Great Neighbors in Hard Times
When John got killed by that drunk driver I was absolutely devastated. The police came to my door to tell me what had happened, and they were great, but really couldn't console me.
Just as they were leaving, my neighbor, Eve, came to see if everything was OK. One of the officers took her aside and told her. She came in and wrapped her arms around me and cried with me. It helped and surprised me. We weren't exactly close; friendly, yes but not true friends, more like passing acquaintances.
She sat me down at the kitchen table and told me she was there to help. She explained that she had worked as a paralegal for a number of years, knew all the right things to do, and would help me through this terrible time. The police had told me they needed me to come down to the morgue and do a positive ID. She nodded, "I told the officer I'd get you there."
I grabbed a jacket and we went. It was horrible but she put her arm around me and it helped. We left; and in the car she asked me if John had any provisions for burial or cremation. I was still kind of numb from all that had just happened but remembered John telling me once that he didn't want any service or cemetery. "I guess a simple cremation." I said through my tears.
"First thing tomorrow morning I'll take you to the best local place for that and be at your side to keep them from 'selling you up'. They can be pushy. Did John have a will or insurance? I can help you with those issues too. It's best for you to keep busy with this stuff and not just wallow in self pity. When we get back from the funeral home tomorrow we can go through your records, see just what you have, and get all that in process. Then we'll go after the bastard who did this to him. I just hope, for your sake, that he had car insurance and is rich."
"Tonight you should sleep in our guest bedroom. Being in your own bed without him might be traumatic. I know it would be for me." I just nodded. She was taking charge and I knew I needed that or I'd be totally incapable of doing anything but bawling. "Mike and I have been together for almost 20 years, how about you and John?"
"21 years on Christmas Day." I sobbed because Christmas Day, our anniversary, was just around the corner. In fact, I had been sorting through the boxes of decorations that John had just taken down from the attic when the police came. We pulled into my driveway.
She put her hand on my arm and said, "I just want you to know that Mike and I are here for you. We'll do everything we can to help you get through this. Notice I didn't say get over it because I'm pretty sure you never will or even want to. After that many years we have memories that we cherish. Let's go pack an overnight bag for you."
We got to their house and Mike just gave me a hug and said he was sorry for my loss. I put my bag in the downstairs guest room (the house was exactly the same as ours) and when I came out Eve handed me a brandy. "This will help you sleep." I don't really drink much but I welcomed it that night. It hit me harder than expected and I thanked Eve and told them that I was going to try and sleep. I did my night time things and hit the bed. It all seemed a little surreal to me.
I slept until 9:00. Eve woke me by knocking on the door. I wondered, hopefully for a second, if it had all just been a bad dream and if this was just part of it. "Time to get dressed and moving," she said. I showered and got dressed in the black slacks and grey blouse I had picked out the night before. "Let's plan the day. First the funeral home, next we go back to your place and see just what you are entitled to by way of insurance, then we pick up copies of the death certificate, next we notify social security, next we eat lunch (I'm buying), next we file with the insurance companies. That should fill the day."
"The law firm I worked for did a lot of probate work and I recommend them highly. They're pretty crappy at negligence cases, though, but I know a lawyer that is great with those. She's a real 'knee-capper'." She explained what that meant and I was ready for it. I wanted to punish the bastard that took my John. We did the funeral home, went back to my house, and started going through the files. John had always handled all that stuff and I really didn't even know what kind of insurance he had. It turned out he had a couple of million dollar policies. Next I called his work and told his boss what had happened. He expressed his sorrow, said what a valued employee John had been, and transferred me to HR. They told me that as a 'key employee' they had taken out a 5 million dollar policy on his life and that I was entitled to half of it.
We went to the coroner's office and they asked how many certified copies we needed. I looked at Eve for direction. She said ten. I wondered why so many and she said that we hadn't even begun to scratch the surface. She was right. By the time the day was over I was looking at having about 10 million dollars and we still hadn't talked to the 'knee-capper'. I slept well, knowing that I had no financial worries, but still yearned for John.
The next day we met with the lawyers and I learned that almost all that money was tax free from the insurance. The second attorney, 'the knee-capper' was a real bitch. Eve just looked at me, smiled, and nodded. I told her she had the case. At Eve's suggestion, I had brought a couple of years tax returns with me. The lawyer licked her lips. I'll get you a judgment for at least 10 million. For that you owe me nothing. If we can collect I'll get 40%. Sounded fair to me and I took the deal.
On the way home I suggested a place for lunch and told Eve that I was buying. I asked her if I could pay her in some way for all her efforts. She squeezed my hand and said, "I'm just trying to be a good neighbor. You can pay me by doing the same. Mike and I are always there for you. If you need anything just ask."
Four months latter it turned out that the drunk who killed my John was quite wealthy and had a big umbrella policy. I got a 20 million dollar judgment and was able to collect almost all of it. Life did move on and Eve and I saw and talked every day. Either she would come over to my house for breakfast or I would go to hers, sweet buns in hand both ways. We talked, laughed and shared our histories. She was probably the first true best friend I ever had except for John. Every time she left she always said the same thing, "If there is anything that you need from Mike or me we're here for you."