The Night I Met Harry

I was hunched over the toilet yet again in preparation for my usual morning. My eyes watered a little with the nausea but I wiped them quickly before they started a frenzy. I stood up straight after a while of nothing happening, heading to the sink and splashing my face with the warm water. I rubbed my stomach in habit after drying my face and heading for the doorway.

I grabbed my keys from the table beside the door as I pulled each arm in my coat. The fresh air greeted me nicely, and though it was still quite cold the sun shown over the snow below.

--

Winter:
"Are you sure I'll get that big Sarah?"

She held up a pair of underwear that immediately began to lower my self esteem.

Sarah:
"It's not that bad, Win."

Something about shopping for maternity clothes just didn't fit my character at the moment. I felt so out of place even glancing at other woman who had been showing considerably now.

Winter:
"This was a bad idea."

I said looking around.

Sarah:
"Winter. You're pregnant. No one is judging you."

I nodded like her words had been reassuring though they weren't. She continued as I watched in horror.

Sarah:
"Okay, now. These..or...these?"

I pointed to the color I'd preferred causing her to smile with approval at my participation.

Sarah:
"They're lace, Harry will love them anyway."

Winter:
"It's not that I don't like them...I just feel weird... Like I looked at my tampon box the other day and nearly fell apart."

She laughed loudly drawing attention our way. I grabbed her quickly, quietly begging her to stop.

Winter:
"That's enough clothes. Let's just pay and go okay."

--

Sarah:
"So how's he with Allison?"

Winter:
"Better than I am actually."

We went for a slow drive while I continued my jar of peanut butter. She looked over briefly to watch me before turning back to the road.

Sarah:
"Harry's going to kill you if you don't eat something. Come on, just tell me what you're hungry for..."

I didn't answer in hopes to removed the subject from between us. It was bad enough the car ride had begun to make me a little uneasy. I sighed while turning the heat off and beginning to roll down the window.

Sarah:
"No. You just lost the fever, your not getting sick again."

I stared at her from the passenger side with narrow eyes in disbelief.

Winter:
"What is everyone's problem? I'm fine."

She shook her head while rolling the window back and and restricting my control.

Sarah:
"Behave. Now do you want seafood....do you want pasta or-"

Winter:
"Can we just go to the house. I'll eat something there."

She didn't make it a secret of disliking my answer but stayed quiet anyways. It was the same Harry did when I'd been disobeying him. She'd get over it eventually.

--

She pulled up unto the driveway. Harry's car hadn't been there so I assumed he'd spent longer with his friends. However there was a car parked down on the street in front of the house I wasn't familiar with seeing before. I communicated this to Sarah before entering the house to see her sitting at one of the chairs nearer the kitchen. I sat the bags down as she studied me before greeting.

Anne:
"Hello Winter."

My throat had become dry with the memory of seeing her last.

Winter:
"Hi."

I honestly didn't know how to feel as I stood there. She seemed in a different demeanor since our last meet, but I still couldn't tell if she'd been happy to see me.

Winter:
"Uhh, this is my friend Sarah. Sarah this is Harry's mom."

I watched their introduction quietly before witnessing Sarah head for the stairs.

Sarah:
"It was really nice meeting you. Winter, I'll just go watch TV or something."

I nodded half sadden for her absence from us. I looked around her as she stood. It seemed as if she'd made herself comfortable. I stayed silent with little to say in hopes she'd lead the conversation.

Anne:
"Listen. I'm very sorry about before... I'm just not very accustomed to my Harry bringing girls around."

She walked toward me as I stood solid to the spot. My arms held my body though I hadn't been cold, and I waited patiently for my emotions to show me how to feel.

Anne:
"He's never done that... Ever. So my apologies for my behavior."

My arm was taken in hers as she gave me a warm smile with dimples I was sure I'd recognized. I wondered momentarily how she'd gotten in here and if Harry knew what was going on.

Anne:
"Don't be jumpy. I've had a key to every place he's ever gotten... He doesn't know that so let's just keep it between us."

I felt my thoughts become invaded as we walked down the hall toward the living area.

I had a seat next to her as she poured the tea from the kettle that was seated in a tray on the table in front of us. I watched her movements intensely. She was a very beautiful women even before when alcohol had taken the innocence from her appearance.

Anne:
"Now. I'll just get right to it. Are you in love with my son?"

Winter:
"Yes."

Anne:
"Have you ever cheated on him?"

Winter:
"No."

Anne:
"You're very exotic looking, are you from somewhere else?"

Winter:
"No."

She blank slowly a few times before continuing.

Anne:
"I see...your very pretty, he has good taste."

I swallowed nervously as I tried to decode where she was going with this.
Anne:
"Are you pregnant, Winter?"

I pondered if it was a trick question or had Harry really kept that from her. When we'd found out my mom and dad had been the first to know. It kind of hurt to know we didn't share that equal excitement.

Winter:
"...Yes..."

Anne:
"So you lied to me?"

Interrogation seemed very subtly of a word to describe this.

Winter:
"No. I-I wasn't then."

Anne:
"Is this why you're here in his home?"

My feelings were beginning to hurt again. I looked away from her eyes for a break. I still got the impression that she hated me behind the smile, though her words told me she didn't. I just wished she knew the same as I did.

Winter:
"I've been with Harry for a while... I moved here with him only because he wanted me to. We were close, and that was before the pregnancy."

I spoke cautiously and quietly in hopes she'd understand.

Winter:
"... I'm not sure what you want me to say... but I'm pretty sure I love him just as much as you do..."

I wanted to cry as I stared down at the tea. To disappear for explaining things to someone who'd rather I not be here. Her arms sprung to life around my presence, taking me completely by a surprise. I thought for a second before hugging back though I was unsure of her intentions. I didn't smell the scent of alcohol as I had before. She held me into her tossing her fingers in my hair like often my mom did. She was warm and the aroma of an elegant perfume splashed against my nose. I didn't know what part of what I said reassured her but I was glad I lie here restfully ...now tangled in her arms.

Anne:
"Then we'll get along just fine."

Notes

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