The Legacy (14 page)

“Thank you, Velma. That means so much to me. You are an
inspiration to me as well. I’ve never had a sister, but if I did, I
would want her to be just like you. I love you, too. Thanks for
calling me.”

“You’re
welcome.
Well,
I’ll let
you
go
now.
But
remember to call me if you ever need to talk or anything and
I’ll do the same.”

Hanging up the phone, I lean back against the pillows and
allow my thoughts to linger on Velma. I have truly grown to
love her and I wish we lived a little closer to each other.

Phone calls are good, though.
Reflecting on the changes in my life, I think of Jessica and
her capacity to love everyone. I am grateful for the close
relationship we share. I think of the women at the boutique and
the friendships I have formed with them. It's sad that in all the
time I worked at the restaurant in North Carolina, there wasn’t
one person there I could truly consider a friend.
I think about Adagio, and I'm deeply grateful for his
friendship and the close relationship he shares with Ingo. There
is nothing the two would not do for each other and that means
a lot. Finally, I think of Ingo. He means the world to me and I
can't imagine where I would be without him.
With this final thought, I drift to sleep.
I am confronted a few minutes later by the vision of a
face that again enters my dreams unbidden. I awaken with a
gasp.
It was just a dream. Just a dream, just a dream . . .
Squeezing my eyes shut, it takes a lot of effort, but I force
the visual from my mind.
The invader of my sleep is a part of my past. I will not let
him intrude upon my future.

It is early when we are awakened by the ringing of the
telephone.
“That’s probably John calling about shooting the house
photos,” Ingo says sleepily. “He was going to call if he couldn't
make the appointment this morning.”
“How is he doing anyway?” I am now fully awake.
“He’s okay. The divorce has been hard on him and he
really needs to get the house sold. The payments are pretty
hefty and too much to handle with just his income. That’s–”
There is a knock on our door. “Come in.”
Jessica sticks her head in. “I'm sorry, but it’s for you . . .
It’s your friend, Adagio. He said it was really important.”
Ingo quickly picks up the cordless and Jessica hands me
the other one, just in case.
“Adagio, what is it?” Ingo asks.
“I am sorry to call you so early, but I am about to board a
flight to Salt Lake and I was wondering if it would be all right if
I stay with you and Cisely for a few days.”
“Sure, you don't even need to ask. What’s going on? Wait,
Cisely is listening in too.” I turn the other phone on.
“
Ciao
, Cisely.”
“Hi, Adagio. What has happened?”
“I got a call from a good friend in Salt Lake. He and his
wife just lost their little boy. He was hit and killed by a drunk
driver.”
I gasp. “Oh, that’s terrible!”
“I know. After he hit the boy, the young man ran into a
tree a little farther down the road. Otherwise, they would not
have caught him.”
“How is the poor family holding up?” Ingo asks.
“They are pretty broken up. Tara, the mother, is not well
at all. He was eight years old and their only child. She can't have
any more children.”
I tearfully try to imagine what the couple must be going
through. It brings back a few memories of being in cars with
drunk drivers myself. That is, when I was sober enough to
notice. It's not a pretty picture and I quickly put it out of my
mind. “Can we do anything to help?”
“I don't know at the moment. Gary, the boy’s father,
asked me if I would help them with the arrangements. Neither
are close to their families through no fault of their own. I will
let you know if I need any help once I get there and can talk
with them about what they want.”
“When does your flight get in?” Ingo asks.
“My plane was delayed for a couple of hours, but we are
almost ready to take off. I will be there at midnight. I have
already reserved a car, so you won't need to pick me up. I'm
sorry to be coming in so late.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I say. “We will just be glad to see
you.”
“I look forward to seeing you as well.”
After the call, we get up and get going, readying a room
for Adagio. We look forward to seeing him again. We only wish
it were under happier circumstances.

It is one in the morning when Adagio parks his rented
Mazda in front of Ingo and Cisely’s home and hauls his luggage
up the steps. The living room light is on, so he knows someone
is waiting up for him. Ingo opens the door before he even
knocks and the two men embrace.

“I appreciate you letting me stay with you.”
“You never have to ask. You're always welcome.”
“Thank you.”
He follows Ingo up to the same guest room he stayed in

when he came for the wedding.
“Cisely
said she'll see
you
bright
and early
in
the
morning.” Looking at his watch, he grins. “I guess that would
be today.”
Adagio chuckles. “It is always so strange to lose half your
day and not even know it.”
“I know what you mean. Can I get you anything?”
“No, I am okay.”
“Well, make yourself at home”
“Thanks. I will see you later.”

Adagio closes the door and places his suitcase on the bed.
Taking out a pair of pajama bottoms, a t-shirt and his toiletry
bag, he quickly changes and gets into bed, deciding to leave the
unpacking until after he’s had some sleep.

But as tired as he is, he can’t sleep. His thoughts are on
Gary and Tara and their loss. Brian was only six years old the
last time Adagio saw him. At that time, the little boy followed
him around like a shadow most of the time, and Adagio loved
it. Smiling Adagio, ponders the times he shared with the family,
going to ball games and out for pizza. He had even baby-sat for
Gary and Tara a few times so they could get out for a bit. He
remembers how he envied their happiness and contentment in
life. Gary and Tara had each other, they had their faith, and
they had Brian. They had needed nothing else. Now Brian is
gone and a gaping hole is left in their life.

Adagio’s thoughts shift to his mother. Even after all these
years he still misses her. He misses her laughter, her beautiful
smile, her unwavering faith.

He thinks back, as he has so many times before, to the
last conversation he had with his mother before she died. She
told him he would one day face a trial that would shake his
faith
to
the
very
core
before
receiving
blessings
beyond
measure. At first, he’d thought it was when the restaurant
burned down. He'd put so much work into the place and
suddenly it was taken away. It had all been for nothing, or so he
had thought. He has learned much since then about business
and is grateful for the lessons.

Still, he wonders about the trial he is facing now, because
it seems to be growing harder with each day that passes.
It is the trial of loneliness.
Some days he is okay because he knows God has a plan,
though he has no idea what that plan is. But during moments
like this, it is hard to see past the pain enough to think about
future blessings.
He misses his mother and he is lonely.
However, he does have friends and a good life.
He has much to be grateful for.

Adagio is sitting at the kitchen table enjoying a cup of hot
chocolate, hoping the big dose of sugar will give him a needed
energy boost when Jessica enters.

“Hello,” he says, standing.
“Adagio, my boy!” Jessica reaches up to hug him and he
leaned down, accepting her embrace. “How are you?” she asks,
releasing him.
“I am well.”
“Ingo told me about your friends’ loss. I am so sorry.”
“Thank you. I can't imagine what they are going through.
I am heading over to their place in a few minutes.”
“Well, though I don’t know them, please give them my
condolences.”
“I will.” He smiles. “I guess you are pretty excited about
Cisely and Ingo’s little one. Since you have adopted the role of
Cisely’s mother, you really will be like a grandmother.”
“I’m very excited. Since I never had little ones of my
own, I welcome babies anytime. I hope the house will be full
one day.”
“I hope you are right,” Adagio agrees. “I can picture Ingo
chasing them up and down the stairs now.”
“Now that would indeed be a sight.”
Adagio looks up as Ingo and Cisely enters the kitchen. He
grins. “Hello,
bella.”
“Hey, you,” Cisely says, grinning back as he hugs her.
“I’m so sorry about your friends.”
“Thank you. I am heading over now, but I couldn't leave
without saying hello and thanking you for letting me stay.”
Cisely waves the comment aside. “Thanks, smanks, you’re
family, so you are always welcome.”
Adagio visits with them another few moments before
heading out.

Adagio puts his arms around Brian and Tara and they cry
against his shoulders. For a few moments he saying nothing,
just offers what comfort he can. There is nothing else he can
say, no new words to offer, and definitely no advice since he’s
never been in their position or even close. Losing a parent is
one thing, but losing a child is something he’s never had to
comprehend.

“Let's go into the kitchen,” Tara finally suggests. “We
have a counter full of cookies and pastries that some of the
neighbors dropped off last night.”

They sit at the table for a while, talking about Brian and
what a special boy he was. Adagio sheds a few more tears
thinking about how much he will miss him.

“We had so many plans for the future.” Tara says, fresh
tears brimming her eyes. “We were going to enroll Brian in a
karate class in a couple of weeks. He was so excited about that.
He wanted to be able to defend himself should he ever run into
bullies in school.” Closing her eyes, she heaves a sad sigh.
“There is just never enough time.”

Adagio places a hand on his shoulder. “You
were the
best parents a kid could ever ask for, and you will always have
your memories of him and the life you all had together.
Nothing can ever take that away. In the short time you had
together, you probably gave him a lifetime of love.”

“We tried to,” Gary says. “We'd like to think we did.”
“Trust me, you did.”
Adagio accompanies Gary and Tara to the funeral home

and helps with the service arrangements. He finally says good
night, embracing them both, assuring them he will always be
there for them. They thank him and write down the address of
the church.

They tell Adagio how grateful they are for his friendship,
and he assures them it is the other way around. They shared
their son with him. That meant more than he can ever say.

It seems every person the Flynn family has ever known
is in attendance for their son’s funeral and they receive much
support. The church is filled to capacity, and I'm sure it
comforts the grieving parents to know their son had touched so
many lives. Many wonderful and kind things are said about
Brian during the service. He had touched countless people
during his short life and was truly loved by everyone he came in
contact
with.
Glancing
around the
packed building,
it
is
obvious Gary and Tara have touched many lives as well.