Signs from Hugh

Sitting in the tired Terminal C of the Philly airport waiting to board my flight home the glow of the weekend is certainly fading fast. Last night after the marathon celebration of Hugh, Suzanne, Doug, Dave and Doug’s great son Bryan went to dinner to do the “How aboutin’,” as the Braithwaite’s called talking about a party after it was over.

Bryan was with us because he had interned for Hugh in college. He was a great addition to our gang and held up well as we continued the endless stories about Hugh.

Hugh’s sister Angie and brother Tony had told us yesterday about signs they both got from Hugh. Our group too, had two things happen that we attribute to Hugh. The first was when we got in Doug’s car after the service his radio immediately started playing Springsteen singing “Thunder road.” Suzanne said, “Oh Doug, perfect song of choice,” as this was one of our college anthems.

“I didn’t put that on,” Doug exclaimed. “We did not even have any music on during the ride over here.” The song finished playing and another one did not follow it. Doug really didn’t have the radio on. We all looked at each other and said, “Hugh.” In one song he gave us a group sign we could share together.

It was a sweet, but eerie sign. But it was not the only one we got. Hugh was always trying to punk Doug and if he could use Dave as his patsy even better.

After the “How aboutin’,” dinner we all ran out in the pouring rain back to Doug’s car. I was the designated driver and as soon as I got in the driver’s seat I noticed that the passenger side window was open. Not just open a little, but all the way, during a two hour dinner in the pouring rain.

Dave had been sitting in that seat and immediately was blamed for the open window. He swore he had not put the window down. Why would he, it was pouring when we arrived.

This was Doug’s brand new BMW. Dave apologized profusely as he tried to shovel a half gallon of water out of the floor. Doug was calm, but not exactly happy.

The window being open can only be a prank from Hugh. It was certainly something he might orchestrate if he were with us. “What are you going to remember?”

It was so wonderful to be in the embrace of great friends while we collectively grieved. The bonus was Suzanne and I got constant time together as we shared a room together in our most Lucy and Ethel way.

One last meal as a gang at breakfast this morning continuing the “How aboutin’.” The slap of day light savings time can not be blamed on Hugh, but we still felt cheated out of one precious hour together.

Suzanne and I set off on a little tour of her childhood, as she was born in the area. We found her childhood home which she remembered in yellow as a four year old self. As she narrated the tour of her sister’s and her friend’s homes I said, “I wish we had known each other since we were four.” I am ever trying to get more time together, even if it were magically.

I could feel my chest tightening up as we were due to part at the airport where she dropped me. The balm of togetherness leaves me alone to deal with the wounds of loss. Thank goodness I go home to my loving Russ and sweet Shay Shay.