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Are You Afraid Of The Dark :: Sheldon Sidney
Страница: 20 из 173"I'm sorry." She was unable to go on.
He watched her stumble outside and hail a taxi.
* * *
WHEN DIANE RETURNED to her apartment, she walked into Richard's closet. There were two racks filled with his suits. Each outfit held a treasured memory. There was the tan suit Richard had been wearing the night they met at the art gallery. I like your curves. They have the delicacy of a Rossetti or a Manet. Could she let go of that suit? No.
Her fingers touched the next one. It was the light gray sport jacket Richard had worn to the picnic, when they had been caught in the rain.
Your place or mine?
This isn 'tjust a one-night stand.
I know.
How could she not keep it?
The pinstriped suit was next. You like French food. I know a great French restaurant…
The navy blazer… the suede jacket… Diane wrapped the arms of a blue suit around herself and hugged it. I could never let any of these go. Each of them was a cherished remembrance. "I can't." Sobbing, she grabbed a suit at random and fled.
The following afternoon, there was a message on Diane's voice mail: "Mrs.
Stevens, this is Detective Greenburg. I wanted to let you know that everything here has been cleared. I've talked to the Dalton Mortuary. You're free to go ahead with whatever plans you want to make…" There was a slight pause. "I wish you well… Good-bye." Diane called Ron Jones at the mortuary. "I understand that my husband's body has arrived there." "Yes, Mrs. Stevens. I already have someone taking care of the cosmetics, and we've received the clothes you sent. Thank you." "I thought-would this coming Friday be all right for the funeral?" "Friday will be fine. By then we will have taken care of all the necessary details. I would suggest eleven a.m." In three days, Richard and I will be parted forever. Or until I join him.
* * *
THURSDAY MORNING, DIANE was busily preparing the final details of the funeral, verifying the long list of invitees and the pallbearers, when the telephone call came.
"Mrs. Stevens?"
"Yes." "This is Ron Jones. I just wanted to let you know that I received your paperwork and the change was made, just as you requested." Diane was puzzled. "Paperwork-?" "Yes. The courier brought it yesterday, with your letter." "I didn't send any-" "Frankly, I was a little surprised, but, of course, it was your decision." "My decision-?" "We cremated your husband's body one hour ago.
He watched her stumble outside and hail a taxi.
* * *
WHEN DIANE RETURNED to her apartment, she walked into Richard's closet. There were two racks filled with his suits. Each outfit held a treasured memory. There was the tan suit Richard had been wearing the night they met at the art gallery. I like your curves. They have the delicacy of a Rossetti or a Manet. Could she let go of that suit? No.
Her fingers touched the next one. It was the light gray sport jacket Richard had worn to the picnic, when they had been caught in the rain.
Your place or mine?
This isn 'tjust a one-night stand.
I know.
How could she not keep it?
The pinstriped suit was next. You like French food. I know a great French restaurant…
The navy blazer… the suede jacket… Diane wrapped the arms of a blue suit around herself and hugged it. I could never let any of these go. Each of them was a cherished remembrance. "I can't." Sobbing, she grabbed a suit at random and fled.
The following afternoon, there was a message on Diane's voice mail: "Mrs.
Stevens, this is Detective Greenburg. I wanted to let you know that everything here has been cleared. I've talked to the Dalton Mortuary. You're free to go ahead with whatever plans you want to make…" There was a slight pause. "I wish you well… Good-bye." Diane called Ron Jones at the mortuary. "I understand that my husband's body has arrived there." "Yes, Mrs. Stevens. I already have someone taking care of the cosmetics, and we've received the clothes you sent. Thank you." "I thought-would this coming Friday be all right for the funeral?" "Friday will be fine. By then we will have taken care of all the necessary details. I would suggest eleven a.m." In three days, Richard and I will be parted forever. Or until I join him.
* * *
THURSDAY MORNING, DIANE was busily preparing the final details of the funeral, verifying the long list of invitees and the pallbearers, when the telephone call came.
"Mrs. Stevens?"
"Yes." "This is Ron Jones. I just wanted to let you know that I received your paperwork and the change was made, just as you requested." Diane was puzzled. "Paperwork-?" "Yes. The courier brought it yesterday, with your letter." "I didn't send any-" "Frankly, I was a little surprised, but, of course, it was your decision." "My decision-?" "We cremated your husband's body one hour ago.