Happiness After Death

Many people die after a divorce, but they aren’t buried until 85.

I never really understood it when my dad said it to me that wasn’t until I lost him.

“Lorelai Mae you can’t stand around mouping all day. You need to get a hang of yourself girl, you were too good for him anyway tater- tot. “

Ms.Honeys' voice brought me out of my thoughts, how did you and Earl stay together for so long?”

“Well baby it was different with Earl, he was different, I was firm in what I wanted in a man from the start and he knew darn well not to go back on the type of man he said he was, he never did either, you know though darling it wasn’t always rainbows and sunshine with us either.”

“I don’t think it was ever rainbows and sunshine for Kyle. I just don’t understand, he acted like I was everything he wanted, and then this happened” I glared at the papers the sheriff had served me at work yesterday.“

“Oh I know love, men can be dogs. We are the squirrels." Have you decided what you’re going to do about the house love?”

I frowned at her analogy sighing finally answering her.

“He said I could keep it, I’m going to rent it out as an Airbnb And start over somewhere else, and squirrels? How are we squirrels? ”

“Maybe best, so you don’t have to see them around town” Earl chimed in from his spot on the sofa situated in front of his football game.

"Whatever you think is best just stay in touch and think about it. Dogs chase squirrels, and most of the time they get away or they catch it." She snatched her hands into the air as if she was a dog clamping down on a squirrel.

" You see though, dogs don't think past the chase and catch though love. They don't know what to do once they have it. So they kill it" she said solemnly before continuing "Every once in a while though, every now and then- they befriend it, protect it sometimes even take care of it if they can. she said happily smiling toward Earl. You want the last one but they are hard to find." She finished looking at me the light from the window making her blue eyes sparkle.

“Makes sense I smiled, are they really already going out and around?” I grimaced thinking of Kyle being with Christy my ex-best friend. I was blindsided by them both. It hurts to get hurt by someone you trust it hurts more when it’s the two people you trusted the most.

"Yep, just like a dog," Earl grunted from his spot in the living room.

I cringed at my options, opening my phone I quickly listed my beautiful home for rent. “I am going to pack, I’ll see you both sometime soon. “

“ Be careful out there dear“ Earl said solemnly

“ Don't be a stranger dear, but go find some happiness“

I smiled “ thank you both take care ”

I smelled the rain before I felt it running to my truck as it began pouring I sat in the driver's seat. My eyes fell on the Polaroid near my speedometer I picked it up looking at it Kyle was holding me, Christy, on his back, and I sat in a chair next to them grinning holding the fish I had caught up. I remember then I just thought how great it was that my best friend and my husband got along. Now I wonder if it was going on then too or if maybe that was the start of it all I looked at them smiling and grabbed a lighter from my center console. I started my truck and lit the lighter holding the photo over the flame, as it began to burn I took one last look - then threw it out my window as I drove off, leaving that memory and them behind me.

After packing I drove through the night, it wasn’t until 4 something in the morning I looked down and noticed the glaring red gas light on the dash of my truck.

As I puttered to a stop I realized my mistake of letting my emotions get the better of me.

I was in the middle of nowhere. With no cell service and nothing but my truck, several suitcases, and my laptop.

I sighed heavily wondering how far out Boston I had made it. Right as I unlocked my phone I noticed it hadn't been charging while I was driving listening to music after all and seen the location on my weather app change from Boston ma, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania right before it flicked to a black screen.

I groaned flicking on my hazard lights, leaning over my suitcases I grabbed my wallet and pulled the laptop bag to me. Getting out my skin was met with cold fresh air my boots crunching on the gravel near the side of the road. I reached into my laptop bag and grabbed paper jotting down my number and writing be back getting gas and charging my phone.

At least now law enforcement or someone else will hopefully leave the vehicle until I come back. With no knowledge of how close I am to anything other than knowing the things behind me were too far, I began walking the same way I was driving.

Looking at the mile marker I couldn't remember if that was 3 or 4 as the tiredness set in so I knew I had walked at least three miles since breaking down.

I sensed the headlights behind me before I saw them casting my shadow in front of me. The sky was the color of golden honey as the sun came up for the day, while the lush green fields on both sides of the road were misty and covered in dew.

I stupidly but instinctively glanced behind me blinding me as the vehicle slowing down then coming to a stop in front of me.

The dark-tinted window slowly rolled down and revealed a man in his mid-thirties sitting in the driver's seat holding a lit cigarette outside of his own window.

"That your truck back there?" his voice was husky and sounded tired.

"Yes, is it far to get to a gas station?" I asked leaning down to his level catching the scent of his cologne as his car idled with a low rumble.

"I'm not going to let you walk the distance it is, either go back to your truck and I'll bring you gas or get in." I glanced back knowing I had walked at least three miles if not more and was definitely getting tired.

I bit my lip then remembered I had no cash to give him to get the gas. I reached for the door handle hesitantly when he held a black card out the window toward me.

Asher Blackwell - Detective & Private Investigator.

"Oh," I said taking the card, opening the door, and sitting down"

"You know anyone can print cards," I said glancing it over again as he put the car in drive then reached into his jacket pocket retrieving a golden badge.

"Not everyone can get one of these " He grinned smugly tossing the cherry from his cigarette out his window as he rolled up the butt and put it in a small trash bag hanging on the gearshift.

"Well sorry for the skepticism and thank you for giving me a ride to get gas, I can always get a taxi back"

"Don't be ridiculous, taxis are overpriced and I have to go back that way anyway. Do you have a time constraint?" He asked looking at me meeting my eyes with his icy blue ones for the first time.

"I - uh, no I am just seeing if this might be my next new home. I am moving, traveling perhaps. Not sure yet."

"Well then we will get gas, I will go to breakfast as planned then we will get you back to your truck sound good?"

"Yeah, I can always just hang out at the gas station while you finish your plans."

"You ate already?"

"Um, no but-"

"Then you're coming with. I'm just meeting someone to sign paperwork anyway. You can be my witness since my assistant is out sick today" He said glancing at his watch as he shifted into another gear putting me back into my seat as he passed the car that was in front of us.

"Sorry love, can't stand slow drivers. By the way, I know your name, what's yours? "

"Lorilei, but I truly hate it, my friends call me Lori or Lei" I smiled taking in his features he was quiet after that. You wouldn't think he was a detective. Tattoos led up his muscular arms and chest. He had a professional appearance yet gave off different vibes than professional. He reminded me more of the Italian mafia than detective and investigator. I was intrigued though and after the growl, my stomach just let out thankful for his mild bossy demeanor.

I looked out my window as the city came into sight.

"It's beautiful " I murmured.

"It is and Lori you are about to have the best breakfast Philly has to offer." He grinned as he pulled into a parking lot just off the main roads in town.

He leaned across me opening the glove compartment and grabbed his wallet and a gun.

I tensed as he rose back up, his cologne surrounding me just as the heat reflecting from his body left my vincicity goosebumps graced my legs and thighs.

"Cold?" He asked rubbing his thumb over the exposed skin on my thighs. His unexpected touch causing me to jump.

"No - I mean yes, yes a little"

Reaching into the backseat he fumbled around before bringing out a dark blue hoodie. "It'll probably be big on you but you can wear this" he smiled

"Thank you, " I said as a flood of emotions overtook me.

No rebound relationships I told myself as he got out. Once I was out of his car his height was more noticeable. At least 6 foot 3 I muttered. This isn't what I came here for I said as I watched him put on a leather jacket and holster his gun.

"So look, I need you to act like you're with me , or at least know me better than you do. Walk-in with me sit down on the same side as me and just wait until the client gets here until he leaves just be quiet, please. "

My original instinct of don't get in the car with strangers returned quickly at this new information. I looked at him then to his gun and back to him before swallowing thinking of my reply while processing what he said."

"You are welcome to leave anytime you want Lori, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable and yes I did lie. There is no paperwork, but I really am an investigator and detective. This guy is a massive slim-ball, a drug dealer that sells drugs to teens. He thinks he is meeting me here for a drug deal with my girlfriend but is really going to be arrested."

"Oh is that all," I said unamused.

"Lori, please I'm hungry and I need to do this with or without, but with you would certainly make it easier and I really do want to help you get back to your car."

"Fine," I said as my stomach growled and I smelled pancakes and bacon from the diner in front of us. I grabbed his forearm and walked in as he opened the door for me I couldn't help but think back to all the moments Kyle would jog in front of me and Christy to grab the door but never did it when we were alone. We found our seats and got menus giving me more of an opportunity to take in the man I was with. Spotting a plugin under our booth I got under it and plugged in my phone.

"You got it,? a man with knuckle tattoos, a bald head, and bruises up his arms sat down opposite from us just as I took my seat next to Asher.

"Mmm - No but he does. He said pointing to a man approaching our table in an officer's uniform.

"Asher you son of - "

" I would advise you to use your right to shut up now" a waitress interrupted from behind the diner's bar counters. Not a waitress at all I noted as she pulled out handcuffs, glancing to Asher and nodding as she secured them around the man's wrist"

"See you later for your statement?"

"Of course Frank , ill be there"

"See you later Jenn- wait, who are you?"

"I'm just an aquaintance." I squeaked out.

"Right, well then I guess you can give a statement too then."

"What?!"

Asher leaned back in the booth looking amused.

"Guess you are stuck with me a little longer"

Looking from Asher, back to the officer. I saw him scribbling on a card. He slid it on the table toward me.

3:30 p.m messily written on the card with the precincts address.

I sighed wondering what I had gotten myself into a steaming pile of pancakes with sausage and eggs that was sat in front of me.

The officer leaned over saying something to Asher I couldn't hear then tapped the table and left as I poked into my pancakes anxious to eat and for him to leave.

" Sorry about that kitten he's a hard ass," Asher said pushing his plate of hashbrowns out of the way grabbing his plate of food that looked similar to mine.

"I don't want anything to do with all of this Asher."

He smirked

"Too late now"

"Uh-huh, well what is there to do in this town in the meantime?"

"Oh, Kitten I thought you'd never ask he grinned pouring copious amounts of syrup on the last bite of his pancakes"

"Meet me at the car, I'm going to have a cigarette, " he said standing up reaching into his pocket he pulled out a $100 bill and set it on the table.

"Don't worry about getting the change," he said walking off toward the exit leaving me to finish my food. I watched as he walked off. I couldn't remember the last time I ate out let alone tipped. Kyle was an ass about tipping. I finished my food and exited the diner heading to the car. Seeing Asher leaning against the car made me feel like I forgot what the man looked like or something.

Just my luck to roll into a town meet an attractive man that has trouble written all over him then get stuck attached at his hip because surprise, he's a detective.

I looked at him and thought back to his remark inside and cringed at the goosebumps on my arms.

" Why did you call me that?"

"What? Kitten?" he asked in a low voice as I approached the passenger side of his car.

"Yeah, I don't think I like it"

"Why's that" he asked exhaling the last of the smoke from his now extinguished cigarette.

"I just, don't. I just got out of a relationship and I'm nothing to you . It feels werid"

"Your cute, like a kitten. Small and timid like a kitten and hesitant just like a kitten."

I scoffed. I am not tiny Asher I gestured to my curvy body as he walked closer to me backing me up until I felt the side of his car stop me.

"You are compared to me" he whispered leaning by my ear his height and muscular body in front of me making our size difference very noticeable, while my body was warm and tingly.

"Besides that, you remind me of a kitten I saved on the very same highway a couple of years ago. Her name is Nyx " he chuckled pulling away his body heat leaving me while the cologne on his clothing and neck engulfed my area.

" Really ?! " I exclaimed deadpanned at this confession. He nodded

"No, I'm fuckin with you but I really did save a kitten and I really do think the nickname suits you but if you really hate it I'll stop" he chuckled as we pulled out of the parking lot to get to the gas station.

Author Note - I think I have said it before but authors are notorious for using or spinning real life things into fiction. I use a lot of inspiration in my characters. I occasionally will see a model a meme or a friend will do something and I'm like. That , that is going into a story. I seen the ad for the leather jacket for my husband and then a quote about death and divorce. These sparked a fire and gave me the idea for this short story. I can't say how much erotica will for sure be in it but it will be some. For my friends and family who read my work thank you for your support. I know not everything I write is everyones cup of tea but if you're here thank you.

This is a work of fiction and is no way affilated with the featured photos or business that has the photos. You can find the website here To see the inspiration of one of the characters within the story.