OC,SH NETWORK | memberships HERE
Website💗YouTube🚙Twitter Facebk Pag & Grp
Cort-cars-hearts + Articles-Videos + Galleries
[click post image(s) for larger size]
} ALL Story Sunday posts HERE }
Click HERE for entire Don’t Forget Schuster.
Click HERE for entire Route 66-based story.
Click HERE for entire The Newspaper Limo.
mystery story sequel-continuation
“Well,” Tom began his remarks after everyone had been seated in the church-turned-townlife-center, “this is a bit deja vuish, ain’t it?”
A collective nervous chuckle waved across the townsfolk.
“Ricky’s death, so close on the heals of the death of my beloved daughter, Tracy, has shaken us, I’m sure,” Tom continued. “But, as we all know, death is a part of life. As someone once said, none of us are getting out of here alive.”
This time, a hearty laugh washed over those gathered in the great room to celebrate Ricky’s life, releasing a tension.
“That’s better,” Tom acknowledged the tension nobody had felt until now.
Vern took that moment to look around at some of the people seated, all of whom had been at Charlene’s for the pre-service luncheon: Marty, Phil, Kyle & Ashley (& their kids), Charlene, Evan, Old Lady Yannich, Mabel, Tyler.
“As I said,” Tom continued, “death is a part of life. We never know how long our life will be, nor do we know when our time will come, but we do know it will, sometimes sooner, rather than later. But, it really shouldn’t be about how long we are on this earth, but rather what we do with our time.”
Tom then launched into a summary, of sorts, of Ricky’s life & service to the town & its people. That 15-minute monologue was followed by nearly an hour of sharing from those in attendance, including Marty, Vern, Charlene, Mabel & Tyler, among others. Tom then wrapped up the service.
“I’m not sure Ricky knew all the impacts he had, evidenced in your memories & tributes we just heard,” Tom said, returning to the podium. “As sad as that may seem now, I can tell you each of us has no idea the impacts we’ve had on others … & we may never know … & that’s OK. Perhaps we shouldn’t always know. Such are the mysterious idiosyncrasies of this wonderful experience we call … life. For now, go in peace & enjoy the rest of this wonderful day.”
With that, the gathered townspeople, most of whom were already standing to end the service, started filing out of the church-turned-townlife-center. Vern glanced at his phone; it read nearly 3p. When he locked up, Marty & Evan were standing next to him.
“Plenty of time to get Evan’s car to your place yet this afternoon, right, Vern?” Marty asked.
“Absolutely,” Vern said.
“Let’s get going, then,” Evan urged.
“Not yet,” Vern replied. “As Marty noted, we have plenty of time. Let’s let people file out, mingle in the great room a bit, then we can go. Half hour tops.”