Same Old Truths Read Online Free PDF Page B

handing Kay the pink piece of paper.
    Kay looked up with a fake expression of puzzlement and responded, “Who? Me? I’m fine. Just fine,” Kay said, as her eyes hungrily devoured the writing on the paper just handed to her. No message. Just a check-mark next to the “Please Call” box and a return phone number.
    Ruth wasn’t convinced, but decided not to pry. “Ok. You sounded a little strange on the intercom and I just wanted to make sure everything was alright.”
    Kay couldn’t be sure if Ruth was truly concerned or just nosy. After all, they weren’t exactly friends. Ruth was a warm person but didn’t go out of her way to encourage personal relationships with the other employees at Salinger’s. Kay had always chalked up Ruth’s arm’s-length distance to an over-developed sense of professionalism. Apart from that, Ruth was kind of a mystery. Nevertheless, Ruth’s uncharacteristic show of concern had opened a door and Kay saw a chance to get a new perspective from someone, besides her sister, whom she assumed was wiser and more experienced.
    Ruth turned to leave but Kay stopped her. “Uh…Ruth, do you have minute?”
    Not totally surprised, the woman turned back to Kay. “Sure, Dear. What can I do for you?”
    “Well, would you have a couple of minutes to talk…about something personal, I mean. I’d like your opinion.”
    The woman’s expression softened and she gave Kay a shy, but grateful smile.
    “My goodness. It’s been a long time since anyone has wanted my opinion. I’d be honored.” Her response was quick and sincere, making Kay glad she had asked. “But do you mind coming up front? I’m expecting a couple of deliveries from the florist and I don’t want to leave the office unattended.” The dutiful receptionist resumed her walk back to her desk.
    “Not a problem,” Kay gratefully called after her. “Just let me turn off the typewriter and I’ll be right there.” The death certificates were going to have to wait.
    Accompanied by four generations of the Salinger family, Kay walked up the long, narrow hall that led to the front office. As usual, they were silent as she passed their elegantly-framed photographic portraits.
    Kay had always thought the Salingers were a proud, good-looking lot, but none as striking as Lorraine Salinger. The oldest child of Edward Salinger, Sr. the founder of the mortuary, “Lorri” was not only beautiful, she had the distinction of being the first licensed female funeral director in the state. This impressive, but little-known achievement had captured Kay’s imagination. Even though this was the twenty-first century, Kay knew, first hand, the challenges of being a female in a male-dominated profession. She couldn’t imagine the hurdles the late Lorri Salinger must have had to overcome launching her career in the 1940’s. Ruth had been fortunate enough to work with Lorri back in the day and Kay had always wanted to ask her about their association. But until today, Ruth had never encouraged personal conversations.
    Kay was about to take a seat in an extra office chair located behind Ruth’s desk, when the receptionist stopped her. ”On second thought, why don’t we sit on the sofa.” Ruth nodded toward the family room just beyond her formal office setting. “We’ll be more comfortable and I can still keep an eye on things.”
    Common to most mortuaries, the family room contained a tasteful but comfortable arrangement of living room furniture. This setting was a holdover from the old days of the funeral “parlor.” Long ago, the custom was to have the casketed deceased in the family home where loved ones and friends could come to pay their respects. Over the years, things had moved to the mortuary, but achieving a feeling of “home” was still a mainstay of the services provided.
    “So what’s going on?” Ruth asked as she settled herself on one of the sumptuous cushions of the sofa. She pulled the hem of her dress down to cover her exposed