How Do You Mend A Broken Heart

by Ali Vali

  "I've done no such thing, I see you and know I don't have a chance."

  "Desi, it would take me about one afternoon of shopping and I could have you looking just like me, if not better. It's not the clothes; it's that you were her first love, and I know Harry. She's loyal to the bone, so you have a better chance than anyone else to see a future with her standing by your side. You're the girl from high school aren't you?" The question was asked without Serena ever looking anywhere else in the room.

  "Come on, you've seen the picture haven't you?"

  "To tell you the truth, this is the first time I've been able to breach the inner sanctum so no I haven't," said Serena turning around to look at the picture Desi was referring to.

  "You've never slept with Harry?"

  "I didn't say that, I just said I've never been in her bedroom." She looked at the mantle, and any shred of hope of a future with Harry was lost. No matter how many times they'd been out together and how much fun they'd shared, Serena had never seen a smile that big and genuine on Harry's face.

  She turned around to an expression of defeat on Desi's face. "Don't be jealous, we just met at a time in our lives that required the kind of relationship we had. When I decided I wanted more, Harry decided we should be friends for the sake of my son. You'd swear she was allergic to long term commitment. Mention it and she breaks into hives, but I've always known she was holding out for someone special. Took you long enough to get here. I love Harry though, so please promise me that you'll be good to her. Give her the chance she probably won't ask you for, and get to know her again. She's turned out to be the most extraordinary person."

  "I'm glad she had such good people taking care of her all this time." Desi sighed and felt like she'd just finished a marathon. "It's not like I did such a great job."

  "We were just stand ins until the headliner showed up. I'm going to do my best to get you through the legal part, but the rest – when it comes to your heart, leave that to Harry. Don't shut her out."

  They heard the sound of running feet down the long hallway, bringing their talk to a close, but there was really nothing left to be said between them. "If you break something I'm taking it out of your hide," the two women heard Mona screaming from one of the guestrooms.

  "I'm sorry, Granny," said Butch.

  "I'm not fussing at you, baby, I was talking to that overgrown piece of trouble that's chasing you."

  "Ha, Uncle Harry, she called you a piece of trouble," laughed Butch.

  "I know, that's why she's going to go and live with you and your mother."

  Serena and Desi laughed at the maid, and the fact she was able to get away with talking to Harry like that. Their short talk had opened doors for one, and dashed forever the hopes of the other forever. Serena knew now, with the dream Harry had held onto for so long living in her house, she could hang up the notion of her and the doctor sharing a happily ever after scenario.

  "Thank you for talking with me." Desi smiled at Serena for taking the time to come and offer a solution for the future.

  "It was nice meeting you and there's no need to thank me. Just remember everything I said, especially when it comes to Harry."

  Serena smiled back knowing, and believing in her heart, what she had told Desi was true, Harry was loyal to a fault, and that was a good thing if you were the subject of that loyalty. Sure Harry was Serena's friend and they had been lovers, but the good doctor's heart would always belong to another and Serena wasn't willing to live with anything less than all of Harry. It was the one thing Harry had taught her after the breakup of her marriage – Serena was a special woman and should hold out for the person who would treat her as such. Life is such a fucking bitch sometimes, thought Serena as Harry's tall form crossed the threshold of the room.

  "Need more time, or could I interest you in some more coffee out on the balcony? It's a beautiful day so we should enjoy it while it lasts," Harry offered along with the smile both of them found irresistible.

  "Mommy, could we?" asked Butch.

  "We've got to go, baby. Did you forget we're having lunch with Grandma and Papa?" Serena stood up and straightened her skirt after squeezing Desi's fingers one last time.

  "No, Uncle Harry, we're going to eat at the place that has the pudding with the sauce we like so much. You're not coming though, so mommy won't let me lick the plate."

  "Serena, life is too short to not let the boy lick the plate. Tell Papa, and he'll let you do it I bet," Harry said as she watched his face light up.

  "Harry, by the time the child is twenty he won't be allowed in any of the restaurants in this town because of you. I swear between you teaching him to spit on his hand, and licking plates I'm going to have to stop coming over here."

  "No way, mommy, Uncle Harry's the coolest person I know." Butch cocked his head back to look up at Harry.

  "I'll be right back," Harry told Desi.

  She walked Serena and Butch to the door, letting Serena take the lead on whether or not she wanted to tell her about her talk with Desi. Serena quietly walked the distance of the house to the door, keeping Harry in suspense, but did bring it up before they left.

  "Harry, that's a very special woman you have up there. The next few months are going to be hard on her, so I want you to make sure she understands you'll be there for her. I want to get us into court before she gets her leg out of all that stuff you attached to it. This asshole did it, so we might as well use it in our favor."

  "Whatever it takes, I'll be there to help her through it. You're a good friend, Serena, thanks for everything. I'm sure whatever you told her made Desi feel better about what has to happen."

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as a way of organizing her thoughts. "I can't believe I'm going to say this but here goes. I'm happy for you, Harry. You've waited a lifetime and I think you're finally going to get the girl. You do understand though, that a part of me is throwing a major tantrum, but I'm happy for you both. Tell Desi I'll call her later on in the week with the details of the case and where we are in the process."

  It was Serena's glassy eyes that made Harry put her arms around the woman who was being so generous. "I love you, you know that right?"

  "Yes, baby, I know you do, and Albert and I love you too."

  "Yeah, Uncle Harry, I love you," piped in Butch.

  "Me too, big guy. Cut your mother some slack and don't lick the plate this time. I promise I'll take you back next week just the two of us, and we can indulge in a little plate licking."

  "Deal," he screamed as he hugged Harry's leg. Harry let his mother go for a minute to give him a hug.

  "Butch, how about you let me strap you into the car so your mama can finish up in here with your Uncle Harry?" Mona offered the boy her hand wanting to give the two friends the time they needed.

  "Thanks, Mona," said Serena.

  "You take your time, baby. I'll sit out there with him."

  When the door closed and they were alone, Harry took Serena back into her arms and kissed her. It was an intimate kiss between two people who'd shared a relationship, but both were aware it was over for good. It was time for both of them to move on.

  "If you ever need me, you know where to find me," said Harry, her lips moving against Serena's.

  "What I need and what I want belong to someone else, darling, but don't worry about me. It's going to take some time, but I'll be fine. I love you." She put her hands on Harry's cheeks and tried to keep her voice from cracking. "And a little piece of me always will. Do you think you can live with that?"

  "Only if you carry the same thought with you." With nothing else to add, Serena walked out, knowing Harry's eyes were still on her as she waved her thanks to Mona when she reached the car.

  "Harry, you must have been burned at the stake or something in your past life," said Mona as she got back in the house and pulled her into a hug.

  "Why do you say that?" Harry asked as she stared out the front window to watch Serena drive away.

  "Because I've
never in my life seen one person who was so blessed to be loved by so many special women. Serena was right in saying Desi's a good catch. I want you to promise me you won't go running scared, girl. Your mamma and I didn't raise you that way. It's time for you to settle down and start filling this house up with some kids. I'm tired of picking up after just you." Mona tried to sound menacing but when she lovingly patted Harry's chest over her heart she couldn't help but smile.

  "Thanks, Mona, I love you too."

  Desi and Harry spent the rest of the day relaxing out on the balcony off Harry's bedroom, each getting comfortable in the other's company again after so many years apart. She listened as Harry told her stories of her time in medical school and her residency, and how Kenneth and Tony had been there with her every step of the way.

  Since she had told Harry that Serena had divulged the relationship they'd shared, Harry told her about that time in her life too. In all her time as a doctor Harry hadn't gotten as much satisfaction as she did the day Butch had been born, and she had been there to see it.

  "He helped me see the good there is in the world from the first time I held him. I never really gave any thought to having kids of my own, but if I could have one like Albert I'd enjoy the chance. It's just with my lifestyle it would be hard on the child," Harry explained.

  "Why because you're gay?"

  "More because my work is so unpredictable. I wouldn't want to make a commitment that big then have a paid staff person raise the kid. It wouldn't be fair to either of us. The gay part is getting better, even a city like New Orleans that's proud of its religious roots would be tolerant to the idea of a gay person raising a child, I'd like to think. I mean it's not like being gay is contagious or anything. How about you, no thought to having children?" Harry asked turning her head to look at Desi again.

  "No, I never told Byron, but I took my birth control pills faithfully. Ours wasn't the type of relationship to bring children into. I don't think I could've stood by and let him beat my child. Besides, it's too late for me."

  "Nonsense, Desi, you're under thirty-five, more than capable of having children if you want them. I don't think I know a better person to be a mother."

  "If you keep telling me stuff like that, I might just start believing it."

  "That's an easy assignment."

  Harry excused herself in the late afternoon. Changing into some running apparel she left to run her normal circuit around the neighborhood. Mona, who was finished with her dinner preparations, came up and kept Desi company while Harry was gone. She watched Harry run steadily down the street, in the smooth form she remembered from the track in high school.

  "Penny for your thoughts," said Mona, sitting in the location Harry had just vacated. What Desi was thinking was written all over her face, but Mona was in the mood to play.

  "I was just admiring Harry's running form, nothing you should have to pay money for." The explanation sounded reasonable but the heat of the blush she could feel on her face told another story.

  "Uh huh, got a nice ass on her, don't she?"

  "Mona!"

  "Hey, I'm old, I ain't dead."

  "Mona, how did you meet Harry?" She had taken a real liking to this outspoken woman who seemed, for all her bluster, to love Harry like a daughter.

  "I've worked for the Basantes family since I was a young woman. Had all the weekends off though, and that's when I understand you and Rachel would come to stay at the house. Once Dr. Raul retired, and he and Maria moved to Florida, I came to work for Harry. She bought a house a couple of blocks from the one she grew up in, and then for some fool reason she decided to buy this place. I think it was a favor to Kenny to give that boy of his, Tony, something to do. I'll never admit it in front of him, but I love him because he takes such good care of my Harry. We're forever and a day going round and round about some of the things he picks to put in here, but he grows on you after awhile. It's my job to make sure he don't go over the top."

  "I've known him forever, so I'm guessing that has to be a full time job," joked Desi.

  "That would explain some of why I'm here then I guess, because frankly, I don't know why Harry keeps me around except to bother her into taking better care of herself, and to make sure the hired services do their jobs. I have Harry, my kids and grandkids, and that's what makes me happy," said Mona, shaking her head at the thought of Harry.

  "You have a maid?"

  "A maid service and a pack of gardeners too. The only thing I do now really is cook and wash Harry's clothes. The first time the new people did that, they ruined all of Harry's underwear. Ooh lord, she was fit to be tied because you couldn't drag that girl into a store if her life depended on it. Still can't, so that would be my other job. I shop for her. Stuff like socks and underwear, the rest I have to pull her by the ear to go and try on."

  "I've known Harry for a long time too, and it's nice to hear some stuff about her didn't change."

  Mona nodded and smiled. "All in all, it's a good life I got here. This is my home, and that's how Harry treats me. My family is here all the time visiting me, and catching up on Harry's latest antics. She thinks I don't know, but she helps both my daughters send their kids to private schools around here. Tells them it's not safe to send kids to the public schools no more. Funny how life is, she went to public school, but my grandkids are going to class in those spiffy uniforms.

  "Harry was a good kid, and that hasn't changed a bit either. She has a good heart." She clapped her hands together and stood up. "Enough about me, I got to go and finish dinner before the road warrior returns. After the run, she goes in that gym downstairs and lifts weights, so by the time she's finished, she could eat the whole pot of whatever I've cooked. Do you want me to have her come up and move you back before she starts pumping?"

  "Yeah, that would be great." After Mona left, Desi wrapped herself in the blanket Mona had brought out, and then her thoughts turned to Harry. "Harry, how do I even begin to think of having a relationship with you while I'm still married, and then there are all these other issues? If only I could turn back the clock and make better choices than I did."

  Desi fell asleep thinking about the future and the possibility of sharing it with Harry. It was so peaceful here under the ancient oaks that it was easy to drift off on a cloud of daydreams. The garden below her offered up some delightful aromas from the large trees of sweet olive planted throughout the property. They were Desi's favorites, and unbeknownst to her, it was one of the reasons Harry had decided on the house.

  ************************************************************************

  "Hey, sleepyhead, you ready to head inside?" asked Harry softly.

  "Hey, yeah it's getting a little cold out here," answered Desi blinking her eyes open.

  "Let me run in and put on a clean shirt first, I don't want to get you all sweaty." Harry tugged on her shirt starting to make her way inside.

  "It's all right." The soft voice stopped Harry from taking another step. "You don't have to go through any extra trouble for me."

  "Nope, Mona would never let me live that one down. Besides, you deserve to be fussed over more than anyone. Hang tight for a minute."

  Returning a short time later with a t-shirt that said 'Orthopedic Surgeons Do It With Backbone,' Harry picked Desi up with little effort. The only tremor Desi felt was when she put her arms around Harry's neck. The reaction sparked the hope Serena had told her about. Maybe Harry did want her in her life.

  After putting Desi down and getting her situated on the bed again, Harry disappeared into the gym, but not before sending Mona in to give Desi a sponge bath. She promised to help Mona change the sheets after her workout.

  For dinner Rachel, Mona and Harry joined Desi in the bedroom, eating off TV trays so she wouldn't have to eat alone. For the first time Mona heard some of the stories of their childhood she was certain Maria Basantes, Harry's mother, had never heard. With each moment Harry and Desi spent in each other's company, Rachel and Mona witnessed the spark retu
rn that had been there when their love had first blossomed return. Both women hoped Harry and Desi didn't blow this opportunity at their second chance. Rachel offered to help Mona carry down all the dirty dishes leaving Harry and Desi alone.

  "It's getting late, so how about we give you your medicine and you hit the sack. Need a bathroom run before you turn in?" asked Harry.

  Desi would force her kidneys to function if it meant getting another ride in Harry's arms. Sometime during dinner she decided it was the one place in the world she longed to be, Byron and the rest of the world be damned.

  After carrying her to and from the bathroom, Harry put her back on the bed and fluffed the pillows so Desi would be comfortable. She put the small tent back in place and pulled the comforter up slowly since it was the last reason for her to be in the room. Done, Harry bid Desi a good night, much to her disappointment, because it appeared like Harry wasn't staying with her like she had the night before.

  "Night, Harry, and thanks for all this. You may never get Rachel to leave at the rate we're going."

  "You and your sister are welcome here for as long as you like. Mona loves having someone else to spoil besides me, and I'm taking a liking to having you here too. Don't think about that anymore and start concentrating on healing that leg. We'll take it a day at time, and before you know it you might not want to leave."

  When Harry left the room Desi whispered, "I don't want to leave, and I don't want to lose you."

  In the early morning, long before dawn, Harry woke up in the guestroom next to her bedroom thinking her pager was going off. It was a low soft sound, but it wasn't coming from the small black square sitting on the nightstand next to the bed. Getting up to investigate, she came to the doorway of the bedroom that was usually hers.

  It was Desi, and she was having a nightmare. Not wanting the woman to cause further injury to her leg, Harry stepped in and sat on the unoccupied side of the bed and reached over to wake her friend. When her hand touched the sleeping woman's shoulder, Desi visibly shrunk away from her.

  "No, please get away from me, don't hurt me anymore," pleaded Desi.