He was greeted with an expected sight.
There were his parents, standing with loads of bags in their arms, “You must be joking.” Simon replied with a half-smile. He knew, like it or not, they were going to get into that house, “Cherish. You might want to see this.” He said opening the door wider.
Cherish was in the middle of washing off her plate when she glanced up and across the area to see Margaret and Simon Sr. enter the house. Her eyes went wide as she pushed a few curls from her face. Shutting off the faucet, she dried her hands off with a paper towel before she crossed the area and stared, “What…what is all of this?” She asked with a weight in her stomach.
Margaret set down the bags in the middle of the living room between the coffee table and the television. Inhaling a deep breath, she placed one hand over the other and approached Cherish and Simon, “I know how you feel about accepting gifts.” She started.
Slowly, Cherish’s gaze wandered up to Simon because she knew he told them that tidbit of information. Feeling her eyes on him, helooked down at her just as bewildered. He was just as unsuspecting as she was. Margaret quickly corrected Cherish, “No, no, no. It’s not his fault. Simon was raised to always help his neighbors. Emily firmly believed the same as we do. You are a not a charity case, Cherish. So please, do not think that.” Margaret stated. Simon Sr. returned inside with another set of bags and Cherish held her breath, “You are a woman who is helping our son in a very dark time. You showed us yesterday how selfless you are for your daughter, our son, and…our grandchildren. You deserve this, and you may not be blood but, you are in this family because of your actions.” Tearing up, she looked up and away. It took a moment before she was able to speak; her voice hoarser than before, “Take this as a gift from all of us.” She finished.
Simon felt horrible and sad once he saw his mother’s glossy eyes. He hoped Cherish would read the situation and take what they wanted to give. She didn’t see things as they did but, she had been exactly what Jr. and his father needed. A caring, compassionate, and helpful soul who didn’t ask for anything in return.
That only spurred them to help her more.
Cherish was overwhelmed. Never in her life had she ever experienced this sort of selflessness and gratitude. With all the emotion swirling around and her hormones on high, she too felt the need to tear up and nod when Margaret spoke. She tucked her eyebrows together because she didn’t understand, “W-what do you mean all of you?” She asked.
Margaret cleared her throat, “Miriam and Jack went shopping with us earlier today. They went back to the hotel to take nap but, after what I told them last night on the phone, they’re going to support you the best way they can. You are taking care of the last shred of Emily they have. So please, for their sake and ours. Accept this.” She stated as the last bag was brought inside.
Hearing that his son was “the last shred of Emily” caught Simon off guard and locked his throat. The truth cut him so deep he couldn’t lift his gaze from the floor.
As soon as Margaret finished her statement, Cherish meekly brought Simon’s mother into a hug. Margaret shut her eyes tightly and held her back in a firm grasp. She rubbed her hand between Cherish’s shoulder blades before fully pulling away and giving her a weak smile, “Damnit, I said I wouldn’t cry.” Margaret fussed wiping her face dry.
After a moment passed, Simon swallowed and decided to sway the pressure off Cherish. He accepted four large bags of clothes from his in-laws, “Are they coming for a visit? Should we expect them?” He asked. Despite not doing anything wrong, he felt as though he owed them on hundred apologies.
Cherish glanced up at Simon and paused for a long moment. She didn’t know what to do for him. She didn’t want to overstep with the knowledge of his predicament. Thankfully, before she was able to decide, Margaret faced them, “No, no baby. They aren’t coming by just yet.” She replied. Taking a step towards Simon, she cleared her throat, “Son, uh, we all have an appointment at the funeral home in a couple of hours. That’s why Miriam and Jack aren’t here. They’re preparing.” She stated. Cherish lowered her head and stepped away to the bags to them privacy. Margaret inhaled a deep breath before she rested her hand on his arm. Squeezing, she gave her son a concerned stare, “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. This is completely up to you. What do you want to do?” She asked in a hushed tone.
Simon felt shocked. A weighted responsibility loomed over his head that refused to leave. This wasn’t right. He couldn’t see past the fact that if Emily never met him, she would be alive. He figured deep in the back of his mind that he would have to face her at some point. He would have to deal with the funeral and lay her to rest. But, pushed it away. He was so absorbed into the care and well-being of this new household that he was caught off guard when his mother brought it up. He
