Pieces of it All

by Tracy Krimmer

  She gasped and playfully slapped Beth on the knee. "Shut up, Beth! Okay, I'll close my mouth. Just be careful."

  Lucy sounded like her mom. Everyone suddenly acted like Beth lost all respect for responsibility, and she was the opposite considering most girls her age. "I'll be careful, Luce." She was done with this conversation. She grabbed her friend and hugged her "Now tell me how this happened? Why are you leaving for school so soon?"

  She stared at the floor for a few moments, gathering her thoughts. She looked up at Beth. "It's just time."

  "Time. Time for what?"

  She crossed her legs at her ankles, picking at the Hello Kitty pattern at her knees. "Ever since my dad died, my mom's closed up. She's been like a hermit. She gets up, goes to work, barely talks to anyone from what I understand, comes home, and sits on the couch and watches reruns of ER. Frankly, I can't take this anymore. I called my admittance counselor and she said the dorms would be ready the first week of August."

  "Your mom is okay with this?"

  She laughed. "Um, no. I'm surprised you'd even ask. She freaked out in every possible way, even threatened not to pay my tuition. When I pointed out I would get financial aid instead, she realized she couldn't keep me here. She has to let go and allow me to move on, even if she can't."

  "Aren't you going to be worried about her?"

  "Of course I am, but I'll call and email her. She'll be fine. Maybe she'll finally pull herself together and get out of this house every once and a while!"

  She sat down next to Lucy. Entwining her arm with hers, she added. "Does this shopping trip count as out for her?"

  Lucy gently elbowed Beth. "I knew you were going to ask that. Hey, it's a start!" She laid her head on Beth's shoulder. "Thanks for not hating me for being so nosy."

  "I know you're only keeping an eye on me." She pinched Lucy's arm. "I'll look Jackson up later."

  Chapter Sixteen

  At nine that evening, Harvey and Beth planned on seeing each other. Beth's mind, armed with questions, drove her crazy since her afternoon with Lucy. She truly didn't care about his past, however unfortunate or tragic it may be, but if they wanted to move forward in their relationship, she had to get to know him better. Some, not all, of these questions she had needed answers. Who was this man? After trying to do her own search online about Harvey, she gave up, unable to find anything. What person in 2013 didn't possess a Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn page?

  She closed her laptop at eight o'clock and slipped into a mint strapless sun dress. Harvey got off work at nine and they agreed to a late dinner at nine-fifteen. After contemplating between The Blue Rooster or Mick's Eatery, a small establishment with a romantic ambiance, she asked him to meet her at Mick's. The candlelight and soft music would make the evening more intimate when she brought up her concerns.

  After living in this area her entire life, she couldn't believe she'd never been to Mick's Eatery. Her parents dined there on dates, and she'd seen friends "check-in" at the restaurant on Facebook. It sat on the corner of a busy intersection, its booming red exterior hard to miss. White shudders outlined every window, stenciled hearts at the center of each.

  Harvey met her at the hostess stand, where an archway filled with beautiful flowers rounded the entrance. Beth didn't expect to need to catch her breath at the sight of Harvey. The light green shimmering tie against the crisp, white shirt brought out his eyes, and his black dress slacks appeared tailored just for him. A silver watch dangled from his wrist. She didn't want to ruin the smile spread across his face with twenty questions about the things Lucy found. With him all dressed up, so attractive and tasty, she needed a kiss.

  "You're gorgeous," Harvey complimented her.

  She picked the dress out on her shopping trip with her mom. She mentioned to Harvey she couldn't wait to wear it, and was excited to get the chance at dinner. She couldn't believe he'd worn a matching tie. It thrilled her he remembered the small detail. "Thank you. You're super handsome in that tie," she told him. Without hesitation, she stole a kiss from him. Wearing heels made it an easy thing to do.

  The hostess seated them next to a stained glass window with a complex pattern. The rounded table, covered by a maroon tablecloth, had a floating candle with a floral centerpiece in the middle. Black cloth with a satin bow tied around the back layered the pewter chairs. Couples occupied most of the tables, and the soft jazz music playing in the background distracted from the clanking of silverware and chattering of guests.

  Beth opened the menu. "I ate a light salad at home at around six. I'm still starving."

  Harvey eyed the items on the menu. "I would be too. A salad is like eating grass."

  Like your lawn, or pot? Beth wanted to ask, but didn't want to start dinner with an interrogation. She required food before this conversation. The prices of the appetizers alone made her happy she had a job. She'd be broke in no time if living on her own cost this much. "Let's skip the appetizer."

  Harvey's finger slid down the side of the menu. "Good idea. Wow, thirty dollars for a steak?"

  "Yeah. The chicken is the cheapest." Harvey planned on paying, and hadn't had his job for long either. Ordering something expensive was out of the question. Even a soda cost almost four dollars, and no free refills. "Look," she turned the menu around for him to see. "A grilled chicken breast sandwich is under ten dollars, and comes with fries."

  He took the menu from her and stacked both of theirs on the side of the table. "Sounds good to me." They each ordered the sandwich and fries, and agreed on sticking with free water for their drinks, as well as complimentary bread for the appetizer. Her insides twisted, although wasn't sure if it was because of hunger, or her upcoming confrontation.

  Harvey jump started the conversation before she had a chance to begin her questioning. "Your aunt gave me information for another job tomorrow. She keeps pretty busy with this."

  "Really?" More work meant more time with Harvey, assuming his willingness to come and help. She shouldn't speculate he'd tag along every opportunity. "I'm glad. Now she can take on additional business. Since she started at the bank, her cleaning work has been put on the back burner." Clapping wait staff startled her. They passed by their table with a monstrous brownie and a candle singing Happy Birthday to the woman at the table next to them. Beth secretly wished for a gesture such as that one day. When the loud singing and clapping stopped, she said to Harvey, "Thanks for bringing the money to my aunt. You didn't have to."

  "I wanted to. Did you have fun with Lucy?"

  Perfect. An opening, but how would she start? She didn't want to tell him Lucy snooped on him. "We chatted a lot, caught up on things." Her throat was like a desert. She picked up her glass to take a drink of water.

  "Your aunt looks so familiar to me."

  Shoot. Opportunity lost. She'd work it in another time. "I agree with her. You probably saw her at the library or store or something."

  He scratched the top of his head, a strand of hair falling over his left eye. "No. That's not it."

  Watching him move his hair out of the way even turned her on. His large hands would fit perfectly on every part of her body, from holding her breasts, to massaging her back, to squeezing her inner thigh. "Whoops!" She dropped the roll she had onto the table. "What do you think it is then?"

  He shook his head. "I can't place her. I recognized a bracelet she was wearing."

  "So?" She shrugged. "I hear they make bracelets in mass quantity to resell them." She set the roll down.

  He tossed another one at her. "Good catch, Einstein. It's not only the bracelet. I feel like I know her."

  Beth started to chew on the roll she caught. "You might have seen her at the bank." She had to get back to his time in jail. She needed to turn this conversation around.

  "Oh!" He wiped his mouth with the napkin. "Before I forget, I got something for you."

  Beth's heart fluttered as he reached into his pocket. Harvey placed a single gold band softly on the table. "I'm so happy I met you."

>   "Wow." She said. "Harvey, you didn't ... what's this for?" She slid the ring on to her finger. A perfect fit. They could barely afford dinner. How did he pay for this? Lucy said he had stolen things. Did he steal the ring? No. Harvey wouldn't give her something he stole.

  He took the hand she had the ring on, and touched it with his thumb. "I'm so glad you're in my life." He glanced at the ring. "I care about you a lot."

  Her eyes began to burn as the tears tried to push their way through. "I've never cared this much about anyone."

  "That's the difference, Beth. I've never cared. At all. But the thought of hurting you creates this pain inside me I don't understand. I want you to take this ring, knowing how much you mean to me."

  "I love it. Where did you get it?" Million dollar question.

  "It belonged to my great-grandmother." Her eyes fixated on the ring, snug on her finger. "Now it belongs to you."

  This was simply unbelievable. Just a week ago she was single, no prospects in sight, and the only thing on her mind was finishing the book she was reading. Now this incredible man sat before her. She could have everything she wanted.

  Her smile hardened. "What's the matter, Beth? I thought you'd be happy."

  "I am happy, but I can't take your great-grandmother's ring." She started to take it off, but he grabbed her hand and shoved it back on. "Harvey. It's part of your family."

  His face softened, and the dimple in his chin became more prominent. "You're my family."

  Every day he filled her mind, and she daydreamed about their future together. Despite her fantasies, to consider her his one and only family was on a level she didn't think she was prepared to handle. "I can't be your only family. Your great-grandmother."

  "Dead." A fast, unemotional reply.

  "Your grandmother?"

  "Dead."

  "Your mother?"

  "Fuck if I know. Can we drop this? Accept the gift and we'll eat."

  Beth shook her head, bewildered. The emotion of his face had seemed to gush out of him, like a plug pulled in a bathtub and the water whisks away. "Fuck if you know? What sort of a response is that?"

  Now Harvey moved his hands off the center of the table. He started to fidget with the knife rolled up in the napkin.

  "It's just you and your dad then? No idea where your mother is?" He continued to stare at her, the color slowly working back into his face. "That must be so horrible, Harvey." Beth wasn't sure what she should say. She couldn't imagine life without her mother. "How long has she been gone?"

  "Just drop it, okay?" He slammed the knife onto the table, sticking it upright into the wood.

  Beth gasped. Harvey slowly removed the knife from the wood and set it back down on the napkin. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

  Beth glanced around the tables making sure no one had witnessed Harvey's quick bit of rage. All clear.

  "Look," Beth started, moving into unchartered territory. "I'm so sorry if I upset you. You don't open up to me about a thing. I barely know anything about you. I've never even met your dad. I can't even begin to understand how you feel. I'm here, though, if you need my help, if you want to try and find her."

  "I don't want your help, or your pity."

  She kept going. "I'm not gonna walk on eggshells around you. I may ask about your past or something you don't want to discuss." She shoved her hand in his face. "If this means anything to you, you'll understand that. I have to know you as a person if we're going to be together."

  She swallowed the lump in her throat as he stared back at her, speechless. Had she said too much? In a matter of days she was swept off her feet only to be thrown to the ground. She'd barely touched his lips and she'd never graze against them again. If she didn't speak up, what kind of a person did that make her? She'd never stood up to Lucy until recently and that actually ended up working out. Maybe she pressed her luck. Asking about jail was out of the question. Not tonight. Maybe not ever. They could just move forward, and past this. "Harvey? I'm sorry if you're mad."

  He reached across the table and took her hand. "Don't be. You're right."

  The waitress came and set down their food. Crisis averted. Breathe. "I'll be here for you, when you're ready." She hoped soon.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The two story white colonial with blue shudders didn't have the same "wow" factor as Dr. Naise's mansion. The home gave a spacious appearance, and the yard certainly had been kept up with a lot of watering and probably a lawn service during the harsh summer. Despite the size, Harvey wondered how an indoor pool fit inside. He parked next to a gold Lexus.

  "Thanks for coming with me again," Beth said as they grabbed the supplies out of the trunk.

  He set everything on the porch, and rang the bell. "No problem. I have the day off, and I get to spend time with you." He went in for a quick kiss.

  An attractive woman answered the door, Harvey guessed in her late twenties. "Finally, you're here. What took you so long?"

  Harvey opened his mouth to remind her that they arrived on time, but she kept talking.

  "Ugh, forget it. Anyway, I'm Leslie. I'm a little disappointed Sue can't clean today because she does a spectacular job. She assured me you would do the same, so I'm trusting that is the case. I certainly don't want you doing a half-assed job." She turned her attention to Harvey. "So I see you brought your boyfriend. Sue failed to mention you'd be having a party."

  "I asked him to come along last minute, Leslie. I'm sorry. With the pool, I thought extra help would be useful."

  She looked Harvey up and down. "Fine. But I'm not paying any more." She should pay extra for her bitchy attitude. Sue hadn't exaggerated. Leslie defined spoiled little brat. Her gold curls and magazine perfect face matched her petite body, but even her hotness couldn't cover up her bitchiness.

  Beth waved her hands. "No, no. The fee is still the same."

  "Well, come on now. Don't just stand on the porch. Get in here." She rushed them in.

  They walked through the doorway, pleasantly surprised by the inside. A staircase immediately led to the upstairs and both sides opened up to a sitting area. The room on the left had a television. The kitchen was at the end of the hallway, and seemed to take up the entire area.

  "Come on, come on, I have places to be." Harvey followed her to a room in the back, Beth closely behind. Double doors separated two rooms by a small walkway. When Leslie opened the door, a storm of chlorine fumed over them. The second set of doors revealed a large, rectangular pool. A spectacular stone floor surrounded the calm water. Strategically placed, over sized plants brought the outside indoors, and a ceiling full of windows poured in the sunlight.

  "Take your boots off in here. I don't want you walking around in those things." She pointed to Harvey's feet. He removed his shoes and socks while Beth slipped off her sandals. She then brought them over to a closet and another closed door.

  "This," she said pointing to the left, "is the bathroom, which is also used as a changing room. It needs a good cleaning. I'm sure the floor should be scrubbed. And this is the closet where you'll find the supplies you need." She pulled open the small broom closet. "All the chemicals and what not are in here."

  She shut the door. "Do you have any questions? I should hope not seeing Sue sent you. If there are any issues after I leave, you're out of luck because I won't be here to help. You can figure it out."

  Harvey answered for both of them. "No, ma'am. No questions. I think we'll manage."

  She gasped lightly, putting her hand to her chest. "Now, don't call me ma'am. I assure you I'm not much older than you are." She winked at him, told him she would be back later, and left them by the pool.

  "She's certainly a number," Beth said.

  "Your aunt warned me. Did I forget to mention that?"

  "She's not too bad looking, either."

  Jealousy hadn't played a role in their relationship yet, and hearing Beth make a comment like that surprised him. Quick, think fast. "Really? I hadn't noticed." He dismissed the
remark.

  Beth raised her eyebrows at him, and he responded with a smile. "I can manage the pool if you want to work on the rest of the house," she suggested.

  "Are you sure? This is quite a big job." He liked the idea of them working on the pool together. He imagined her on all fours, scrubbing the tile, her butt in the air, waiting for him to come up behind her and rock himself against her. Maybe he'd playfully knock her into the pool, and he'd jump in to save her, Beth's clothes soaked through, her nipples hard and ready.

  "I can handle it. All the windows and greenery are peaceful. Go. Clean. Make me my money." She shooed him away.

  "Fine." He grunted, reluctantly accepting fucking her wasn't going to happen today. He'd go snoop around in the rooms and see what he could find.

  Leslie's house had four bedrooms, all of them upstairs. He peeked into each room. The first he pinned as a study. A desk with a computer sat in the corner, a bookshelf lined with books and a table with a globe. Nothing exciting.

  The next room he guessed would be a spare bedroom. The pale yellow walls and the bed with a pewter frame reminded him of a bed and breakfast. The antique rug gave an elegant touch, along with the white dresser and delicate lamp.

  Tidiness described the third room; however, more than likely it served as a junk area. Rubbermaid containers stacked floor to ceiling outlined the room. Some had stuffed animals, others crowded with papers, and yet another one had stuff wrapped in newspapers, which Harvey only assumed contained fragile items. On the other side of the room an elliptical machine took up space, and a flat panel television claimed the wall.

  The final room had closed double doors. He opened them as though he were a King being welcomed home. The enormous room boasted blond floors and deep maroon walls. The bed had a black frame and a shiny silver duvet and the curtains matched. The closet caught his eye. Even with Beth a full floor away, he tiptoed toward the door. When he opened the heavy door, a large walk-in closet greeted him. Clothes lined the sides separated by color and shelves of shoes. This woman sure liked her blues. He sifted through the articles of clothing, uncertain of what he was looking for. He would know it when he found it.