NOTE: Here is a link to Part 2 of this story:
I have so enjoyed sharing my life stories with you in this Doors & Windows column since 1998. This year, I’ll be sharing a fictional short story that will stretch across the months in a “to be continued” format and conclude in December. Are you game? Step into the mystery of The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone…
My assistant handed me the envelope as I breezed past his desk en route to my office. I had no intention of opening it; I was due in court by nine and could not afford distraction. “Thanks, Kevin,” was my auto-response. I walked in and tossed it onto the pile I had run from late last night without registering the words that came with it: “These are the remaining effects of Mr. Stone.”
I turned to the board mounted on my door and plucked off three phone messages. “Go away Kevin,” I said without turning around. I refused to acknowledge his statue. I hate when he does that. Poor guy. My faithful assistant of eight years had morphed into a pitiful, nagging stalker, forced to haunt me day and night in order to complete the tasks I assign him; sadly, I am his greatest obstacle.
Kevin followed me in and watched me sit. He was immune to my mannequin mode so I knew that any attempt on my part to ignore him would be wasted. I also know that his postured stance by my desk meant that I would end up looking into that envelope. I turned and picked up my phone.
“I’m not here Kevin—today is D-day.”
“I’m not here either Rachel—I took the day off.” He bent at the waist and stretched his arm until his extended index finger and thumb could clasp the corner of the envelope. I watched peripherally, swallowing a laugh at the drama and inwardly admiring his increasing creativity in harnessing my attention.
With an exaggerated grimace, Kevin plucked the envelope off my desk like I had dropped a dirty sock on top of an elegant dessert buffet. “I came in to make sure you got this.” He dangled the clasped contents in front of me until my eyes locked with his.
“Kevin, I’m serious. I’m due in court by nine. I don’t have the time for whatever is in that envelope. It can wait.” He cut me off.
“These are the remaining effects of Russell Stone.”
I blinked.
“He’s dead, Rachel,” Kevin leaned down to make sure his news connected with my brain. It had. I stiffened with shock and set the phone back on its base. “1:03 a.m. You need to call her now,” he added. “She went home last night sometime after midnight and no one wants to call her.”
I slumped back into my chair as Kevin gingerly lowered the envelope back on my pile so as not to trigger an avalanche, twirled on his heel and left. The news was eerily ironic, given that today was the death of my marriage.