CHAPTER 3: SILAS IS AT REST

Maureen woke up around 8 AM. She saw that Silas was still asleep. She had gotten up, put on her robe, and went downstairs to get breakfast started. She saw that Charlie Brown and Sally were already up and had breakfast started. She was amazed that her kids had gotten so responsible and was making breakfast for her.

"Morning, mom," said Charlie Brown.

"We got this," added Sally.

"Thank you, Charlie and Sally," said a grateful Maureen.

"It's nothing, mom," Charlie Brown replied. "We figured with everything that has been going on with dad, you could use the break today."

"Which is why Charlie and I are making breakfast for you," Sally chimed in.

"I do appreciate it," said Maureen. "Well, I better wake your father and see if he's getting out of bed today." And Maureen went back up to her room. Silas was still laying down in the same position he was in when she got up. She went over to her husband.

"Si, it's time to get up," she said, softly. There was no response. Maureen shook him a little, but Silas, who was on his side, rolled over on his back, limp.

"Silas?!" shuddered Maureen. She felt his hand. It was cold as ice. There literally was no life in his body. It was then Maureen realized that her husband, father to two kids, beloved barber, had passed away. She knew it could've been any day now, but still wasn't prepared for when it would happen.

Charlie Brown and Sally were still getting breakfast ready. As Sally placed the plate of toast on the table, she saw her mother, looking like she was ready to snap. Charlie Brown looked over.

"Mom, is everything okay?" he asked.

"Mom?" said a concerned Sally.

Marcie was getting ready for her day at the library. She looked at the clock and she still had some time before her shift started. She pulled out her phone to call Charlie Brown to see if he wanted to join her for some coffee before work when she heard a knock at her door. She went to answer it to see it was Charlie Brown himself, looking like he had been crying for hours on end.

"Charles, I was just about to call you," said Marcie. She saw the look on his face. "What's the matter, baby?"

"Marcie," he choked. "Dad…" That was all he could manage to say, but Marcie knew what that meant. She pulled him in and he collapsed in her arms, as he sobbed.

"It's going to be okay, baby," Marcie said to her boyfriend. "I'm here for you." Charlie Brown didn't say much of anything. She called the library saying she wasn't going to make it in, due to a "family emergency", but if things changed, she'd call them. And they went to his rental car and drove back to the Brown household, with Marcie behind the wheel this time due to Charlie Brown's emotional state.

When they got back, the coroner was already there to pick up Silas's body. Maureen and Sally were already outside. They understood why Charlie went to Marcie. He needed her comfort at that moment and was happy he did come back to help deal with any legal stuff pertaining to his father.

"You okay, ladies?" Marcie asked.

"I'll be okay, thank you, Marcie," said a still-crying Maureen. "I knew Silas could go any day now. I'll be fine."

"How about you, Sally?" asked Marcie.

"Daddy…" That was all Sally was able to squeak out.

"Sally, you want me to call Gene in Myrtle for you?" asked Charlie Brown, regaining his composure. Sally just nodded, then immediately hugged her brother and wailed, taking the medical staff by surprise. Even though they were used to that kind of thing, it still startled them when someone burst into hysterics.

"I'll stay with you guys," Marcie offered.

"You really don't have to, Marcie," said Maureen.

"I insist, Ms. Brown," said Marcie.

"You can call me 'Maureen' now, Marcie," said the Brown matriarch. "With you now being with my son, and now all of us now adults, we can go past the formalities." Marcie smiled. Charlie Brown hugged his girlfriend.

"Thank you, Marcie," he said, now more composed than he was earlier.

"Always, Charles," said Marcie, kissing him. And they all went inside to answer some questions for the medical examiner in charge.

NEXT CHAPTER: MEMORIAL