Hudson thanked the last guests for coming and said goodbye. His father’s funeral had been hard and he was exhausted. But he was grateful that Lewis had come to speak at the service. His father’s last wish was that his service be about Jesus and that they would tell everyone he was sorry he had waited so long, but he had given his heart to God. Lewis had done a wonderful job. Hudson had also shared about his father’s life and accomplishments and he hoped his dad would be proud of the way he had spoken.
A reception had followed at his father’s home, and Hudson had lost count of the people who had come to give their condolences. Business colleagues, clients, distant family that Hudson hadn’t seen in years. The house was full, and Hudson’s heart was full too. The final few weeks of Walter Jennings’ life had been joyful and peaceful. Hudson had been at his side, talking, praying, reading the Bible to him. If Hudson had doubted his father’s conversion at first, he had no reason to doubt after the time they spent together. Walter was hungry to know about Jesus and spent time in prayer every day. They had three weeks together. But Walter’s decline was quick, and the last two days Hudson knew he would go at any moment.
Hudson’s mind flashed back to his mother’s passing, with Shannon at his side. He desperately wished that she was with him then. But he remembered her playing worship songs, so he pulled out his phone and his father’s last hours passed with songs of praise filling the room.
Now Hudson walked into his father’s living room and sank into the couch. Pete walked out from the kitchen to join him, the only person left besides the staff.
“It was a nice service,” Pete said.
“Yes, it was,” Hudson responded, rubbing his chin.
“I still can’t believe he’s gone. It all happened so fast.”
Hudson sighed. “I feel the same way.”
“I’m sorry, man. I can’t imagine how you feel now.”
Alone, Hudson wanted to say. But that wasn’t quite true. He had felt God’s presence with him more than ever in the past few days, but he ached to hold Shannon’s hand every day too.
“What do you think you’ll do now?” Pete asked.
Hudson shrugged. “Go home, I guess. And then back to work Monday morning.”
“Here? At the office?”
“Yeah, why not?”
Pete threw his hands up in the air. “Because you’ve never wanted to do that. And because your father gave you his blessing to go do what you want. So go do what you want.”
Hudson dropped his face into his hand. “The problem is, I don’t know what that is anymore.”
Pete stood and went to stare Hudson down. “No that’s not the problem. I don’t believe that. The problem is that you’re scared.”
Hudson furrowed his eyebrows. He didn’t want to argue with his friend. “I’ll figure it out. I just need some time. I just lost both of my parents, so life is a little upside down right now. So I’ll go back to work at the company my father and grandfather built. I know I’ve always said I don’t want to work there, but losing everyone changes your perspective.”
Pete looked away and walked to stand leaning on the mantle. “I understand. Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “Did you eat anything? Want some dinner?”
“Actually, I don’t think I did eat.” That reminded him of how Shannon brought him food and told him to eat every few hours after his mother died, but he pushed the thought away. “Want to order pizza.”
“Sounds good. I’ll take care of it.” Pete pulled out his phone, but he stopped to look at Hudson. “Look, I won’t bring it up again. I know things are crazy right now and you’re just trying to figure things out. But as your friend, I have to tell you. I saw the way you looked at her. So even if you don’t, I know what you want. And I think you shouldn’t waste too much time figuring that out.”
“Thanks for being my friend,” Hudson said. “Now order the pizza.”