Chapter 14 To Every Season
"Shane I'm worried about Rita." Norman said it under his breath after having sidled up to Shane's desk under the pretense of asking a computer question.
Shane eyed Rita across the room sorting mail with a little more force in throwing packages than was necessary nor typical. "I am too Norman." Rita's mother had died in a freak spelunking accident the week before. They'd all attended the memorial service supporting Rita and Bill in any way they could. Shane's heart broke for her friend losing her mother right before her wedding.
"She's been so focused on taking care of things for her dad. I don't think she's had time to deal with things herself," Norman answered wanting to help but not knowing what to do.
"It was fortunate her parents were local lately and she got to spend more time with them before losing her," Shane commented.
As another package hit a bin louder than expected Shane winced a little. Oliver noticing Norman conversing at Shane's desk casually stood up to send a letter up a chute and stopped by Shane's desk as well. "Ms. McInerney surely it's time for a coffee break before something is…" hearing another thunk from another package, "er damaged?" Oliver asked. "Norman and I can handle things here."
Shane didn't hesitate to pick up their coats on the way, "Rita we're going for a coffee break."
Rita looked up surprised, "I was sorting…"
"We all heard. Rita it's time to take a break." Shane said handing her a coat not giving her an option.
Rita slid her coat on glancing at the guys who were now suspiciously working on Shane's computer desk where absolutely nothing was broken. Shane shook her head at their poor attempt to look busy on their way out.
Walking automatically towards Ramon's Bistro before changing her mind Shane asked, "Do you mind if we stop by a coffee cart?" It was a beautiful day out and Shane thought Rita could use the walk.
"That's fine," Rita said not really caring but puzzled after Shane walked by the first couple carts they saw. Shane finally stopped at one and they stood in line. After getting their coffee they sat at a table next to the coffee cart in the courtyard area.
"Oliver and I met for the first time here at this cart." Shane told Rita.
"I never thought to ask which one. There's so many around this area of town." Rita commented.
"I stopped for coffee nervous about starting my first day in Denver. There was this handsome, stuffy, gentleman in front of me in line who was completely overwhelmed trying to order coffee with different names and sizes. I interrupted, ordered for him and even paid trying to speed things up so I could make it to the Denver branch on time." Shane stopped thinking back to how her life had changed. How her view of Oliver had changed. "Rita when I moved here, I'd just lost my dad, I had lost Steve to his job, I was hoping for a fresh start. Instead, I landed in an odd little DLO office that seemed like it existed in another time, surrounded by people that played by rules I didn't understand. The whole situation was completely foreign to me."
Rita smiled remembering the Shane that arrived that day. One that didn't want to be there, had a bit of a chip on her shoulder, and still she'd gotten drawn in none the less.
"I thought my life was falling apart Rita. I wasn't sure where I was headed, what I was supposed to do and was incredibly lonely. Before I knew it, I felt like I belonged. I was a part of something special here. Then one day I woke up to find I had a best friend that was like my sister. I'm worried about her." Shane said putting her hand on Rita's.
Rita unexpectedly started giggling. Shane looked even more concerned, "Rita, are you ok?"
She started laughing even harder. When she finally was able to stop, "Shane, in the most Oliver way possible, you managed to tell me that good things sometimes spring from bad times." She started giggling again. "You really have acquired his way of communicating."
Shane started laughing with her. "Come on, it's hard not to after a while."
Rita sighed, "Oh Shane. I'm sad. I'm worried about my dad. I'm so angry at my mother at the same time I'm missing her. Half the time I want to sit and cry, the other half I want to yell. In the middle of all of it I'm still planning the wedding."
Shane looked at her sympathetically. "When you lose someone it's natural to have an overabundance of different feelings. Norman, Oliver, and I are here for you whatever you need."
"I wasn't expecting to feel so angry Shane. She went to do something that was dangerous without a thought of leaving my dad and I behind. Now I'm planning one of the most important days in my life without her. Is it selfish to have wanted her to have loved us enough to walk away from it so she could be with us?" Rita asked forlornly.
"No, it's human nature." Shane said understanding while she squeezed Rita's hand. "Some people don't look at danger the way others do. When I left to help Steve, I knew it might be dangerous. While I was proud of him for the work he was doing for his country, his job was one of the major reasons we broke up. I never knew where I stood with him and I found myself caring more the longer we were together. He'd disappear for weeks, sometimes longer. I wouldn't have a clue where he was or if he were alive. Then he'd show back up in town. I couldn't continue to live that way for someone that I never knew where I even stood with half the time. Rita your mom loved you and your dad. She probably never thought anything would happen. When I was overseas, I'd hear gunfire and bombs go off. I could feel the building shake knowing the danger wasn't far away and it got closer every day. Steve always told me everything was going to be fine. I could tell he believed it. Your mom had been spelunking hundreds of times without anything ever happening. The longer you do something dangerous and nothing happens you get a false sense of security. Rita your mom may have never had a close call to remind her what was at stake. She went doing something she loved. Not many people can say that."
"No, they can't." Rita said sighing. "We should probably get back."
Shane smiled standing, "It's fine. Oliver was the one that suggested a coffee break. The guys were worried about you. Oliver was also concerned about the way you were throwing packages around. It's not your normal style."
Rita sighed throwing her cup away, "I haven't been myself."
"You'll get there. What does Oliver say, to everything there is a season?" Shane put her arm around Rita as the two walked back to the DLO, "There's time to grieve before it will be time to celebrate your new life with Norman."