I hit send.
Instead of the smooth exit from the parking lot, there was a line of traffic forming at the front gate to the complex. By the time I made it to the gate, I saw the reason for the delay. There were multiple news vans, many with local call letters, but there were others from national outlets: ESPN, FOX SPORTS, and PARAMOUNT. Reporters stood near the road, screaming questions toward the vehicles leaving.
It appeared everyone was following Coach Tilson’s orders. No one was stopping.
Thank God Vee said she was at Daphne’s house. That meant she wasn’t seeing this circus, at least not yet.
Chapter 6
Vee
The air in the sitting room of Dad and Daphne’s home was tense, adding to my growing headache.
“It’s not what Reid would want,” Daphne said, wiping away tears. Her inhibitions were lost about four rum and Diet Cokes ago. “He deserves more.”
Inhaling, I closed my eyes, opening them to Aunt Rachel’s stare. The sight of my aunt gave me an idea. I turned my attention to Cammy Wilcox, the president of Coopers’ legal division. Seated next to Cammy was Joseph Eads, Dad’s personal attorney. To round out the legal advisors, my cousin Leigh was sitting at my side. “Cammy,” I asked, “this discussion has gone on too long. Who has the legal right to plan the funeral, the co-executors or Daphne?”
Daphne stood and spun toward me, her eyes trying to focus. “I’m right here, Vee.” Her volume rose. “You want to ask me a question, ask me.”
“Oh, I wasn’t aware of your law degree. I’m asking for legal advice.”
Leigh covered my hand with hers as Grant directed Daphne back to her seat.
Cammy was the one to speak. “The executors are primarily in charge of finances. The funeral planning, if not designated in the will, which it seems it wasn’t, is left up to family.”
“Spouse and child,” Leigh said.
“Spouse and then adult children,” Cammy explained. “I’m sorry, Vee.”
“Doesn’t the list go on?” I asked.
Cammy nodded. “Spouse, adult children, parents, and siblings.”
“Aunt Rachel,” I began, “in that listing, you too have a vote. Do you think Dad would want a grand spectacle around his funeral?”
“No.”
Everyone in the room turned to Daphne. “It’s my decision. That’s what Cammy just said. I won’t allow a man like Reid to simply fade away.”
“He won’t,” I said, arguing my case. “We, family and close friends, will have a private funeral and celebration of life. At the next home game, we’ll have a moment of silence. At the end of the season, we can have a special commemoration and have Dad’s name permanently placed on a banner at Crystal Light Stadium. It’s all very simple and yet respectful, just like Dad.” I turned to Daphne. “Dad wasn’t into spectacles.” My jaw clenched, keeping the rest of my statement from coming out—unlike you.
We all watched—Uncle Darin, Aunt Rachel, Grant, Lip, Leigh, me, and the attorneys—as Daphne pressed her lips together and pushed off with her high heels, twisting her chair one way and the other.
“Private?” Daphne asked. “How private?”
“Invitation only,” I replied. “We don’t need thousands of fans coming to get a last look at Reid Hubbard.”
Aunt Rachel was sitting near Daphne. “I have to agree,” she said. “This is a time for family and close friends.”
New tears came to my stepmother’s eyes. “I don’t understand why Reid didn’t have this all planned.” She turned to Mr. Eads. “Why wasn’t this discussed?”
Joseph Eads pressed his lips together and shrugged. “I tried. Reid wasn’t ready to face his mortality. He was still healthy and young.” He looked around the room. “I brought up the outdated will many times.”
Uncle Darin stood. “He was talking to us about it. He planned on signing a new one after the end of the season.”
“How old is Dad’s will?” I asked.
“Twenty-three years,” Mr. Eads proclaimed. “That is Reid’s last will and testament.” He nodded toward Cammy Wilcox. “The Coopers’ succession had been updated more recently.”
