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The warm summer sun felt good against Justus’ face while he sat in his wheelchair. The bruises and cuts had healed without leaving any scars, for which he was grateful. However, he still had shooting pain whenever he moved his hands and was doing physical therapy to help him with walking again. If only the nightmares would stop and he could get a full night’s rest, maybe then he would start to feel normal again.
He looked up at Harrison and Douglas standing by his side. In his lap he held the small wooden box that contained the ashes of his friend Marcus. He looked across the small grave at Dale and Scotty. Scotty’s eyes were red and wet with tears.
A woman in a lightweight, spring dress stepped forward. She held out her hands toward the box. Justus moved his cupped hands away, letting her take it. He watched her place it into the small white coffin-shaped container and seal it shut. She stepped away, leaving the coffin sitting on the larger box covered in fake green grass over the grave.
Justus felt Harrison’s hand touch his shoulder. He looked up at him. Harrison smiled and then looked at the gathering.
“Thank you all for coming,” Harrison said in a loud voice that carried up the hillside of Skyline Memorial Gardens. “We are here to pay our respects to our beloved friend, Marcus Philip Morelli.”
While Harrison continued his eulogy, Justus looked up the hillside at the flowers that covered a fresh grave. The mourners from that funeral were already heading toward the parking lot at the top of the hill. He looked back at the gathering.
“He was a bright flame that burned out way too soon. We will miss him forever,” Harrison concluded.
One by one, friends stepped forward and placed a red rose on the ground in front of the green box. Justus watched Miss Scarlett and Cherry Royale step forward with their roses. Miss Scarlett looked every bit the southern belle: large brimmed hat with a bit of tulle draped over the edge, a formal full-length dress minus the hoop-skirt, and white gloves that went up to her elbows. On the other hand, Cherry Royale was shrouded in a long black veil, a black gown, and black gloves. It made Justus think she looked like a bride of Dracula. He looked away.
The crowd slowly dispersed, leaving Justus and his close friends alone. He spotted the gravediggers lurking under a tree in the distance.
“I think they want us to leave,” he said and nodded in their direction.
Scotty stepped forward and placed his rose on top of the white coffin. He kissed his fingertips and pressed them to the top.
“I love you,” he said quietly, but Justus still heard him.
Once Scotty regained his composure, the group moved up the hill toward the parking lot. Justus motioned at Harrison’s arm as they neared the flower laden grave.
“I want to stop by Jack’s grave and leave this rose.”
“Of course,” Harrison told him. He pushed the wheelchair over to the spot. Douglas, Scotty, and Dale waited a few yards back.
Justus drew a deep, quivering breath. He looked at the spray of red roses and white carnations that lay across the cut sod. A red ribbon was pinned across the arrangement, with Beloved Son written in golden letters down its center.
“I can’t believe there were so many,” Justus said. “How could someone kill so many people, bury them right under his own house, and it take months to find him?”
“He was a monster, for sure,” Harrison said. “There’s no other explanation.”
“Did I tell you I spoke with Barry’s mother?”
“No. When?”
“I called her a couple days ago,” Justus answered in a disgusted tone. “I wanted to tell her how sorry I was about her son. You know what she said? She said she lost her son a long time ago when he decided to pursue a homosexual lifestyle. Can you believe it?”
Harrison shook his head.
“She said, ‘At least he didn’t die from AIDS and cause the family more embarrassment.’ I wanted to reach through the phone and choke her. How could a mother say such a horrible thing about her own son?”
“I don’t know.”
“When I asked when his funeral would be, she told me they weren’t having one and not to send flowers. She wouldn’t even tell me where they had him buried.”
“I’m sorry,” Harrison sympathized. “Are you ready to go home?”
“Yes.”
It took thirty-five minutes with traffic and stop lights for Harrison to drive from NW Skyline Blvd at the end W Burnside to downtown Portland. Justus sat quietly in the passenger seat and stared out the window while they crossed the Burnside Bridge.
“When should I tell Scotty about Marcus’ will?” he asked Harrison. Justus glimpsed a handsome man in shorts standing at a bus stop, but he did not do a double take like he would have just a few weeks ago.
“It’s really up to you, whenever you’re ready.”
“How do you think Scott’s going to react?”
“Judging from what I saw today, you should expect more tears,” Harrison answered.
“I don’t want to upset him any more than he already is.”
“Well, I think it will upset him no matter when you tell him. So, think about it.”
“Should I say anything to Dale?”
“He’s going to find out anyway.”
“Yeah but he’s going to be hurt. He’s known Marcus for as long as Scotty has. I feel so bad for him that he wasn’t named in the will.”
“Hey, it was Marcus’ decision, not yours. Dale can’t be upset with you. . . well, he can but that’s beside the point. The point is, if Dale decides to be mad at you, then that’s his problem. Not yours.”
“Still, he’s my friend and I don’t want to lose him. I don’t have many left.”
“I know. We’ll get through this like we have the rest of it, one day at a time. Okay?” Harrison glanced at Justus.
“Yeah,” Justus agreed.
“It’s Friday, are you guys going to the club tonight?” Harrison changed the subject.
“I don’t know. . .”
“Come on, you haven’t been out in weeks. Why not go and have a drink in memory of Marcus?”
“I just don’t feel like it. After everything that’s happened, I just don’t know.”
“It’s okay to be a little afraid because of Dean—”
“It’s not that. Besides, he sent a really nice card when he found out about what happened to me and all. He told me he was being transferred to another job in Seattle.”
“Maybe it’s for the best.”
“Maybe,” Justus agreed.
“So, what is it? Why don’t you want to get back out there?” Harrison asked and turned off Sandy Blvd onto Broadway.
Justus did not answer. He did not know how to express that he had become afraid of men, strangers especially. That every time he looked at them, he could not help but see Andy and remember what he did. Hearing about losing the Concannon account at work was actually a relief. At least when he finally was able to go back, he would not have to ever pull that file again.
Harrison slowed and turned into the driveway. Justus noticed Douglas’ truck. Douglas had made a quick recovery from his serious surgery that had been needed after being gored by the same tire iron that stopped Andy. Scotty had been such a help to him, which had left Harrison free to dote on Justus.
Harrison parked the CR-V and quickly jumped out. He raised the back hatch and took out Justus’ wheelchair. Justus opened his door and readied himself to be lowered into the chair. It had become less awkward the more he had done it. Harrison closed the car door and used his key fob to lock it.
Justus sat back while Harrison wheeled him around to the front of the house. Harrison had a temporary ramp built so he could roll the wheelchair up to the front door. Once through the front door, Col. Mustard came running. He jumped onto Justus’ lap and nuzzled his chin. He mewed a couple times before turning around and settling down.
“Crazy cat,” Harrison laughed. “Let me know if you want him down.
“He’s fine for now,” Justus said and gave Col. Mustard an awkward pat on the head with his semi-closed fist. “Have you guys been waiting long?”
“Not too long,” Scotty said and stood up from where he had been sitting on the couch next to Douglas. “Want a drink or something to eat? I can’t believe how nice people have been. When we got back here, there was a couple just leaving the front porch. They said they were neighbors and wanted to help out. They handed me a pan of homemade lasagna. I put it in the kitchen with the rest of the food.”
“Thanks,” Harrison acknowledged.
“I’ll have a Coke,” Justus said. “Still taking meds. Can’t have any alcohol.”
“I think one drink wouldn’t hurt,” Harrison spoke up.
“Okay, put a little Captain Morgan’s in it.”
“Coming right up,” Scotty said, sounding more like his old self. “How about you, Harry?”
“I was hoping I could coax Douglas into making one of his coffee nudge drinks,” Harrison answered.
“Sure thing,” Douglas said. He jumped up and headed for the kitchen.
Col. Mustard began to squirm. Harrison picked him up and put him on the floor. He quickly trotted off to somewhere in the back of the house.
“So, what have you two been doing?” Justus asked and wheeled himself up to the dining room table.
Douglas shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing. Just waiting for you two.”
Justus eyed him suspiciously.
“Don’t start,” Harrison warned and sat down in his usual place at the table.
“I wasn’t going to say anything.” Justus feigned innocence and laughed.
Just then Dale walked into the room from the hall. He was still wiping his hands on his slacks. “I thought I heard you guys,” he said.
“You do know there’s a towel hanging on the hook beside the sink,” Harrison said to him.
“Oh yeah, I saw but it’s a habit.”
“Here you go,” Scotty said when he returned. He handed Justus a glass.
“Thanks.” He took a sip. The spiced rum blended with the cola and tasted good.
“So, what is the plan for the evening?” Douglas asked when he walked back into the room. He set a mug in front of Harrison before retrieving his and Scotty’s drinks from the living room.
“I guess we could order pizza and watch a movie,” Harrison suggested.
“Isn’t it your club night,” Douglas said, prodding the three and dropping a hint.
“I don’t think I can—”
“Nonsense,” Douglas said. “Just because you’re in that chair doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.”
Justus looked at Dale and then Scotty.
“What can it hurt?” Scotty said and gave a purposeful nod.
“Jack and Marcus would have wanted us to,” Dale agreed.
“Then it’s settled,” Harrison interjected.
“Does that mean you both are coming too?” Justus asked and looked at Harrison and then at Douglas.
Douglas turned to Harrison. “Sure, why not?” Douglas answered.
“Harry?” Justus asked.
“If it means that much to you, fine,” Harrison answered. “But just this once and I don’t want to hear about it again.”
“I promise,” Justus said and grinned.