Chapter 5
Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down
“Come on Wes, we can’t be late.”
“What does Maggie need again.?”
“I don’t know I think something broke.”
Farrah pulled Wes down the entire floor of stairs like there was a fire.
“What is the hurry Farrah.”
“Nothing but come on.” Farrah opened the door.
“Surprise” rang out.
“What, no way. This is why Farrah… I really am surprised.” Looking around the room he saw Tabitha, Dana, Maggie, Peter and even Pearl. “Wow, I can’t get over this.”
“It was Farrah’s idea, she has been planning it for a week.”
“Okay thanks, but I am not 18 until tomorrow.”
“Yes, we know. That is why little genius over here said to do it a day early” explained Maggie. “She knew the big genius would figure it out otherwise.”
The party, was great. It made Wes feel a bit bad, that he had only given Farrah a Twinkie with a candle in it when she turned 11. It really got overwhelming when he began to open presents. Wes opened the card from Dana and Peter first, and was shocked to see a $100.00 gift card to the local craft store.
“This is huge.” Wes said. “How can I thank you.”
“Paint us something.” Peter said.
The next box was from Maggie, it was small and wrapped in none other than blue paper. He still couldn’t believe this was happening and that he was opening a present from Maggie, on his 18th birthday. If someone would have told him 3 years ago that he would spend his 18th birthday with the stern black women who always said something about the music, he would have laughed. Even with all his suspicions he knew how grateful he was for Maggie, as she really loved Farrah.
Wrapped in the blue paper, was a velvet blue jewelry box. “Earings Maggie, oh you shouldn’t have.” Laughter broke out again.
“Boy you better open it, before she takes it back.” Said Pearl.
“Alright, alright.” The box had a tighter opening than he had counted on. He peeled the top back and saw a gorgeous silver watch.
“Now, Wesley. This was my Samuel’s watch, the fool was never on time either. I want you to have it.” Tears began pouring down Maggie’s face. Wes stepped towards her and hugged her tight.
“I love it Maggie. Thank you so much. I know this means a lot to you.”
Maggie brushed back her tears, and said “okay enough mushy stuff, let’s eat this cake”.
“Wait, I have a gift too said Farrah. Here Wes. It is not like I bought something, but I found it when I cleaned real good that one day and new I would save it for your birthday.”
Wes tore off the newspaper funnies only to find a book. It had no title, just a leather binding. He opened it to see it was a journal. It was worn, it was not a new journal. He flipped to the first entry and it was filled. It was dated September 23rd 1990. The writing was his dads, small and very slanted to the right, this was his dads.
“I kind of already read it.” Farrah said. “I couldn’t help it.”
“Really this was Dad’s?” His voice broke. He put the journal against his chest. Wes body began shaking slightly, he fought hard against the tears that were puddling in his eyes.
Farrah saw Wes’ face so distorted and sad that she immediately started crying. “It is like he is here she said.” Those words turned the whole room into a weeping mess. Three minutes had passed before anyone had recovered.
It was again Maggie who broke it up. “I thought I said no more mushy stuff. It is time for cake or I am going to kick all you blubbering fools out and eat it all myself.” Laughter filled the room with the last trailing tears and cake was served.
“Wes I am worried, I knocked on Maggie’s door this morning and she didn’t answer and it is locked.”
“Maybe she ran to the store.”
“No, Wes I thought that too but her car is here.”
“She is probably showering. I’ll go with you in 20 minutes I want to ask her about the watch she gave me last night, and thanks again for Dad’s journal.
Wes tried the knob first, it was locked. He knocked and yelled “Hey Maggie.” There was no answer. “Maggie I know you’re up, it is 11. Farrah go get the extra key. She probably went to go do laundry or pay rent or chase Mr. Bibbles again, but I want to see.”
Farrah yelled from above and leaned over the rail dropping the key into his hand. The key was for emergencies and they had never had to use it. “Hey Maggie,” Wes said “how come you are not answering?” All the lights were out. Mr. Bibbles ran to Wes and began rubbing in between his legs. “Mr. Bibbles where is Maggie?” Wes was now worried. Farrah came to the door and Mr. Bibbles darted out. “Farrah get the cat please.” Farrah followed the cat into the courtyard. Wes stepped like their might be land mines in the room. He could feel that something was wrong. When he got to Maggie’s bedroom, he found her. She was laying on the floor face down with the phone in her hand. “Maggie you need help up?” There was no answer. Wes bent down and touched Maggie’s hand, it was ice cold. “Oh my God Maggie! No. No. No. You can’t be dead. You can’t be dead. What do I tell Farrah? Wake up Maggie, please wake up.”
Wes ran outside screaming for someone to call an ambulance. Farrah heard this and ran to him. His body became a barricade. “No Farrah.”
Pearl came outside from next door. “What is going on our here boy?”
“Call an ambulance Maggie is is.” His words stopped he couldn’t say dead. He knew she was but he couldn’t say it.
Farrah read his mind. “She’s dead?” Farrah squeezed herself into the small space between Wes’ legs.
“Farrah no! No. Stay here.” It was too late. Farrah was already trying to sit Maggie up. She was struggling under her side trying to lift the life back into her.
“Maggie. You stop playing. You are mean for being tricky like this. Get up Maggie” Farrah said.
Pearl had gone inside and called the police. When the carnival of lights arrived Farrah was crying and trying to move Maggie. Wes sat outside her apartment door huddling his knees and rocking against the wall. The first officer in saw Farrah and grabbed her away. Farrah’s arms and legs flailed and reached.
“Put me down. I need to wake Maggie. I need Maggie. Let go of me.” Farrah’s mouth clamped down on the officers arm, she bit him with every ounce of strength she had. The officer’s arms clutched tighter around. He carried her all the way to a snowy patch in the court yard, and held her there. Wes was oblivious. All he could think about was his dad. He was right back to the car accident. Right back to waking up as firefighters pulled him out of the car. He could see his dad’s bloody and mangled body. He didn’t understand why he felt like her was in the car, he knew he wasn’t. He knew he was outside Maggie’s door, but that felt distant.
“Son you are going to have to move.” Said an officer. Wes couldn’t move. His body had locked up. He just kept rocking. “Son we have to move the body.” This statement woke Wes up.
“She isn’t a body. That is Maggie.” Wes moved towards Pearl’s door and out of their way.
“You know she knew this was coming. She told me her doctor’s said she shouldn’t have been alive two years ago. Maggie told them what she told me. God isn’t done with me. When God wants me he will take me.”
“Yeah he takes everyone.” Wes said. “No he takes the good ones like my dad and Maggie and he leaves the crappy ones like my mom.”
“You are angry boy. Don’t say things you might regret.”
Dana and Peter invited Farrah and Wes to stay with them until they could figure out what to do. Wes knew it was only a matter of time before Farrah went to a foster home. The day of the funeral was a blur. What Wes remembered most was that he finally saw her kids, at least 6 of them. They were all down stares ransacking the apartment. Dana had taken Farrah and Wes to go get some nice clothes for the funeral. Farrah marched down to the apartment brave and bold.
“Your Mom was the best ever. I never met someone so nice. You never came to see her and now you just take her stuff. You better at least show up on time, because that is what she liked.” Farrah turned and left them to scavenge.
The service was short. Maggie did not want a Eulogy. She had made every arrangement. There was no casket. She wanted to be cremated. She asked that no one talk and had only one bouquet of flowers. They were blue Jacob’s Ladder flowers. A reverend read a few sections from the Holy Bible and that was it.
Immediately after the funeral, the family was asked to stay and so were Wes, Farrah and Pearl. Dana and Peter waited with them. A man took them to a small back room. “My name is Riley Benson. I am Mrs. Margaret Paquette’s attorney; this is the reading of the will. We have conducted this here because of the traveling of many of you tomorrow. The first line of business is the Atlanta Home. The home will be sold.”
“What wait a minute, we live there” Said a tall slender lady that resembled Maggie.
“Please hold all comments and questions till the end” said Mr. Benson. The Atlanta home will be sold, and the profit of that home will be split amongst the four remaining biological children. The Austin property will also be sold and taken care of the same way. The savings and trust will be put into the names of Wesley Milton Marsh and Farrah May Marsh. A diamond tennis bracelet with an unknown value located in a safety deposit box will be given to Pearl Aberdeen. All belongings except a painting by artist Wesley Marsh will be donated to the local thrift store know as FISH. Now are there any questions before I continue with her hand written letter?
“Yeah, who the hell are the people getting the trust?” A large man asked.
“Farrah and Wesley, right there.” Mr. Benson pointed them out.
“What, some kids, that aint hers, that is not right.”
“Oh we will fight that. My mother must have been going crazy in her old age.” Loud arguing erupted around the room.
“Hey,” Wes yelled. “I want to hear the letter.” They all got quiet.
“Thank you Mr. Marsh.” The lawyer said. “I know there are some people upset today, I understand. For years you have been asking for your inheritance early. Mom I need a new truck. Your grandson needs braces. I heard it all. Half the money is already gone. When I saw 600,000 dollars dwindle over 30 years to 300,000, I got scared for my children. I have always taken care of you. You grew up with your heart’s desire. Your father left us with plenty of money and I made sure I used it. I am sorry I did that to you. I should have made you work for what you wanted. I was trying to fill up the hole your father had left with stuff. If I could do anything over again I would say no. Now I am going to do that now because I love you. A grateful heart finds its way to God. Farrah and Wesley are strong unbreakable children who are always grateful. They were grateful for a weekly meal. They were grateful for $40.00. They were grateful for each other. Our family lost that. That is why instead of money I want you guys to be thankful you have one another to rely on, and grateful for the little things.
Farrah and Wes it may come as a shock, but I have quite a lot of money. I was always afraid to let people know. I thought I would be taken advantage of. You two never did. You are wonderful kids even when life has handed you the worst it can. The money will be in a trust which means there are rules. You will each immediately get $10,000.00. This is enough to find a better place to live and still have to work. You see I learned my lesson. Your second installment will be every year after that. The amount will increase by $2,000 each year until you turn 30 Wes. Then half of the money left will go to you and half will go to Farrah at the age of 23. There is only one other thing you may take money out for, and that is school. Check for any college need is allowed to be used. I am so grateful you to came into my life. I will be seeing you again, and this time try to be late.
Farrah cried and cried, it was the first time Wes had noticed her in three days. He wrapped his arm around her and held her, they sat for a long time.
“We can stay longer if you need to.” Dana said. Wes and Farrah looked up and realized everyone else had gone.
“No I think we can go” Wes said “right Farrah”? She nodded in agreement.
Living with Peter, Dana, Fee Fee and Cha Cha wasn’t bad. Farrah loved the dogs. She never stopped playing with them. Daily sessions with Paula the therapist took place in the house and both Wes and Farrah actually started to feel better after talking with her.
It was two days before Christmas when Peter sat Wes down. “Wes we have to come up with a plan. My bosses are telling me you guys can’t stay here. It is a conflict of interest.”
“I know I thought about this too. I am 18 now so I should be able to take care of Farrah, like I had been. We lied to you. Maggie lied. I was doing it. I was taking care of Farrah, Maggie just helped out. Now I am 18 and it can be legal.”
“I had a feeling,” said Peter. “The problem is, Nevada statutes say a guardian must be at least 10 years older than the person they care for. If you were 21 we could have a good argument for you. Believe me when I say I know you can care for her, but the law says otherwise.”
“So when do you plan to put her in a foster home?”
“Actually we are working on some assessments with Paula and I think we have a couple weeks to sort things out.”
“So I have a couple weeks to decide where we are going to run away to, because Farrah is not going anywhere.” Wes stood up and marched to his room, slamming the door behind him.
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