Some Idle Tuesday
By: M14Mouse
Summary: Kat got some terrible news on some idle Tuesday.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
The real troubles in your life
Are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind
The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday- Everybody's Free By Baz Luhrmann
Kat felt her phone vibrate in her pocket as she came down from her apartment.
She almost ignored it. It could wait. It could be one of those telemarketers who never sell anything good.
Who wants a timeshare?!
Something made her get her phone out of her pocket and answer it.
"Jefferson Hospital, I'm calling for Kat Silver…"
OMG….Is it her mother? She just talked to her. No….no…it can't be. Then her mind took off toward statistics of heart attacks, strokes, car accidents…
"Do you know Phil Jordan?" The voice said on the other end.
"Yes? Is he okay?!" She said in a panic.
"I regret to inform you that Mr. Jordan has passed away," The voice said as she slipped into shock.
That was impossible. He just went out for an errand! He is fine.
He is fine!
And….And….
Somehow, she sat down on one of her steps. Somehow, she spoke words and answered questions. It reminded her so much of the teacher from Charlie Brown. Wawawawa…..If you asked her tomorrow what they were, she couldn't tell you.
Somehow, she was able to end the call.
Somehow, she didn't break down. She needed to close the store and get the customers out. She needed to inform his family and his friends. She needed to get the hospital…for….for
"Kat, girl…what are you doing? We have a line…Kat…what is wrong?" Randi said as she started walking up the stairs.
"We need to close the café and…and get to the hospital. It…it is Phil and…" She said as she struggled to keep it together. She struggled to keep her tears from falling.
It gave the same sense of familiarity with her dad.
She could hear Phil's voice whispering in her ear.
I'm so sorry, sweetheart.
"Phil?! Is he okay? Is he…" Randi said in a panic.
She just shook her head no. She couldn't get words out. It was too final. Too soon.
"No…He just went out to get some more napkins. He…he can't be….," Randi struggled with the words.
She struggled to get her emotion under control. She needed to get up and get moving. She needed to get there. Phil shouldn't be alone. He was always there for her.
Always. She needed….
"We need to talk to the customers and…and start closing up. You talked to the guys for me to tell them…to them…I mean," She said as she struggled with the words.
"No…no…we are partners. We do this together. He would want us to do it together," Randi said as she struggled with her emotions. She could see the same tears that she was struggling with rolling down her face.
You should listen to her…two make a fabulous team like Sonny and Cher without the awful hair.
It took forever and no time at all to close the café.
Bye, Miss Clark, you should totally change that shirt by the way.
Bye, Mr. Johnston. I hope that you choked on that bagel.
Bye, lovely Mrs. Gable….for the easiest order and just as your easy smile.
Bye, little Jack, I hope that you become that dinosaur when you grow up.
They had to make sure the cats had enough food and water because they didn't know how long they would be gone.
Bye, Chloe. Bye, Cookie. Oh, I have to say good-bye to you, Icee. You too, Tapestry. No more climbing on top of the fridge. Bye, Peter and Pan. Bye…
"Hey, guys…what's wrong? I saw the closed sign…" Max said as he stumbled into the café.
She tried so hard not to cry. She tried not to run into Max's arms and get a hug. A warm hug. She needed a warm hug.
"Guys….Please," Max asked them in confusion.
"It's Phil…he….he is at the hospital," She said as she regained control of her emotion.
"Well, we need to get going," Max said in a panic.
She shook her head no.
"He…he didn't make it, Max. He is gone."
"Oh, Kat."
Finally, the dam broke for all of them. There were tears, hugs, and closeness. She heard Carter's voice from somewhere. Max said something to Carter then she felt another pair of warm arms around her.
She didn't know how long they stood there. Finally, she stepped away when she felt something brush against her legs. She looked down to see a white cat, Cheer, looking up at her.
Cheer was blind and was one of Phil's favorites. She didn't let her blindness stop her. So full of life and cat treats. Just like Phil minus the catnip. That is why he called her Cheer.
There is nothin' wrong with a little lovin', Kat. She had a tough life and we are here to make it better until she finds a home that loves her no eyes and all. Just like my cousin Maggie.
"Oh, Cheer," She said as she gently reached down and picked her up. Gently, she started running her fingers down her fur. She saw another cat approaching the group.
The cats…they knew.
"We…need to get going," Carter said as he struggled with the words.
Oh, honey. Take your time. I'm not going anywhere.
She let out a watery giggle.
"I just heard Phil's voice in my head. Just take your time. I'm not going anywhere," She said.
"Oh, that sounds like him. In my head, he said that he wants his funeral to be banging like his damn sparkling jacket," Carter said as he choked up.
Damn straight.
"Oh my god, he would want pink. So much pink," Randi said with a sob.
Pink and bling, baby. I want to look fabulous.
"He would want me to wear those pants," Max added.
That is more for you than me, Kat, but don't tell him that.
"He would," She said with a laugh.
She heard the door's bell ring as someone entered the café. She looked over to see her mother coming in.
"Kat…why is the café closed? Why are you crying? What happened?" Her mother asked.
"It…it's Phil. He is gone."
"Gone…gone where?" Her mother said in confusion.
"He….he is dead, mother," She said as she choked on the words. She watched as the color from her face drained.
"Oh…oh, baby," Her mom said as she rushed up to hug her.
She let out a sob as she dropped Cheer on the floor then she hugged her mom back.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Phil with a sad smile.
All of my favorite people…right there. It makes me feel so blessed.
You should be here, Phil. You…
Oh, baby. I will always be here. Keeping you out of trouble and giving you wonderful advice.
What would be your advice now?
You don't need it. You're already kind. You already know the secret to happiness. You found something you can make money at that you really love to do. Baby, you have made more than I ever was.
"Kat…we need to get going…" Max said.
She rubbed her eyes of the crap and tears. She blinked to see that Phil was gone.
But you were part of that happiness. How do I get that back?
How do they get that piece back?
End.
A/N: RIP, Leslie Jordan. You were a joy and treat to see on screen.