7

Harmony didn't realize she had fallen asleep until she opened her eyes in the morning. Soft, subtle sounds floated up from downstairs causing her to realize she wasn't alone. Footsteps on the stairs made her sit up on the bed frightened. It wasn't until she saw the aged Hispanic woman carrying the tray up the last few steps that she recoiled and instantly relaxed in relief."Good morning," the lady said in her thick Spanish accent,"Good morning," Harmony replied."I am Consuela, Prichard family housekeeper. I bring you coffee and breakfast." She smiled as she set the tray on the bed."Thank you, I'm harmony, John's widow. You didn't have to do this for me." She replied."Is no trouble missus Harmony. Nice to not work in empty house again." Consuela replied with a smile."I so sorry for your loss. Mister John was a good man." She said as she turned to go."Thank you Consuela." Harmony replied."I go clean now. You have good breakfast." Consuela replied and scurried away leaving Harmony to her thoughts.Harmony put another cd in the player and listened as she sipped her coffee. Consuela had thought of everything not knowing her preferences. Even though she drank her coffee black she was provided with cream and sugar. The eggs were scrambled, the bacon was crisp, and the toast was made of white bread. There was butter and jam on the side. She chose the strawberry jam and ate greedily.When all the food was gone Harmony packed up the tray. Then she shut the music off grabbed her purse and carried the tray down to the kitchen. She knew she would have to go home and get cleaned up before she could go into work. She hadn't been prepared to stay the night at the Prichard estate. So, she said good bye to Consuela and walked out into the brisk morning.Fog covered most of the property from the coast line. Harmony had to use her lights to see past the hood of her car until she got to the expressway. It would take half the day for the sun to warm up the land enough for it to dissipate. It took her an extra fifteen minutes to get home but finally she unlocked the door and made her way inside.Instantly she wished she hadn't. All over the house were reminders of John. His clothes were scattered all over the bedroom. Papers across the living room table were addressed to him or written by him. She started to cry again as she made her way past the stuff and into the shower.Harmony had barely turned the water off when she heard her phone ringing. She didn't recognize the number on the caller id as she picked up on the third ring. She wrapped up in a towel, still dripping wet as she began to talk."Hello," she said as the phone slid from her hand."Harmony Pond?" the man asked as she fumbled and put the phone back up to hear ear."Yes, this is she. How can I help you?" she replied."My name is Thomas Seers from Seers funeral home. How are you today?" he asked politely."Fine thank you, and yourself?""Good thank you for asking. I'm calling you in regards to John Prichard's burial. We have him here and are ready to proceed with the ceremonies. Would you like to set up a day and time now or do you need more time to prepare?" Thomas asked."I," she choked. "I need to make a call to be certain.""Yes of course. We'll do all the notifications for you. Just call us back before five today so we can set it all up." Thomas replied."Yes of course." She said. "Good bye."Harmony placed the phone on the bathroom counter and began to dry herself off. When she was done getting dressed she quickly used the blow dryer on her hair then took the phone and hung it up on the cradle by the bed. She then unplugged her cell phone from the charger and hit the speed dial for James cell phone number. He sounded tired when he answered on the second ring."Hey Harm, wasn't expecting you. How are you?" He asked with a yawn."I'm alright, you sound exhausted though." She chuckled."A little bit. The band played until a little after two last night. So, what's up?" he asked."The funeral home called and said they were wanting a day and time. I wasn't sure what your schedule looked like so I told them I'd call them back." She explained."Um, what day is it?" he asked causing her to laugh aloud."It's Saturday." She replied as she put on her shoes. "And I'm already an hour late for work.""Well that's not good." He chuckled."Not really," she spoke as she flipped through the caller id on her house phone and wrote down the number for the funeral home."You inherit a fortune and you're worried about work. What is it that you do?" he asked."I'm a veterinarian for my own shelter. Hang on let me put in my headset.""Ok," he replied as he heard her shuffle around with the ear piece."There we are. Now I can talk and drive." She said as she grabbed her keys and purse then went outside."I take it you really like your job." He laughed."Well I'm not a rock star like you but I save every animal that comes into my facility if I can.��� She replied as he heard her start the car."That's a very honorable thing. No wonder my brother loved you." He replied as she heard him climb out of bed."Yeah that's how we met. It was a fundraiser to get my shelter started. He volunteered a lot of hours and items we needed to get started. It wasn't until yesterday that I found the receipts that told me it was his money too." She sighed."Must be hard knowing he kept so many secrets from you." He said."Yes it was, it still is, everything is so weird. I'm almost at work now so what day works for you?" she asked as she pulled into the parking lot."I have one more show here in Phoenix tonight. Then Thursday and Friday is Los Angelis and Saturday night is San Diego." He said after much thought."Wow, you're packed in there." She laughed."It's almost the end of this tour. We're taking two months off this summer." He replied. "I'll fly back right after the show tonight.""Thank you. Feel free to stay at the house. I have to get inside now." She said."You're welcome I'll see you tomorrow.""Bye James.""Bye Harmony." He replied as the call ended.