Free Mattie's Call by Stacy Campbell Page B

Think of this as your stylist fee.”
    She moistened her lips and slipped the money in her coat pocket. “I’ll be back later. I hope I didn’t disturb your family lunch.”
    â€œYou eased the tension. I’m glad you were here.”
    Synaria’s heartbeat quickened. “See you, Josh.”
    She walked quickly to her car, erasing the distance between them and ignoring her dry mouth and rising temperature.

14
In Absentia
    T he siblings sat in Detective Jimmerson’s cramped office. They passed the death certificate amongst themselves, weighing the finality of its words.
    â€œCan’t we give it some more time?” Joshua asked.
    â€œIt’s been two months. The state was gracious in allowing so much time to lapse before issuing the death certificate. When a person is missing or presumed dead, a death certificate can be issued within days. We received a few leads about your mother, but nothing concrete came from the tips. Even the sighting of your mom in South Carolina led to a dead end.”
    â€œSo she’s gone. No trace, no body,” Alice said, cradling her arms as she rocked. “I’m sure if we wait one more month, she’ll turn up.”
    â€œI can’t take another month. I’ve lost my appetite and I can’t sleep worrying about Mama,” said Gigi, placing the death certificate on the detective’s desk.
    â€œThat’s a shock,” Joshua muttered under his breath.
    â€œWhat did you say?”
    Alice stopped the impending argument. “Listen, Mama wanted us to attend Emma Jelks’s service and we didn’t. She wanted us to come to the Christmas pageant and we didn’t. The least we can do is have a small memorial service for her. It would be fitting to have it at El Bethel since she attended the church with Ms. Emma.”
    â€œGraveside only. I don’t want to hear any solos, reflections, or people telling us we have their sympathy,” said Gigi.
    â€œYou know Mama wouldn’t approve of a graveside service. Think about the folks at Grand Oak and the community. Since she left, we’ve had an outpouring of support from friends and strangers. I’m sure my coworkers and Alice’s friends from the library would like to pay their respect.”
    Gigi agreed, but without emotion. “Fine. Tell me the time and I’ll be there.”
    â€œWe’re planning this together, Gigi.”
    â€œI can’t.”
    â€œDo it for Mama, Gigi,” said Alice.
    She closed her eyes to process Alice’s request. After a half-hearted shrug, she mumbled, “Sure.”
    â€œI’m sorry this didn’t turn out better for your family. Your mother seemed like a wonderful person,” said Detective Jimmerson.
    â€œShe was, Sir. She truly was a phenomenal mother,” said Joshua.
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    A week later, Gabrielle, Alice, and Joshua sat on El Bethel’s front pew with neighbors and friends. Synaria sat next to Alice and offered Kleenex; Karen sat next to Joshua. After a little wrangling, Agatha convinced Gigi to let Zoe sing two solos. Riveted, the crowd remained seated but swayed to her soulful inflections. A soprano, her song rose to the rafters of the stately building.
    â€œMs. Mattie loved that song,” Karen whispered to Josh as Zoe sang, “Goin’ Up Yonder.”
    â€œShe did, Karen.”
    â€œShe pretended she couldn’t sing, but she had a beautiful voice.”
    Joshua stared at Karen, then redirected his attention to the pastor. He’d never heard his mother sing. From the moment her service was announced in the paper, people shared stories about their mother’s generosity that left them speechless. After the benediction, mourners congregated upstairs and in the annex. Earlier, Joshua looked at the tables filled with food, secretly willing them to remain intact. He feared they’d buckle under the weight of so many