Part 3
"Are you finished with your plate, hon?" Anne asked me which interrupted my thoughts on Harry so far. I honestly don't have any idea on what's going on with him so far but I intend to find out with every piece of my being.
I've never been one who could handle suspense.
"Yes. It was delicious; thank you," I complimented her cooking.
"Why, thank you. Let me get your plate out of your way for you."
"No! I've got it."
"Let me do it. You're my guest. Thank you for the offer though."
With that, Anne scooped up my plate along with my father's and headed off for the kitchen, leaving me alone with my dad and Jane who was still slowly saying her food.
"How do you think everything is going, Clairece?" My dad questioned me.
"Fine," I simply stated, trying to stop any further conversation that could lead to an argument.
Arguments are always something I've dreaded having with my father. They never end well. I'm usually the one who can't handle it due to his temper. He ends up breaking something and tells me I'm worthless. Now that I think about it; who can handle those sort of things?
I see Anne walk back into the room and she sits back down.
"Where's Harry?" She asks everyone while searching the surroundings for him, only to return her attention to the table with a visage of disappointment.
"Probably up in his room," my dad says and I immediately know that that's the answer.
With a noticeable huff, Anne calls out for Harry to come downstairs. Wishing that he would be here for "quality family time."
I can picture Harry rolling his eyes before I hear footsteps making their way down the stairs to show an rather annoyed Harry before us in the dining room.
"Nice to see that you've joined us," Anne jokes to her son."
"You're welcome," Harry relies rudely and sarcastically as he takes a seat across from me and slouches, turning his attention to the daisies in a crystal vase at the center of the table.
"Now then," Anne collects the attention of all of us, minus Harry, "Anything new?"
No one speaks which makes it awkward so I unwillingly say the first thing that pops into my head.
"It's my mother's birthday next week."
"Oh, yes," Anne exclaims, "I recall hearing your father mention that. I'll be thinking of her."
Anne just has to be the sweetest person I've ever met. She barely brought up my mother because she must know that it pains me to talk about her a lot.
"If it's your mom's birthday next week," I turn my attention to Harry who is gazing right at me, "Why aren't you spending time with her?"
That really got to me.
"I-," Great, I'm going to cry, "She- I-," I rested my elbows on the table and his my face in my hands.
I quietly began sobbing.
"Wow, over emotional much? It's just her birthday. It isn't like she's going to die."
"Harry!" Anne whisper yelled as I stood up and exited though the back door, sitting down on the last concrete step as I wept silently.
Harry had no right to speak that way. He might not have known anything about what had happened with my mother, but that doesn't mean anything. I had let go of every other rude suggestion he had aimed particularly towards me today but he had now pushed me past my limit. He had hurt my feelings badly and I hope he understands what he had done.
I heard the door creak and the sound of someone's jeans rub against the concrete to sit down next to me. Looking up, I saw it was Harry with a not-too-sorry expression on his face.
"Well," I sniffled, "What do you want?"
"My mom wants me to apologize so if we could just get this over w-" I cut him off by sobbing harder.
He sighed. "Look," he said harshly, "I'm not going to show you any mercy. My dad left me and we're poor. Even more than we were when he was still around. We have nothing and you could have anything you want just by basically ringing a bell. I won't act like I feel sorry for you because I have to reason to be."
I wiped the end of my tears and gave Harry a look that I hoped would haunt him. Unbelievable! Why does he keep doing this? Does my pain bring him pleasure?
"Are you kidding?" I yelled as he shook his head 'no', "You don't know me! You have no idea what I've been through! I understand that you didn't know but that's no excuse! Yes, my life was perfect once. But it hasn't been that way for years. My mom died and my dad was a mess until he finally got over her. Then, when I thought he would make an effort for me, he finds your mom and acts like I don't exist. I barely know Anne and I thought she ruined my life but at least I'm giving her a chance. I'm giving all three of you a chance for that matter. So please, can we just try to get along?"
When I felt as if I had let it all out, I looked to Harry for approval. But all he gave me was a disapproving glare.
"You're not worth the chance," he sneered before pushing his hands against his thighs to stand up before opening the back door again and slamming it, causing me to jump. I'll take that as a no then.
Just before I had decided to stand up and walk back inside as if nothing had happened, I heard a bark from around the corner of the house.
No, not now.
Soon after, a flock of geese turned the corner and came into view, followed by a pack of at least four dogs, all German Shepards like Buzz, the dog Harry had felt so kind enough at the moment to keep from jumping up on top of me. The geese flew hurriedly over the wire fence and the dogs continued to bark in unison, seeming to me to be trying to persuade the geese to fly back over the fence.
Once they realized all hope was lost, they spotted me. My eyes bulged and my sweaty fists clenched. I tried to get up but I felt as if something, or someone, heavier than me were holding me down, keeping me from escaping. Turning around, I saw no one. I quickly snapped my head back into place to see the dogs eyeing me hungrily.
Now, completely afraid, I did the only thing my brain could process well enough to think of. Scream. But for who? My dad? Anne? Harry? Anne seemed like the smartest way to go but the single word left my mouth before I could control it.
"Dad!" I screamed bloody murder. I began to weep for what felt like the millionth time today as the four dogs drew themselves closer to me with every step.
"Dad!" I yelled again directly before the door opened behind me and the person lifted me from under my shoulders behind me and dragged me inside, locking the dogs out.
"Dad, tha-" I stopped. It wasn't my dad. It was Harry. And he was crying. What is going on?
"Thank God you're alright," He exclaimed before engulfing me into a hug whilst sobbing on my shoulder. The hug felt sort of sweet, like her actually cared about me.
But it was over too soon. I bore him a simple smile.
"Thank you, Harry," I let out. I wasn't even going to bother to ask what all of this was about. I think Harry and I have each had enough for today.
"You're welcome," he responded before placing a light kiss on my cheek and walking away.
What?
