his said in a very determined tone.
"Alright, it's not like there is anyone besides Mark that wants to see me."
Giving her an intent look, Brodie led her outside. "There's so much to say and to ask that I don't know where to start, now that you are here in front of me."
"I know. I feel the same," she responded meekly.
Brodie shook his head. "This needs to be a real conversation and we are at a funeral home. Will you sit and talk with me?"
"As far as the showing hours, I am done. Mark wanted to see me before I left but I can set something up with him."
"Let me text him. He knows I need to talk with you as well. He'll understand, especially since he has family duties to deal with here."
Brodie quickly texted Mark. And then the phone rang.
"Yeh. Hey, I'm out front with Jemma and I want to take her somewhere to talk. She said she had committed to also talking with you."
A pause ensued.
"Yeh. I know. I will. You know I just want answers. I'm not here to hurt her."
Another pause.
"Okay, I'll tell her. Bye."
