What They Left Behind
Eugene arranged a memorial service in Los Angeles for all the friends Rory made in Hollywood. The reporters who gathered outside the funeral home were surprisingly respectful and kept their distance. Luckily, they were more interested in talking to Serena Smith then to her. The parts of the funeral Gennie could remember went beautifully. A week later, there was a service in San Francisco for Rory’s family and his friends from school. It was like every other funeral, except there was no casket and no burial. The only things found at the crash site were the charred remains of the helmet he was wearing and his watch. It was as if he disappeared into thin air.
Gennie kept herself sedated so she wouldn’t cry. When she was aware of what was going on, it seemed foggy and hazy, like a dream. She stayed at Ben and Annie’s new condominium for about a week, sleeping in their guest bedroom with Michele.
On the next to last day of Gennie and Michele’s stay, they visited Carla and Eugene. Carla announced they were having a guest over for dinner. Eugene told her it was an attorney they hired. The investigators examining the scene of the crash found the helicopter to be defective and Carla and Eugene decided to sue the manufacturer. Their new attorney was highly recommended by Eugene’s friends. The lawyer was supposed to show up around five thirty.
Five thirty came and went but the lawyer never arrived.
Gennie looked at the flower shaped kitchen clock above the sink. “He must have gotten sidetracked about something or forgot about us.”
“Let’s just eat,” Eugene said. “I’m starving.”
“It’s not very polite to do that,” Carla replied.
“I know,” Gennie said, “but it’s also not polite to blow someone off when you promised to show up, especially around dinnertime.”
“She’s got a point there,” Eugene added.
Despite Carla’s misgivings, dinner, which was chicken a la king, was served. After dinner, Gennie was putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” Eugene said. “Must be the lawyer.”
The attorney entered the kitchen. Surprisingly, it was a woman. She wore a tailored jacket with a wide collar, a matching skirt and a ruffled red blouse. Four-inch heels and a leather briefcase completed the ensemble. Even her Dorothy Hamil like pixie cut was stylish. The only thing that gave her away was her thick large brown glasses. Gennie knew exactly who she was.
“Miss Goodman, this is my wife, Carla, and my daughter in law, Gennie.”
“Nice to meet you both,” Page shook both their hands with her own manicured one. She didn’t show any signs of recognizing Gennie. “I’m sorry I’m so late. I had a lot of business to take care of at the office. So, if we may, let’s get down to business and see if there’s a case here.”
She opened her briefcase and pulled out a legal pad and a fountain pen. She asked a series of questions, mostly pertaining to the accident. She asked Gennie several questions about Rory’s earnings.
“There is most definitely a case here and you could get big money for this,” Page said. “Based on Rory Fox’s future earnings, my guess is at least five million dollars. I believe a jury could award you as much as ten million, so it would be best to sue for at least fifteen. Does that sound like a fair amount to all of you?”
Page was talking about the fifteen million like was spare change. “Sure,” Eugene replied, looking flabbergasted.
“Great,” Page said, closing her briefcase. “My secretary will be in contact with you. I guarantee this company will pay for causing your son’s death.”
“Would you like some dinner, Miss Goodman?” Carla asked. “We just finished eating and we have plenty left over.”
“Well, I’m very busy right now,” Page said, “but, on the other hand, it does smell delicious. Do you mind if I take some with me?”
“Oh, of course not,” Carla replied.
Carla put the rest of the chicken a la king in a small orange Tupperware bowl and gave it to Page.
“I’ll return this tomorrow,” Page said. “I know how expensive Tupperware can be.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Carla replied.
“Did you know she was in love with Rory?” Gennie said, after they said goodbye to Page and closed the door.
Carla and Eugene were shocked. “When did she know Rory?” Carla asked.
“In college,” Gennie replied. “She was in the dart club with us.”
“She didn’t seem to recognize you,” Carla said. “And she must have known who we are.”
“Maybe she forgot,” Eugene replied. “She probably has so many clients that they all seem like one and the same to her.”
“Yeah, probably,” Gennie said. “Well, at least she’s doing well.” Page probably thought Rory’s death was a wish come true. Obviously, fate had avenged her.
Gennie sighed and went into the living room. The valium was kicking in again and she wanted desperately to go back to bed.
Chapter 57: June 4