Funeral with a View by Matt Schiariti Read Free Book Online

person who can’t keep things pent up. Pukers feel a compelling need to get
their troubles off their chest. I’ve been a proud puker all my life, as
evidenced by what I’d told Bill after being asked not to. Note I haven’t said
this specific personality trait is always a good thing, but it’s served me well
in life … for the most part.
    Despite the lethargy that
weighed me down, the impulse to pick up the phone and call my mom was
overwhelming.
    So that’s what I did the
next day. I relayed the entire litany of stupid to her. She didn’t interrupt
once, having experienced similar episodes over the years.
    God bless her.
    “Richard,” she said once
I’d finished puking. “Do you love her?”
    “Yep. I think it’s
terminal. No cure for what I got.” I loved Catherine Maddox, no doubt. Even
before the pregnancy scare, I knew it.
    “Good. I’m happy to hear
it and I’m thrilled for you. You know I’m no saint, and I won’t judge you.” A
pause. “But …” Here it comes. “You do realize this is a complicated
situation you’ve created for yourselves.”
    I sighed. “Yeah, I know.”
    “Now, I’m going to ask
you a very important question, the most important one of all. Even if the baby
isn’t yours, God forbid, would you still want to be with Catherine? It’s easy
to say, but you have to truly mean it.”
    I thought about that
question long and hard, had been ever since Catherine told me. “Yeah, I think
so.”
    “You think so?”
    “I’m still thinking about
it.”
    “I see. Richard, it’s
obvious she cares about you a lot. It’s as plain as the unibrow on your
forehead—”
    “Um, thanks, Mom.”
    “—and regardless of the
tension between you two during the picnic, I could tell how close you are. Can
you blame her for how she reacted? She’s obviously scared, confused. But she’s
an intelligent, sweet woman, and you seem perfect for each other.”
    I could hear the smile in
her voice and I felt that much better for it.
    “You picked up all that
in just a few hours, did you?”
    “Was there ever any
doubt? I notice these things, you know.”
    “There’s no fooling you.”
    “You bet your ass there
isn’t and don’t you forget it either. Time is what’s important now. It’s so
much to deal with at once. The pregnancy, the … unique circumstances. Her pot’s
ready to boil over, Richard.”
    “That’s why I haven’t
reached out to her yet. It’s not that I don’t care, you know that’s not why. I
feel like I let her down, but I’m afraid that if I nag her, I’ll end up pushing
her farther away.”
    “Wrong.”
    “What?”
    She blew out an
exaggerated sigh. “You men and your rules. Why is it you’re so afraid to tell
women how you feel?”
    “She knows how I feel. I
told her I loved her.”
    “And when was that,
Richard?”
    “When she first told me
she was late.”
    “And since all of this?”
    “Well, no.”
    “Exactly my point. She
left your apartment, and you haven’t contacted her since. Right when she needs
to hear from you the most.”
    “It’s not fair to her,
though. I can’t call her if I’m not totally certain.”
    “There’s no doubt you
need to come to a decision, but you should reach out, let her know she’s in
your thoughts. Don’t abandon her. Remember, Richard. It may not be William’s
child.”
    I chuckled. “Yeah, I
gotcha, Mom.”
    “What’s so funny?”
    “You’re the best, that’s
all.”
    “That fact was never in
question.” She meant it. “Richard, I can’t tell you what to do. Take this
advice for what it’s worth. Think about what Catherine means to you, but don’t
fall off the map. That would be inexcusable. Hopefully everything will work
itself out. I have a good feeling about this girl. In the meantime, be a little
patient and a lot strong.”
    “I’ll do my best. Thanks,
Mom.”
    “You’re welcome. Oh, and
Richard?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Stop chewing your
fingernails, dear.”
    I pulled my index finger
out