*    *     *

It is roughly two days to Liz Wrestler’s funeral. The mood across the vintage upstate mansion and its now frosty surrounding vineyard is pervasively somber. Ronald has been discharged home and a number of people thus far have come to share their condolences and support ahead of the wake. Most of the visitors have been either from the firm, from some legal or government organization or some other business associates.

Joe who is carrying along with him a bag of custom made greeting cards in one hand and a small box of wine in the other, walks into the house and meets Alice interacting with a few members of the house staff. One of them is trying to fix a wreath onto the threshold of the grand staircase. A lot of flowers and wreaths are currently hanging around the house at certain locations, with widespread decorations reflecting a period of mourning yet also a keen ambience of warm appeal that engenders hope.

“Wow. You've really outdone yourself, Alice. This is an amazing job. The house looks great.” Joe echoes while scanning the walls and pacing slowly towards the foot of the staircase.

“The madam really liked decorations.” Greta, the maid says, as she carries a large basket of items across the room, alluding to Liz and her flare for aesthetic design.

Alice does not respond.

“Uh Greta..” Joe calls out, “.. Could you please help me take this bottle of wine upstairs?”

“Oh sure, Mr. King.” she responds.

As she collects it from him a few metres near the staircase, the other staff member hanging the wreath starts to climb down the step ladder. Alice finally rounds off her interaction with them and sends them out to the next wreath mounting spot. They begin packing up their equipment and heading right away to the opposite wing of the house.

“Was purple Liz's colour?” Joe asks while turning his eyes to the beautiful flowers above.

Alice does not respond. She focuses on adjusting one of the lower picture frames tied to the lower banister.

Shortly after, two men in delivery uniforms come in through the main door with a large wrapped up picture frame. As the security guard ushers them in, Joe immediately smiles and goes to receive it. He signs on the delivery form and other papers and directs them to unwrap the painting and set it up on the wall beside the great window, just adjacent to the gold chandelier. The men bring out their tools and get to work without question.

Upon noticing this, Alice is petrified. “Who on earth do they think they are?” she mutters.

“Who on earth does he think he is?” she mutters again, referring to Joe.

As they unwrap the beautiful group picture of Ronald and Liz, with partners at the firm and other top business associates, Joe directs them to mount it on the wall and adjust it exactly to the best position. Shortly after, Greta walks in and he calls her to come and check it out, “What do you think?”

She takes in a breath, “It's really good. Liz was always such a beautiful woman.”

“Truly.” Joe concurs.

“And they all liked her.”

“Yeah. We all did. She always knew how to make everyone feel special.. and at home.” he opines reflectively.

“Exactly. The souls of gems never die.” Greta sighs. Upon noticing someone a short distance away looking uncomfortable, she hold Joe's arm and whispers, “You might.. want to check in with her first though. She may not be very comfortable with this style of.. memorabilia.” Greta slowly walks away.

Walking closer, Alice calls out, “.. Um.. Joe, can I speak to you for a moment?”

“Oh.. sure,” Joe turns.

They walk closer to the staircase.

Alice begins, “I noticed the guys over there are hanging a business photo of Wrestler.. with other members of the firm. And I don't know, is this the best place.. at a time of mourning?”

“The picture includes Liz too. And it's precisely because there were wonderful memories shared that I'm putting it up. And when people come in tomorrow, they'll be able to deeply connect with those memories of her.”

“Oh, so this is for them?.. And for her??.. Or even for Ronald who.. right now, is in mourning?” Alice asks.

“I don't understand where you're going with this.”

“What I'm saying is.. the point of setting up these decorations, sentimental items and colours is to exude the identity of who she was as an individual.. whom we have now all lost.. and to honour the things that meant so much to her personally, including her intimate relationships, like her connection with her daughter, with her husband, her close friends and family. Not with legal business associates who she barely identified with.”

Joe takes a breath, “Alice, we're on the same page here. I get what you're saying and this one painting isn't meant to steal the show. It's only an addition to the tens of photographs already displayed around the house that exude Liz's identity. And I know she was like a mother to you.. but.. I think you may underestimate how much in addition to that, she was also a very savvy business woman and shrewd new york socialite. She worked as a paralegal for fifteen years and helped her husband build his legal empire from the ground up. Over the years, she came to organize many nationally acclaimed programs and charities, and formed vibrant connections with a lot of powerful people. This gold portrait is essentially portraying a strong and savvy side of her that I don't believe anyone should easily forget.”

“But must it be here then?” Alice asks, “Why can't we put it up at the Hanton firm in memorial of her?.. And of what her efforts and achievements created?”

“I already intend to do that.” Joe folds his hands with a smile, “The booth will be up by tomorrow, near the entrance on the ground floor.”

Alice sighs, “That is good, truly. But this ‘attraction’ here..” she points to the now mounted grand portrait with some fancy light lamps set beside it, “.. seems more like a commercial publicity stunt for legal and potential business associates, and for the press.. than anything sentimental.”

Joe lets out a breath, “Alright, if it makes you so uncomfortable to have it here, we'll have it removed once the funeral is over.”

“Ahh.. So now you admit that it's just about the funeral, and having it here on display for the guests coming.” Alice raises a brow.

Joe lets out another frustrated breath and replies, “Alice, you're being difficult right now.”

“Excuse me!” she retorts, “With all due respect, sir..”

“Sir??..” Joe asks in bamboozlement.

“.. This isn't the firm.” Alice continues, “This is Liz and Ronald's home. It was home to their daughter. It was a home to my brother and I, for many years. And I don't want to commercialize her memory.” Taking another breath, she asserts, “Here, sir, I'm in charge. And I am against this.”

Joe laughs. “Alice,” Moving closer to her, he says with earnest veracity, “.. In organizing this funeral, we're BOTH in charge. Wrestler made that clear. You've made your contributions and I think they're beautiful. But so have I. The portrait stays.”

“And moving forward on this,” he smiles,  “It would be best we address each other as.. teammates.”

“Teammates??” Alice responds with a snarky look.

“Co-organizers..” Joe smiles again, “.. Collaborators.. Mature individuals who can look past any ‘personal’ grievances, and focus on doing what's best for everyone. And doing what's best for Ronald.”

“And you would know?” she retorts yet again, in snark. They disengage temporarily and Joe turns to bid the delivery and handy men who just fixed the portrait and lights a good farewell with some tips.

Alice turns to pick up some of the other items she'd earlier left on the floor and places them in a box.

Turning back, Joe smiles and says, “So, you have a brother?? Older or younger? I'd like to meet him.”

Alice scoffs and begins to walk away with the box in hand.

Joe continues in step behind her, “Stop with the attitude, Alice. We need to look beyond ourselves here!”

“You think??” She echoes while shakes her head.

“Yes.”

“I looked at seating arrangements you prepared. How does placing yourself two seats away from the Attorneys General and his associates put Liz or Ronald and his well-being into consideration?”

“There are positive reasons..” Joe begins just before Alice trips and nearly falls. The box and its contents splatters and on the ground, and Joe immediately swoops in to help her maintain her balance and starts picking up the items and placing them back in the box.

“Do you even care that all this matters more than legal politics or as an avenue for opportunistic networking??” Alice barks in frustration.

“More than you know.” He responds before handing her back the box and continuing earnestly, “This was actually Wrestler's idea, not mine. There is so much more going on beneath the surface of what you see me do each day, or the ways you see me act. I need you to know that. And I just hope sometimes that.. you would just try to have a little more faith in me, and in my goodwill for every person here.. for this funeral, for Liz, for Wrestler.. for my clients and for the welfare of this city. And also, for you, Alice.” he adds while slowly touching her face as an intimate moment ensues.

“I thought I heard something fall.” a voice echoes just a few feet away from their position, with the sound of a walking stick accompanying it. It is Wrestler. He just came downstairs to get a cup of coffee. Upon hearing this, Joe and Alice immediately separate from intimate distance as fast as lightning.

“Ronald!” Joe echoes with an adept smile and subsequent cordial movement down the hallway, “It's so great to see you out of bed!”

“Good to see you too. I didn't hear the sound of your raving sports car drive in.”

“Oh, no.. I had it sold recently. I wanted to get something less uh.. raving.. and radically fast paced. Now, I drive a sedan.” he replies.

“A sedan??.. Wow.. The world must be changing. Have all the invitations been sent out?”

“Yes, sir. Just a few left to get an RSVP.”

Almost humorously, Ronald scoffs, “Of course, they wouldn't miss an opportunity.. to gawk at the state of my life. Greta!..” he grabs his leg in discomfort, “.. Can you get me some of those painkillers!”

Joe steps in to try to support him onto a nearby chair, acting in the place of his walking stick. “Sir, we could postpone the funeral..” he says, “Until when you feel better up to it.”

“No!” Wrestler rebuffs, “The band aid is already on, and I would like to see it ripped off sooner rather than later. I've already said goodbye to my Liz. I just need the rest of the world to have their fill of spectative closure, as is customary.. and then leave me the hell alone for the next few months while I mourn.”

“I understand.” Joe replies warmly and with a tone of respect. “We will be here to assist with whatever you need, every step of the way.”

“Because we love you.” Alice adds, “And we also want to see you heal.”

“I know.” Wrestler responds.

“Thank you, Alice..” he adds, opening up one arm for a warm embrace as equally moves in to hug him, “.. Thank you for being a second daughter to me.. all these years. I know you loved her too.. so much. And I can't imagine how difficult this  must also be for you.”

“It is..” Alice replies, “..But it can never compare.. to how much I know that this has rocked your world. And I need you to know that you do not need to worry about taking care of me. If anything..” She holds his hands, “.. I’m here to do the very best I can to also take care of you.. and to bring honour to the memories of her life.. a lot of which she left behind in this house. She is always with us in our hearts.”

Wrestler takes in another deep breath with reddened eyes, “Is Miguel back from the school field trip?”

“Not yet. He's actually supposed to come back today..” She raises her head as her eyes dry up, “..I should probably get ready to go pick him up from the airport in a few hours.. and uh.. finally break the news.”

“No!..” Wrestler objects, “.. Don't welcome him with such.. tragic gloom.”

“The funeral is tomorrow..” Alice tilts her head, knowing full well that hiding this from Miguel would be unsustainable and perhaps even cruel if he ended up missing her funeral; a final chance to say goodbye.

“.. Wait until he's well rested, at least, from his journey.” Wrestler insists.

“I will.” she replies soberly.

“And take Joe with you. He can drive you to the airport.”

“Um.. I can call a cab.” Alice responds.

“I insist.” Wrestler prompts, “I trust him to take you and your brother safely back home. He can also help handle some of the other outstanding event plans you may need to sort out before tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Alice lets out a defeated breath.

“I hope you're fine with that?” Wrestler turns to Joe.

“Of course. I'm glad to be of help.”

“Thank you.” Wrestler responds.

*       *        *

“Alice!”

“Heyyy.. There's my favourite world travelerrr! How are you?” She hugs Miguel. “How was Paris?”

“It was great! Even more than I actually expected.” Miguel replies.

“Did you see the Louvre.. the Arc de trom..”

“Yeah.. and it's pronounced Arc de Triomphe.” Miguel responds.

“Thanks for the correction.” she partially rolls her eyes.

“Who's your friend?” Miguel asks, as they wheel his luggage and other items back towards a sleek black Sedan, with a tall, sturdily built, casually yet very sharply dressed man resting on its side door.

“He's a co-worker from the firm.” Alice replies, “Helped drive me to the airport to pick you up.”

“Oh.. Is it an off work day? You both seem dressed very casual.”

Alice scratches the side of her head, “We're rounding off activities for the year at the firm. So, it's sort of a.. partial.. off work day.”

“Alright. That's really nice of him them.” Miguel replies and then looks up at Alice with a slightly mischievous smile, “ You really need to finally get your own car though.”

“I'd need to pass the bloody driver's test first.”

“I thought you did that like years ago?” Miguel asks in bewilderment.

“Uh.. let's just say.. the program was not totally.. completed.”

They both laugh.

“Hey Miguel! It's great to finally meet you. I'm Joe.” he echoes while extending his arm for a handshake.

Miguel obliges. “It's cool to meet you, Joe. Thanks for helping pick me up.”

“Oh, no problem. Alice is a great friend. And it’s good to finally meet the guy who surpassed the highest regional score on Infiniti Quest!”

“Haha! She told you that!” Miguel laughs.

“Well, you never stop talking about it.” Alice replies cheekily, as they finish loading the bags in and all enter into the car.

After a few hours of soldiering through  the hectic New York City traffic, they finally reach home at Alice's apartment building. Joe helps them lift the major bags up the stairs and they enter into the quaint abode. Alice is a bit hesitant to allow Joe enter, but it would be quite awkward if she made such a scene at this point, so she welcomes him in warmly. Miguel is already having a fantastic time chattering with him. Throughout the ride and even now, they're talking non-stop, jumping from one random topic to another. Joe has an incredible banter and a very quick witted social intelligence. The more Alice listens to them as she prepares coffee and attempts to ask Miguel if he's had anything for lunch, the more she realizes how much she is truly an introvert and has barely ever heard her brother speak this much within a short period of time. Miguel tells Joe about Paris and all his friends, many of whom did some crazy things and embarked on a host of incredible adventures during this trip.

“Here's some juice and chocolate cake. And here's a coffee for you, Joe.. just the way you like it.”

“Thank you.”

“Gracias hermana. I'm so f-ing hungry. I forgot to eat before the flight.”

“Well, I was asking you earlier but you didn't hear me with all that chatter. I would've ordered some pizza.”

“Don't worry, I'll order one now.” Joe asserts, “From a place I know, that we passed several blocks away. It'll arrive in less than fifteen minutes.”

Alice lets out a breath.

“Cheese or no cheese?” Joe asks.

“Extra cheese!”
“No cheese!”
Miguel and Alice reply almost simultaneously.

Joe broadens his smile and slightly puckers his lips while swiping on the phone, “I'll get both. And some extra pepperoni for myself.”

Alice smiles and slowly walks back to the kitchen.

“Wow! Alice, you have an expreso machine?? This is fantastic.” Joe opines after tasting the coffee.

“Our dad was his neighbourhood’s coffee king back in the day. I learned a homemade tricks from him.” she replies.

“Damn! You need to teach me how to make this.” Joe exclaims in further praise.

After nearly twenty minutes, the pizza arrives. They all begin to feast on the slices in their respective cartons.

“This is the best cheat meal ever.” Joe expresses in delight.

Alice bursts into laughter.

“I thought.. I thought you didn't work out much? And you only went to the gym.. ‘once in a while’..” she says, mocking his lack of transparency with his fitness regime.

Realizing her humorous jab, Joe responds coyly, “I actually don't go to the gym much at all.. I barely have the time. Most days still, I just wake up like this.”

“Yeah right..” she exclaims.

They all laugh.

Shortly after, Joe receives a very important call and goes outside to answer it. Alice also receives a call and goes to her room to respond to it in hushed tones. Several items for the funeral tomorrow have not been delivered and some plans regarding corporate guests and Liz's extended family arrival have not been fully sorted out.

After their respective calls, Joe and Alice walk back into the living room almost simultaneously and catch each other's gaze, communicating back and forth a thousand and one things before finally deciding.
“Uh, Miguel.. We both need to go back to the office for now. I'll be back later in the evening and we'll have a few discussions. So, I need you to wait up for me.”

Miguel laughs, “You make it sound like I go to bed at eight o’ clock.”

“Yeah, keep being a smart ass.” She replies, “Just don't mess this house up before I come back.” Alice responds, as she reaches to get her purse.

“Bye Joe. It was really great to meet you.” Miguel says, standing up to shake him.

“Great to meet you too, my bro! Stay well. And try to rest from your journey. Jet lag is real.” Joe replies with a firm handshake.

“Sure will, man.” Miguel nods.

Shortly after, both adults exit the apartment and Miguel finally lays down on the couch, puts on the TV and brings out his cell phone.

On the equally traffic hindered ride across New York City back to Wrestler's upstate mansion, the pair sitting beside each other are unusually silent. Alice doesn't say a word and Joe doesn't break the ice, at least until half an hour passes.

“Your brother's really nice.” he says.

After a short pause, Alice replies, “Yeah.. wait till you live with him everyday though.”

Joe chuckles.

“You know.. I've been meaning to talk to you.”

Upon hearing this, Alice keeps staring into space as though wanting to wish away the awkward depth that has just engulfed his conversation.

“We never spoke about.. what happened the other day. Between us.. at the office.” he turns to look at her, as though expecting a response. But in all earnestness, Alice is as verbally stiff as a frozen door. She has no idea what to say or how best to respond. Her emotions slowly begin to fly all over the place.

After a while, she opts for simple honesty and begins by speaking to what she feels and what she objectively desires professionally moving forward, while trying to avoid being awkward as much as possible,

“Joe.. I understand that..”

*      *      *