Unexpected Angel (17 page)

The cemetery, where they would have Tony’s service, was on top of a hill overlooking the town of Springfield. Off in the distance were dairy farms and other farms where thoroughbred horses were raised. Beyond the farms, a long ridge of the Appalachians soared skyward.  Folks around here referred to this stretch of country as
Almost
Heaven
.  Townspeople were certain that their valley was the most idyllic location in the state.

A gentle breeze blew across the hill.  The sunshine was brilliant, the sky crystal blue, just as it was on the day of the accident.  It was a perfect day, if there could be one, for a burial service.  The canvas material of the canopy, which had been set up at the gravesite, made soft snapping noises as it ruffled in the breeze.  The family would sit under the canopy, in folding chairs, during the service.  Friends and other acquaintances would stand at the edges.

Fiona Wilson had decided against a service in the chapel of Tuttle’s funeral home.  She had also decided not to have a visitation.  Tony’s ex-girlfriend, Sarah, could not be there.  She was in drug rehab.  Fiona hoped that nobody in Sarah’s family would show up.  If they did, they would probably make the usual sarcastic remarks about Fiona keeping Liza.  There might even be some arguments. Fiona did not want any scenes from anybody.  A single service at the cemetery would be sufficient.

Shortly before the service, family and friends had formed a procession of vehicles at the funeral home.  The hearse carrying Tony’s casket led the way.  Immediately behind the hearse, a limousine carried Tony’s mother and his daughter Liza.  After that, were the personal vehicles of other relatives, friends, and guests.  Not knowing exactly where he belonged in the procession, Wally instructed Norman to follow all the other cars.

Norman did not try to change Wally’s mind about that, but he did voice his opinion on the matter.  “You’ve done every bit as much for Tony as his mother.  Don’t shortchange yourself.  You belong here and you deserve a special place.”

Wally was silent.

When the procession arrived at Hope Memorial Gardens, the pall bearers, most of them Tony’s buddies from Brockton, carried the casket to the grave site.  Clark Hickman was the only pallbearer who was not from Brockton.  He lived in Poplar Hill, just up the street from Wally.  Clark had been Tony’s close friend since childhood, but Tony had never told Wally much about him.

Wally suspected there had been an involvement between Tony and Clark.  Now, he would never know.

Tony’s mother and the others walked from the parking circle to the gravesite. Now and then, someone would sniffle, but the procession of mourners was mostly quiet.  The family was seated.  The funeral director was talking to Tony’s mother.  Liza was waving at everybody.  Wally and Norman didn’t look for a seat.  They stood at the edge of the canopy.

The funeral director approached Wally.  “I have something to ask you.  Mrs. Wilson says she has changed her mind about several things.  She is requesting that you sit beside her during the service.  She told me that you have earned that place.”

Wally had trouble believing what he heard.  He looked at Norman.  “Do you mind?”

“Do whatever you need to do,” came Norman’s reply.

Wally threw aside his doubts and walked over to Fiona Wilson.  Looking at her, it was easy to tell which side of the family Tony favored.

Fiona took Wally’s hand in hers, looked up at him, and spoke softly, “I have been thinking.  We both love Tony.  He loved both of us in his own special way.  Now is not the time for us to let our differences get in the way.   Tony has been telling me nice things about you all summer.   You seem to be a fine person.  Please sit beside me.  You deserve the seat as much as anybody here, maybe more.”

Mrs. Wilson went on, “In case you’re wondering, Tony’s stepfather could not be with us today.  He has a heart condition and is having some problems.”  Fiona Wilson paused and reflected, hoping to cover everything necessary in their brief conversation.  A little girl fidgeted in the chair beside her. Fiona turned and spoke to Wally,  “Oh, have you met Tony’s daughter, Liza?  She’s Grandma’s pride and joy.  So much like her daddy when he was younger.”

Turning to Liza, she said, “Say hello to your daddy’s friend.”

Liza stood in front of Wally, curiosity all over her face.  She tugged on Wally’s suit coat.  He looked at her and smiled. He asked playfully, “ Hey, sugar dumpling, what’cha want?”

She looked up at Wally.  “You love my daddy?”

“Oh, yes, honey.  I never loved anybody so much in my life.”

Wally sat in the chair on Fiona Wilson’s left.  Liza sat on the other side of her grandmother.  Then she changed her mind.  She walked over to Wally, and climbed upon his lap.

“Liza, doll, don’t bother Mr. Jackson.  There’s room to sit beside him, if you like.  You’ll wrinkle his slacks.”

“It’s all right, Mrs. Wilson.  I would be honored to hold Tony’s daughter.”

Wally had been pondering something he considered very important.  He might not have another chance.  He cleared his throat.  Turning to Tony’s mother, he said, “I was going to give these to the funeral director to give to you.  But, since you invited me to sit here, I will give them to you myself.”

Fiona turned to Wally. A curious look was on her face.  “Is it something of Tony’s?” she asked.

“Yes.” replied Wally.  Then, he spoke softly to the little girl on his lap.  “Liza, honey, hop down a minute.  Uncle Wally has to show some pictures to your grandma.”

Fiona smiled.  She looked at Liza.  “Hmm.  Uncle Wally.  I like the sound of that.”  Turning to Wally, she went on, “Why don’t you let her call you that from now on?  I mean you are becoming very special to us.  You must have a proper title.”  She smiled.  Her eyes glistened with tears beginning to form.  Taking a tissue from a small box beside her, she touched it gently to her cheek to catch a stray tear, then to the end of her nose to take care of a sniffle.

Wally produced an envelope from the inside pocket of his suit coat.  He looked at Fiona.  He thought, I hope she is pleased with these.  Is it the right time?  Wally cleared his throat again.  Mustering up some courage, he said, “This envelope was in the mail this morning.  Juliana just mailed it to me day before yesterday.  On the night before Tony was in the accident, he called me and said he would have her send me some pictures of the child.”

“Child?  Did you say child?  And, who is Juliana?”

Wally handed the envelope to Fiona Wilson.  “Tony told me that he had a son by a former girlfriend, named Juliana, down in North Carolina.  He was so happy.  It was late when we talked.  He wasn’t going to see the child until the next morning.  Tony was usually kind of cool about stuff like this, but I could detect more than a little bit of excitement in his voice.”

Fiona pulled three pictures out of the envelope.

“Oh,” said Wally.  “I forgot to tell you.  The little boy’s name is Miguel.”

Fiona wiped a few tears from her cheek. She looked at the first picture,  “Oh my, the child is so precious.  And, Tony looks like the happiest man on Earth.”  Holding the picture up for Wally to look, she went on, “Have you noticed how much Miguel looks like his daddy?  Oh, this is the nicest gift anyone ever gave me.”  She grabbed another tissue and began to wipe her eyes.

Wally spoke,  “The pictures are yours to keep.  But I am wondering if you would get me a copy of the picture of Tony holding Miguel up in the air.  He looks so content, like he has just found a chest filled with gold and jewels.  That’s the way I want to remember him.”

Liza looked at Fiona and Wally.  Her face shone with curiosity.  Wally placed her back upon his lap.  “Oh, one more thing.  Juliana’s return address is on the envelope.  I hope you will contact her someday.”

“Oh, yes.  In proper time, of course.”  Fiona wiped some more tears from her cheek.  “This is the most unusual day.  I am burying my son.  I have found that he left me a treasure.  You have made me so happy.  It’s no wonder Tony loved you.”

The minister stood up.  Everyone became silent. There was nothing unusual about the service until the end.  After all the traditional prayers and readings, the minister said, “Tony’s buddies informed me of something he talked about a great deal.  He had seen a television movie with a scene about a young man’s funeral.  Tony was deeply moved by something they did.  This is the reason for the tank of helium and the balloons just outside the canopy. When a balloon is filled, it will represent the spirit of Tony Danforth, yearning to soar into the heavens, accepting the reality that he can no longer be a part of us.  The ribbon attached to the balloon will represent our attachment to Tony, our unwillingness to let him go.  Please take a balloon if you desire.  Don’t release it immediately.  Take some time to ponder your connection with Tony.  Take time to realize that his spirit is still very much alive.  He will be in another place that God has provided.  When you are ready, say some prayers for yourself and for Tony. Then, release the balloon and watch it climb into the sky.  Remember, we no longer have any influence over Tony.  He is a free spirit, a soul redeemed by the blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Have nothing but precious memories about Tony.  Let everything else go.”