Passing to Payton Read Online Free PDF Page B

The word comes out slow. Don’t think my brain is quite done processing the idea I’ll be going to Mrs. Greene’s funeral tomorrow instead of taking her out to lunch like I’d planned. “Thanks, Mr. Matthews.”
    “Aw, Dave’s fine. I’ll see you at the service tomorrow, then?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Then maybe we could head out to yer dad’s for a bit?”
    The visual of a less than wanted reunion pops into my head. It includes a cold stare, some choice words and the possibility of a flying beer bottle. Yeah, I think I’ll pass, thanks. “We’ll see.”
    “A’ight. Oh, here.” He hands me a business card from the front pocket of a button up shirt that’s had the arms cut off and is now fraying around the shoulders. “My cell number’s on that. Call me if you get into any trouble, ya’hear?”
    “Yes, sir.” I take the dirt-stained card, because not doing so would be rude. Guess he’s still doing work with my dad, because both their names are on the card. Dave Mathews and Daniel Garrett – D&D Handyman Services Ltd. I wonder if poor Dave is still doing most of the work while my dad drinks away his nights and sleeps all day.
    “But, don’t go stayin’ outta trouble on my account,” he chuckles, his hand slapping against his door again. “See ya!” His diesel engine rumbles to carry him down the road as his big tires and oversized tailpipe leave behind a cloud.
    After the gravel dust settles, I’m left alone to stare at the wooden welcome sign without a good reason for being here. The one good reason had been replaced in a heartbeat by a sad one. The reality of it leaves me breathless – the extreme difference just one week could make. One week between a warm, friendly voice on the phone and a deafening, irreparable silence.
    What could five years have changed? It’s so hard to see past the thorn bushes in my memory and hope that perhaps Alvarado was different than I remembered. How fogged could the mind of a hurt, angst-filled teenager have been? Is finding out worth not making a u-turn?
    Worth heading forwards instead of backwards?
    A trilling vibration beeping from my hip brings those unsettling thoughts to a close. Not recognizing the number on my phone but recognizing the area-code, I have to wonder just how fast news of my arrival had spread. Dave always was a bit of a social-butterfly.
    With a deep, calming breath, I swipe the screen to accept the call. “Hello?”
    “Hello,” an elderly male voice on the other end answers. “May I speak with Mr. Samuel J. Garrett, please?”
    “Speaking,” I reply with a roll of my eyes. When the hell did telemarketers start outsourcing to retirement homes instead of overseas? Totally not in the mood to tell off some nice old guy for trying to sell me a cruise. God knows, my karma probably doesn’t need the negativity boost, either.
    “Ah, wonderful,” the man’s voice warms into a more familiar tone. “You probably don’t remember me, Sam, but this is Mr. Eves from Eves and MacCarthy attorney’s office, uh, here in Alvarado? I handled your mother’s estate, but of course you were so young at the time, and your father-”
    “I remember you, Mr. Eves.”  Vaguely…
    “ Ah, good. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news. Mrs. Rosalie Greene passed away recently.”
    “I just found that out. I had spoken to her on the phone just last week,” and I’m dazed by the news for a second time. It’s going to take a long time for it to all sink in.
    “ Yes,” Mr. Eves’ tone goes somber. “It was a sudden turn. Sad, after all the hoping and praying this town did for her recovery. But, I suppose when God really wants one of his angels back…” He lets out a soft sigh then clears his throat. “Anyhow, I’m now handling the Greene estate.”
    Not sure where this is going, I wait a few seconds for him to continue then fill in the awkward silence. “Oh?”
    A shuffling of paperwork on the other end is the response, then “Sorry, just… Ah!