Adam stood frozen in place watching Kim run off. He was shocked, devastated for her. "Poor thing. My god I cant imagine how she feels." Erin blotted her tears sad for their friend. "Well he was in horrible shape when we saw him a few days ago. The aides telling her he had less than two months left. He told Kim he was played out, he wanted it over. So while its best for him, it hurts her. He was 85 pounds on our last visit. It was beyond time. Doesnt mean it hurts any less. Honestly Im happy it happened it her free time so she can heal some mentally before returning to work. I think that makes me feel better about it. Not having to worry about her backsliding again." Adam rubbed his face stunned by the turn of events. "Shes going to be fine. The shock of this has overwhelmed her. She will pull through this. She just needs time to process. She will be okay. Just give her a couple hours to process." Antonio assured Adam it would be fine.
They all heard the gate open again and feet stomping up the stairs. "Ruzek! What did you do?" Platt yelled at him sternly. "Nothing! Her friend passed away. She found out after I was already at work. She came right here needing comfort and support. Thats all. I swear!" Adam threw his hands up in defense. The team cracking up. "Okay well give her my condolences." Platt turned and left leaving Adam stunned again. "So a gay club? That could be interesting." Kevin mused. "Apparently they went for Jims birthday one year. A trans-man hit on Jim calling him big boy. He was so wasted, having a good time, yelling for the singer to keep jumping hoping her boobs would come out. He actually yelled that he wanted to see her boobs. They had a great night even if Justin made an inappropriate comment and Kim punched him for it. Its Kims favorite memory with Jim. So yeah I would go to a gay club with her to celebrate her friend. A friend she considered family, a grand father." Adam laughed remembering the story.
"Sounds like a good time. Not tonight but definitely this weekend. We should all go." Jay offered knowing it would make Kim very happy. "Sounds like a great plan. She will be thrilled. Beyond excited for this. I think we should all have his favorite drink as well. And maybe Kim can get the recipe for the signature shot from that area. They all drink them when they go to Floods." Adam was excited to let loose with his friends and to support Kim celebrating her friend. "Whats this signature drink?" Erin asked. "She called it a swiftkick, vodka, redbull and orange juice. It was really good. Fuck you up for sure." Adam smirked thinking back to it. "Sign us up! Sounds awesome! Cant wait to party." Erin was excited to let loose and have fun. And a gay club sounded like fun. So why not. "Will definitely talk to Kim about it later. Got to find out when the funeral is first. Thats going to be hell." Adam gave them a knowing look as they actually got to work on the day.
It was only a few minutes later when he saw the cameras at the penthouse going off. He watched her arrive locking the door behind her. He watched as she spoke something, what he wasnt sure but then watched as she dropped to her knees sobbing. He figured it was Jims favorite song. Adam had to stop watching it was too hard watching her fall apart like that. He returned to work knowing she was safe where she was. Kim had arrived still shocked, still shaken from Jims passing. "Alexia play My Way by Frank Sinatra." Kim heard the song start and her legs gave out sobbing. She settled on the floor crying realizing the words were so very true to Jims life. She had never realized that before. When the song was over Kim got up blew her nose, washed up her face and started to move forward. While she was still overwhelmed with saddness she knew this was right. She headed into her closet looking for something to wear for the funeral. She wasnt sure if it would be one day or two days so she needed to find options.
She found several options but she wasnt sure which to wear. She took several photos sending them to Kaitlyn hoping to get some clarity. They talked back and forth for around an hour before they settled on two different black dresses. It was insane trying figure this out. She grabbed some shoes and a black purse that was more appropriate for the occasion. She moved back to the car with all her things packed and headed to the lake. It was where she needed to be. She could heal there and no where else. Adam had watched her leave with a suitcase full of stuff. He had no idea what she finally settled on but he was happy to see her moving towards the lake again. Thankfully he was busy at work trying to solve the case but also keeping his focus off Kim for a short time. He did smile when he saw her arrive at the lake house. He could relax knowing she was safe now.
Kim arrived home bringing her suitcase in and hanging it up in the hall closet. She then took the time to responded to all the text messages she had gotten from friends about Jim. It felt repetitive and unnecessary but she didnt want to blow anyone off. She felt like she was typing the same message over and over again. She finally got down to the dock settling on to the couch. She was staring at water just zoned out. But she was breathing easier. More relaxed than before it seemed the shock was wearing off some. She took to social media making a post for Jim. She needed the world to know that his beautiful soul was lost. She had found a photo with a Christmas tree. He loved Christmas. The tree stayed up most of the year. It was a big deal decorating the tree every year. Every ornament had to be in the right spot. The bows his wife had made still on the tree every year.
She sat there all day just watching the water. It felt comforting, safe, healing. Adam arrived home knowing exactly where she was and that she hadnt eaten since breakfast. He made sure he brought food home so it was quicker and she didnt have to lift a finger. He even brought drinks down to the dock. "Hey darling. How are you holding up?" He asked setting the food down on the coffee table. "Hey I guess I got lost in my own mind. Sorry. I got nothing done today." Kim felt bad about that. "Hey Im not worried about that. It makes sense completely. Resting here all day was the right thing to do. However you havent eaten or drank anything since breakfast so I brought dinner home for us." He sat next to her opening the boxes of food. "Thank you. I really just have been in a fog all day long. Its kind of been crazy in my own head. And responding to everyone who texted. Mentally Im spent." She watched him nod like he understood.
"How about you eat some food? You might feel a bit better." He gave her the dinner he got her with a fork and placed her drink close by." He let her be. He never offered a word. Just let her sit with her feelings. That was what she needed at the moment. The couple ate in silence. At some point she placed her food down and cuddled into his side. He wrapped his arm around her holding her tight. He knew she would open up when she was ready. Occasionally he would kiss her head or answer a text but he never rushed her to move, to open up, to do anything. It was dark before she moved for something other than her drink. "Be right back. Have to pee." She shrugged but he followed her with all the trash. He watched her go into the bathroom closing the door. He waited for her wanting to keep her close. As she came out of the bathroom he opened his arms ready to hold her again.
"You want to head to the dock again?" He asked unsure where her head was at. "I dont care either way. I will zone out no matter where we are. So you decide. Im fine where ever." Kim shrugged shaking her head. "Okay so how about we just settle here on the couch, watch some baseball. Maybe that will perk you up a bit." Adam watched her smile a bit. "Okay lets get you in comfy clothes and grab your favorite blanket to snuggle in." He led her to their room helping her change into a tank top and her booty shorts. He grabbed her favorite Kate Spade blanket to snuggle in. He led her back to the couch trying to keep her moving. He hated seeing her like this. But he was going to take care of her, forever. "Did you shower today?" He asked with no judgement. "No. I uh got the news and headed right to you." She whispered knowing he was pissed she didnt eat during the day. "Okay before bed we can at least wash your body. We cant ignore our self care. Today the shock was overwhelming but tomorrow we need to get you back on track with self care. And that includes eating and drinking properly. Especially since you are teaching tomorrow." Adam knew he had to be stern with her.
"I understand. It felt very heavy today. Like it was weighing me down. I wasnt sure how to rise above it." Kim knew it would sound like a cop out. "I get it. I really do. But we need to do better tomorrow. And we will. Also the team wants to join in on the gay club night, they all want to toast Jim with his favorite drink. And they all want to try a Swiftkick. So you need to get the proper recipe." He saw her smiling softly. "Sounds good. I think that will be nice." Kim snuggled closer closing her eyes a bit. "Just rest. Im right here." He held her close letting her zone out again. She adjusted so she was laying in his lap with her head on his shoulder. Adam adjusted the blanket so it was covering them both. "I dont like cranberry juice." Kim whispered out of no where. "What?" He chuckled a bit. "Jims favorite drink has a tiny splash of cranberry juice. Like the tiniest bit. Vodka, water and the tiniest bit of cranberry juice. With three cubes of ice. Or red wine, cold with ice. So strange." Kim explained still zoned out.
"I dont know much about wine but even I know Red Wine doesnt get served chilled. Sounds very particular about things." He had heard some stories so it made sense. "Hand washing dishes was better, cleaner. Dryer sheets were pointless. Drinks always had to be in glasses, not plastic cups unless we were by the pool and even then Jim still had glass. No meat on Friday's, mass was always Saturday night before going to Sycamore. He walked 5 miles everyday before the stroke. He would do laps in the back yard to get the extra steps if needed. He would spend hours getting ready to go out. Every hair had to be in place, he used hairspray to set it. You smelled of his cologne long after he hugged her. Loved to kiss every lady on the lips. Loved looking at boobs. He used to get all these emails from sex sites. You know how to prolong your erection. It was insane. One day he asked us what a cock ring was. I chocked on my drink. Not exactly the conversation I wanted to have with someone who I saw as a grand father to me." Kim shuddered a bit.
"That sounds funny and gross of course. No one wants to think about their parents or grandparents that way." He laughed a bit. "At one point he wanted to move to the Villages in Flordia. Its a 55 and older town. Its the number 1 place in the US for sexually transmitted diseases. They even have a loofa code explaining the sexual interests of the person in the room. I was literally grossed out by it. Told him to wear full body condoms even when using the toilet. Its just gross. Im not a prude obviously but Im definitely not into swinging or people watching. Just strange." Kim shuddered again. "Thats nasty. But they say retirement homes have lots of STD's floating around because no one uses condoms. No risk of pregnancy so why not. But they didnt grow up in an area of diseases like that. Is talking helping at all?" He asked. "Um I dont know. Its just random thoughts going through my head." Kim thought a bit more.
"This one Valentines day that we all decided to have dinner together at Justins house. It was a friday so eating out like normal wasnt going to happen. Anyway Jim got really drunk. When we were getting his jacket to leave he saw a phillies jersey in the closet and put it on. He started to pretend he was pitching right in front of the security camera. It was hilarious. He had to be driven home that night. We showed him the video the next morning it was so funny watching it with him. It was a good time thats for certain." Adam was watching her smiling that she was opening up. "Did he have a girlfriend ever?" Adam wasnt as Kim never mentioned one. "No. One who really wanted to be. But he loved his wife still. He would allow blowjobs. And Im sure he had sex with her and other women. But he didnt want a girlfriend. He didnt want a wife. She didnt go easily. Took a few years but once she started claiming she practically lived there I flipped my shit and got involved. Getting him to end it once and for all. It got really ugly." Kim explained holding Adam tight.
"Was she that bad?" Adam asked confused as to why Kim would flip on this woman. "Oh god you have no idea. Kelly used to give us all dirty looks if Jim paid us attention. She always showed up when we were all together. She invited herself over all the time. She wanted to be his wife. She would find any reason to come over. Spending hours ar the house even when he wasnt home to be in his space. Crying when no one paid attention to her. Dropping off dinner most nights for Jim as a way to spend more time with him. The death glares became too much for us all. Her bitterness sufficated us all. She made nice with Jims family to get closer to Jim. Helping them move houses, helping them sell the furniture they couldnt take with them, storing the furniture in her garage for them. Acting like a grandparent to the kids. We all flat out told Jim if Kelly was around we wouldnt be. Theres more but it was all annoying and petty." Kim shrugged as she explained.
"Sounds awful! Did she know about his stroke?" Adam wondered. "Yeah. She wanted to visit but we told her she wasnt welcome. It was too much with his condition. Im sure she will be at the funeral. The last time Jim saw her was at a charity event. He told her that her dress was ugly and she looked frumpy. It nothing else he was blunt." Kim laugheda bit. "That is hilarious! Sounds like I missed hanging out with a great guy. What caused the stroke?" Adam asked knowing Kim never told him. "So he had A-fib and was on blood thinners to prevent stroke. He decided to stop taking them because he didnt need them. Even after the doctor told him that if he stopped taking them he would have a stroke in 3 weeks. It was literally 3 weeks to the day when he stroked out. Then lack of proper nutrition, lack of proper care, lots of falls when the 15 year old was in charge. They couldnt call for help after those falls because they would be charged with negligence. So yeah." Kim shook her head sighing heavily.
"Wow! He did it to himself? Thats insane! Does he realize he did it to himself?" Adam asked shocked by what he learned. "Yeah. He has said it. Not to me but to Mariela. Its sad." Kim shrugged it off. "Huh. Sounds like a stubborn man who was opinionated. No wonder you two grew close. Cause you are stubborn as hell too." He gave her a very knowing look. One that left her laughing. "Hey you got to be when you have to fend for yourself most of your life." Kim laughed which was music to Adams ears. "Oh I get but christ girl you gotta give sometimes. You relax here but in the work world you are stubborn and strong headed." They both laughed. "Um you know my zodiac sign is Taurus the bull." They both laughed again. "Well thats very fitting. Back to the previous topic. Do you have photos of Jim I could see? And maybe one of her?" He asked wanting to see the man before the stroke. "Yeah I actually posted one today. But here lets look." Kim pulled up her photos app going to the time frame before the stroke looking for photos.
"Oh wow! Looks like a completely different person. I can see how particular he was in how he looked. A great smile." Adam was surprised to see how different he looked. "This was Halloween a few years back where a lot of people dressed as Jim. He was pissed! But it was so funny. I even used a wash out dye on Justins hair so it was white." Adam laughed seeing the photo. "So who are these people? I know like two of them." Adam asked wanting to know more. "So thats Jim in the middle obviously. Thats Justin, Mindy, her husband Adam, that is Stan he is from Poland and that is Arrien and he is from Holland." Kim explained. "How do you know all these people?" He was surprised at the different backgrounds but also the different ages. "They are all members at the country club that Jim lives on. Most live on the same course. Justin lives a few miles away on a different golf course. Though his house doesn't face the course at all." Kim was showing him other photos as well. "Thats great. They look like a fun group." He loved that Kim had found a diverse group of friends to hang out with.
They looked through more photos before they headed for the shower. "Lets get this badass washed and into bed. You need sleep before tomorrow. What class are you teaching anyway?" He wasnt sure since she was just filling in where needed. "Stretch Lab. Pilates on steriods." Kim smirked with an evil smile. "Oh lord god help them." Adam laughed but was scared a bit. "I love it! Its great!" Kim just laughed getting in the shower to wash up. Adam got in with her wanting to wash her body for her. He had no intention of having sex but he wanted to show her love. Show her body love. Only once she was totally clean did he turn off the shower. He helped to dry her off before drying himself. "You ready to sleep?" He watched her nod. "Okay lets go." He got her settled in bed completely naked before settling in next to her. "Thank you for today. Its been hell. But I have loved the support you have given me." Kim kissed him softly. "You are very welcome. You deserve all the support in the world after today. So just sleep. I will hold you all night. I love you." He saw she was drifting off already. "Love you too hubby." Kim kissed his chest before she was out.m
Adam fell asleep shortly after her knowing it would be a rough few days ahead. He knew they would get through it but he wasnt sure what the mental toll would be. They would find out soon enough.