Grabbing her and holding her close, Bennett erupted in a torrent of tears. He cried for several minutes and then said, "It was Tatum. He and his parents were killed today in a car wreck in Fayetteville."
Poppy was stunned by the news. Bennett continued to hold her and sob. After a few minutes, when Bennett seemed to be getting himself under control, Poppy asked, "Do you know what happened?"
"A truck crossed the centerline. They were killed instantly." As soon as he said the words, his tears fell harder.
Poppy held him close for several minutes and asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"
He just shook his head no.
Trying to be supportive, Poppy asked, “Are you hungry? Can I get you something to eat?"
Again shaking his head, he said, "No, all I want to do is go to bed."
Together, they walked to his room and got ready for bed. Once they were under the cover, Bennett took her in his arms and said, "I am so sad. He has been my best friend since I was in preschool. I cannot imagine doing life without him."
As he said this, tears filled his eyes. Poppy offered him the only comfort she could. She gave him her body to lose himself in for a little while. Later, just before they drifted off to sleep, Bennett said, "I need to tell you. My dad is coming back from the lake in the morning. You will need to take everything back to your room."
Poppy hated bringing it up, but they were supposed to leave for New York the next day. She needed to know if the plans had changed. "I hate to ask this, but remember, we were supposed to leave for New York tomorrow. I understand if you need to push that back, but I must be there in less than a week."
Bennett closed his eyes and shook his head before looking at her. "Oh babe, I totally forgot about that with all that happened today. I don't see any way I will be able to drive us. If you have everything together, ship it tomorrow, so it will be there. I will get us tickets and will fly there after the funeral."
As soon as he said that, his eyes began to water. Hating to stress him any more, Poppy said, "We will figure it out tomorrow. I love you. Try to get some sleep."
The next day was a blur for Poppy. With the return of Mr. Carrington, Poppy returned to her apartment with all of her things. Following Bennett's request, she boxed up everything she planned to bring in the car for school and shipped it all to the new apartment.
She was glad she had the debit card from Bennett. It was not cheap and would have stressed her to think she had spent so much on shipping things. As it was, knowing she had him backing her up made the process easier.
Bennett and his dad spent the day huddled up in the firm's conference room with the firm's other lawyers. It was after 10:00 when Poppy heard the light knock on her outside door. She openedthe door to find a completely drained Bennett. She had never seen him like he was. He looked like he had been to hell and back.
Coming in, he loosened his tie and let out a long, low sigh as he sat on her bed. "I've got some bad news that you will not like. But before you throw a fit, I want you to know. There is not one thing I can do about it."
Poppy gave him a confused look and said, "I am not a fit thrower, so I think we will be good. But you are scaring me. What is so bad that you think I will?"
"I can't take you to school. I have to go to Scotland. No one has told Taylor yet. The decision was made to send someone to tell her in person."
"She doesn't know who her parents or brother are…" Poppy left the part unsaid.
Bennett just shook his head before pulling her close and burying his head in her stomach. "I know you are mad, but I don't have a choice. My dad decided I should go and break the news to her. Then, I am to help her pack up and bring her home. I think it will take me at least a week to do that. I leave first thing in the morning."
Poppy stood there with him wrapped around her, processing what he said. She would have to figure out a way to New York by herself. Thank God she already sent her things ahead. She knew it was wrong to think about how this would affect her with all that Bennett had on him, but she couldn't help it.
After a few minutes, she said, "I guess I need to call the bus station and see how much a ticket to New York is."
Bennett looked up at her like she was insane. "Don't be stupid. I had Katie book you a ticket for New York tomorrow. We will fly to Atlanta together out of Little Rock. You will go to New York, and I will go to Scotland. Hopefully, I will get everything done and be able to come to you in two or three weeks."
"Do you think it will take that long?"
"Yes, once I get her home, Taylor will have to plan funerals and all of that. She doesn't have anyone else. I already let my dad know that that will be my main focus over the next few weeks."
Looking up at her, Bennett said, "This is our last night together for a while. Let's make sure not to waste another second."
"I guess you have a point. If I don't get to see you for a few weeks, let’s make it memorable. I will need something to hold onto."
"I couldn't agree more," said Bennett. With that, he began to kiss his way up her chest and neck.
The next morning, Bennett and Poppy caught an early flight to Atlanta. It was Poppy's first time on a plane, and she held Bennett's hand so tightly that she was worried he would complain. He never did.
Saying goodbye in the Atlanta airport was harder than she expected. She wanted to let the tears loose and cry, but she forced herself not to. She had chosen art school. She had chosen to leave. She knew she would have to say goodbye at some point. But thinking about it was one thing. Actually doing it was another.
