Meg nodded, exhaled slowly. “I can’t handle telling him, though. Just want to focus on the girls. Be ready when they come downstairs.” She hesitated. “Would you call him? Let him know I just can’t . . . can’t . . .”
“He’ll understand.”
Meg nodded again. “And Kit. Call Kit. And I’m sure Dad and Kit will call the others.”
“I’m sure they will.”
Sarah stepped into the mud room, and then outside, to make the call to Dad. It was still early, an hour before he normally rose, but when he answered, his deep voice crisp and clear, she flashed back to the days when she was younger and would call him at the firehouse.
“Firefighter Brennan,” he’d answer, booming into the phone.
She’d loved it. Loved that her daddy was a fireman. A handsome one, too.
“Dad, it’s Sarah,” she said now, knowing that he liked his facts up right up front. “Jack was in a car accident last night. He died at the scene. Meg and JJ have already gone to identify his body.”
For a moment there was silence. Then he spoke and his voice was deeper, rougher. “Is Meg at the morgue now?” he asked.
“No, she’s home.”
“How is she?”
“Shocked.”
More silence. “Died at the scene?” he said a moment later.
“Yes.”
“Must have been some accident.”
“I can’t even imagine,” Sarah answered. “This is crazy. It’s a nightmare. And now Meg’s just waiting for the girls to wake up to tell them the news.”
“Gabi and Tessa don’t know yet?”
“No.”
“How’s JJ?”
“Haven’t talked to him since he returned from the morgue. But he insisted on going with Meg. And he was the one who drove them home.”
“He’s strong. He’d make a great fireman.”
“He’ll make a great ballplayer, too.”
He sighed. “What a terrible thing . . . losing Jack like this.”
“I know.”
“I’ll go tell Brianna, and then I’ll be on my way.” He paused. “Do you think Meg wants everyone there today, or do you think she’d prefer for the family to stay home?”
Sarah pictured Meg in the kitchen, and the way she’d tried to drink her coffee, only to slosh it onto her top. Sarah’s chest ached. “I think it’d be good for her to have everyone here. I think she needs to know she’s not alone and that she’s got everyone’s love and support.”
Hanging up, Sarah called Kit next. Kit must have still been sleeping and answered only after the fifth ring. “Hello?” Kit said, groggily.
“It’s me, Sarah.”
“What’s up? Everything okay?” Kit asked, still sounding sleepy.
“There’s been an accident.” Sarah took a deep breath. “Kit, Jack . . . he died.”
“What?”
“It was a car accident. On the parkway. They say he lost control and went over the guardrail. The sheriff came to the house in the middle of the night and asked Meg to go identify the body.”
“Jesus,” Kit whispered, and coming from her, it wasn’t an oath, but a prayer. “How is Meg? Where is she? Do the kids know?”
“She and JJ just returned from the morgue. Meg’s waiting for the girls to wake up to tell them. JJ’s in his room. And Meg phoned Jack’s parents a few minutes ago to break the news, but Meg asked me to let our family know. I just called Dad. Now I’m calling you.”
“Thank God you’re there. I can’t imagine Meg having to go through this alone. And not so soon after Mom—” Kit swallowed. “Now another funeral. Wow.”
“Jack’s parents asked Meg about arrangements. Meg told them she hasn’t made any yet.”
“I’ll help Meg with that stuff. I helped Dad with Mom’s arrangements and know what needs to be done.”
“You coming up today?”
“Just need to get a sub to cover my classes and I’ll be on my way.”
Sarah returned to the kitchen and sat with Meg at the kitchen table, neither saying much of anything for a few minutes. Unable to sit still, Meg jumped up, heading for the laundry room to start a load of wash.
* * *
A half hour later they were both back in the kitchen when footsteps sounded on the stairs. Meg looked up at her, her expression stricken.
“I don’t want to do this,” she whispered.
“I know. And I’m sorry, Meg. I am.” Sarah went to her sister, gave her a hug. “Do you want me to go? So you can have some privacy.”
Meg squeezed Sarah’s hand. “No. Stay. Just in case.”