If she heard, "Sorry for your loss" one more time, Lisa was sure she was going to scream. Right up there with it, was the comment, "Let us know if there is anything we can do to help." Yes, she was aware people didn't know how to react and felt terrible about the situation, but it was the rambling on of the same things over and over. The 'let us know if we can help' comment was all well-meaning, but it was almost overwhelming. Lisa knew that she nor Jack had time to sit around and think about all the things that needed to be done and then to add additional time to task them out to someone they didn't know-well, that just wasn't going to happen. She and Jack were much more the 'solution' type. Why would they ask for help, help from complete strangers, when they could just figure it out themselves? No, the help she did appreciate was when someone sat there, across the table, and offered to take care of a specific task. That was helpful. Right now, Lisa's head was swimming, and a quick glance to her phone told her it was almost 9PM. They'd been at it for hours.
Lisa looked over at Jack, and in that moment, she didn't have to be reminded why she loved him so much. He took one look at her, and then Jack looked across the table to the case manager.
"I'm sorry, but you have to understand that we are absolutely overwhelmed and shocked. This has been devastating news, and we've now been at this for hours. We know you need some information, specifically about funeral arrangements and all, but with the late hour, can Lisa and I discuss this tonight and reconvene tomorrow? You have to understand-we started the day on our nice, quiet, remote ranch, only to have our lives turned upside down, flying here, and Lisa learning her family has had this tragic end. We haven't eaten, and we are exhausted."
"Oh, of course, and I have to apologize for keeping you here so late with all that is going on. I know this is a lot, and I'm also sorry for just having coffee for the two of you. Can I be of help in getting you somewhere to stay?"
Lisa glanced to Jack, hoping he was on the same page with her, and he gave her a slight nod, indicating what she was about to say, he already knew and agreed with.
"My husband and I need to check on our great-niece. She has no idea what has happened, and she's now been with the babysitter an entire day longer than expected. I think we will head to my nephew's condo. We're going to have to face it anyway, and you did give us all of their personal belongings."
Jack had that packet by his arm, the packet with the cell phones, wallets, keys, and jewelry the three had on them. Lisa couldn't even look that way, not initially, but trying to push off the reality of the situation was not going to do anyone any good, and they did have a lot to do, starting with collecting Amelia from the neighbor.
"At least let me get you a ride setup to the condo," the case manager looked to them with a nod. Jack returned the silent nod, one that also thanked her for her help. She stood, walked around, and she handed her card to Lisa. "Would it be okay if we spoke again here in this conference room tomorrow morning, say 10:00? I know it has been a long night, and I know you have a lot to do."
Jack eyed Lisa, and she nodded at him. He looked to Sophie, the case worker, "10:00 is fine. Thank you. We will be here with some of your questions answered. We haven't even called the family back home, so we need to do that as well."
The case worker gathered her paperwork and squeezed Lisa's arm with a sympathetic nod as she left the room. Lisa turned to Jack, both of them sitting in swivel chairs and just shook her head.
"It's like a bad dream," she said, sighing. "I don't know where to start."
Jack pulled out his phone and eyed Lisa, "Just take a moment. I'll call Tim and get things rolling at home. They all need to know, and then we can work on details here to include going back to Ben's place. Are you sure you want to go there? I'm here for whatever, Lise. I just know that is going to be hard."
"It will be hard tonight or tomorrow," she shook her head. "It's the best place for us, and Jack, we haven't even talked about seeing Amelia or what this will do to her or anything."
He patted her hand and nodded, "Just catch your breath. Let me call Tim, and you just sit."
"Tim," Lisa heard Jack say only a few moments later. "Not good." She knew Tim had to have asked how things were going. "Listen, it's really bad, as bad as it can be. All three of them were killed by a drunk driver. Apparently it's all over the Toronto news. Yeah, if Lou is there, have her pull it up online." Jack paused a moment, and he reached over to squeeze Lisa's hand. She was speechless, not sure how to digest all of this. Her poor family. Gone. Had they seen what was coming? It sounded like at least Ben had and had tried to shield his wife and mother from the impact. Oh, had they suffered? As gruesome as this was, she certainly hoped none of them had. Beth. She'd made it to surgery. Had she even been conscious? The doctor said she'd made it through a couple hours of surgery before her body couldn't take it any longer. Lisa knew that none of them would have wanted to be kept alive just on machines, but this shock was just almost too much to grasp. She'd have to call Aunt Evelyn too. Where was she? South Africa maybe? Lisa had a schedule she'd sent-oh, it was on her phone, but she just couldn't focus right now to look at anything.
"Yes, Lou, that's the story. It's all over, is it?" Jack looked over at Lisa, closing his eyes briefly as he squeezed her hand. "Yes, Tim, tell Lou that the unidentified victims are all of Lisa's family, Ben, his wife, and Lisa's sister. I'm sure they will be updating that story tomorrow now that we've been notified. It's just terrible. We are still at the hospital and have to get out of here. Neither of us have eaten, and we have the keys to Ben's place. Tim, we still have to face Amelia too."
Lisa sighed loudly and tears came to her eyes again at the mention of that poor girl. Neither she nor Jack had seen Amelia in probably almost a year now. Ben was so proud of her, of the life he and Lauren had built. Lauren had been a nice surprise. Lisa had worried Ben wouldn't find the right person, but Lauren was definitely it. She'd grown up in and out of foster care, reminding Lisa a little of Ty with his personality. Lauren had stuck to things and had worked her way through school and had become an accountant, working in the firm Ben worked at as well. Lisa's mind wandered, but she let out a pained sigh as she realized that Beth, Ben, and Lauren were now family members added to a growing list of family that had been taken way too soon. She and Jack had seen more than enough of that over the years.
"No, we haven't spoken to the police yet," Lisa heard Jack tell Tim. Her mind was drifting in and out of the conversation. "We need to get going, Tim. Long night ahead, and we really want to put eyes on Amelia. The neighbor has been keeping her. What's that? Oh, she's three now," Jack said as he looked over at Lisa again who was once again sighing as she shook her head. "Yeah, I'll talk to you more later. Okay, I will. Bye, Tim."
Lisa saw Jack turn in his chair to pull her hands into his. He sat forward, her sweet, loving husband. Who would have put the two of them together all those years ago? No one in Hudson, that's for sure. He'd been in his late 60's then, now almost hard to believe he was in his early 80's. His mind was sharp, and he was in great shape for someone his age. She knew he'd never stop riding his horse, not unless he physically couldn't do that, and even after his heart attack, now almost 11 years ago, his heart was in good shape. Lisa was going to be 61 in the fall and knew plenty her age who were in much worse shape, both physically and mentally, than Jack. She was extremely grateful for their health. Situations like this only made her realize just how quickly a life could be gone, and she cherished each day with Jack. It was one big reason she'd cut back on so much of her traveling. Life was precious and could be taken in an instant.
"Tim is heartbroken for you, Lise," he said quietly, clasping her hands in his. He met her gaze, the sadness in his eyes almost as great as the sadness in hers. "That case worker was going to arrange a ride for us to Ben's place. Let's go find her. I'm sure she's waiting just outside the door. We can go there, get Amelia, and we can at least be more comfortable there talking. I'm sure we can find something to eat there too. Come on," he stood, offering her his hand, the same hand she'd clutched to dearly all day. She didn't say anything, but she did stand and take his hand.
"I love you, and I am so glad you are here with me to deal with this," she said, giving him a nod. Jack pulled her closer, rubbing his hand across her back.
"Wouldn't be anywhere else."
The ride to Ben's condo was quiet, and thankfully the driver was at least respectful enough not to talk to them. Lisa had a pretty good idea he'd been given some set instructions from their case worker. The silence in the car was broken when Lisa's phone went off. Realizing she had not looked at it in hours, she pulled it from her purse with Jack watching as she did.
"Lou," she told him as she opened the text. She sighed and shook her head, "My glasses," she grunted.
"Here," Jack pulled his from his shirt pocket. "I think yours are in your carry on bag. I saw them earlier. Use mine."
Lisa read the text and handed the phone to Jack, along with his glasses, "Lou found the article about the accident. I read it. Thankfully, no pictures from the scene. Here," and at that, Jack took a moment to read through it as well, handing Lisa her phone when he was done. "I need to text their neighbor, ahhh-"
"Mrs. O'Brien," Jack offered, putting his hand on Lisa's leg, "do you want me to text her?"
"I've got it," she said with a weak smile, shaking her head at Jack. "You know we are in a sad state when you are the one offering to send a text, and I almost took you up on that."
Jack chuckled lightly, pulling Lisa to his side and kissing her head while she shifted to sit against him. She pulled up her phone and sent the text, alerting her to their arrival.
"I don't know why I expected anything differently, but Amelia is sleeping. Gosh, the time," she again shook her head.
"I'm sure Mrs. O'Brien understands the level of this tragedy. What did she say about Amelia?"
"Ahh, she said she's welcome to stay sleeping there since she's sleeping so soundly right now and can bring her over in the morning."
"I think that's the first really useful offer of help, Lise, and obviously, do what you think you need to do, but I'd take her up on that. We have a lot to do, and if she's already asleep, well, let her get a good night of rest before her entire world is destroyed."
"Yes, you're right," she nodded, typing a response. Once that was done, she was about to speak, but their driver broke his silence.
"We're arriving at the building. I'll get your luggage for you."
"I have the keys," Jack told Lisa, and she realized he'd probably told her already at least a couple of times, but her mind was a mess.
It was almost 10 minutes later after Jack paying the driver a tip, when he'd insisted the fare was covered, the two of them getting access to the building, again with a chorus of sorrowful glances and condolences, that they were standing in front of Ben and Lauren's condo door. The two loved living in downtown Toronto, a lifestyle Jack and Lisa had discussed over the last few years. They didn't see Ben and Lauren much, Beth even less due to her lack of travel, but both Lisa and Jack knew the young couple loved city life and were surprised by that.
"You're sure you are okay going in here?" Jack asked as he put the key in the lock.
Lisa took a deep breath and nodded, "I'm fine, I mean, as much as I can be. Let's go inside. We both need to sit and a stiff drink."
The condo was eerily quiet, evidence of a family living there for sure. There were wine glasses by the sink, no doubt the trio had enjoyed a glass of wine before going to their dinner reservation. Lisa ran her hand over one of Beth's coats, sitting there on a nearby chair. Amelia's toys were mostly collected and in a bin by the sliding glass door, but she had to smile at the sight of a play kitchen for her. She walked over to it and stood there, Jack following. He stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders, leaning over by her ear.
"Remember when Katie was into her play kitchen? Lyndy never really was, but Katie loved that thing."
Lisa let out a small hum as she nodded, "Lyndy is just like her mother and only has eyes for horses. Katie did love that kitchen, and I recall a few times that she had you to a tea party, even a few when you were all dressed up in one of her crowns." Jack chuckled at that, kissing her cheek.
"Lise, I don't even know what to say, the sorrow you must feel. I feel it too, and I know it has to be so much worse for you. This was your sister, your nephew. I remember the day you brought Ben to the ranch to stay with me for those few months. He grew so much in his time at Heartland."
"He's a big part of the reason you and I are standing right here," Lisa told him as she turned to embrace him. She put her arms around him and buried her head into his chest, sighing. "Ben is the topic that got us talking, and then, he was the excuse I had to stop by Heartland so often. I am forever grateful for all you did for him. He really respected you then and grew to love you as his uncle. We seem to be great-somethings to so many in our lives. As you've said earlier, our family isn't just there at the ranch, and even though we didn't see Beth or Ben and his family, it didn't change how I feel about them."
"Of course not," he said, running his hand through her hair. "How about I find us something to eat? You are not allowed to say you aren't hungry because we both missed lunch and dinner. Regardless of what we are feeling, we need to eat something. I'll figure that out while you go get a hot shower. You need to do that. We're going to have even more to do tomorrow, and we're going to have a toddler at the door early in the morning who will be looking for her mom, dad, and grandmother. It's going to be a truly awful morning, and we need our strength to get through it. Will you do that for me?" Jack leaned back to look at Lisa. She didn't have the strength to argue, and he made good points anyway.
"I will," she leaned up, kissing him. Jack embraced her, and the two held that kiss for several seconds, holding tightly to one another. She patted his chest as she pulled away, "I can't go into their room right now, so if it's okay with you, let's stay in their guest room. I know Beth had been staying there," she shook her head, wiping at a tear, "but I can only handle so much."
"Wherever you are, I am," he told her, leaning in to kiss her again. "You don't have to explain. I'll find something to eat, we'll eat, and then we are going to try and sleep. No argument."
After she had used up what she was sure, all of the hot water in the condo, Lisa emerged from the guest room, freshly dressed, her wet hair clipped up. Jack was seated on the couch with a stack of paperwork in front of him. He gestured for her to join him, and she started to curl up next to him, she spotted two glasses of wine, some sliced cheese, crackers, and a jar of olives. Considering the situation, it was just the right meal for them, simple, but all things they enjoyed.
"Found the wine, and yes, you need to have some. Hopefully, it will help you sleep. I went digging in their desk drawer. They have an office off their bedroom, and I did find some paperwork, wills and such."
"You did?" Lisa's eyes widened, and she waited for Jack to say more. Finally, she gestured toward him.
"Pretty standard will. They don't have any preference on burial, as far as a location, so wherever you want is fine. You mentioned having all of them buried with your parents, and I think that would be a lovely idea. I know cost is not an issue."
"Amelia?" Lisa asked, almost grimacing.
Jack sighed, shaking his head, "Beth was their first choice of a guardian, as expected being Amelia's grandmother."
"Right," Lisa nodded. "We figured that was the case."
"You and I are listed second," Jack said with a flat tone, putting the paperwork down, looking over at Lisa. "I think even though we didn't say it, we both expected that too. Lise, we know she has no one else."
She frowned as she met his gaze, "It's not like we've had much time to process this, but Jack, I know, and I didn't even know what to say, what you would think-"
"I think we do what we need to do for family, period. Let's leave this for now," he told her, putting the pile of paperwork on the coffee table. "I found it, and that's what matters. Let's eat, and if you want to sit here in silence, that's fine with me. I'd be even happier if you just fell asleep right here. We're going to need every ounce of strength we have over the next few weeks. It's not going to be easy."
Ignoring all of the comments made about the next few weeks, Lisa settled into his side, Jack balancing the food on his lap. She shook her head, "Wouldn't be the first time we fell asleep on a couch, just usually ours at home. I prefer the view of a warm fire."
"You and me both," he told her. "I'm not a fan of the city."
"Really?" Lisa sat slightly forward and turned to give him a small smile "I never would have known. You mask it so well."
He smirked at her, and that was the first true joking moment the two had had all day. Settling in again, Lisa spoke up as she sipped at her wine, "I think Ben was happiest at Heartland. I really do. I know they said they enjoyed city life, but the couple times I did see him, he was always in such a rush, so stressed. He and Lauren were a great match, but he was truly relaxed and happy when he was living with the two of us, specifically you that summer. He was miserable with me at first, but you turned him around."
"A team effort," Jack said, chewing a cracker. He squeezed her shoulder and kissed her head, "See, even way back then, we were a team. We've always been and always will be a team. We helped Ben then, and we can help his daughter now."
"I know, "she nodded, giving him an appreciative soft smile. "I know. Jack, I just can't believe it, more of our family gone. Just gone."
"Lise, I have no answer for you, no answer for why so many have been taken so young-Ben and Lauren, Ty, Marion, I mean the list goes on. Your mom wasn't that old. Lyndy wasn't that old, but there's no explanation why you and I are sitting here, me with my arthritis, older than dirt, older than many of these kids as I'll call them, if you even double their age. I can't try to explain it, but I can try to live my life for them, taking on whatever they left behind, just as you and I have been doing. We did it together after Marion, and yes, don't you argue you didn't help with that. We might not have been married yet, but you were there for those girls, Amy especially back then. We picked up the pieces for Amy and Lyndy, and we'll do it again. I hate that we have the experience, but we will do it, for Ben, for Lauren, and for Beth. They will know that little girl is loved and taken care of."
Lisa shifted and looked at Jack, nodding at him. "You know just what to say."
"Not something I like having experience in with this topic. It's late. Neither of us are going to do any good just sitting up, so come on," he nudged her and stood, pulling her hand. "Let's get some sleep if we can. Morning is going to come, and we will have to push forward, whether we like it or not.