“Bottoms up, honey!”
Those words kept ringing in Mara Greene’s ears as she stared at her husband’s coffin. It was an open casket funeral, but now she wondered whether that had been the right choice. It certainly contributed to the somber and morose atmosphere.
The location she’d chosen was packed. No surprise there. Her husband was widely known and respected in the community. He’d always been charming. And Mara had often debated whether being that charming was good or…an inconvenience.
In fact, she’d always imagined he’d be able to charm Death to back off. But this time, Ryan Greene had met his match.
The news of her husband’s untimely death had gone through town like wildfire. Wherever she went, Mara met with questioning looks and hushed talks. Her reaction was to remain calm and show as little emotion as possible, which in turn prompted people to accuse her of being cold. Unfeeling. An Ice Queen. And their views were carved in stone.
How often had she heard them say that Ryan had married down? That she should be thankful he chose her? She had won the lottery. He had settled.
If only they knew?
But they’d had a good marriage all considered. A happy one.
Then by twist of fate at 35, she was comforting her sobbing mother-in-law. Her husband was gone. And the harsh reality was staring back at her in the form of an obscenely expensive coffin.
“My son deserves the best,” her mother-in-law had said. And they’d bought the best.
Mara’s ears tuned in to the muffled whimpers surrounding her. It bothered her. The people hadn’t known her husband like she had. She had known him inside and out, qualities and shortcomings. He wasn’t perfect, then again neither was she. But they’d made it work.
When they’d said their vows 7 years ago, they promised to love and honor each other until death parted them. And then Death unexpectedly came knocking one fateful evening. A week ago.
“I need fresh air,” Mara whispered to her mother-in-law, and quickly made her escape out the main entrance.
A few more hours, and she'd be home free.
Once outside, she inhaled the fresh air. It was the first time in a week she felt she could breathe. Really breathe. Numbness had hijacked her body after she’d found her husband’s lifeless body slumped on the dining room floor. He’d been wearing the same suit he’d worn that morning when he left for work. A bottle of their favorite red wine had tipped over, with leftover wine spilling onto their expensive, handwoven Bokara rug. The damage already done…
“Mrs. Greene!”
The familiar voice reached Mara’s ears, snapping her back to reality. Mara wasn’t in the mood to socialize. Not now. She needed time to herself. To think. However, what was considered appropriate behavior during these functions didn’t always coincide with one’s needs and wants. She looked up at the young woman, or girl, who approached guardedly, and greeted her with a faint smile.
“It’s me…Talia West…” The girl came to a sudden halt, expertly keeping her balance in her five-inch heels. “Ry…Mr. Greene’s…intern?”
Mara knew exactly who Talia was, and as she examined the fresh-faced girl, she noticed her eyes were bloodshot. She’d been crying. Not surprising. Even with red and puffy eyes, Talia could turn heads.
“I remember you…” Mara acknowledged. “My husband had nothing but praise for you.”
“Really?”
Mara didn’t know what else to say to comfort the girl, who couldn’t be older than 18…20? And to be honest, she didn’t really feel it was her job to be uplifting.
There were other things on her mind.
Without warning, Talia threw her arms around Mara’s slender frame and hugged her tightly. And all Mara could do was wait for the awkward moment to pass.
“I’m so sorry for…your loss, Mrs. Greene,” Talia sobbed. “He was a great man…and…we…miss him so much…”
Mara managed to squeeze out a tear and mechanically padded the young girl’s back. “There now…Ryan wouldn’t want you to cry.” She moved uneasily and grabbed Talia’s shoulders, holding her at arms-length. “You’re too beautiful to cry over your dead boss.”
The blood drained from Talia’s face, and she swiftly dried her tear-stained cheeks, regaining her composure. “If there’s anything I can do…” she finally stammered.
And what do you say to that? Not much. Mara cleared her throat and smiled stiffly. “You’ve done more than enough....you’ve already gone above and beyond.”
The truth can be hard to swallow.
***
Seven days ago…
Mara had been planning the meal for some time. It had to be perfect. Her husband was very particular when it came to food, which Mara quickly learned their first year of marriage. Tonight, she was going to surprise him with his favorite meal; filet mignon topped with truffle dip, mashed potatoes and seasonal greens. To top it off she had managed to find their favorite bottle of red, the same wine they had served at their wedding.
It was a special night. And she wanted it to be memorable. He’d earned it.
The front door slammed, and excitement swept through Mara’s body.
Ryan was home.
“Mara!”
She had first fallen in love with his voice. Deep, husky…and all masculine. Next, she fell for his charm and larger than life personality. Who wouldn’t? The man was magnetic.
“I’m in the kitchen, honey.”
She sensed his presence before she saw him. He always managed to suck the oxygen out of any room he entered. A real force to be reckoned with.
“What’s cooking?” he asked with a surprised grin on his handsome face. He walked over to Mara and greeted her with a kiss.
“I’m making your favorite,” she responded, reciprocating his smile, while adding spice to the dip.
“I don’t deserve you,” he hummed happily, dipping his finger into the mixture for a quick taste.
Mara playfully swatted his hand away. “Not yet,” she chuckled. “Go sit down…I’ll bring you some wine.”
He didn’t need her to repeat the order. She wanted him to relax after the long day he’d had. And considering how intensely he was focusing on his phone, she suspected work wasn’t over.
Was it ever?
“Here you go, honey…Food is almost ready.”
Ryan grabbed his wife’s hand and gently kissed it. “Drink with me? I don’t like drinking alone.”
“Oh, I know…” she chuckled and returned to the sizzling steaks. “But I’m way ahead of you, so you have some catching up to do.” She lifted her glass of water hoping it would satisfy her husband. “To you, my husband…Bottoms up!”
That was all that was needed. He lifted his glass and finished his drink in one sip and refilled the glass. The wine brought back good memories.
The moment her husband had entered the kitchen, his phone had been constantly blinking. But Mara was used to share him with his work. They hadn’t dined alone in years, his phone being the third wheel and all. It was nothing new. But tonight, she’d hoped to have him all to herself. Body and mind.
Was that too much to ask for?
Once the food was ready, Mara served it with elegance. And as she got ready to sit down, her husband exhaled heavily and looked up from his phone. Finally, she had his full attention.
Or not...
“I’m afraid I’ve been called back to work, my love…Apparently there was a big error in one of the contracts they sent out…”
No, surprise there. It was always a contract.
“…thank you for all this…” he continued, emptying his glass before standing up to kiss Mara goodbye. “I’ll grab Take Away…Don’t wait up.”
She brushed away her disappointment and plastered on an understanding smile. It wasn’t the first time he’d left during dinner. And he had given her a few minutes of his time. That was something. Right?
As Ryan was about to leave, Mara quickly rose from her seat. “Wait!”
“I’m in a hurry, sweetheart…What is it?” He was clearly anxious to leave, by the way he impatiently glared at his phone.
She would let him go. But first she wanted to send him off with style. “Will you drink to us before you leave?” She poured more wine into his glass and kissed his lips. “To us?”
A wide grin spread across his face. “To us!”
She watched him over the rim of her glass, while he emptied his own cup.
“I got to run now…I’m already late.”
“Better late than never,” was the last thought running through Mara’s mind as she watched her husband turn and walk away.
And then he ruined her beautiful rug.
***
Present day…
Mara had come to terms with reality. Ryan was gone. She couldn’t change that. Even in death, he commanded the room. Handsome as ever.
As she leaned over her late husband’s body to send him off with one last kiss, she slid her wedding band into his hand, and whispered:
“Bottoms up, honey.”
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