Walking Back

ONE

Public speaking and death are the two most feared things for humans, so a eulogy is a pretty daunting prospect. Stunning, 28 year old, dark-haired, green-eyed, Clara Farrar is currently giving her first one and she hopes she isn’t doing too bad of a job. She had written it on the flight from Michigan to Florida the day before while her fiance, Gabe slept beside her. It looks like Gabe might be sleeping now.

Clara continues speaking, "Doda might not have been the most loving grandmother in the world, but she was wise and funny." A small chuckle trickles through the hall and Clara clears her throat, "The last time I came down to visit with her she sat me down on her ottoman and asked me if I wanted to know who died since I visited. Of course, I did," a more earnest laugh at that. "She is going to be well missed. This world is going to be a darker place without her." With that Clara's voice catches on that last word and the hall goes silent. "Thank you."

Her vision becomes blurry so she wipes her eyes before taking a step off the stage and notices someone who slipped in late. Someone she hadn’t seen in years.

Melissa?

The group of black-clad people congregates for a bit to talk. Sharing stories and introducing the few that didn’t know each other yet, giving condolences. Abruptly Clara’s parents kiss her and her sister on the cheek.

“That was lovely dear, but it could have been shorter? You knew we have a meeting.” Her mother says as they both leave.

“Love you too,” Clara responds.

“You’re never gonna hear it.” Clara’s sister Melissa says, standing beside her. She can't remember the last time they talked.

“A girl can dream,” Clara responds with a sigh.

“You look good in all black sis, and speaking of dreams,” Melissa says pointing out a young man at the service.

The man is very much out of place in a room full of senior citizens. Although he is Clara and Melissa’s age, that isn’t why Melissa is pointing him out. The two of them grew up in a house with a Ferrari in the garage and a theater room but very few hugs. Clara continued the tradition of money-making where Melissa attempted to break the mold and made love… with everyone she met.

“Down girl,” Clara says.

“I’m just pointing him out, he looks pretty good in all black too,” Melissa says.

Just then, the young man notices them and heads in their direction.

“Here comes the dream,” says Melissa.

“Hello, are either of you Clara?” Asks the approaching man.

“Uh,” Clara says.

“Yep, this is her,” Melissa says gesturing to Clara.

“I am Andrew nice to meet you.” He says extending his hand.

“Nice to meet you too,” She says, shaking his hand with a warm business smile that you acquire after years of owning a talent scouting company.

“I am,” He stops and corrects himself, “I was Doda’s housekeeper, she gave me something to give to you.” He hands her an envelope.

“Oh, thank you.” She says taking it.

“No problem, sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” She says warmly.

Then, somewhat nervously, he walks away.

“I hope it’s money,” Melissa says leaning in.

“Melissa!” Clara says.

“What? Just saying.”

Clara glares at her then opens the envelope to find a small note.

“Lame,” Melissa says. Clara just clears her throat and reads the note.

“Dear Clara,

You should be with Andrew.

Doda.”

They both read the note at the same time, then laugh out loud because Clara is engaged.

TWO

“Well, I’m going to go talk to your new boyfriend,” Melissa chuckles.

“My what? You aren’t taking this seriously are you?” Clara pleads.

“You know it, sister,” Melissa says as she walks away. Clara is stopped by Gabe, her fiance.

“Hey babe,” he says moving his phone away from his mouth to greet her but not to hang up, “I have to take this call then get to the airport. A lot of work to do for our merger.”

“You’re leaving today?!” Clara says surprised.

“Yeah, I thought I told you.” He says as the voice on the telephone speaks up. “Crap,” He says right before kissing her on the mouth then saying, “Goodbye, love yo-” He put the phone back to his mouth to continue talking before finishing the last part of that very important phrase.

• • •

“Where the hell did you go?” Clara says into her phone as she drives to her grandmother's house.

“I went and talked to Andrew,” Melissa responds.

“For the rest of the afternoon?”

“Calm down Clarabelle, just because you have an old lady’s name it doesn’t mean that you have to be one.”

“You slept with him didn’t you.”

“Whoa whoa whoa!”

“That’s a no?”

“That is a no. Grandma saved him for you. He’s your weird final gift.”

“He isn’t… What are you doing?”

“Shopping.”

“For?”

“A snack.”

“What?”

“You know what I mean.” Melissa says looking at the barista behind the counter, “I think I found my snack.”

“You miss grandma?”

“That weirdo?” Melissa asks.

“I miss her too,” Clara responds.

“Don’t put words in my mouth.”

“Okay Cleopatra, I’ll see you back at grandma’s tonight? We have to start clearing it out tomorrow.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Clara hangs up the phone as she pulls up to Doda’s apartment complex and sees Doda’s neighbor Karen pull in too. She is coming from Doda’s service also. The two of them wave to each other before Clara makes her way into the apartment, which smells exactly how you would expect an old person’s house to smell. Stale, musty, and slightly humid. The thermostat reads 85 degrees.

“My goodness.” She says and promptly changes the temperature.

She walks out of the apartment, grabs her bag then heads for the guest room. It is the room that she had stayed in so many times before. Unpacking in this house is oddly familiar and now has an essence of sadness. After unpacking she heads into the living room and finds Doda’s “nest.”

Doda’s self-titled "nest" consists of a chair with baskets full of items flanking either side of it. Everything from tweezers to crosswords to flashlights, Doda had everything she might have ever needed within reach. Now though, it is just an empty chair, with random items in little piles that Clara has to box up in the morning.

Without a second thought, Clara plops down on the chair. This is the first time that Clara has ever sat in this chair. This may be the first time anyone other than Doda has ever sat in this chair. It is a vantage point that she has never seen. This is how Doda saw her apartment. Since Doda had hardly ever left her apartment, Doda’s apartment was her world.

She sighs. She quivers. She sighs again. Then she put her head into her hands and sobs.

THREE

In summer, Florida mornings are cooler than Florida in the midday. They aren't cool by any stretch of the imagination, but they are cooler. Clara would have loved to see this early morning, but she didn't know how much she needed to sleep in. Clara desperately needs a break, she never expected it would come when her grandmother died. The tranquility is cut short when the doorbell rings.

One small groggy groan emits from Clara, but nothing else. A few minutes pass and she passes back into dreamland. Then the doorbell rings again. She returns to reality for a moment. Does this delivery guy need a signature? Slowly but surely she makes her way to the window to see who is outside. Andrew is standing at the door.

Instantly Clara is fully awake. What is he doing here?! Her brain nearly screams as she scrambles to get dressed. As she does she notices something is missing. Her engagement ring is nowhere to be found.

“Just a sec!” She shouts at the front door then heads to the other bedroom. It was Doda’s bedroom, but now Clara hopes that Melissa is inside it.

“Melissa?!” She shouts at the closed door.

Nothing.

“Melissa!!” She shouts a little louder

“What?” Melissa responds, opening the door a crack.

“Who is that?” Comes a voice from behind Melissa.

“You brought someone back here?!” Clara asks, disgusted.

“What do you want?” Melissa says flatly as she raises a hand to the other person in the bedroom, signaling them to be quiet.

“Andrew is here.”

“Yeah, I know,” Melissa says in the same flat tone.

“You know?!” Clara nearly shouts and looks at Melissa

“Yeah, when I went out to talk to him. He is here to help box up the old lady's stuff. He said he would be here at 11. I think. Goodbye.”

“Hold on, why didn’t you tell me?! Also, did you happen to see my ring?”

“Because this is funny and I took your ring so that you can be with Andrew.”

“This isn’t funny,” Clara says.

“Congrats on the new boyfriend!” The voice in the bedroom chimes back in and Melissa raises her hand again.

“Is that all?” Melissa asks.

“No, where is my ring?!”

Melissa closes and locks the door.

FOUR

By the time Clara made it to the door Andrew’s shirt was covered in sweat, and all though he was annoyed, only a small amount of it made it onto his face. His somewhat handsome face.

“Hello Clara,” He says cheerfully as she opens the door.

“Hello, you’re here to help box things up, right?”

“Yep, Doda already paid for me to do it and everything.”

“Wow, that is some serious planning,” Clara says.

“It sure is,” Andrew says wiping away sweat.

“Sorry, come on in,” Clara says embarrassed.

FIVE

After hours of boxing up Doda's things in relative silence, and one refrigerator raid. In which Andrew revealed that he opened all of Doda's water bottles for her because she could open them herself, Doda's bedroom door opens again and Melissa comes out, with two other individuals who spent the night, all dressed and sober.

“Bedroom is ready to go,” Melissa says shoving last night's lovers out of the front door.

“What?” Clara says surprised.

“Yep. I know my way around a box.” She responds and Andrew clears his throat.

“I have to see this,” Clara says setting the cheese stick down on the counter and walking to the bedroom.

“Go check my work,” Melissa says as she picks up Clara’s cheese stick and takes a bite, looks at Andrew, and says, “So, what are you up to tonight?”

Much to Clara’s surprise and joy, the whole bedroom is boxed up and ready to be cleared out.

“Karaoke? Really?”

“It is my sister’s birthday party tonight. She made me promise to come.” Andrew says with a chuckle.

“That sounds like fun, doesn’t it Clara?” Melissa asks as Clara walks back into the room.

“Uh, yeah.”

“Maybe we could go with you?” Melissa asks, abruptly.

“Uh,” Andrew stammers.

“We could be your dates,” Melissa giggles.

“Uh, well,” Andrew manages.

“Perfect!” Melissa smiles.

“Sure, I mean.”

“You don’t have to,” Clara says stepping on Melissa’s foot.

“No, you guys can come! Is 7:30 okay?”

“Fantastic,” Melissa says, then shoos Andrew out of the door.

“What are you doing?!” Clara shouts.

“What are you doing?” Melissa asks.

“What do you mean?” Clara responds defensively.

“I mean, you haven’t told him that you are engaged yet, have you?”

Clara doesn’t respond.

“Here’s the deal. I’m bored and you have something weird going on. I’m going to meddle. Call me Medling Melissa.”

“Okay, Medling Melissa,” Clara responds, not knowing what else to say.

SIX

The three of them enter the bar together and are met with loud music. Someone is singing “We Didn’t Start The Fire” by Billy Joel completely out of key from the karaoke stage. Clara winces slightly as he trainwrecks into another chorus.

“You made it!!!” A short woman shouts as she walks up to Andrew and hugs him.

“Hey, there little big sis.” Andrew says as he hugs her back, “Let me introduce you to Melissa and Clara.” He gestures to them, “This is my sister Robin.”

“Nice to meet you,” Robin says giggling with a few drinks in her.

“Nice to meet you too,” They respond.

“Everyone else is at that table.” Robin points to a table full of waving people, only missing by a few feet, “I have to go to the bathroom.”

Robin heads that way and Andrew leads them to the table, “That’s the birthday girl, she is ten years older than me, but a foot shorter.”

Clara giggles.

They approach the table and Andrew introduces his mother and brother to the girls. Everyone seems to have already had a few. Even Andrew’s mother seems overly enthusiastic about meeting the girls.

“I’m gonna go get a drink,” Melissa says and then disappears.

“I’ll go pick a song to sing,” His mother says and leaves.

“I’ll help,” His little brother says and follows.

Andrew and Clara sit alone at the table and they steal a glance at each other.

“You look amazing.” He says nervously.

“Well, thank you.” She says, “Do you come here often?”

Andrew chuckles, “Worst pick-up line ever.” They both laugh.

The group all returns to the table and the drinking continues. Melissa brought a waitress with a tray full of shots telling everyone to drink up. It becomes obvious that they are going to be the loudest table at the bar that night. The song ends and the announcer comes back on calling for Andrew’s mom and sister.

“We need backup singers for this one right? Don’t we Robin? Yeah, come on boys. Let’s go, we need you.” His mom says slurring.

Andrew is dragged up to the stage by his brother. “Shoop” by Salt and Pepa starts to play and the whole bar cheers. Andrew and his brother took the “Shoop ba-doop” parts and the girls took the rapping parts. It became very apparent that neither of them knew the words to the song, or remembered how inappropriate it is. Nevertheless, they are a hit with the crowd. Everyone laughs when they can’t keep up with the rapping and then they cheer when the boys start to “Shoop” again. A few people give them a standing ovation when the song finishes and Robin takes a bow, then all four of them take a bow together.

Everyone comes back to the table but Andrew.

Is he putting in a request?

SEVEN

“What were you doing up there?” Clara whispers into Andrew’s ear.

“You’ll see.” He responds coyly.

“I think he picked a song.” his brother says raising a glass

“I di-” Andrew started then he got cut off by his mother.

“So how do you all know each other?”

“Andrew used to clean for our grandmother,” Clara says.

“Remember I told you that one of my customers passed away recently?” Andrew interjects.

“Oh, I am so sorry.” His mother responds.

“It’s okay.” The girls say.

“Up next we have Andrew singing Walking Back to Georgia.” The announcer says.

“That’s my cue.” He says as he heads up to the stage.

The song starts but Clara doesn't recognize it. She finds herself sitting in her chair listening to a guitar intro and then Andrew starts to hum. The tune is oddly sad but entirely beautiful, it is strange how wordlessness could bring such emotion.

It makes her want to cry. It makes her long for something. For someone to love her so much they would have nothing without her. Someone to need her. Someone to value her love.

It ends and the bar is quiet. Turns out that Clara isn't the only one who doesn't know that song. Everyone was confused and a little touched. No one knew what to do next, so Andrew just heads back to his seat.

EIGHT

The rest of the night was spent laughing and singing but eventually, Melissa drives them back to Grandma's house. Melissa heads inside immediately saying, “I gotta pee,” while Clara and Andrew stay outside the door for a moment.

"I had a lot of fun tonight Clara." Says Andrew.

"Me too.”

"Too bad you never sang a song though."

"Cut it out," she says half blushing half laughing.

"Goodnight," he says abruptly and kisses her on the forehead.

"Um, goodnight." She says frozen like a deer in the headlights.

He turns to leave and she calls out, "Wait!"

Andrew stops and looks back with eyes that say that he may want something more out of this night. Clara notices the look and prays that her eyes are saying the same thing, instead of freaking out at the thought that she wants to cheat on her fiance.

She takes a step towards him and reaches her hands out, he slowly takes them in his. He watches her glance at his lips before parting hers. The Florida air somehow warms around them more and their breathing increases.

The distance between them is close and Andrew slowly slides his hand up her wrist, to her shoulder. By the time his hand makes its way to her neck, Clara wants nothing more than to kiss him.

Just then Melissa bursts out of Doda’s apartment and shouts at Clara, “You, me, talk, now!”

NINE

“What?” Clara responds.

“You heard me,” Snaps Melissa.

“You’re drunk.”

“So?”

“Maybe I should go,” Andrew says.

“Please, wait for just a second,” Clara says looking him in the eye.

They walk out of the earshot of Andrew, then Melissa starts in on Clara, “I can’t believe you!”

“What are you talking about?!”

Melissa growls in frustration.

“What?!”

“You have everything!”

“What are you talking about?!”

“You have both of them?!”

“I-” Clara stammers.

“How do you have everything?”

“Melissa, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t even! You don’t care about me!”

“What are you talking about? Of course, I do.” Clara says.

Melissa is crying at this point and squats down a curb.

“I am glad you’re here,” Clara starts, “To pack up Grandma’s place.”

“You are?” Melissa sniffles.

“Of course,” Clara cries, then she hugs her sister to comfort her.

“If you think that you can use Grandma’s death to fix things, you’re dreaming.”

“I love you too sis.”

Melissa chuckles, “Hmm, I’m going to give you something.”

“Something to the girl who has everything?” Clara asks.

“Yeah, one last trick. Am I still a registered agent for your business?”

“What?” Clara asks.

“Yes, or no,” She says standing up and pulling out her phone.

“You are. Why though?”

“Good,” Melissa responds, making a call and walking away, “Daddy, I need some money.”

TEN

The next morning floated in as the sun rose like a hot pretty air balloon before that hot air balloon was suddenly full of cement and it came crashing to the ground. It wasn't hard for Clara to pick things back up where she left off with Andrew and he had no problem remembering where the guest room is.

The loud banging coming from the front door that morning kills the mood very quickly.

“No, no, no!” She says to herself as she jumps out of bed to quickly check out the window. Her fiance is outside.

“What is-” Andrew starts.

“It’s,” Clara cuts him off.

“Do you know this person?” Andrew asks looking out the window.

Just then the banging stops.

“What the hell Melissa?!” Gabe shouts at Melissa standing in the doorway wearing a business suit.

“This is no way to speak to your superior Gabriel,” Melissa taunts him.

“Um, what is going on?” Clara says confused.

“You want to know what is going on? Your sister hijacked the deal! She stepped in on your behalf and changed everything. What the hell is wrong with you Clara?! How stupid could you be to have let this slut have control of anything?!” Gabe shouts.

“Woah,” Andrew says.

“And who the hell do you think you are?!” Gabe shouts at Andrew.

“I’m uh-” Andrew starts, Clara finishes, “A friend.”

“Great, stay out of this!” He shouts.

“Easy there Gabriel,” Melissa says condescendingly.

“Listen here you little-” Gabe starts.

“ENOUGH!” Clara shouts in tears, “I just lost my grandmother. This hasn’t been an easy transition with work. The worst thing though,” She sobs, “Out of everything is that you haven’t even noticed that Andrew and I came out of the same bedroom. That I am not wearing my ring.”

Gabe says sarcastically, “Oh sweetie, who cares about that? This was going to be the best move we could have made but this slut had to go and ruin it! We merged alright, but she has more control than either of us combined now!”

“You don’t get it to do you?” She says with tears streaming.

“You ruined our careers.” He grunts.

“Get out.”

“Not until-”

“GET OUT!” Clara shouts, after a moment, he makes his exit and shouts, “You will be hearing from my lawyers!”

ELEVEN

Melissa helps Clara to Doda’s nest, and Andrew seems to be able to do nothing but watch. She plops down with her head in her hands, mourning. Melissa turns to Andrew next and motions for him to go outside with her. As they leave Clara finds her ring on her lap.

"A ring? She is engaged?" Andrew asks.

"Yes," Melissa says looking at her high heels, "But in fairness, I was the one that hid that from you, not her."

"Bu-" Andrew starts, but Melissa interrupts, "She is going through a lot, but I am the messed up one. Not her, if she is willing to give you a second chance, would you take it? For me?"

• • •

A knock at the door startles Clara, “Come in!” She calls when she sees that it is Karen.

“You okay?” Karen asks as she sits down on the ottoman. Clara looks at the blurry image of the woman sitting in front of her and silently responds with a shake of her head.

“Sorry child.”

“I messed up everything…”

Karen softly says, “No you didn’t.”

“Yes I did,” a tear sneaks out of her eye and travels her cheek.

“Melissa filled me in, you didn't mess up anything too important.”

Clara responds by lifting her left hand with the engagement ring replaced on it.

“Do you love him though?”

Clara responds by putting the hand back down.

“Your grandmother said that Gabe isn't be able to love a goldfish.” They both chuckle together, then Karen continues, “She was right about a lot of things. She was right that my husband was the best man who ever lived. Sweetest, kindest man you’ll ever meet. He died five years ago.”

“I am sorry,” Clara says softly.

“It’s okay. The point is, us old ladies know a thing or two, and I know something.”

“What?”

“Andrew has a good heart.”

“Really?”

“Do you remember how mean your grandmother was?”

They both laugh.

“Well, he loved her.”

“Yeah?” Clara giggles… “What should I do?”

“Who do you think will love you?”

“I think we both know the answer to that question.”

“I want to hear you say it.”

“Andrew.”

“Go get him.”

• • •

Andrew slumps over to lift his cleaning supplies and places them into his trunk. He has a dark cloud over his head, the kind that only comes from a combination of lack of sleep and light heartache. His head hurts and if he tries to think about why it hurts, he thinks about Clara, then everything seems to hurt.

“Just get through the day,” He says to himself as he closes the trunk to his car and something stops him dead in his tracks. His heart skips a beat and every single hair on his arms stands up straight.

From behind him, he hears Clara humming a familiar tune.