Chapter 38
“But thanks anyway”
Johnnie and Lucas were greeted at the door by a ghastly-looking colored man wearing a black suit and tie. When he smiled, his false teeth gave him the appearance of a meek Garden District butler. He led them to Mason Fletcher’s office, where they waited for arrival of the funeral director. The office walls were strewn with artwork of Eli Whitney, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, and Dr. Charles Drew. Fletcher’s desk was made of solid oak and glistened. There was a small plaque on his desk with a quote from Frederick Douglass that read: Learn trades or starve. Hand carved onyx figurines of Booker T. Washington and Nat Turner sat on both sides of the plaque. The wall to wall burgundy carpet was so thick that walking on it left temporary footprints.
After the ghastly-looking colored man with the false teeth left them, they casually walked around the room, reading each caption under the pictures.
It wasn’t long before Mason Fletcher walked into his office and greeted them with an undertaker’s smile and a firm handshake. He was wearing a light gray double-breasted suit with a gray tie and shoes. Mason Fletcher was of average height, thin, with graying temples. He wore a wellgroomed salt-and-pepper beard. He eased into his leather chair and gestured for them to sit down. They did.
“Ms. Wise, I’m sorry for your loss, and I assure you we here at Fletcher Funeral Home will do our utmost to see to it that your mother is laid to rest in the manner you deem appropriate.”
“Thank you, Mr. Fletcher,” Johnnie said with tear-filled eyes.
Mason reached into his pocket and handed her his white handkerchief. Johnnie took it from him and wiped her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I just can’t seem to stop crying when I think of her.”
“We understand, don’t we, mister—”
“Matthews, and yes, we do,” Lucas said, holding Johnnie firmly.
“Well, what do you have to offer, Mr. Fletcher?” Johnnie asked.
“Why don’t I show you some of our caskets and then we can talk about a price.”
They went into the parlor, where he kept twenty or so caskets. As they looked at each casket, Fletcher described its features, offering more details about the more expensive caskets.
“Mr. Fletcher, have you seen my mother?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Will you be able to make her look like she did . . . before?”
“Yes, but it will be expensive.”
He’s going to try to get as much money out of me as he can. “I have to tell you that I don’t have much money.”
“I’m sure we can work something out, Ms. Wise.”
After looking at all the caskets and hearing his sales pitch on each, Fletcher recommended one of the more expensive caskets, just as Johnnie knew he would. She decided to go with a less expensive one that was the same powder blue color as Marguerite’s car.
“So, how much is this going to cost me, Mr. Fletcher?” Johnnie asked.
“Depends on what you want,” Fletcher said.
“How much does the average funeral cost?” Lucas asked feeling like he had to say something, although he was impressed by Johnnie’s command of the situation.
“Anywhere from two thousand to ten thousand,” Fletcher said in such a way that it didn’t sound like a lot of money. “You know your mother. What would she want?”
“Well, she always told me it was a waste of money to spend anything more than a thousand dollars on a funeral. I’m sure we can’t afford your prices, Mr. Fletcher. Sorry to waste your time.”
“Don’t be so hasty,” Fletcher said. “I told you we can work something out. Can you afford eighteen hundred?”
“I can afford twelve.”
“What about fifteen?”
“Throw the tomb in and you’ve got a deal.”
“Deal,” Fletcher said and extended his hand to shake Johnnie’s.
Johnnie shook on the deal, but Fletcher held on to her hand a little longer than he should have, nodding slightly and smiling lecherously. Johnnie got the feeling that if she offered herself to him, the price would be considerably less, perhaps nothing at all.
“I’ll check on you in a couple of days to see how you’re holding up, Ms. Wise.”
“No need, Mr. Fletcher,” Johnnie said, picking up on the hint. “I have Lucas to lean on when I feel weak. But thanks anyway.”