Bab 41: Apple Season (September-October) Part 6
Thelma Jean Hornberger, 78, passed away at home on September 25. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul Hornberger, Sr., and is survived by three children, Paul Jr., Maude, and William, along with many grandchildren. Funeral services will be held this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where Mrs. Hornberger was a member for most of her life. -- Mills Gazette
It should be raining, Lisa thought, leaning against Fabian as they left the cemetery. At least the weather outside would match the weather in her mind. There should not be funerals on crisp, clear autumn days. Those were for football games, not sorrow.
She took some comfort in the turnout for her grandmother. The police force and fire department were well-represented. At one time or another, Thelma Hornberger had taught most of the town's population either in Sunday school or vacation Bible school. The entire Mowery clan was there. Thelma Hornberger had been well-loved as a friend, neighbor, teacher, and especially as a grandmother.
The attendees at the funeral that really moved Lisa, however, were those she knew were there just for her. George and Ann from the diner had closed today so that they could attend and everyone from the other shifts and all of the regulars were there. Her friends from school were there. And her newest family -- the one she would be joining in the spring, Fabian and most of the DiSanti clan, plus a lot of carnival people who had stayed on. She knew they were there for her and it warmed her heart. She felt tears again and Fabian handed her a packet of tissues.
"No handkerchief?" she asked, managing a watery smile. He returned her smile somewhat sheepishly.
"I teach kids now," he reminded her. "It's better to keep tissues so that if the kids need one, you can help. And they need one a LOT. That youngest Mowery kid? Justice? He always seems to have the sniffles."
"I don't care what he said. Just do it! I'll be right there." Lisa's uncle William was speaking forcefully into his cell phone. He stalked to his white Mercedes in the church parking lot, got in, gunned the engine and peeled out.
"I guess he's done with funerals now," Lisa said, hearing the murmurs all around her and knowing that her uncle's behavior had not gone unnoticed. Then she looked back at Fabian. "Tissues aren't as oddly romantic as a handkerchief," she said. Fabian looked over at the large Mowery contingent and gave a small wave to Autumn. The little girl smiled shyly and waved back. She tugged at her mother's arm Maggie Mowery bent to hear her daughter better.
"No they're not," Fabian agreed, "but in an elementary school, practical is the way to go. Maybe I'll carry a handkerchief just for you." He kissed the top of her head.
"Should I be jealous of your thing with Autumn?" she teased, leaning on him. He smelled like soap and the sharp scent of dry-cleaned suit. He was large, warm and comfortable. From all reports, he was breaking hearts right and left teaching phys ed. Today he was wearing dark glasses in the bright sunshine, which with the suit gave him an air of mystery, like a Secret Service agent.
"Autumn's a neat kid," he said, "and so are her sisters. But I love you. You know that." He rubbed her back affectionately as Autumn appeared as though summoned. Her normally wild red hair was only marginally tamed into a ponytail and she wore her Sunday best. Her mother was with her.
"Ms. Kreider? Don't cry," Autumn said. "I know it's sad -- I lost a grammy once. But I'll help you."
Fabian stepped back so that Maggie could wrap her arms around Lisa.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I'll miss Thelma, too. Autumn would like to help you out. She's very reliable and I think -- although you'd be a better judge -- I think she might have the touch for pastry. She's willing, so you should put her to work wherever and whenever you like."
"I help Daddy with the geese and bees," Autumn added with a disconcertingly adult head nod. "The hives are in the orchard, so I could help you any time. Mommy says sometimes you get sick and it's hard for you to bake. If you teach me, I can help make the pies sometimes."
Lisa smiled, although she was so moved her tears didn't stop. The tissue in her hand became a sopping, soggy ball. Fabian took it from her, put it in his jacket pocket, and handed her a fresh one.
"I would love to teach you to bake pies, Autumn," Lisa said. Maggie smiled and touched Lisa's shoulder.
"She means it, Lisa. I think you know she's dependable."
"Yes I do," Lisa nodded. "You have a great bunch of kids, Maggie. I don't know what I'd do without your family."
"We can talk after all this is over. Call or stop down." Maggie gave her another hug.
"I'll do that. Thank you, Maggie, And thank you, Autumn." Autumn gave Lisa an awkward hug and then she and her mother joined her family in the church fellowship hall.
"She's awfully young," Fabian told Lisa critically, looking after them.
"I was about her age when I started," Lisa told him.
"She's seven, Lisa. She's in second grade. I don't think they do measures yet or that kind of math."
"She's seven? Oh -- then I was a little younger. Measuring isn't that important, really, and she shouldn't need math. It's really not that complicated, Fab. If she can read, she can cook. And if she has the touch for pastry she should be encouraged. She could also fill pie shells if I can't. I was worried about what I would do without Grandma if I got a headache. I know I can ask Carol, but she's always so busy with her schedule and the boys." The loss hit Lisa again and she froze. Fabian wrapped his arms around her. He leaned close to her ear.
"Think about something pleasant," he told her in a low voice, stroking her back. She looked up at him.
"Like what?"
"Where do you want to go on a honeymoon? Anywhere in the world. Your choice." He got as much of a smile as she could manage, then she rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.
"I love you."
"I love you too." He put another kiss on the top of her head. "Also, you should think about where you want to spend our wedding night."
"Fabian!" She blushed.
"You're still here, sweetheart. Life goes on, and there's more to planning a wedding than just the awesome dress."
"Fabian .... Thank you." She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"This is what I'm for, sweetheart. This is why there is an us. So that we can help each other. We're a team."
"Anywhere?"
"Anywhere. Money no object." They started walking again toward the church's fellowship hall.
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