Life, Love & Sex of the Newly Single Adult

By Justin Maxwell

When Brian Demers finds himself widowed, he’s completely at loose ends. Should he go to his cabin up north and shovel snow and become a hermit ... or take everybody’s advice and go to Florida for the winter? Somewhat against his better judgment, he winds up in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. From there he goes north again, and back to the cabin on the lake where he helps restore an abandoned lighthouse ... and meets the Keeper’s Girl. Somewhere in his odyssey, Brian discovers how to face his life as a newly single adult. “Real-life drama that leaves a beautiful ache in the heart,” says Marcy Birdweather, Marcy’s Musing. “It’s about going on with your life after a devastating loss.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: AbsolutelyAmazingEbooks.com
• Release date: Jun 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311200488

Book preview

Life,

Love

& Sex

Of the Newly Single Adult

A novel

Justin Maxwell

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING eBOOKS

Published by Whiz Bang LLC, 926 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida 33040, USA.

Life, Love & Sex of the Newly Single Adult copyright © 2016 by Wayne Kadar. Electronic compilation/ paperback edition copyright © 2016 by Whiz Bang LLC. Electronic compilation/ paperback edition copyright © 2016 by Whiz Bang LLC.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. While the author has made every effort to provide accurate information at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their contents. How the ebook displays on a given reader is beyond the publisher’s control.

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Life,

Love

& Sex

Of the Newly Single Adult

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 1

Meyers Funeral Home

"Brian, I’m so sorry," Marion Walters said, her arms wrapped around Brian’s neck hugging him so tightly he nearly fell forward on top of the short woman.

He patted her back saying, Thank you Marion. You were always such a good friend of Meredith’s. She released him, taking his hands in hers and holding them tightly. She silently stared into Brian’s eyes, fighting back tears.

Marion’s husband, Jerry, leaned in giving Brian a quick hug and saying, I’m there for ya buddy, whatever you need.

Yes, Marion repeated. Whatever you need, it’s yours, all you have to do is call and we are there for you. Whatever you need, just call.

She squeezed Brian’s hands and she and Jerry stepped to the altar. Marion performed the sign of the cross and genuflected, something she reserved for funerals, church no longer being an important part of her life.

Brian received a handshake from the next couple in line. The man said, I’m so sorry for your loss

Thanks, Bill, Brian said.

Sue, Bill’s wife then wrapped her arms around Brian and said, Oh, Brian, I’m so sorry. It came as such a surprise.

Brian thought to himself, "Mare, is that all anyone has to say to the grieving widower; I’m so sorry, and if you need anything just ask, we’re there for you? Maybe I should take up everyone on their offer that says, Just ask if there is anything you need. Hey Bill remember at Meredith’s funeral you said if I ever needed something to ask? Well, I need someone to shovel the snow in the driveway. Can you take care of that for me, huh, Bill?

As Sue gave him a bear hug, Brian said, Thanks, Sue. You were always such a good friend of Meredith’s. Brian thought, Alright, Mare, I guess I am guilty of repeating the same thing too. But, what should I say? Sue, where were you all the time Meredith was sick, you never once came to visit, you never called to see how she was doing?

Sue hugged him tightly and a bit longer than he was comfortable with considering the circumstances, she pulled away holding his hand in hers and offered, Brian, if you need anything all you have to do is call. I mean it, anything just call.

Thank you, Sue, you are much too kind, but I’ll make out okay, is what Brian said, what he was thinking was, Okay, Sue, next time the toilet backs up and the bathroom floor is flooded in sewer water I’ll give you a call. By the way, Sue, do you do windows?

Next in line were Mickie and Phil Burns. Mickie was Meredith’s roommate in college and she is still as beautiful as she was back then, Brian thought as he shook Phil’s hand. If Mickie tells me to call if I ever need anything, I just might take her up on the offer.

"Just kidding, Mare, but you know I’ve always had a thing for her."

Mickie reached to Brian for a hug, pressing her entire body into his as she always did and said, Brian I am so sorry. Meredith was the sweetest person I have ever known. She will be missed.

Brian thought to himself as he felt Mickie’s body press against him, Well, that statement was a changeup to the typical funeral rhetoric. We could always rely on Mickie to mix things up a little. Right, Mare?

Phil said, We were driving down from the cottage when we heard it on the radio so I changed course and raced right over. We were shocked. I guess we didn’t realize the illness had progressed so rapidly. It was just a few weeks ago we were at your house and she was somewhat coherent and talking to Mickie.

Brian said, She had her good days but as time went by the good days were fewer and farther between.

Mickie saw some friends, excused herself leaving Brian and Phil an opportunity to talk.

Brian said, She went downhill fast.

The line of people had slowed and Phil asked Brian if he wanted to sit down a while. They moved to a couch not far from the altar holding the gold plated urn with Meredith’s remains. Brian said, Phil, I don’t think I thanked you for coming and helping search for Meredith.

There is no need to thank me. It’s what friends do when friends are in need, Phil said.

Yeah, but it was below freezing that night and when the snow started falling it made conditions even worse. I was really amazed how many people came out to search for her, I was dumbfounded, hundreds of people; many of Meredith’s friends, fellow teachers, students, and a lot of strangers who just wanted to help out. I was truly touched by everyone’s assistance.

Brian stood and accepted condolences from a man he recognized as a police officer who had been one of the many searching for Meredith.

How long do you figure Meredith was in the woods? Phil asked.

About eighteen hours, Brian answered. He was alright talking with Phil about this, the two couples spent a lot of time together. They cruised the Caribbean on one of those floating hotels and often stayed at each other’s cottages. Brian and Meredith counted Mickie and Phil as their closest friends.

"How did she get out of the house? I thought after the last time you changed the locks so the doors couldn’t be opened from the inside without a key.

The visiting nurse had come in the evening, talked with Meredith for a while, helped her wash up, changed her into her nightgown and gave her an evening sedative to help her sleep. After the nurse left, I checked on her and she was sitting in the chair next to her bed staring off in the distance as she often did. I closed the door and went down to the basement to work out my stress in the woodshop; there is something therapeutic about turning wood on a lathe and making chips fly.

Brian figured Phil was asking a lot of questions but then he was a retired deputy sheriff and it probably was just second nature to him.

I went to her bedroom and the door was open a crack, which I was sure I had closed. I pushed the door open and she wasn’t there so I checked the bathroom. Then I started to run through the house, looking in each room and closet. When I got to the kitchen I noticed the side door, the one to the garage, wasn’t closed. I went out to the garage and found the garage door open too.

The overhead door? Phil asked.

No, the passage door, the overhead door was closed. I went out to the driveway, running to the sidewalk and in the dark I couldn’t see her in either direction. I remember sticking my hand in my pocket for my cell but found it empty; I had already plugged it in to charge in the kitchen. So I ran back through the garage and into the kitchen.

Is that when you called 911? Phil asked.

Yeah, I was dialing as I slipped on a jacket and shoes, Brian answered.

Oh Brian, I am so sorry for your loss, I can’t believe she is gone, Sharon Lasky said. Sharon was the guidance counselor at school.

Thank you Sharon, Brian said, standing to receive a hug.

After she moved on, Phil said, Here we were searching every street in a ten mile radius and Meredith simply walked about a hundred yards from the house and laid down and fell asleep in the woods.

Brian shook his head up and down slowly staring at the floor as if he was deep in thought, re-living the horror of the night. You know had I thought about it, she couldn’t have gone far, she was given the sedative and they usually knocked her out pretty quick.

Phil thought a bit, Why did she have the sedative? he asked. Once a cop always a cop, always digging for details.

Meredith had become agitated in the last few weeks and had trouble sleeping. That day she was pacing, wringing her hands and mumbling. The nurse called the doctor and he prescribed a sedative to calm her down.

Brian smiled at an old white haired lady who lived down the street as she walked by the field of flowers sent from friends and relatives. He accepted condolences and a hug from her, then Brian noticed Mark Tomlinson, a retired teacher from school and his wife waiting to talk to him. Brian turned to Phil, saying, We’ll talk later.

Brian walked to the older couple; Mark had been Brian’s mentor when he first started his teaching career at Lincoln High. Mark said how sorry he was to hear about Meredith, and offered help if Brian needed anything. The conversation turned into a walk down memory lane for the older couple, telling Brian about mutual friends, their ailments and deaths.

Friends Brian knew from church were standing next in line to talk to him and offer their sympathies. Brian’s mentor and wife said their goodbyes and stepped aside so the large man and his wife could have the opportunity to speak with Brian.

It was basically the same conversation he had had for hours he thought; they were sorry for my loss and if I needed anything they would be more than glad to help out.

Excuse me, Brian, Mr. Meyers, the funeral director, said to Brian. You have a phone call in the office. That was the code the two had agreed on to get Brian away from the floor and get something to eat or use the restroom. If Brian wasn’t in need of either he would tell Mr. Meyers to take a message, however this time he was ready for a break and said he would take the call. The large man Brian was talking to said, You go Brian, we can talk later. His wife, a much too red redhead said, Brian, if you need anything you just let us know. I’ll make up a dish of my lasagna, I know how much you like my lasagna.

Brian thanked them and excused himself from the line thinking, I’m a victim of being too nice. You eat a dish of lasagna at a church buffet, tell the woman you liked it and she never forgets.

Mr. Meyers opened a door with a polished brass plaque engraved with the word Private and the men walked in. There was a dark brown leather couch, matching chair, an oak cabinet, a table with a box of donuts and a platter of assorted bread and lunch meat, a small refrigerator filled with bottles of water and pop and a private restroom off to the side. It was the area reserved for the families of the deceased to relax during the trying ordeal of guests saying their final goodbyes.

Brian pulled a Diet Coke from the refrigerator and selected a donut from the box on the table. Barry Meyers walked to the small oak cabinet pulled out a bottle of Mount Gay rum and asked Brian if he wanted a shot in his Coke.

Sure, Barry, but only if you’ll join me, Brian responded.

Barry Meyer took two glasses from the cabinet and ice cubes from the small freezer in the refrigerator and said, Ever know me to refuse? It was an offer the funeral director reserved for only close friends.

Barry and his wife Debby had been friends with Meredith and Brian for years. They had socialized together and vacationed together as well. Over the years Barry and Brian had been on golf leagues, both were active in the Lions Club and worked with the Community Chest fund drive. Brian also helped coach Barry and Debby’s son’s Little League team and helped out with their basketball team. Meredith and Brian chose never to have children but always considered the two Meyer kids, Trent and James, as their surrogate family.

Brian accepted the glass from Barry, thanking him for the drink. He swirled the ice cubes in the glass looking at them churning in the brown liquid.

Brian thought, This one’s for you, Mare, and raised the glass to his lips.

Barry asked, Brian, what are you going to do now? I mean your life has revolved around Meredith for the last couple years, taking her to doctor appointments, cooking and caring for the house and feeding her. What are you going to do now, what are you going to do for Brian?

You know, I haven’t really thought about it, Brian said, lifting the glass to his lips and taking a sip.

Barry told his friend, You will need to look for something to fill the void, to fill the hours you spent caring for Meredith. You always said you wanted to go to Florida for the winter but since you retired you haven’t had the opportunity with Meredith’s illness. Maybe you should check online and find a place to spend a few months. You know, somewhere to get away.

Brian finished his rum and Coke and said, Yeah, I’ll have to do some thinking. Meredith’s dad lives down in Florida but we are good together for maybe a weekend. I sure couldn’t stay anywhere near him. But right now I have to get back out there and greet the people who came to say their goodbyes.

Barry said, Well, Brian, give it some thought, you have spent so much time caring for Meredith now it’s time for you to take time for yourself.

Brian lifted his glass to his lips, drained all but the ice then put the empty glass on the granite top of the oak cabinet. Brian said, You’re right, Barry, I will have to think about it, but right now I have to pee.

He dried his hands, thanked Barry and thought to himself as he opened the door, Well, Mare, time to go back and let people have closure. It’s good for them to say their goodbyes to you but its hell on me standing there listening to it.

The next morning Brian showered and shaved and dressed for the memorial service. Meredith’s dad, Mitchell Johansen, pulled on the winter coat he borrowed from Brian and went to the porch for a smoke, mumbling that if he had to live in this frigid climate he’d quit smoking. Brian buttoned up his overcoat and thought, Well, Mare, let’s go get this over with. There are a lot of people that want to say goodbye to you.

The Reverend Donna Haskins of the Meadow Green Methodist Church officiated over the service and did an outstanding job. She knew Meredith well; they worked on many church committees together and were friends. Reverend Donna spoke to those gathered about how much Meredith’s smile and her contagious enthusiasm would be missed. How Meredith had been the director of the Sunday School program for years and praised her for increasing the adult Bible Study attendance twofold.

Brian sat next to Mitchell in the front pew and listened and thought back to some of the happier times with Meredith, times like their first trip to Mackinaw Island where Meredith fell off her rented bike and skinned her knees and elbow, the camping trip Brian insisted they take and how it rained for three of the four days. Everything was soaked; sleeping bags, food, and them. They rented a motel room for a hot shower and a warm dry bed.

Brian came back to reality when he heard Reverend Donna telling the congregation that Brian wanted them all to know they were invited to Pisano’s Restaurant for a celebration of Meredith’s life.

Close to one hundred and fifty people filed into the restaurant and ate off the buffet and bought drinks at the cash bar. People with plates of spaghetti and assorted salads told Brian how sorry they were for Meredith’s passing and if Brian needed anything all he had to do was ask. It was the last of the public obligations Brian had for Meredith’s passing. He still had to do something with her ashes but that would be a private matter between her and him.

As the attendees departed Pisano’s restaurant, Brian was physically and emotionally exhausted. He still had one night with Meredith’s dad, who was staying in their guest room, but in the morning Brian would take him to the airport and probably never see him again.

As Brian and Mitchell turned onto Woodsedge Lane, Mitchell riding in the passenger seat said, Who’s that on your porch. As they drove closer Brian could see traces of wildly red hair sticking out from under a woman’s hat and said, Shit… It’s Lasagna."

Huh? His father-in-law said with a look of confusion.

I bet we have a pan full of lasagna waiting for us on the porch. I wonder how long she’s been standing there freezing her butt off.

The plump woman stood in the cold on the porch, her red, really, really orange/red head covered with a homemade crocheted cap and her hands covered with oven mitts holding a glass casserole dish covered with tin foil.

Brian thought to himself, Oh look, Meredith, we have a guest.

Brian, I know how much you love my lasagna so I made you a pan. You can eat some now and freeze the rest. Keep the pan as long as you want, I’ll get it from you later.

Mitchell, with bare hands, took the pan from her, oven mitts no longer necessary, and walked in the door. That was very sweet of you. You really didn’t have to do it, but you know how much I love your lasagna, Brian said, hoping she would accept the compliment and leave so he could unwind after the stressful day, at least as much as he could with Meredith’s dad still in the house. It took a few more compliments on the lasagna before she left, promising to bring him a dish whenever she made it in the future.

Brian was careful not to compliment her on her crocheted hat, for fear he would receive one just like it within days.

When Brian finally walked into the kitchen, he found Mitchell had warmed a plate of lasagna, had a scoop of the macaroni salad Betty Franklin, their next door neighbor, had brought over, cut a piece of bread Debby Meyer had baked, and selected a muffin from the dozen Marion Walters delivered.

What am I going to do with all this food? Brian asked, opening the refrigerator and looking at the bowls of salad, a plate of lunch meat and cheese covered with Saran wrap, pans of assorted casseroles, and three pies; cherry, apple and pecan.

I’ll do my best to help you out, Mitchell said, stuffing in his mouth the piece of bread he used to wipe the last of the lasagna off his plate. Hey, Brian, grab me another beer while you’re in there, will ya?

Brian handed him a beer, took out the tray of lunch meat and cheese, pealed the wrapper off just enough to extract a piece of salami and a slice of Swiss. He wasn’t hungry, hadn’t been since Meredith was found dead in the woods.

Chapter 2

The Demers House

Brian set a glass with two inches of whisky and two ice cubes on the end table and settled into his leather recliner facing the TV. Time to watch some weather, Mare, he said aloud as he pushed buttons on the remote, turning on The Weather Channel. A perky young woman pointed to a Canadian low pressure located above North Dakota that when put in motion slid southeast, taking aim at Michigan. Along the bottom of the TV screen an orange strip in tickertape fashion announced a weather alert. A severe winter storm was taking aim on lower Michigan … eight to ten inches of blowing and drifting snow is expected, Brian read.

Guess I’m not going grocery shopping, Brian said. "Meredith, you went missing