Marcus returned to his seat next to Jonathan. The funeral director rose and ended the service.
Jonathan asked Marcus to accompany him to the gravesite and used the time to ask him about the logistics of arranging the funeral guests.
Two of the buses would drive to the airport to catch flights Marcus and the techs had arranged. The other would carry people to a shuttle rendezvous to deliver them to their homes in Detroit and the surrounding areas. Kiersten was going to accompany Sylvester on a visit to Vera’s grave before returning to the limo.
The interment was sparsely attended, a few of Susan’s close friends, Jonathan and Marcus.
Jonathan didn’t wait long after the casket was placed in the ground. For over three years he had said his goodbye, little by little. Dexter had the right idea—focus on her life, not her death.
“Do you have another minute?” he asked Marcus, walking away from the gravesite.
“It’s not like I have a job to get back to.”
The jab hurt a little, but what he was about to say eased the pain. “That’s what I want to talk to about.”
“As long as you don’t offer my job back,” said Marcus. “Like you said to me once, don’t compromise your morals on my account.”
Jonathan shook his head. “No. I’ve learned a lot since the incident with Warr, but I can’t go that far. Let me start by saying you were right all along. I went way too far, and as much as I tried to deny it, it’s been eating at my conscience ever since that night with Lisa.”
He waited for a comeback from Marcus; he certainly deserved it, but Marcus just nodded.
“I’ve thought for quite a while that I didn’t really care if I lived or died. I wasn’t suicidal, but a part of me didn’t mind going on with Susan, if there is something else after all this. But when I saw that knife, all I could think of was Lisa sucking on the barrel of a gun.”
They were getting close to the car, so Jonathan stopped. “I can’t believe I put people in situations like that one and what happened to Allen. I thought I was reaching out, opening up to others. But I realize I was self-absorbed.”
“So you’re done with the projects?” asked Marcus.
“No. Seeing everyone at the funeral showed me how much good we’ve done. I’m done with the severe consequences. I’ll keep offering. If someone accepts and follows through I’ll help them. If they fail, I’ll walk away. I still want to give to people who will sincerely appreciate it, but I’m done taking it to such extremes.”
“So what does that have to do with me? Just because you’re a kindler, gentler Jonathan doesn’t change our contract.”
“No, it doesn’t. I’m starting a memorial fund, Marcus. To raise money and fund Early Onset Alzheimer’s research. I’m making the announcement tomorrow.”
“That’s great,” said Marcus, with one raised eyebrow. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch.” Now that the time had come, Jonathan had a harder time getting it out. “All along I thought I was giving gifts, but I was just offering rewards.”
“So what about the whole true gift thing?”
“That hasn’t changed,” said Jonathan. “A true gift is valued by the receiver as much as by the giver. I still don’t think I’ve figured out how to do it, but I know it shouldn’t involve punishment.”
Marcus nodded. “Shame we couldn’t agree on that a couple months ago or we could still be working together.”
“That’s actually the point of all this,” said Jonathan. “I need someone to run Susan’s memorial fund.”
Marcus looked skeptical. “So you’re telling me you’d break your word to give me a job? Because you’d still be my boss.”
“Technically I wouldn’t. I’ve already set up a board of directors. You’d answer to them.”
“But you’re on the board, right?”
“Of course,” said Jonathan.
“That sounds pretty borderline to me,” said Marcus.
“Let’s just say that I’ve learned to see a little bit of gray.”
Marcus nodded again, suppressing a smile. “I could probably be convinced to accept the position,” he said.
“Talk about making a real difference, the fund is starting with a quarter billion dollar endowment. With you at the helm there’s no limit to where it goes.”
“I’d be honored,” said Marcus, offering his hand.
Jonathan shook it and they started walking to the car, but a lone man entering the cemetery caught his attention. Allen Joiner, sun-tanned and wearing his backpack. Jonathan excused himself from Marcus and met Allen halfway.
“I’m sorry I missed the funeral,” he said. “Marcus offered to give me a ride once I crossed the city limits.”
“That’s as far as you had to go.”
“I know,” said Allen, “but I’m going to walk all the way to the hospital. Today’s Yvonne’s birthday and she gets discharged tomorrow. But you already knew that.”
Jonathan nodded. “Allen, I owe you an apology. I was reckless with your life. It’s small consolation for what you’ve been through, but it’s been eating at me this whole time.”
With a contemplative look, Allen said, “I thought being beaten down would weaken me. But it made me stronger, and not just physically. Not that I’d go through any of it again if I had the choice.”
What more was there to say? “You better get walking if you want to make it to the hospital today. If you ever need anything, get it touch with me. I mean it.”
“Thanks all the same, but I think I’m better off solving problems on my own.”
“No strings,” said Jonathan. “Let’s just say I owe you one.”
Allen bent to pick up his pack, but Jonathan grabbed it first and helped him get it situated.
“I’d offer you a ride, too,” said Jonathan, “but I already know what you say.”
Allen nodded and turned back toward the entrance of the cemetery.
This is just the beginning
, Jonathan thought, walking toward the waiting car. “This is just the beginning.”
He got climbed into his car, and told the driver to drop Marcus off then take him to Control. The spark burned in his chest, and he couldn’t rest without fanning the flames a little more.
THE END
Learn more about Daniel Coleman at:
www.dcolemanbooks.com
www.facebook.com/authordanielcoleman
Twitter @dnlcoleman
Listen to Daniel Coleman on the
Create or Die
podcast.
Two artists, a writer and a painter, offer practical and creative advice for artists in all disciplines.
Available on iTunes or at
www.createordie.podbean.com
Other books by Daniel Coleman
Step into the world of Wonderland long before the arrival of Alice.
JABBERWOCKY
A short novel that tells the surprising story inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic poem.
You might know how it ends, but you won’t believe how it happens!
HATTER
In a kingdom that doesn’t need saving, a young man ignorant of social norms is the unlikeliest of heroes. Despite his aversion to confrontation, Hatta knows his destiny is to mend a rift that doesn’t exist.
On the other end of the spectrum is Chism, a young Elite solder who thrives on conflict. How will this rash, obsessive soldier aid the child-like Hatta in his journey?
Throw in the Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, and other familiar characters as they emerge to fill their eminent roles in the tangled ascent into madness of literature’s most lovable lunatic.
Book Club Discussion Questions
1. Which individual’s story was your favorite? Why?
2. What is one thing you’d like changed in your life and how far would you go to make it happen? (I’d do anything
if…)
3. If you had hundreds of millions of dollars to devote to philanthropy, how would you spend it?
4. What part of early onset Alzheimer’s Disease would be hardest to deal with for loved ones?
5. With which character did you relate the most?
6. Jonathan claims a true gift is one that is appreciated by the receiver as much as the giver. Do you agree? What gifts have you given or received that you would consider a true gift?
7. What are your thoughts on the book’s title? Does it fit the book?
8. Would you say Jonathan is a hero or a villain?
9. Would you work for Jonathan? Whose job would you prefer?
10. Where do you think Jonathan goes from here?