problem Mike, we got this covered for you. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your being here. Love you guys.” I then headed out the door to the kitchen dreading my next task.
Mr. and Mrs. Graham Marsh died on April 2 due to an automobile accident. Graham Marsh (82) was a long time resident of Peapack and was the CEO of Marsh Company until he retired. Mr. Marsh held numerous patents. Margarite Nash (81), also a long time resident of Peapack, was active in numerous charity organizations and was a member of the Historical Society. Their daughter, Celia Carter, and her husband Michael Carter Sr., predeceased Mr. and Mrs. Marsh. Their grandson Michael Carter Jr. survives them. A celebration of their life will be held at the Druely Funeral Home on Wednesday April 7, and a mass will be held on April 8, at St. Anne’s Church.
The mass time needed confirmation however; I thought it looked amazingly good for a first draft. Everyone looked at it and no one thought I should change a word. Having taken care of the obit, Mrs. P got up and said it is 11 o’clock and I have to get home. I stood up and gave her a heartfelt hug saying thank you repeatedly. I looked at Fiona, who did not appear to be getting up, causing a slight grin from yours truly while hiding it from her mom. I announced loudly to the remaining friends, that they were free to crash anywhere they wanted to. Taylor and Kristen took this as their cue and Taylor said, “Rico we are going to head over to my house.” Even though Taylor was my closet neighbor, they had driven over since there were a couple of acres that separated the homes. I walked them and Fiona’s mom to the door and stood on the porch as they headed for their cars. Mrs. P yelled out before getting into her Honda Ridgeline pickup to call if I needed anything. With a wave from Kristen, Taylor and she took off in his classic BMW M3.
When I came back into the kitchen, Fiona was in discussion with Steve and Sean. I hadn’t had much time to hang out with these two tonight, but we were such close friends that it did not matter. We could be in the same room for twelve hours and barely talk to each other. Both these guys were your typical high school jocks and we had great times on the football field and wresting mats. We had a shitload of trophies between us. What most people never knew about them was that they were both extremely intelligent and finished at the top of their class. Steve was my age, but Sean was year older, and was already out in the corporate world with his degree in Aerospace engineering and was working for a New York City based airline. Steve was about to graduate Cornell University with a degree in molecular biology. I had to be careful with these two, for years they were trying to get Fiona to date them even if we happened to be on again.
Fiona motioned to Sean and Steve and said they are going to crash here since they had a couple to many cold ones. Fiona grabbed a glass of Merlot and got me a Bass Ale as we sat down at the table and enjoyed the drinks with Steve and Sean while catching up on gossip. Looking at the clock which approaching midnight, I said, “I need to take a shower and hit the sack. This emotional crap can take a lot out of you.” Putting my bottle down, I headed for the stairs. Going into the bathroom, I flipped the lights on and turned the shower on to run the water to make it hot. Stripping down, I got into the shower and let the very hot water just rain down on my head and shoulders.
I had to admit, I did not feel as alone as I had felt this morning after hanging out with great people who I know cared about me. All of a sudden, I felt even less alone as Fiona opened the door and stepped into the shower. “Rico,” she said with a smile on her face, “you are going to have to make the water cooler if you want me to scrub your back.” Turning fully towards her I instantly got