book of days

When Steve and Vicki got to Mick's, the door was unlocked and he thought he heard Mick say it was open. As it was Mick was on the couch with his arm around Jools while Jools cried all over his shirt, but Mick wasn't going anywhere.

Naturally, the moment stung Steve deep. He'd never been that way with Simon. Never. Steve looked away and put the groceries he brought in the kitchen. Honestly, he felt the least compassionate. He went on to find a skillet and washed it up to start the chili he planned to make. 

Vicki did a little consoling, but it was Mick who told her all about Evan. Someone, Steve might have met at the library, but it was long ago (or so it felt) Steve didn't really know him other than he'd been a shelver there, but then Evan went to the University and worked there while Evan and Jools were together.

Steve felt numb as Vicki told him everything while he was chopping onion and listening to the sizzling ground meat. He didn't know how to respond and he wasn't sure she knew how either. She looked a bit uneasy as if she wanted to go, but she wouldn't say it. She looked around and finally started cleaning up after him as if they might be a team too.

It was easy to see Jools was overwhelmed with grief and kept repeating how Evan no longer existed. He was nowhere. He choked on a cough. Steve knew he was making himself sick. He let Vicki put the cooked chili in the crockpot to warm. Finally, Steve decided he would say something. Possibly the wrong thing.

"Stop saying..." Steve pressed his lips tight he knew Jools was too sick to cry much more. His face was swelled and he looked as if he wanted to die too. "I am sure everyone at the library will want to know about his passing. Think of Evan's favorite things or his favorite book."

Now he was teary-eyed, sitting there on the floor next to the couch, reaching for Jools arm.  "We can at least remember him that way. Maybe plant a tree or something in the flower garden out front of the library. We won't let him be forgotten." But Jools crumbled again as if he couldn't pick himself up.

"I know you were wronged. It isn't right, but we know you were family. It'll take a lot of time, but don't give up. I'm pretty sure Evan wouldn't want that," Steve looked at Mick.

"Victoria and I'll be back tomorrow," Steve got up. "Just let us know if we can bring anything. We can do the laundry."

Mick only nodded.