Chapter 1
The death of anyone has an effect on many people’s lives. Family, friends, acquaintances and even employee’s. Most people live their lives hoping that one day when they are gone, that those in their lives will remember them fondly, perhaps with love.
Some actually achieve that goal. George Starks was one of those men. He wanted to change the way people saw aviation, and from the ground up that is how he founded his company, putting every single customer first.
He treated his employee’s, from the assembly line workers to his own household staff, like they were an extension of the Starks family.
Anyone standing along the funeral precision route in Houston Texas, especially when it passed any of the buildings owned by the family could see how much the man was loved and missed by his employees.
The sad sullen look on the faces of the employees as they lined the sidewalk in front of the main offices of Starks Aviation. Every one dressed in black, huddled together under umbrellas as they watched the hearse and black limousine pass by on its way to the cemetery, to enter Mr. Starks into the family mausoleum.
It truly was a sad day befitting the rainy and depressing weather that had fallen over the area. It had been this way for 3 days now, a rare occurrence in the hot summers of Texas, but fitting none the less.
George Starks could rest in peace knowing that he would be missed by a great many people.
“Mom, Dad is here to pick you up so you two can go over to Mr. Starks’ service.” Rebecca said, touching her mom’s arm.
The older woman turned and looked at her with sadness in her eyes. “Thank you Becca. I should probably stay here and help you.” she said, wiping her hands on a dish towel she had picked up from the granite counter top.
“Mom, I can handle what’s left. Almost everything is already finished for the wake. You and Dad should be there for the family.” Rebecca said, leading her mother through the massive kitchen and out into the foyer where her dad stood wearing his black suit and holding an umbrella.
“Are you sure?” Joann Sterling said, hugging her daughter tight.
“I will be fine. We have gone over the menu a thousand times, and like I said it’s just about finished. I just have to wait for the family to arrive home to set it out.” Rebecca said, kissing her mother’s cheek and hugging her dad. “Give my love to Lizzy.” She said as she held the door open for them to step out onto the large stone porch.
She looked at the rain as it fell, echoing the sadness that the entire household staff was feeling, mimicking the tears that had been shed in the Starks mansion over the last 3 days.
Rebecca waved as her parents left the circle driveway of the large ornate mansion, headed across town to the cemetery. Rebecca went back inside and continued preparing the large menu planned for the wake that would be held that evening after the services were finished.
“Becca?” a small voice called from the doorway of the kitchen. Rebecca turned to see Sofia holding a tray in her hands as she approached the counter.
“What is it Sofia?” she asked as she watched the sad girl stop across the counter from her, gently setting the tray down.
“Since Mr. Starks is gone. What will happen to us?” she asked, her eyes full of unshed tears.
“We are Starks family employee’s. Just because Mr. Starks is gone doesn’t mean anything. We still have a family to take care of. There is still Mrs. Martha, and Mr. Marcus to take care of.” she said, smiling at her friend and fellow kitchen staff.
“What about Mr. Daniel?” She asked, looking up at her. Rebecca sighed. “Yes Mr. Daniel too. I suppose now that Mr. Starks is gone, he will be returning to the Manor to set up residence since he will be the new CEO.” She said not looking forward to seeing Daniel Starks every day.
“All we need is for Mrs. Elizabeth to return home and it would be like old times.” Sofia said with a sad smile.
Rebecca smiled. It would be nice to have her best friend Lizzy back at the manor. She didn’t get to see much of her now that she had gotten married and moved out on her own. But they were still friends none the less.
“Yes Sofia, that would be wonderful.” she said, patting her hand gently.
“I just wanted to make sure we were using the silver trays for service this evening.” Sofia said, holding up the tray she had brought in with her.
“Yes, I believe Mrs. Starks had requested we use the silver this evening. Can you make sure they are all out of storage and ready to be filled?” Rebecca said, looking over at the walk-in cooler. Sofia nodded as she walked out of the kitchen headed to the store room to pull the other trays out.
Rebecca opened the walk-in cooler door and stuck her head inside to make sure that the bottles of wine and champagne had been set inside to chill for this evening’s event.
She smiled and sighed as she saw the boxes stacked along the wall. She pulled the refrigerated dough from the shelf by the door and walked over to the counter and began preparing it for the appetizers. Two hours later when the last pan was out of the oven and cooling, Rebecca started assembling trays.
She began assigning formally dressed staff with duties, handing out trays and making sure the dining room was set up ready to set out the buffet style meal, and was ready for the guests who should be arriving any moment.
The family had arrived home twenty minutes earlier, and she had already given her condolences to Mrs. Starks who had given her a teary hug and her thank you for preparing a wonderful menu for the evening. What more could you ask for than an employer who showed their appreciation for the hard work that you do?
