***Chapter 8***
***Max's facility***
"Anything, Max. You can tell me anything".
"In my room at Willow Pond, in the top drawer of the dresser, there is an envelope for each of you. There is another one for a lawyer, and I need you to send it to him when the time comes. There should be another letter that will tell you what I want done with my things. But that's not what I wanted to tell you".
Jennifer chuckled. Same old Max.
"Mr. H., you know you are like a son to me. And once you got grown, I stopped bossing you around. So, I am just going to tell you- the best thing that ever happened to you, was this lady right here."
"I am well aware of that, Max. You were pretty good to me, yourself".
"Yeah, but I took care of you. She adores you, she makes you a better person, and you make her a better person, which is saying something because she's the best there is". He looked over and smiled at her. She had tears in her eyes.
"Thank you Max".
"He can get a little stubborn, but don't let him stay that way. If anyone can get him to do something, it's you, Mrs. H. I saw him with lots of girls before you, but you, you are the only one who softened him, you are the only one who came back more than twice, and you are the only one he ever called Darling".
"That's true".
She smiled at Jonathan.
"Max, you need your rest. So, get some sleep, and we will be right here when you wake up. We love you".
"One more thing. When you hire someone to take my place, don't let them run the buzzer. That's my job, buzzing people in at the gate".
They nodded.
"We love you, Max".
He nodded and closed his eyes. "I love you both".
Jennifer covered him with the blanket and kissed his forehead.
Jonathan was holding his hand.
A few minutes later, the unmistakable sound of the heart monitor pierced the silence. Max was gone.
Jennifer stood up and went over and patted Jonathan's shoulder reassuringly. He held her hand a few minutes and wiped the tears from his eyes.
She went and got the nurse and came back.
The nurse explained that she would call the funeral home for them, and left them alone. It was a few hours before his body was taken away.
Jennifer had busied herself packing up his things. She took his ruby and gold ring off his hand, and put it in her purse.
She and Jonathan loaded his things into their car and Jonathan paid the bill to the facility.
They got in the car to leave.
"Jonathan, my car is at the airport. Do you mind taking me by there?"
"Not at all".
They rode to the airport in silence.
***Willow Pond***
Jonathan dropped Jennifer off at the airport and waited to make sure her car started.
After she left the airport, she stopped and picked them up some lunch, and then stopped at the beach house to shower and change clothes.
She grabbed a few things and then went to Willow Pond.
She parked and came inside and found Jonathan in the kitchen.
"I brought us some lunch".
"Great, I am starved".
They ate in silence, and she did the dishes afterwards.
When she was finished, she looked at Jonathan.
"Shall we?"
He nodded.
She took his hand, and they went into Max's room.
Jonathan found the envelopes like he had indicated.
She opened hers first.
"Dearest Mrs. H.,
You are the closest thing I will ever have to a daughter. I always said I was proud to know you, and that is still true. I wasn't glad that I was getting a daughter when you and Mr. H. got married, I was glad that it was you that was marrying him. You are perfect for him, and he is perfect for you. You two have this electricity that not a lot of people get in life, so don't waste it. I never knew if you approved of my gambling or not, but I was doing it for you. Every time I hit it big at the track, I put it in a jar underneath my bed. I was saving it for you. I wanted you to be able to take Jonathan on a trip wherever he wants to go. He is always surprising you with a trip, it's your turn. And this way, I can be involved too. Please enjoy yourselves and remember me fondly. And when I get where I'm going, I will find a chair and a good cigar, and play a few hands of poker while I wait for you two. And of course, when you get here, I will buzz you in at the gate. Love, Max".
She was crying hard. Jonathan tried to comfort her, but he was upset too. They hugged each other for a bit, and then he read his letter.
"Dearest Jonathan-
My son. That's what you are to me. I want you to know I was always proud of you, and I hope that at some point in your life, I told you so. You will be just fine, I know it. I am so thankful to you for taking me in and letting me share your life with you. I know you are thinking that I took you in and rescued you from that orphanage, but really, you rescued me. You showed me that I was still important to someone. I can never tell you how much that meant to me. I want you to know, I saved all the winnings from the poker tournaments I entered every year in Vegas and Tahoe. They are in a pickle jar, under my bed. I want you to have them, and use the money to romance Mrs. H. She brings you true happiness and joy and you aren't 100% you, without her. So, take her on the trip of a lifetime, and make sure you tell her every day you love her. And when you see a horse race, or get a good poker hand, think of me. And when you get where I am going, look for me. I will buzz you in at the gate. I love you, Max".
Jennifer hugged him as he put the letter away. This loss cut pretty deep for both of them.
She got up and got down on the floor and looked under the bed.
She found the pickle jar, and then she found the other jar, and pulled them both out. There were a few more tubs under the bed that she pulled out as well.
One of the jars had a club drawn on it with sharpie. The other had the word horse written on the lid.
They started counting the money in each jar.
"Jonathan, there's over $100,000 here".
"Mine too. $135,000 to be exact".
"I don't feel right taking his money".
"I know what you mean. But it's what he wanted".
"What if, we take the trip like he said, but donate the rest in his name? Maybe to the orphanage?"
"I like that. And I think he would too".
She had that look in her eyes.
"You have that look again".
"What look?"
"The one where you are getting an idea. What's the idea?"
"I was just thinking we could organize a memorial poker tournament to benefit the orphanage in his name. But it would probably be hard to pull off".
He got all teary-eyed. "Darling, that is the best idea you have ever had".
"Thank you".
She opened up the other tubs, and found several gold rings, a few first edition novels and a framed picture of Jonathan, selling papers on the street corner, as well as a framed candid from their wedding. The wedding pic was a picture of the two of them, dancing. They were totally oblivious to everyone and everything around them.
"I love this picture of us".
"Me too".
"Um, I guess we need to make arrangements for a funeral".
"Let's read his other letter".
Jonathan grabbed the other letters and sat back on the bed.
He called the law office that was on the envelope and asked for Mr. James Owen Carnes.
"Mr. Carnes, this is Jonathan Hart. Do you know a Max Brennan?"
"Yes, I do."
"He passed away this morning, and he left a letter for you at my home, which was his home as well. I would like to make arrangements for you to receive it".
"I can come by this afternoon, say around 4. Are you still on Willow Pond?"
"Yes, we are".
"Ok, very well. I will see you then".
"Thank you, we will be here".
They hung up, and Jonathan set that letter aside.
Jennifer opened the other one.
"Dear whomever is reading this, which I am sure is Mr. and Mrs. H- If you are reading this, you know by now that I am no longer an earthly presence. I wanted to let you know my wishes for my final send off. I don't want any big thing. No big services, no sad songs, none of that. I want to be cremated, and I want my ashes spread in at least two places: the flower beds at the Santa Clarita track, just before a 2 p.m. race, as they are lining up to race, and in the flower beds out back at Willow Pond, on the roses I created. For reference purposes, the ones I created are the Jennifer Hart rose, the Double Hart rose, and the Everlasting Love rose. They are all labeled. As for the rest of me, sprinkle me wherever you see fit, when you are traveling and you think of me.
As far as my possessions go, my lawyer should be getting a letter that details who gets what. Follow those instructions, and remember me with a smile and nod on a sunny day. Love to you, both, forevermore, now and always. Max".
"Well, I guess there isn't anything else to do until the lawyer gets here".
"I suppose not".
They walked out of the room and went to the living room.
He fixed them both a cocktail, and then came and sat by her.
Jennifer sipped her drink, and then looked at Jonathan.
"Do you think he knew?"
"Knew what?"
"That you and I haven't been together as of late".
"I do. I think he could sense it".
"He always was able to see things before we did".
Jonathan nodded.
"So, where do you want to go on your trip?"
"Anywhere with you".
"Jonathan, I'm serious. He said it had to be the trip of a lifetime".
"I'm serious too. I am happy as long as you are with me".
She could tell he wasn't going to pick a place.
"Do you want me to surprise you?"
"I don't know. Where would you pick if you did?"
"I haven't the foggiest. Is there somewhere you have always wanted to go, but never been?"
"I always wanted to take you to the Maldives, but the flights are very, very long. I suppose we could do LAX to Tokyo, and then spend a few days, and then do Tokyo to the Maldives and break it up some."
"That sounds nice, except for one detail."
"What's that?"
"Well, I am supposed to be taking you. However, I prefer to think of it as Max is taking both of us".
"I agree with that. He is definitely taking both of us".
The gate buzzed, and Jonathan went to get it.
"Hi, it's James Carnes".
"Hello. Come on up".
Jennifer went to get the letter, and Jonathan opened the door.
"Hello Mr. Carnes, come on in".
"Thank you".
Jennifer emerged with the letter.
"Mr. Carnes, this is my beautiful wife, Jennifer".
"Hello ma'am. Nice to meet you".
They sat down on the couch and handed him the letter. He took a few pictures to document it, and then opened it.
"This appears to be his last will and testament. He states, and I quote, 'I want Mr. H. to have my ruby ring. If he ever has a son, I hope that he will pass it on to him. I want Mrs. H. to have the paintings in my closet, and my collections of silk handkerchiefs, which are in my dresser. Also, there is an antique mirror in the top of my closet that I want her to have, so that she can always see what a lovely person she is. Finally, there is a collection of paintings in my closet, and they are wrapped together with a blue bow. I want you to place those up for auction, and donate the money to the children at the orphanage. Finally, whatever you cannot or do not wish to keep, please sell and donate the proceeds to the orphanage. If you can't sell it, donate it to someone in need. If you keep it, remember me fondly with each use. All my love, Max".
"Well, that settles that".
"No, it doesn't. The funeral home has his ruby ring on him. I have to get that back".
Jennifer got up and went to her purse, and retrieved the ring.
"I got it for you, before they took him".
She put it in his hand.
He leaned over and kissed her.
It felt so good to both of them to kiss each other.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hart, this is a standard contract for my legal services. Mr. Brennan already paid me, so that's not an issue. I need you to sign here that you received a copy of the will. Now, I will check back with you in about 30-60 days, and touch base. At such time as all the conditions are met, I will begin to close the estate".
Jonathan nodded.
"Are you his only living heir?"
"Yes, I believe so".
"Very well. I must be going, but please let me say, I'm sorry for your loss. He was a fine man".
"Thank you".
Jonathan saw Mr. Carnes out, and then joined Jennifer in Max's room.
She was deep in his closet, pulling stuff out.
She found the paintings that were tied with a blue bow. She brought those out and set them on the bed. She gathered the other ones that were in the closet and set them at the foot of the bed.
"I wonder where he got all of these".
"I remember him having a significant art collection when I moved in with him, but I don't know that I ever found out where he got them."
They weren't framed, but they were separated by protective paper.
"Darling, all of these paintings have notes on the back of them".
"Oh yeah, what do they say?"
She grabbed the first one off the top, and turned it over.
"Picked up in Italy, when Mr. H. took Mrs. H. for her birthday".
The next one was "Picked up in Hawaii when Mr. H. was in the Croquet tournament".
Jennifer looked at Jonathan.
"This is so sweet, he bought these paintings when we took him on trips".
She kept looking through the paintings. They were all very nice pieces.
"Where should we put these?"
"I am not sure. Why don't we put them in the study till we figure it out?"
"Good plan".
He helped her carry them to the study, and set them against the wall.
They went back to Max's room, and finished going through everything.
They weren't ready to completely clear it out just yet.
Jennifer looked at her watch. It was almost 6.
She walked over to Jonathan.
"You hungry?"
"Yes".
"I will fix us something". He nodded.
She went and got some chicken and marinated it. She cut up some veggies and made skewers.
She went and started the grill, and then came back and made some skewers of chicken, and then took everything out to the grill.
She had just started grilling everything, when Jonathan came and joined her.
He put his hands on her shoulders and she turned her head and kissed one of his hands.
"Let me".
She nodded and handed him the tools.
She went inside and set the table and got them both drinks.
He grilled the chicken to perfection, and then brought it all inside.
"Thanks for grilling dinner".
"Anytime".
They ate a nice dinner, even though things were still strained between the two of them.
After dinner was over, she started washing the dishes and he came over and joined her, and they finished together.
She went to the freezer, and took out one of the frozen meals she had made for him for her book tour, and put it in the fridge.
She went out to the car and got her bags and brought them in.
Jonathan was waiting at the door.
"Here, let me help you".
"Certainly".
They carried her bags upstairs. He took them into their bedroom, and put them on the bed.
She was in the doorway.
"You want me to stay in here with you?"
"Absolutely".
"Alright".
She smiled at him and went over to one of the suitcases and unzipped it.
She dug out her hygiene stuff and one of her nightgowns.
She picked up the suitcase and put it on the window seat.
Jonathan went over to her and wrapped her up in a warm embrace.
"Thank you for being here. I really appreciate it. I couldn't have done this without you".
"No need to thank me, Jonathan. He was special to both of us. And I wasn't going to let you take care of things alone".
He kissed her forehead and held her a little longer.
"I've missed you".
"I missed you too".
She went and changed and washed her face, and then came back to the bed. He was in his pajamas and sitting on the bed.
She grabbed her book out of her suitcase and climbed into bed.
Jonathan scooted over towards her.
"How is your back?"
"Better. A little tight, but better".
He sat all the way up, and opened his legs, and patted the bed in the center.
She went and sat in front of him.
He lifted her nightgown, and put some of the deep muscle rub on her back, and started to give her a deep massage.
"How did you hurt your back, darling?"
"Not sure. It's only been hurting the last few days".
He rubbed on her sore spots for at least an hour, and really worked out the kinks. She was totally relaxed by the time he was done, and leaned back against him.
He turned her over, and she laid on top of him. She stared into his eyes and he leaned up and kissed her passionately.
They rolled so that both of them were on their side. He grabbed her hair and wound it around his fingers, and pulled her in close.
She rolled onto her back and pulled him on top of her.
She felt him get a little handsy under her nightgown.
She broke the kiss.
"Darling…are you sure you want to do this?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, it's just that things between us haven't been the greatest lately, and then today, with Max….you know…I just want to make sure that you really want me, is all".
"I have never wanted you more, darling". He was kissing her neck.
"Just checking".
They continued, and had mad, passionate sex for hours. They fell asleep, exhausted, wrapped in each other's arms.
***The next morning***
Jennifer woke up, naked, wrapped in Jonathan's arms. She looked under the sheet and saw that he was naked too. She remembered their lovemaking the night before and smiled.
She laid there in his arms a little bit longer, and began to think about what she was going to do. She wanted to move back home with Jonathan, but she wanted him to want her to. She wanted more than anything for them to be on the same track. She didn't want to push Jonathan, but she wasn't going to beg either.
She eased out of his embrace and began looking for her nightgown. She couldn't find it, but she did find his pajama top, so she put that on. She went downstairs and started making them breakfast. She made Jonathan's favorite, coconut French toast and bacon, and coffee.
She was just about to go wake him up when he came into the kitchen.
"Morning. Breakfast is almost ready".
"Morning". He came over and kissed her.
He got her some orange juice and she brought everything to the table.
"Darling, are you going to the office today?"
"No, I took the week off to deal with Max's estate and everything".
He looked up at her.
"What are you doing today?"
"Well, I figured I would go through Max's room and take an inventory of what is there, so that later when we donate or sell, we know what we are working with. I suppose I could start planning our trip. And I also might call Marcia and see if she has scheduled any more book signings".
"That sounds great".
"What are you going to do?"
"Figure out what we are doing with those paintings, and then I guess I should call the poker buddies and start letting them know he died."
She reached over and put her hand on top of his, and gave him a reassuring pat.
She went and did the dishes again, and started the dishwasher.
"Darling, didn't Max have two closets?"
"Yeah…the one in his room and the one upstairs in the guest room at the end of the hall".
She headed up to the guest room at the end of the hall and opened the closet. That's where Max kept his winter clothes and jackets, and his important papers. She pulled that box out and saw that it was his divorce papers, receipts from his bookie, and his life insurance.
"Jonathan!"
He came up the stairs.
"I found this. It's his life insurance policy".
"Good find, darling".
He sat down on the bed and looked at the policy, while she continued to pull things out of the closet.
She dug into the pockets of his jackets and found some cash in some of them, betting slips in all of them.
She found a scrapbook at the very top of the shelf.
"What's this?"
