Soul Mates (27 page)

Is that why they say money doesn’t lead to happiness?
he inquired.

“Yes,” Sophie replied. “But what they don’t tell you is that happiness can lead to money.”

Jace laughed. He loved what he was hearing. Not only did it ring true to the very core of his being, it made him extremely happy.
It’s weird,
he noted.
I feel so good right now, so fulfilled, like I have everything I could ever want. And yet I still don’t have the things I’ve been dreaming of.

“Once you feel that good through the power of focus, you no longer need manifestations to make you happy. You’re already there. It’s ironic, but that’s when all you desire can start to come to you.”

Really! You mean I’m that close to getting what I want?

“As long as you can hold on to that feeling and not stop to notice that what you want isn’t here yet, then yes, you’re very close.”

If that’s true, I can’t lose!
Jace exclaimed, enjoying the high he was on.
I get to feel amazing, while I wait for the stuff I want to come to me. I like how this works.

“It really is a perfect plan.”

“Sophie,” Jace proclaimed once he was inside his apartment, “you’re amazing! No wonder I’d rather spend time with you than a room full of boring humans.” He’d just had more fun talking to Sophie than he’d ever had at a party. It was a different kind of fun. It was deep and fulfilling, and it left him exhilarated and clear minded rather than hung over.

An idea came to mind, and he smiled at the absurdity of it. “Sophie?”

“Yes, Jace.”

“I’ve got some free time tomorrow afternoon. What say you and I go to your funeral?”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

AS CASSANDRA awoke to the morning sun streaming through her window, a dream was still holding images and emotions captive in her mind. Though she knew she should get up and prepare for the busy day ahead, she lay there a little longer, attempting to analyze it.
I was looking at a picture of Aunt Sophia…and Jace was there.
She’d gazed at the picture with such love and appreciation and then felt but not seen Jace, as though he were standing behind her.
I wonder what that means? Could it be symbolic? Could Jace’s presence represent his innocence? But he was behind me,
she
contended
.
He was out of sight. Is it because he’s still here but not meant to be a part of my life…or is it because he’s gone and is nothing more than a memory to me?

“Don’t overlook the obvious, my dear. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right in front of you.” Sophia’s advice echoed in her head

I don’t understand,
Cassandra frowned.
What’s so obvious here that I’m missing?
Try as she might, she couldn’t come up with anything that made sense. She decided to let the thoughts go. They were confusing, and she wanted to be clear minded and focused. It was a day to honor her great aunt, to say her last farewell. Cassandra wiped a tear from her eye, admonishing herself.
Getting weepy is no way to honor anyone.
She determined to stay strong and let her strength and confidence be a tribute to Sophia.

After lunch, the limousine arrived to take them to the community center where the memorial service was being held. The building was in an older part of town, not far from where Sophia had lived. The hall was used for community functions. It also housed a senior’s club and once a month provided a hot breakfast for the homeless. Cassandra wondered what part her aunt had played in her community and what significance the place had held for her.
It must have held some,
she concluded.
She must have had good reason for choosing to have her service there.

As they pulled up in front, Cassandra understood why. People were lined up outside the door. There were people she knew—friends of her parents, and others she’d met at society functions—but the rest she suspected were locals.

“Wow,” her mother exclaimed. “Everybody and his dog is showing up today.”

“They must have known her,” Cassandra objected. “Why else would they be here?”

“A society funeral in this neighborhood?” Helen shook her head. “People probably came out to gawk.”

“You may be surprised, Helen,” Richard Van Broden addressed his wife. “I think there’s a lot about Sophia we don’t know.”

“I just hope there are no unpleasant surprises,” she continued in her negative tone. “I’ll be glad when this day is over.”

The limousine was directed to a designated parking spot and the family ushered in a side entry away from the crowd. They were shown to a room with several shuffleboard tables and a large wall of tattered books. The four of them looked at one another, and Trevor quickly pulled chairs down from a stack in the corner so they could sit.

Cassandra felt uneasy in the surroundings, though she wasn’t sure whether it was her own judgment of the place or whether she was anticipating what her mother might say. She decided to pass the time by going over her speech, hoping it would make waiting less uncomfortable. “Do you mind if I read this?” she asked, holding up the paper in her hand. “I’m a bit nervous. It might help if I go over it.”

“Not at all,” her father replied. “Go ahead.”

She read it through, forcing herself to take her time and make eye contact with her audience as she’d been trained to do in speech class.

“Your aunt would be proud, kitten,” Richard beamed.

“Sophia believed all that?” Helen asked skeptically.

“I’ve had to sum it up here,” Cassandra replied. “But yes, she had an amazing outlook. She was happy; she lived life on purpose; she understood what true success really is. The example she set is one we can all aspire to.”

Helen stared at her daughter for a moment and then looked away, disapproval creasing her brow.

It was obvious her mother didn’t agree, but Cassandra didn’t care. She was past needing her mother’s approval. She had a new outlook on life and was proud to embrace it. A smile from her father and a wink from Trevor conveyed silent encouragement, which she gladly received.

A man in a dated black suit came in the room and announced it was time for the service to begin. They followed him to a row of folding chairs at the front of the large auditorium. Looking around as she walked in, Cassandra was surprised to see the room completely full. The seats were all occupied, and several dozen people stood at the back. She’d expected a small gathering of friends and neighbors and didn’t know what to make of the large crowd.
Could it really be what Mother said?
she wondered.
Have people come just to see a society funeral?

The pianist began to play. Rather than the depressing music usually associated with funerals, it was a lovely, soothing melody that, Cassandra realized, suited her personable aunt. She’d had a sweet, calm way about her—one that could make anyone comfortable in her presence. And though her aunt’s presence no longer graced their lives, Cassandra felt very much at ease as she sat in the auditorium. Flowers adorned the front of the room. A colorful mix of potted plants and artistic bouquets lined a platform draped with velvet. A large stand was adorned with roses. In the center hung a gold-framed picture of Sophia.

She sat smiling at the familiar face, her eyes lovingly fixed on the dear woman, when suddenly she remembered her dream.
I was looking at a picture of Sophia. Could this be what I saw?
She felt a tingle in the back of her neck as she recalled the rest.
Jace was in my dream, too. Does that mean he’s here?
She didn’t dare turn around, yet something told her he was.
It makes sense that he’d attend the funeral. He was her neighbor, her employee…
Cassandra wanted to believe he’d been a friend as well.
If he’s here,
she concluded,
that proves he’s innocent. He’d never show his face otherwise
.
Hope returned, but it was combined with an unsettled eagerness as she waited to deliver her speech. Then she could look out into the faces present and see whether Jace was one of them.

The funeral director led the service, introducing several people who got up to speak about Sophia, particularly her contribution to the community. Cassandra drank in their words. They were there because Sophia Langdon had had an impact on their lives. They were there to honor a great woman, and the tone of the service reflected that. It was in pleasant contrast to the other funerals Cassandra had attended in her lifetime. It was celebratory rather than somber. It was uplifting rather than depressing. It made one thankful for a life rather than sorry for a death. It was, in Cassandra’s opinion, the perfect funeral, perfectly befitting a woman who’d truly had it all—a long life full of love, wealth, health, happiness, and joy.

JACE ARRIVED at the community center shortly after the funeral had begun. Being in a particularly good mood, it struck him as funny that he was attending the funeral of a friend with that very friend. As he slipped silently into the back of the auditorium, he was shocked to see the crowd in attendance.
I didn’t know you knew so many people.

“I lived a long time. I’ve met a few people.”

Jace looked around the room. It seemed that all ages, nationalities, and social classes were represented. As he listened to the people who got up to speak, he was surprised to learn what Sophie had been involved in during her lifetime. She’d been active in many causes, raised money for charity, fought for change in the socioeconomic structure, and petitioned governments for amendments to various laws.

“That was my action journey,” she informed Jace. “Once I learned about the power of deliberate thought, that’s when I really began to accomplish things.”

Jace almost laughed out loud; her statement sounded preposterous.
Seriously? You accomplished more than all that?

“They make it sound like a lot. It was years of hard work with relatively small results. Most of what I consider significant probably won’t be mentioned here. But that’s all right. I didn’t do it for the glory.”

Jace was tempted to ask what she meant by that, but his attention was drawn to the front of the room and the succession of people getting up to honor his friend. He was fascinated to learn more about the woman who had become such an important part of his life.

The next speaker introduced herself as head of the local community association and coordinator of the outreach program. She spoke of the great loss the city of Port Hayden and especially the community of Harborside had experienced with the passing of Sophia Langdon. Her voice was tinged with emotion as she conveyed her pleasure in having known such a benevolent soul. She talked of Sophia’s tireless support of the Community Center, her generous contributions both in time and money, and then expressed her pride in being able to rename the facility. It would soon be unveiled as the Sophia Langdon Memorial Outreach Center.

Way to go, Sophie,
Jace cheered silently, assuming it was one of the accomplishments she was referring to.

The memorial service continued as more people offered words of praise. After a selection of music, during which several candles were lit in memory of Sophia, the facilitator announced that the eulogy would be delivered. Jace’s pulse quickened as Cassandra walked to the podium. After telling Sophie what he liked about Cassandra, after admitting to himself that she was what he truly wanted, his heart filled with love at the sight of her. She was lovely indeed.