Pieces of it All (24 page)

Harvey imagined his dad's response to a woman striking him out in a softball game and making him look like an ass in front of his friends. "How did he react?"

She laughed. "He loved it. He couldn't believe how good she was. He asked her out after the game. I went with them because your mom didn't want to go out with a stranger – smart girl – and we played mini golf. After, things progressed quickly and four months later she got pregnant with you."

"They weren't married?"

She shook her head. "Not right away. They got married the month before your birth in a quick ceremony at the courthouse. I attended, and so did your dad's best friend Tommy."

"Tommy? Doesn't ring a bell."

"I'm sure your dad never mentioned him," she quickly responded. "We all got along wonderfully. In the picture, you're five years old, and we were headed to a parade. Tommy took the photo."

"Tommy was your boyfriend?"

"No. I dated a few guys, but didn't meet Ralph until after."

"After what? The parade?"

Silence hovered between them. Harvey tried to remember the parade, but he had no real memories of his mother. The scar on his hand remained the only thing he had, a daily reminder of his scumbag father.

"Your dad couldn't handle how close Marie and Tommy were. She told him everything. He started to get jealous of them, and rightfully so. They had gotten especially close over the years. Your dad and Tommy got into a few arguments over it. Sometimes your dad and Marie fought about the relationship, too."

"He hit her, didn't he?" The son-of-a-bitch started with her and kept the beatings going with him.

"Oh no. Never. If your dad laid a hand on her, trust me, she would have held her own. That's why he loved her – and why Tommy did, too. Her strength may have been her most attractive feature." She pushed her glasses back further on the bridge of her nose. "Marie fell for Tommy, and he for her. Your dad tried to give her everything. The one thing he couldn't show her, cost him their relationship."

"What?"

"Love."

"You just said –"

"He did love her - he did - but he didn't know how to show her. He didn't even know how to say those few words."

Harvey understood. He and Beth were only together a couple weeks, but love didn't escape him. She imprinted his heart with hers, but she couldn't expect him to confess his love for her so soon. Love was fragile to him. The only person he was sure he ever loved was his mother, and she disappeared. "So she left with this guy and they ran off and left me with my asshole of a father?"

Sue moved her hand over Harvey's. He resisted pulling away. "I wish it were that easy."

She sat silent for many moments. She gazed across the street to the lake. The reflection of the sun danced over the water. "One night in September, I watched you while your dad worked. Marie and Tommy were at the house, an old house off of Sycamore Lane built in the early 1900s. They had plans to spend the evening packing so they could leave together - with you - before your dad returned from work. That was the plan, anyway." She swallowed, her hand beginning to shake. "We never found out exactly how it happened - either a candle or a cigarette left burning, but a fire tore through the house. Neither survived."

Harvey tried to digest the information he had just been given. His whole life he thought possibly he would find his mom and get to be a part of her life. If he had been home with his mom that night, he'd be dead, too, maybe a better option given the life now before him. Sue crushed his dream and his heart in a matter of minutes.

"I always wondered where you went. Your dad took you and moved out of town. Here you were, only a few towns away."

"You want to know what happened to me? She left me with a drunk who used me as his personal punching bag." He lifted his hand up, making the scar visible. "Do you see this? This is from the pencil he shoved through my hand."

Sue put her hand over her open mouth, a mask of guilt rolling over her face like fog. "I had no idea. I didn't think he was capable of such things ... and to his own son."

"It's not your fault - but he did it - and still does. I try my best to avoid him when I'm here." He paused momentarily. "Where are my grandparents? My cousins? Anyone?"

"After your dad turned eighteen, he left the house and never spoke with his family again. Marie's parents were older, and they passed away years ago. She didn't have any siblings."

"You're telling me I have no family." Bile formed in his throat, and he forced it back down. "As far as I'm concerned, that man is not my father."

She crossed her legs and placed her hands on the bench, pushing her body up into a straighter position. "Okay, now that I told you the story, I need an answer from you. I need your reasons for stealing from my clients. My ex-clients." Sue's attitude changed instantaneously from compassion to anger.

He pushed his legs together and shuffled his shoulders. He'd never before had this level of intimacy anyone, not even with Beth. He trusted Sue, though she had no reason to trust him.

"I didn't intend to take anything. I didn't. At the first house, I took the ring, and it progressed. I guess I thought my mother would have liked or worn these things, and maybe they were representative of her personality. I make up fake memories, since I don't have any of my own. All I have are scars left by my father."

"Not true. You have her eyes. Your chin – that prominent dimple – your mom had one on her cheek. Despite the repertoire you give off, I'm positive you have her kindness. Whether you believe it or not, she lives on through you, even if you don't remember her."

Harvey took a deep calming breath. The air entered his body, and he held on for a few moments. He released, holding back the tears rising to the surface.

"I want you to have this." She unclasped the charm bracelet on her wrist. She tried to give it to him.

"I can't take that, Sue. She was your best friend."

Sue opened his hand, placed the bracelet in, and closed it. "She was your mother."

The metal was cool against his skin. He allowed his fingers to massage the charms. He had something that truly did belong to his mom, a piece of her and now part of him. "Thank you, Sue, for telling me the truth. Tell me, is the house on Sycamore Lane still around?"

She stood up to head back inside. "Yes. They didn't tear the place down, but the windows are all boarded up, and it's pretty damaged. I'm surprised it's still standing after some of these storms over the years." She opened the door and turned around. "There's nothing to see, Harvey, but a rundown house. Not a thing."

She shut the door behind her.

He stared at the wooden door, collecting his thoughts. "Except my past," he said to no one.

Chapter Thirty

Expectations filled Beth's mind the entire day of her scheduled date with Mark. Nervous he may cancel, most of her apprehension stemmed from any intentions he had with her. College relationships meant sex, right? Two adults, over eighteen, enjoying each other's company, and old enough to willingly participate in a sexual relationship. Times like this she wished she had a sister to talk to, someone to help guide her through such decisions.

She liked how different Mark and Harvey were from each other. Harvey was hot, in a word. Older, long grungy hair bringing an edge to him, and a passion for animals she had never seen. At first, his mystery appealed to her. Now, with the possibility of a wonderful man to date in front of her, the intrigue faded. She had two choices - either spend her time stressing out about Harvey and his past, or move forward with Mark. A college bound guy with aspirations for the Olympics, Mark defined everything Harvey wasn't - determined, focused and generous.

Beth didn't doubt Mark had more experience. She hoped sex between them would be better than with Harvey. God help her if every time she had sex it was a little painful and completely awkward, she'd swear it off for life. In case she got horny and courageous, she opted for fancier underwear, and a knee-length skirt that said cute, not trashy. Paired with a pink tank top and a sheer shrug, she thought she looked sweet.

Mark arrived right on time, dressed in a plain, dark blue button up short-sleeve shirt and khaki slacks. Hopefully he wouldn't be too warm.

"Hi Mark. You look great," she greeted him.

He scanned over her. "You as well," he said. "Shall we get going?"

Absolutely not. We should go in my bedroom and fool around.
That was what she wanted, anyway. A change of underwear was almost in order after imagining his muscular body on top of hers, his face buried in her neck, each synchronized breath setting her skin on fire. But alas, a girl needed to eat.

She followed him to his car, wasting no time. He opened the door for her, taking her by surprise. "What do you have planned?" She asked as Mark started to drive.

"I thought we'd take a stroll by the lake and afterward set up for a sunset picnic dinner." He pointed to the backseat, where she saw a small basket and blanket.

The last picnic she had been on didn't end so well, and butterflies formed in her stomach. She thought back to the day at the park when Mark approached them. He came right up to her and Harvey and offered to help. Yes, this wouldn't be the same. "Dinner at sunset sounds wonderful." She pushed Harvey out of her mind.

They drove quietly downtown. She had gone over a few topics in her head but never opened her mouth to say anything. He didn't speak either, keeping his focus on the road. Many people rode bikes or strolled along the pathways. The older buildings were breathtaking, shooting into the sky, their worn exterior telling a story. She set a goal to move down to the area one day and rent a condo. She enjoyed the small town her parents lived in, with the large yard and distance between neighbors, but she always dreamed of living in a place waking to a lakeside view, or being surrounded by historic buildings.

"The walkway goes along the beach and leads into a park," Mark said as he pointed to a wooden walkway.

Beth waited as he came around and opened the door for her. He grabbed the picnic basket and blanket from the back. She offered to carry something. He hesitated, but finally obliged.

The walk along the lake wasn't any louder than the drive. They did a little people watching, and Mark invited her to watch a swim meet sometime. Beth worried the lack of conversation was a clue they wouldn't work out. Maybe they didn't have enough in common. She hadn't thought about a relationship with anyone since Harvey, and before him, Ryan. Was there a clear-cut way to know if she was ready to move on from Harvey? He had to have an explanation for what he did, but what he'd done spoke tremendously about his character.

"Shall we set up over there?"

She turned to her right to see an ongoing field of grass, trees placed perfectly throughout. He was pointing to a large tree, a centerpiece to the wide lawn. "Sure," she agreed.

They set the blanket up and sat next to each other, the basket separating them. "I'm no chef, so I made these simple wraps. I hope you like them."

He pulled two tightly wrapped sandwiches out. He unwrapped one and handed it to her. He also took out boxes of apple juice. She laughed. "Aren't these for kids?"

He shrugged. "Anything else could've spilled in the basket, and ruined the food." He handed her one of the juice boxes. "I'm glad I made you laugh. I'll admit, I'm a little bit nervous."

"You are?"

"Don't seem so surprised. Just because I'm a guy doesn't mean I can't be nervous."

"No..." Beth tried to back peddle what she said. "I didn't mean it to sound like that. I guess I thought this would come easy to you." She bit into her wrap before she said anything else stupid. She wasn't off to the best start if she wanted this to go well.

He stretched his legs out and rested his elbows on the blanket. "A picnic dinner with a beautiful girl - sure, easy. Not screwing it up? Not as simple."

Her chewing slowed, and she took her time swallowing. "Oh. Well, I'm glad it's not just me, and thank you."

Mark rolled over to his side. "For what?"

"For what you said." He smiled at her, well aware of what she was referring to.

"And what's that?" he nagged her as he interlaced his fingers.

God, this guy!
She thought. She couldn't stand his cuteness. He laid staring at her, his eyes tiny and dark with the bright sky reflecting in them. "Anyway," she said too embarrassed to repeat his words.

"Anyway," he stated. "Such an interesting transition. You don't agree with me, or you're annoyed by me?"

"No. You don't annoy me. I like you." Did she admit her crush out loud?

"Good. I like you." He shrugged. "So what's the problem?"

"This is the first date I have been on since...." Harvey wasn't on her agenda of topics.

He sat up and straightened his body. "Oh. Since that guy."

"His name is Harvey."

"Sorry. Since Harvey." He looked past her this time. "Do you want to be here?"

She put her hand on his knee. "Yes, I do. This is just new." And scary, and exhilarating, and like a dream.

"I can be a spectacular listener. Want to share with me what happened?"

She shook her head. "Let's not talk about what's in the past." Unable to look at him, her focus became the blanket.

He dipped his head to meet her eyes. "Is it behind you?"

Good question. She didn't plan on seeing him again. He didn't know where she lived now, and didn't think Lucy would tell him. Her father certainly wouldn't. She wanted to move on. "Yes."

He clapped his hands together. "Good, because moving on is always a healthy thing. Let's move on to better conversation."

Mark made up the entire package - funny, sweet and loving. When he told her about himself, it reinstated that. His parents were still married, both accountants, and he had an older brother, Dan, a pilot. Many choices for college presented themselves after graduating high school as an honor student, but he chose to stay close to home to be near his family. His grandmother had been very sick last year, and he wanted to be able to help when needed. And he did, up until her passing a few months ago.