The Cubs Boys approached her and offered their condolences one by one, giving her the big bear hugs she had become accustomed to from Vinnie and his buddies. They all smelled like sausage and beer. Clearly, they had stopped at some local tavern beforehand, as was the custom, Vinnie had shared with her, when his buddies attended funerals.

Angie continued to greet each well-meaning guest, some offering their deepest condolences; others she needed to console.

A handsome man in a dark blue tailored suit approached her. He put his hand out and she reciprocated, and he gently cupped both Angie’s hands in his large hands. “Hello, Angie, you may not remember me; we only met briefly a few times. I went to high school with Vinnie. We lost touch and then reconnected years ago. He and I would ditch classes and go to the afternoon Cubs games. My name is Ralph Conti.” His soft smile revealed perfect white teeth, dimples, and kindness.

Angie felt his soft hands and glanced down at his manicured nails, which looked familiar, and no wedding band. She inhaled deeply and detected a hint of the perfume from the bathroom. “So nice to see you, Ralph. Thank you for coming. I believe you’re the one who gave Vinnie the Cubs World Series ring.”

“Indeed, I did. It was the least I could do. Vinnie was a very generous business partner; we collaborated on many city projects. He spoke so highly of you. The picture he showed me didn’t do you justice; you’re a very elegant and beautiful woman. You reminded me of my own wife who I lost to cancer two years ago.

I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is.”

Angie gazed into his rich brown eyes and let out an audible sigh. He smiled at her. “I’m sorry for your loss too, Ralph.”

“Here’s my card. When things slow down, please do call me. We can meet for a cup of coffee or lunch and share Vinnie stories.”

She took his card and put it in her pocketbook. “Thanks, Ralph. I’d like that.” Angie noticed that Mario was glaring at her and Ralph from across the room.

After Ralph took his leave and walked toward the door, Angie watched to see if a woman followed, but saw no one.

The crowd continued to thin until it was just Connie, Gina, Kim, and Louie. Angie collapsed in the high-back chair, took her sensible pumps off, and put her feet on the ottoman. “I can’t think, everything is happening so fast. This is the weirdest funeral I’ve ever been at.”

“I must say it ranks right up there for me too,” Louie commented.

Gina handed Angie a glass of water. “Here you go, Aunt Angie. You need to remember to drink a lot of water; these types of events can dehydrate the best of us.”

Kim set a pitcher of water on the table next to her. “Here’s some more when you need it.”

“You’re so thoughtful, Kim, such a help,” Angie remarked.

“I’m going to go finish cleaning up. Let me know if you need anything else.” Kim walked toward the kitchen.

“What a nice friend you have, Gina,” Angie commented.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without her,” Gina shared. Angie looked around to confirm it was just her, Gina, and Connie, who was sitting in the companion high-back chair next to Angie. “You are not going to believe what happened to me in the bathroom earlier.” Angie explained the brief sex interlude, and all three of them laughed.

“At least someone’s getting some,” Connie, who had been single a long time, declared.

“I don’t know who the woman was, but the man was Ralph, that fancy pants fella.”

“Sex at a funeral parlor—ew.” Gina winced. “Who does that?”

Connie smiled. “You’d be surprised. I noticed that guy right away. Looked like he stepped out of GQ. That is one yummy-looking fella; if I were younger, thinner, and more flexible,that guy would be mine.”

“Mom!” Gina yelped. They all laughed.

“When you’re ready, Angie, we’ll head over to Murphy’s Bleachers for a little reception, then you can go home.”

Angie just nodded. “Murphy’s. I don’t have much gas left in my tank; every bone in my forty-five-year-old body is aching,” she said with a sigh. “Hmm, I guess I can go for a little while.” Another long sigh.

Just as they were ready to leave, Louie pulled Angie aside and handed her an envelope. “Could you give me a call tomorrow? Two of your three credit cards were denied, and we’ll need to settle your account before the end of the week for the balance.” Angie raised her index and middle fingers to her temples and rubbed them, wondering, Where did all our money go? Vinnie said we were golden.