The door opened with a small push. Rex stood at the chest of drawers with a mirror attached to the top. He wore a fresh pair black dress pants and a heather gray cable knit sweater. He ran a comb through his wet hair. Though he’d showered, he hadn’t shaven and dark stubble covered his cheeks.
“How long have you been?” Glancing at her extreme casual attire, she felt self-conscious.
“Three hours. I had works to get done.” He laid the comb on the dresser. “How’d you sleep?”
Her shoulders rose and fell. “Okay, considering.”
He pulled her into a loose embrace. “I’m proud of you. This isn’t an easy situation by any definition, but you’ve held yourself together remarkably well.”
“It doesn’t feel that way.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “But if I have, it’s only due to your support. You’ve been wonderful.”
Jane poked her head in the room. “Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes. Don’t be too long. We’re all meeting at the church early before the public viewing begins, but your Dad and I are leaving after breakfast.”
“I’ll be right down.” After Jane left, Monica turned her face back to Rex. “I should get ready.”
He tapped her nose. “You’re adorable in that getup.”
“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes, but the compliment put a smile on her face. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
She hurried to her room and gathered all she needed. In the shower, she let the hot water beat down on her until it ran cold. The reality of today crushed her chest and she struggled to breathe. “Help me, Lord.”
A tentative calm came over her, and she dressed in a pair of black pants with a black V-neck sweater. Digging through the small pouch of jewelry she had brought with her, she pulled out a pair of white gold earrings shaped like angels. Carrie had given them to her as a Christmas gift the year she’d accepted her position with the agency. She’d told her they were her guardian angels. Monica’s beliefs didn’t allow her to believe Carrie was now an angel, but she did believe Carrie was in heaven, praising God whom she’d faithfully served.
It didn’t seem right. Carrie’s faith had never wavered. She’d held strong in her beliefs, unlike Monica who’d cast them aside for far too long. Why was she taken so soon? The world needed good people like her. “I’ll make you proud, Carrie. You’ll see. I’ve been going to church again, and I’m learning to trust God with my life. Rex has, too. Neither of us knew God was drawing us both back to Him individually, but now we can grow closer to Him together. I’m not sure I’ll ever understand why you’re going, but as hard as it will be, I know life will go on.”
She touched the earrings before going downstairs. The contact made her feel close to Carrie, and she needed strength from anywhere she could draw it.
Dad was already at the table with coffee in hand. “Good morning baby girl, how’d you sleep?”
Her answered mimicked that of what she’d told Rex. “Breakfast smells great.”
“That’s because your mom is a great cook.” Ron beamed as he spoke of his wife. After thirty-five years of marriage, her parents were as much in love as ever. Monica prayed her marriage would be like that also.
“What time do we need to leave? Mom said we’re gathering at the church early.”
“Two at the latest. Jane and I are leaving shortly though so we can stop by the hospital first. Matt called earlier this morning. I’m not sure how you guys reached through to him, but he sounds much better today.”
“You can thank Rex for that.” She grabbed a plate and added scrambled eggs and a biscuit to it, held off on the bacon.
“You’ve found yourself quite a man, sweetheart. I have strict standards of men worthy of my girls, but he tops all but one.”
Monica beamed at her father’s high compliment for Rex. “Thank you.” She took a bite of breakfast then lowered her fork. “Wait a minute, which one doesn’t he top?”
Ron winked. “He lives all the way in Louisiana, so we’ll never see you.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’ll be coming home much more often now, daddy. Emily will need her aunt around more than a few weekends a year. Rex’s already agreed we can come home as often as I’d like.”
“I knew I liked that man.”
Rex entered the room. “A guy could get used to compliments in the morning.”
Laughter circled them. Thank goodness everyone could enjoy humor today. That’s what Carrie would want. She always said she never understood the tears at funerals because they were meant to be a celebration of life. Her sister had always been a never-ending barrel of optimism like that.
“C’mon, I’ll get you a plate of breakfast.” She left her seat and reached for another plate. “Mom makes the best biscuits around and there’s also bacon and eggs.”
“Mmm, I feel my cholesterol rising just thinking about it.” He took the plate from her and loaded it. He ate it all, then went for seconds.
“It’s good to see someone with a hearty appetite.” Mr. Hughes added jelly to his biscuit. “Jane loves when people enjoy her cooking, but I’m not as active as I once was and have to limit my calories as such.”
