Turning to look at the older man who had been here to help with Autumn’s final wishes, I nodded my head in acceptance. I didn’t want to say goodbye, but I knew that I had to. Laying the single red rose on her closed casket, I leaned down and placed a final kiss on the smooth wooden box that housed the woman who healed and stole my heart.
“In times like this I never really know what to say to help the ones who are left behind. I hope you all take comfort in knowing that Autumn was at peace with the fact that her time was nearing the end. She was happy and in love.” Wrapping an arm around my now trembling shoulder, “Her spirit will live on right here.”
*****
Loading up the sink with the final dishes of the evening, I took a look around the now empty kitchen. Paige was waiting for me out on the porch to discuss what comes next. “I’ll be right out,” I called out to her.
“Take your time. It is a beautiful night and the stars are keeping my company,” she called back to me.
Grabbing the two glasses of sweet tea from the counter, I made my way out to the porch. Placing the glasses on the small table next to Paige, I followed her gaze to the sky above. “So, what’s next for you?” I asked. I hoped that I didn’t come off like a jerk and sound like I was kicking her out.
Turning to look at me, “I was going to ask you the same thing.” The small giggle that came from her was like sunshine after a rainstorm. It was much needed after the sadness from saying our final goodbyes to Autumn.
“I have to get back to running this place. It’s mine now. When Gus left us, he passed this place down to Autumn. I guess she called a lawyer and had the papers drawn up so that when she left me…” The remaining words left me, and the tears returned.
Standing up from her seat and placing a comforting hand on my back, “I already know. Who did you think put her in touch with a lawyer?”
Turning to look at me, “You helped her?” The smile on Paige’s face was contagious and I couldn’t help but smile back at her.
“I would do anything for Autumn. It killed me that she didn’t want me here with her. She’s family.”
“Gus was the same exact way.”
“He sounds like an amazing man,” Paige said as she went back to looking at the stars that littered the dark blue sky above us.
“He was,” I replied. I missed my friend and wished that he was here with me.
“Umm, I have a question for you. Well, it is more of a favor,” Paige asked, not taking her eyes off the sky above.
“Shoot,” I replied as I dropped into the empty seat behind me.
“Would you mind if I stayed on for a while?”
“You mean here at the farm?”
“Yes. I want to do something for Autumn.”
“Of course you can stay. With my sister being gone all the time, this place is going to get really lonely.”
“Thank you so much!” Paige exclaimed as she wiped her face.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what is it that you need to do for Autumn?” I asked.
“When I first got here, she was still sleeping. I heard her talking to me in her sleep. She made me promise to make sure that I saw the leaves change colors and pick some apples for her.”
“You can stay as long as you need to.” Standing back up and turning Paige to look at me, “Do you mind if I help you pick those apples?”
“I was hoping that you would.” The smile on Paige’s face in the moonlight told me that everything was going to be just fine.