Thank you for the continued support! And I'm sorry for killing off Edna, one of my absolute favourite characters in the Plum world. Just imagine that she lived, laughed and loved the last years of her life.

x

Chapter 4. Planning

The next days were a whirlwind of planning the funeral. Edna had written down her wishes, but Helen tried to change a lot of things. Valerie supported Helen in finding cheaper and more conservative alternatives. Not too cheap, the Burg would obviously notice that, but always the cheapest respectable alternative. When Stephanie protested and said that Edna had saved some money for the funeral they wanted to know what she knew, and why they hadn't been told. Before she could decide how much to tell them a law firm called and said they had some news. Helen, Frank, Valerie, Albert and Stephanie all went over to the firm. The solicitor, Mrs. Clifford, explained that Edna had met with her half a year earlier, when she had won money at the Powerball. She had then written a new will, opened college funds for Valerie´s girls, and also written down her wishes for her funeral. The will would not be read until after the funeral, but she had told the solicitor that she thought that her own wishes for the funeral wouldn't be followed, and therefore had told the solicitor that for every change Helen Plum would get less money in the will.

"What do you mean?! Why should I get less money?"

"Obviously your mother knew that you would be the person most intent on changing Edna´s plans and wishes," Mrs. Clifford said.

"Well, I never…" said Helen.

She then turned to Stephanie.

"This is all your fault!"

Stephanie just looked at her mother.

"You obviously knew about the Powerball money! I bet you got a lot of money from mother. And Valerie and I haven't got a nickel!"

"Grandma told me about the Powerball winnings the last time I saw her. Before that I knew nothing. And I know nothing about her will. I only tried to get you to follow what grandma wanted for her funeral. Just as I suspect you want your own funeral according to your plans, not mine."

"Frank, she just said that she wanted me dead! And in front of a solicitor. You heard her!"

Helen turned to Mrs. Clifford who sat there just staring at Helen Plum.

"I heard nothing at all like that, Mrs. Plum."

"You're all in on this together. You can bet I will contest the will!" Helen shouted.

"We don't even know what the will says, Helen."

Frank tried to calm her down, but Helen was on a roll.

"Albert! You're a lawyer. You heard Stephanie threaten me. And you wouldn't want you and Valerie to not get any money just because mother gave it all to Stephanie!"

"Please, Mrs. Plum. Nobody threatened anyone as far as I heard," Mrs. Clifford said. "And this meeting was just to ensure that you knew about the consequences for not following Edna's wishes about her funeral."

"She wrote that the coffin should be hot pink. And she wanted to be buried in clothes not fit to be worn by a teenager. And a viewing with open casket!" Helen shouted at the solicitor.

"I know, Mrs. Plum. I helped Edna write down her wishes. And frankly, they felt much more personal than most funeral plans. And very much like Mrs. Mazur herself. She was a wonderful person and a breath of fresh air."

Helen lost her steam a little, and Valerie tried to get her to see reason.

"Mum. Grandma wanted the funeral she planned. I agree with Stephanie, we should honor her memory and let her plans stand. After all, everyone knows that grandma was eccentric, they won't for a moment believe that the plans are yours."

Helen faltered for a moment. The solicitor moved in again.

"And remember, Mrs. Plum. It is you personally who will lose money. That money and the money you will save from the cost of the funeral will be given to a charity Mrs. Mazur chose."

Helen kept her mouth closed, and the rest of the company thanked the solicitor and left.

"I will not talk to the undertakers," Helen said. "If you and Valerie think that mother's plans should be followed, you can talk to them."

Stephanie and Valerie just nodded, and agreed upon a time when they together would meet up at the funeral parlor.

x

Stephanie drove home, and when she went up to her apartment Joe Morelli was waiting for her outside her apartment.

"Cupcake."

"Would you please stop using that infantile name, that furthermore gets me to think of how you treated me when you wrote about it all over the Burg."

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about Edna."

"Thank you, Joe."

Stephanie did not open the door, and waited in silence.

"Why don't we get inside and call for pizza?" Joe suggested.

"Why don't you go home and call for pizza? I'm not interested in your company, Joe. If you insist in coming here although I've told you that time and time again I will file for a restraining order."

"What's the matter with you!? I only wanted to express my sympathies after Edna passed away."

"And now you have. Please leave. And leave me alone."

"You think you're something special, Cup… Stephanie? Most women have the same equipment, and you should be glad I'm even interested."

"That's just the thing, Joe. I'm not interested, and not flattered that you come here. I'm sure someone out there will be grateful for your interest, but it's not me. Now leave or I will call the TPD."

He gave her a dark look, and for a moment she thought he would hit her, but he left without saying another word, not even goodbye.

Stephanie stood outside her door and just breathed until she could open the door. Joe felt more and more unhinged, and she thought that maybe she should talk to Eddie Gazarra.

x

Edna´s funeral was held the next week. The church was well attended, as the viewing had been. Stephanie couldn't help but smile at the hot pink coffin. They had ordered matching flowers, and though Steph was undoubtedly sad, she felt that Edna was looking down from above, happy to have the funeral the way she had planned it herself. Most of the attendants were older people, friends of Edna or her daughter. But Stephanie saw two full pews with Rangemen, Tank trying to find a comfortable position in the cramped setting.

After the burial service there was a gathering at the nearby funeral parlour, with coffee, sandwiches and cake. The Rangemen came by to offer Stephanie their condolences, but did not stay.

Joe Morelli was also at the funeral, and tried to corner Stephanie. She managed to avoid him by serving coffee and see to the sandwiches and cakes. Finally Helen got a clue and managed to get the coffee pot away from Steph, who promptly went to the bathroom to get a little breathing-space. She cried a little for Edna, but was mostly happy that the funeral had been according to Edna´s wishes. Quite a lot of the guests had commented on the beautiful service, and the fact that it felt so personal. Stephanie had overheard Helen trying to take credit for the whole thing, but did not care that she and Valerie wouldn't get any of the praise. Or maybe Valerie would get some, she had heard Helen mentioning Valerie's name. After repairing her makeup she went out of the bathroom. Outside Joe Morelli was leaning against the opposite wall.

"Cupc…"

When he saw Stephanie's expression he quickly changed.

"Stephanie."

"Joe."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you."

Steph tried to pass him, and he quickly took a hold of her upper arm.

"Let go."

"Don't be like that, Stephanie. I just want to talk to you."

"Let go. You've said your condolences, and as I have told you numerous times, I am not interested in talking to you, seeing you, dating you or ever hearing your voice again. Just leave me alone."

Joe's grip on her arm became firmer, on the brink of painful. Stephanie tried to wrestle her arm free, but Joe tightened his grip, and now held her with both hands.

"Let go, Joe. You're hurting me."

He still had a painful grip on her arm and took a step forward.

"I'm letting you go when I feel like it. Cupcake."

He gave her a shake and then let go of her in such a way that she painfully bumped into the wall behind her.

"See you around." Joe said and left.

Stephanie felt her tears fall and started to shake in a reaction based on both anger and fear.

Helen came around the corner from the kitchen.

"Honestly, Stephanie. The funeral's over. Stop bawling."

Stephanie didn't say anything, just dried her tears with the funeral handkerchief (lacy and too small) and went back in to say goodbye to her sister's family and her dad. She drove home in a daze.