Page 177 of Only After We Met

“Just that he doesn’t have much time left.”

“I’m so sorry… Call me whenever you need to, okay? It doesn’t matter what time. If you ever feel like you need a break, I’m here.”

“Thanks, Ginger,” he whispered.

115

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: [No subject]

My father died this morning.

We came home so my mother could lie down for a while. She needs the rest. I’m taking care of all the details…

I just wanted you to know. We’ll talk soon.

From: Ginger Davies

To: Rhys Baker

Subject: RE: [No subject]

Rhys, I’m so sorry. I wish I could be there for you. I’d give you a big hug and take care of everything. I’m sorry you have to go through this alone. I keep thinking about you. How’s your mother? How are you? Call me when you feel like it.

Kisses.

116

Rhys

The funeral was quick but emotional. My mother was there next to me. All Dad’s work colleagues came, plus his friends and some neighbors. I barely understood what anyone was saying. I hadn’t slept for two days, and all I could do was stare at the coffin, which would soon be underground. I cried for the first time in years. And I understood that no matter what happened, the bonds that tied you to a person never broke. That stuck in my mind, even as we got home, I made my mother a cup of herbal tea, and she fell asleep on the couch.

I had spent half my life asking myself the same questions, looking for something, trying to fill in the void…

And it turned out everything was much simpler.

I went on thinking, sitting at the coffee table next to the model we hadn’t managed to finish. The afternoon sun shone through the window. I couldn’t think of anything else as I went on building it, piece by piece…

117

From: Ginger Davies

To: Rhys Baker

Subject: Worried

I’m worried, Rhys. I haven’t heard from you since the funeral. I thought about calling, but I didn’t want to bother you at such a private time as this. Write me, please. Even just to tell me that you’re okay, that you’re handling things.

From: Rhys Baker

To: Ginger Davies

Subject: RE: Worried

Sorry, Ginger. Things have been complicated around here. I’m fine. Both of us are. Given the situation, I mean. After the funeral, I slept fifteen hours straight, and then I tried to put the paperwork in order to make things easier for Mom, just stupid stuff like changing the name on the bills and the accounts…