Waiting for Sunday

"He would have loved this," Sadie said to Marta, Max's mom.

"He sure would have, sweetie. He also would have loved to see you smile. How about some ice cream?"

The funeral was a mix of people Max served with in the US Army, high school friends, and even some old enemies. No matter what you did or said, Max had a way of making everyone smile. Max was everyone’s friend. You just couldn't hate Max.

Still, Sadie kind of hated him now. How could he leave her like this, two months before their wedding? What was she supposed to do now?

As Sadie and Marta started walking to Marta's car, Sadie could hear Max's favorite song playing in the background. When she heard "shawty got low, low, low..." she couldn't help but chuckle. It was just like Max to have her laughing at his own funeral.

Beep, beep.

"Frankie's?"

"Sounds good to me."

When Frankie saw Marta and Sadie come into the store, he knew a slice of chocolate cake was in order.

"I'm so sorry to hear what happened. I always loved Max. Anytime he would come in here, the whole place would have a different energy, a real positive energy. Man, I'm gonna miss that kid," Frankie said.

"We all will," Sadie and Marta exclaimed in unison.

As Marta and Sadie sat down in their usual booth, the third one down as far left as you could go, with full view of Grady's Hardware, Marta pulled out a little black book, and slid it across the table to Sadie.

"What's this?" Sadie said.

"Just open it," Marta said.

As Sadie opened it, a thinly folded piece of paper dropped out of the book.

Dear Sadie,

I know this isn't what you pictured for your dream wedding. When I signed up for the Army, I never expected to be away this long. While I hope to be coming home soon, I asked my mom to give you a piece of my inheritance. Don't give it back (I'm watching you). In case I don't make it back, know that I love you. I will always love you, Sadie.

Always,

Max.

Through tears, Sadie saw a check for $20,000 slide out of the note.

And then, it hit her.

Today is Sunday, Max's favorite day.

"Thank you," Sadie said.

"Don't thank me. Max was set on giving this to you. He really loved you, and so do I."

"What am I going to do with 20,000 dollars?"

"You always wanted to go to Spain, didn't you? Go there. See the sights. Eat a ridiculous amount of food. Enjoy life. It's what Max would have wanted, and does want for you," Marta said.

"You know, all he ever wanted was to be a husband. He would write love letters to his future wife when he was five, and even bought roses for all the girls in his class on Valentines Day. When he met you, he told me the very next day, "She's the one Mom, she's the one." He couldn't stop talking about how fun it was to go hiking with you, or the way your eyes grew wide during particularly scary scenes in horror movies."

Sadie chuckled. She knew exactly what Marta was talking about. Horror movies, well, terrified her.

After eating the chocolate cake Frankie had set on the table, Marta and Sadie were walking to the door when Frankie said something that left Sadie chuckling all the way to Marta's car.

"You just never know kids. Sometimes life will surprise you."

And surprise her, it did.