"Janet, I don't want you going to Providence alone." Eddie was sitting next to her on the sofa feeding Shelby a bottle. "You need to stay Eddie. Nick and Ikey need your help on the jobs you have scheduled this week." She leaned down and kissed Shelby's head. "Besides, BillyJo will be with me. We are just packing. You and Ikey can head to Providence on Saturday for the memorial service." Janet had received the call from the retirement center just before lunch. Her grandmother had passed away in her sleep. "Do you think your grandfather knows?" Janet's grandfather had been moved to the nursing home section after his stroke. "I'm not sure. It was so hard on my grandmother when they separated them, but since his stroke he can't speak. Doesn't recognize anyone." A smile formed across Eddie's face. "He recognized you the last time we were there." She smiled and nodded. "He's like you. He always recognizes me." She kissed him. "My mom will be here tomorrow and stay here while I'm at work. Ikey and I will leave early Saturday. What's BillyJo doing with the kids?" Janet grabbed her glass from the coffee table and took a sip of her water. "Ikey is keeping them until Friday. Then they are going home with Sam after school. I'm glad I put Shelby on formula already. This way she can stay home where she is comfortable." Eddie looked at Shelby and back at Janet. "You're going to miss her aren't you?" Janet wiped a tear from her eye. "Yes. I will miss her, but its best that she stays here, and we'll be home Saturday night. There's a lot for BillyJo and I to do, and we need time to say goodbye… I'll miss you too." Eddie kissed her on the forehead. "I think Ikey and I need to head over Friday afternoon. We can take you ladies out to dinner." She smiled in agreement. Hoping his week would work out for just that.
Eddie got up from the sofa and put Shelby to bed. As he returned to the living room something occurred to him. "You know Janet, Nick better stay away from Hannah's this weekend. With the kids there, Ray's liable to find out everything." Janet laughed as he sat back down. "I know. Charlotte the 'informer' will tell all." He put his arm around her and they snuggled close together. "Has Nick ever told you about Hannah?" Eddie took a pull of his beer. "No. I think he must be a little freaked out about it. He's always wanted to be with her, but not while she was married to Ray. Doesn't need to happen this way." Janet thought for a moment. "Eddie, I kind of think Ray may know…or at least be suspicious of something." Interesting, Eddie thought. "What makes you say that?" She sat up to turn and look at him. "Hannah told me he has really backed off. They haven't been out in a month. Not since he took her to dinner in Boston. Maybe he's decided to end it. Let her be with Nick or whomever." Eddie shook his head. "No way. It's not over by a long shot. If Ray even has an idea about Nick and Hannah, there will be hell to pay….eventually."
BillyJo and Janet left early Wednesday morning for Providence. They took BillyJo's van so they could pack it with anything they chose to keep that wasn't going to charity. Janet's grandparents had lived at the retirement center for almost ten years. There would not be much to pack, but they would be responsible for cleaning and getting the suite ready for the next occupant. "BillyJo, it seems like just yesterday you and Lance and I were moving them here." Janet said as they unlocked their hotel room door. "I know, time flies doesn't it?" BillyJo turned the light on next to the bed. "Janet…how are you doing with this? You've haven't talked much about losing her, even Eddie's mom asked if you were ok." Janet put her suitcase on the bed and turned to BillyJo. "I'm really ok. I knew this day would come…and they have both lived such full lives. It is sad, but I know I'm not alone. My Grandfather is still with us… and I have my own family now." They freshened up and headed to the Trinity Place retirement home to pack. Janet's grandfather would remain in the nursing home so there was no sense is keeping their suite. One bedroom, a tiny kitchen, sitting room and bath. This had been their residence for some time and now the girls would be packing up their lives and saying goodbye to Edith, or Grammy as she had been so affectionately referred. Though BillyJo had married into the Meadows family, she had loved Grammy like she was her own. Janet had decided to have the furniture picked up by Good Will. Neither she nor BillyJo needed more stuff, so it seemed like the best option. As Janet was boxing up the items from the linen closet, BillyJo had found a photo album and sat on the sofa to go through it. She looked at all the pictures of Janet and Lance as children. There was a school picture of Lance that looked so much like Jack it gave her chills. Lance would always be with her.
Friday arrived soon enough and the guys ended their day early to join Janet and BillyJo in Providence. "mmm…I missed you so much." Eddie said as he gave Janet and hug. The guys took them to a restaurant downtown and everyone caught up on the past few days. Eddie's mom had enjoyed her time with Shelby although she missed her daughter in law. Ikey told them about his adventures in babysitting and everyone laughed till they cried. Janet's grandmother had wished to be cremated. There would be a short memorial service the next day and then they would head home. Eddie and Janet stayed in an adjoining room and hoped to get some sleep. Neither one of them had slept much without the other next to them. "Did you guys see the kids before they went to Hannah's?" Her face was still pink from her shower. "Yeah…we did. Ikey and I stopped by the school on our way out of town. I went home for lunch too to see Shelby." Janet smiled as she eased into the bed. "I miss my little girl. I'm ready to get tomorrow over with and head back home." He sighed as he pulled her close.
The memorial service had been very special. So many friends from the retirement center had come and the chaplain had so many nice things to say. Janet's grandfather was unable to attend, but they went to see him before they left. He looked very confused when the four of them walked in until he realized Janet was with them. Then he felt at peace. They left soon afterward and headed back to Knights Ridge. Janet and Eddie were in his truck with Ikey and BillyJo behind them. They would be home soon and Janet couldn't wait. She missed Shelby desperately. Eddie looked at her across the cab of the truck. Janet was looking out to window daydreaming. "I forgot to tell you." Eddie said trying to bring her back to reality. "I saw Hannah at the coffee shop the other day. I think she was trying to act like she and Nick had not come in there together." Janet shook her head and looked out the window. There was a smirk on her face. She was looking in the mirror and suddenly burst out laughing. Her laughter was contagious and Eddie laughed as well, then he asked. "What are you laughing at?" She shook her head and turned to him. "All this time. I have seen this before and never realized how odd it seems." Eddie had no idea what she could be talking about. "Look in your rearview mirror. Ikey…driving a minivan." Eddie looked and got a huge grin on his face. "Well, well, well. Looks like an old pro."
"It's good to see you Ray." Matt was sitting there in his arrogance. He had left town after Eddie's beating, but it was obvious he was glad to be back. "So…what is it that you want me to do? I'm not going anywhere near Latekka. Too much history there."Ray looked at him in his frustration. He was losing control. For so long he had control over everything, now it was falling apart. "I just want him gone. Buried." Whatever you have to do…just do it. Burn his business down, steal his money…I don't care….I just want him out of Hannah and Sam's life for good."