The funeral is exactly as Ida would have wanted it. A small Methodist church filled with expensive bouquets purchased only from the top florist in St Louis. Near the altar a framed picture of Ida in her early years without one wrinkle on her perfect face. The Bible reading was sacred and from her favorite section, the music was slow and spiritual. Everyone in town was there to see the show more than pay their respects. Ida’s 4 children were there with their children and spouses and in the middle of it all was Argell, her husband of 45 years.
She lay in her coffin in a designer gown made for her on the 40 birthday, amazing that she still fit into it. 3 inch Jimmy Chos covered her feet and on her fingers were all of the diamonds she acquired over her lifetime. Most people would have given those to their children and not taken them to their grave but Ida was convinced the only people who would end up with them would be the in-laws and that just would not do.
Her jet black hair was pulled back tight, she would never been seen in public without perfect hair and never a gray to be found. Powder covered he face to hide the wrinkles; she was particular about that when talking to the mortician. Lastly, the signature red lipstick on what she thought was her best feature.
The home that Argell and Ida shared was filled with casseroles and flowers that the neighbors brought by to offer their condolences. It was impeccably clean thanks to the neighbor.
Ida’s children and their families were all there. Ida was a tough woman and set the standards for choices and behavior. Her disappointment was that her children broke those rules to pieces, shattering her hopes for them. Piece by piece the family broke apart so all that remained was Argell and Ida and patched up conversations with their mother.
So as Argell stood in his living room, trying to pay attention to the people that came to support him, he could think of nothing but his last conversation with Ida. How could he talk about it to anyone? That secret should stay buried forever.
In the last years of her life, when Alzheimer’s started to take hold, she would have moments of clarity. One moment happened as Argell read her favorite bible passage. She interrupted his reading by saying, “I have something I want to talk to you about”. She spoke those words so softly and with such affection that it surprised Argell.
“It was accident Ida said. It happened right after we were married. I was filling the book shelf, in the bedroom when I dropped your book of Robert Frost poems, the one your father gave you. The book was tattered and dog eared and I had wanted to throw it away but I knew it was important to you.”
Argell nodded it was tattered but he loved it.
Ida continued, ‘When I dropped the book out popped out three letters bound with a rubber band. I recognized the name on the letters it was Maryann Anderson”.
“That name brought back memories of the summer we spent at Green Lake. That was the first time I met Maryann. I remember her strawberry blonde hair, pulled up into a high pony tail with just enough wave on the end to give it bounce. She was fearless, the only girl to grab the rope and swing out into the lake. She was so petit she hardly made a splash. She would surface with a huge, beautiful smile and start giggling. Her laugh was so infectious. I caught myself smiling, even though it’s not proper for a lady to run around with boys and jump off a rope swing. I just sat there on my blanket in my white dress with the red belt and shoes watching you Argell Franklin, the catch of all catches and I saw how she looked at you, sweet Maryann, engaged to a boy she met on her travels Chicago but she looked at you with a tenderness she never shared with me.”
What? Said Argell
“Never mind we will get back to that later.”
Argell sat there with a confused look on his face and not sure he understood what she was saying.
“When I saw those letters I burst into a rage and opened each one. It wasn’t until later I realized that you had not sent them. You knew it was not right to contact her after she had made her decision to marry another man and you with a commitment to me. That I do know about you.”
Argell in a gentle tone not fully grasping the moment asked. “Why did you not tell me had found those letters? I would have explained!”
“Argell I was there that summer, I saw, there was no need to explain.”
“I stewed about those letters for months so much so that I could barely breathe at night knowing that they were there, taunting me. Here I was a married women, Mrs. Argell Franklin of The Franklin Family, the most respected and wealthy family in the county to which I was now a member. I had a beautiful estate, all the luxuries I could ever ask for, 4 beautiful children and all I could think about was Maryann.”
Argell interrupted, “you should have talked to me about it, and it was a boyhood crush nothing ever happened.”
“I know Argell but I don’t think you are hearing me”
What is the issue?
After thinking about Maryann I picked up the letters and proceeded to write her a letter. It was of the nasty sort about betrayal and some other craziness but I finished the letter with my own name. It was then I realized that I was not jealous of your love for her but that she did not love me. I wanted her to love me.
“What are you telling me Ida, that you had a crush on Maryann? Argell blinked and couldn’t tell if he was breathing. The question lingered in the air as both Ida and Argell starred at each other.
Ida deep inside her head knew the answer but had never said it out loud. She was a sinner of the biggest kind for wanting to love another woman. She couldn’t help her affection for Maryann. It was just there and she didn’t know how to stop it.
Ida took a deep breath and whispered out a yes.
So there in the hospital Ida told Argell she loved Maryann and she did send her a letter after all.
Dear Maryann,
I hope this letter does not take you by surprise but it was many years ago that we met.
I married Argell Franklin and have been happy these many years. I know that you two were once good friends and it is with regret I tell you that I will be passing away in a short period of time.
I have Alzheimer’s and it has taken its toll on me.
I write this letter in hopes that you can look in on my Argell from time to time to make sure that he is ok.
I wish you the best and all the happiness in life.
Sincerely,
Ida Franklin
Argell just sat there not wanting to move for fear he would crumble. How can this be, how did I not know. Was he so blind? After a few moments Argell worked up the energy to ask “Did you ever love me”.
Tears came to Ida’s eyes and a bright big smile grew across her face. In a low whisper Ida said “always and forever. It may seem like I have a small heart but there is plenty of room for you and her”
Argell stood up and touched Ida’s face and kissed her forehead. “I must take a minute Ida I will be right back. Argell stepped outside the room and shuffled down the hall to the waiting room window. He looked out into the bright sunlight and thought back to that summer at Green Lake. He smiled and thought “that was a really fun summer”
As he walked back to the room her knew Ida was gone. He covered his eyes with his hands as the nurses came running into room. Slowly he turned around and walked out of the hospital and called his son.
There in the living room, with all his children, on the day that his wife died, a knock came to the door.
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