The Restaurant(6)

“I am so proud of you girls. My three bright lights. You’ve brought me so much joy. I know your mother would be just as proud. Your father too, of course,” she added hastily.

“Grams, we love you so much!” Jill’s voice was thick with emotion and Mandy and Emma chimed in together, “We all love you Grams.”

“My three beautiful girls. I want so much for all of you. Happiness and love. I believe in you, and I have a gift for you, and a bit of a secret too.” There was a faint hint of mischief in her voice and a flit of a smile across her face. But she was clearly starting to tire again and took a moment to collect her thoughts and to summon enough energy to continue.

“So, I’ve done something….left you a gift that means the world to me. You have no idea. But you will, someday.” She paused and looked intently at each girl in turn, and none of them had any idea what she was talking about. But they all smiled back, and she continued.

“You girls used to be so close. I know you think you still are. You talk on the phone and you do the e-mail thing.” She made a face that showed what she thought about e-mail.

“But you don’t spend enough time together. It’s important to be near family, to be close to them, always.” She closed her eyes and snuggled into her pillow. It was several long moments later when she opened them again and spoke, her voice wobbly and weak, but still determined. “I want you to go to Mimi’s Place and be together. That is my gift to you. That, and my love for you always.”

Grams closed her eyes again and let out the most peaceful sigh. She drifted off to sleep and didn’t wake again. An hour later, she inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly and didn’t take another breath. Mandy nudged her arm, but she didn’t move. Emma reached out and felt for a pulse and there was nothing.

Jill was still holding her hand, and tears ran down her face.

“I think she’s gone.”





To Jill, the next five days were a blur. She felt numb as they went through the motions and did the things one did at a time like this. They met with the funeral director, a cheery woman named Charlotte who had clearly adored Grams. “She was so full of life, that one. She came in twice over the past year to update the music. Said she wanted to make sure there was no ‘cry music’ at her service. Nothing but upbeat and happy.”

That made Jill smile. It was so like Grams. She had told all three of them often that she didn’t want her funeral to be a morbid thing with music that made people sad. She wanted them to dance and to have a party to celebrate her life. Grams was so determined. She had already planned it all down to the very last detail. She’d booked the funeral service, made all the arrangements, right down to picking out the coffin and music.

“I don’t want you girls to have to worry about all that. Just remember that it’s at Cleary and Arlidge. Call and ask for Charlotte.” Grams was certainly right about that. It did make things easier. So much easier than when Grampy died ten years ago, and they went along with Grams to get everything sorted out. She was so sad and detached back then that it was difficult for her to focus on anything, especially the details for her husband’s funeral.

Grams had also left instructions for her mercy meal to be at Mimi’s Place, of course. She wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and to remember all the good times. She always did love a party.





“Eat, drink and be merry,” Jill said as she forced a smile and lifted her glass to clink it against Mandy’s and Emma’s. They were sitting at a big round table at Mimi’s Place. Just being there was a comfort. It was Gram’s favorite restaurant by far and it always reminded them of her. The room was cozy and plush with dark cherry wood and soft burgundy velvet seat cushions. What saved the room from being too dark were plenty of windows that allowed soft natural light to brighten the room.

Jill felt her muscles finally relax as she leaned back in her chair. Everything was done now—well, almost. They still had to clear out Grams’ house, but there was no rush on that and none of them had the energy to tackle it just yet. Plus, they’d talked about it a bit and decided that at least for the next year or so they’d keep it, rather than selling it. That way they’d always have a place to call home on Nantucket.

“It would be perfect for either of you if you wanted to stay for longer than a day or two,” Mandy said. “Of course you know you’re both always welcome to stay with me as long as you like, but this would give you your own space and peace and quiet.”

At that moment Ray Bartlesby who was in his late seventies and had been managing Mimi’s Place for longer than Jill had been alive, stopped by their table. Emma pulled out a chair, and he sat down.

“Your grandmother would be so pleased to see you girls laughing. She was such a special lady.”

“Ray, thank you so much for everything. As usual, the food was amazing,” Mandy said.

“Rose was like family.” Ray’s voice cracked and his demeanor, so polished and professional at all times, slipped for just an instant, revealing a glimpse of genuine sadness. Jill and her sisters had been a little overwhelmed and so grateful for the outpouring of sympathy and support they’d received. So many people who had known Grams in some way over the years had come to pay their respects.

“How is your family, Ray?” Jill asked. She’d talked to his wife Cindy earlier, and she had mentioned that they’d just become great-grandparents for the first time and were absolutely thrilled.