The One That Slipped Away

by LaShawn Vasser

  “I almost died on the spot when you said that to her at the benefit. Mia was so high and mighty that night. It took everything within me not to tell her to come down from her high horse. She had no idea Liberty was coming to put a stop to that ridiculous relationship.” Jeanine couldn’t help but laugh at what she thought was their genius.

  None of them had no idea Harrison stood right outside the kitchen doorway. He continued to listen.

  Liberty sighed. “I never liked her even before I met her. When we were in college, he was always talking about Mia this or Mia that. It drove me crazy. I know me breaking up with him was hard but I never in my wildest dreams would have expected him to run to her. She’s so far beneath him, and it was pathetic of her to take advantage of Harrison after we broke up.”

  Harrison could hear his mother pat someone on the hand. It was probably Liberty. “I know exactly how you feel. I know my son better than anyone. I can promise you that Mia is nobody he would have ever chosen for himself if he were in his right mind. After your breakup and the death of his father, I had to take matters into my own hands. I knew if you and Harrison could spend a little time together, you’d find your way back to each other. That’s why I planned to leave her at the house so you could ride with Harrison to the funeral. You’re family and should have been by his side.”

  He’d heard enough. Everyone looked up the moment Harrison walked into the kitchen. Nervous faces peered at him not really knowing how much, if anything, he’d heard of their conversation. Within seconds, it was obvious by the firm set of his jaw, his uneven breathing, and the turmoil in his eyes that he’d heard overheard every single word.

  His mother stuttered. “H-Harrison. How long have you been standing there?”

  Initially, he didn’t respond. Instead, he turned his fire to his circle friends who were standing opposite his mother at the breakfast bar. Liberty was sandwiched between Amber and Jeanine. “I’m only going to say this once.” Harrison pointed to her and them himself. “You and I will never get back together. Even if I could forgive you for screwing Thomas, I still wouldn’t want you.”

  Liberty’s face turned beet red. Gasps were heard around the room. She started to explain. “Harrison! That was between us.”

  He fired back. “My relationship with Mia was between us and didn’t need your interference!”

  She looked guiltily. “Still, everyone here doesn’t need to know about our private problems. I apologized for that, and you said you forgave me.” Her voice dropped. “Neither one of us meant for it to happen.”

  Liberty’s mother choked. She whispered. “Is that why Thomas doesn’t come around anymore?”

  Wide-eyed and mouth hanging open, Amber and Jeanine were just as shocked as they looked back and forth between the two.

  “Yeah. Thomas knows better.” Harrison shook his head and gritted his teeth to keep the hysteria at bay. He looked around at each of them. “If I combined every woman in this room, Mia would still have more integrity than any of you. I can’t believe I…” His words almost strangled him. “I loved you all like family, and you actively drove the woman I love away for whatever stupid ass reason you came up with.”

  “Harrison!” Catherine’s hands flew to her throat. “I know you’re angry, but I won’t tolerate you disrespecting our friends or me.”

  His gaze was steely. “I’m only going to say this once.” He ground the words out trying to keep it together. “Get out! All of you. Get the hell out of my father’s house! The next time you think of me . . . don’t. As of this moment, you’re all dead to me.”

  Yolanda Landon was about to try to apologize, but Liberty placed her hand on her mother’s arm to stop her. Sadly, she nodded and picked up her purse from off of the island. Amber and Jeanine both looking distraught followed suit.

  They all knew this was probably the end of their friendship. Neither Amber nor Jeanine had any idea how they were going to explain these turn of events to their husbands. Amber attempted to speak. “Harrison, we were only looking out for you.”

  He was so disgusted he couldn’t take the chance of looking at her. Otherwise, he might strangle her. “You were the worst, Amber. I asked you to help me make Mia’s transition easier. You fed me a pile of bullshit, and I believed every word of it. I swear to god if you see me walking down the street go the other way. Now get the hell out!”

  Everyone filed out of the kitchen, and then Harrison turned his anger to his mother. “How could you?”

  Nervously, she twisted her fingers together. “I was only looking out for your best interests. Mia is not the woman for you.”

  “How can you stand there and look me in the eyes still spouting that nonsense. The bottom line is you’ve never liked Mia, and I ignored the fact! You dismissed her from the moment you met without even getting to know her.”

  “That’s not true.”

  Harrison took a deep breath before going on. “Yes, it is! Don’t give me that - you hated her on the spot. I don’t know if it was because she wasn’t lily white like Liberty or because of something else but you actively tried to sabotage the relationship with the woman I chose! How am I supposed to feel about that?” His words died as they left his mouth. “You’re my mother.”

  “Harrison, I . . .” For the first time in Catherine Haughton’s life, she could see the anger and disappointment in his eyes, and it was directed squarely at her. However, she wasn’t ashamed. “I won’t apologize for doing what I believe to be protecting my son.”

  He narrowed his eyes and bared his teeth. “Unapologetic to the last, huh? You still can’t see how wrong you were. Since you can’t - how about this . . . stay the hell out of my life.”

  Harrison walked out of his mother’s kitchen and out of her life.

  The entire situation still left him angry at her and himself. Yet, a hint of a smile still appeared on his face as he leaned over his balcony looking up into the evening sky. The different hues of orange were starting to turn purple as he imagined Autumn’s face. She was a miniature female version of himself – his little twin with Mia’s smile.

  Harrison walked back into the living room of his condo and to the sound of his doorbell ringing. He crossed the room to answer it. When he opened the door, his mother stood on the other side with a box in her hand.

  She smiled. “Are you going to let me in?”

  “Of course.” Harrison stepped back so that she could come inside.

  Catherine handed him a catered meal box. “You canceled dinner tonight, so I figured I’d bring something over. Have you eaten?”

  Harrison closed the door and took the box from her hand. “I had something earlier.”

  Her eyes studied him and followed his every move. “You look tired. Is everything okay?”

  Harrison’s voice was a little gruff. “I’m fine. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

  Catherine walked into the living room and took a seat. “If you can’t talk to your mother who can you talk to?”

  He laughed a little to himself. “I learned a long time ago, I can’t talk to you about everything.”

  She frowned. Catherine didn’t like that response. “You can talk to me about anything. I’m your mother.”

  He couldn’t hide the smirk on his face. “Really? I can talk to you about anything?”

  “Yes. Of course.”

  Harrison folded his arms across his chest and stared at her. “Okay.” He figured he’d test her theory out. It was a long moment before he spoke again. “I ran into Mia while I was in Phoenix.” He waited for her response.

  Catherine’s eyebrows rose in surprise. She tried to choose her words carefully and spoke deliberately. “What was that like?”

  He shrugged. “We have a five-year-old daughter.”

  Shocked, she fell into a coughing fit. When his mother recovered and was finally able to form words, she responded. “Y-you . . . have . . . a . . . what!?”

  Nonchalantly, he answered. “A little girl. Her name is Autumn. I met her
while I was down there.”

  Catherine’s face turned red. “Harrison, let’s be rational. You haven’t seen Mia in six years. How do you even know her child is yours?”

  His voice rumbled. “Don’t go there with me, Mom.”

  She had no idea how hard Harrison was working to control his temper. “I’m not trying to go anywhere. I’m just asking you to be sensible! That girl could be after your money, and god knows whatever else!”

  Harrison was ready to strangle his mother. “Let’s get a couple of things clear. If I say she’s my child, you will not question it. Period. Furthermore, I won’t allow you be disrespectful to Mia ever again. Correction, the mother of my child and your grandchild. To be crystal clear, the only thing I’m upset about is the fact I’ve missed five years of her life.”

  Catherine could tell by the firm set of his jaw that there was nothing she could say to change his mind. Mia had had such a hold over him, and it drove Catherine crazy. It didn’t help that their own bond had been shaken pretty badly when Harrison felt betrayed by her. She whispered, “This woman lied to you for six years. I only want to protect you.”

  “This woman?” Harrison was beside himself with anger. “Protect me from what? The love of my life? Mia didn’t need my money then or now. She’s financially independent in her own right. Both her parents are doctors, Mom. They are accomplished people. Mia herself has a doctorate. Dad was proud of my choice and told me so before he died. I let her get away from me because I couldn’t tell when I was being manipulated. I was caught up in my own grief, and could only think about myself. I’m older and wiser. I promise you, I won’t let it happen again.”

  “You still want her?”

  “What I want is complicated, and I’ll figure it out.”

  Catherine’s eyes started to water. “Do you really hate me that much?”

  Harrison shook his head. She was still trying to manipulate him. “I don’t hate you. You’re my mother. I love you, but I also see who you really are. Mia was never acceptable to you in part because she was black.”

  She attempted to deny it. “No, I know what you think you heard –“

  “Don’t lie. I know what I heard. I never wanted to admit that my mother and friends could have a racist bone in their bodies. You did, and you’ll need to check yourself to make sure you don’t still have one. At the end of the day, I don’t blame her for leaving me on you. It was all me. However, I’ve forgiven you for what happened back then. Time, reflection, and an overheard conversation has a way of opening up once closed eyes.” Harrison paused and blew out a breath. “So, while that’s all in the past, you need to know this . . .”

  Catherine stared at him intensely, waiting. “What?”

  “You have a beautiful granddaughter named, Autumn. If you want to be in her life, you’re going to have to get over your color issues and stop your manipulative and controlling ways.” He relaxed his arms and let them fall down to his sides. “And Mia. You will need to learn to coexist with her.”

  She swallowed. Catherine could tell by the look in his eyes that she would lose him completely if she didn’t do as he said. “I can only do my best, Harrison.”

  He nodded. “Your best is going to have to mean following my rules to the letter. I mean it, if you want any kind of a relationship. Autumn is a perfectly happy little girl who looks exactly like me and has Dad’s eyes. I won’t have our issues mess her up.”

  Catherine’s voice was low. “She has Thomas’s eyes?”

  His father’s name was the one pure love they both had in common. He smiled thinking about him. “Yes.”

  “Do you have pictures of her?”

  Proudly, Harrison nodded and pulled out his cell phone. Catherine looked at the image on the screen, and her hands immediately went to cover her mouth. This time, when her eyes misted up, they were real tears. “My god. She does look just like you and she has his eyes.”

  “I know.”

  Catherine managed to drag her eyes away from his phone. “You shouldn’t have sold that house you shared with Mia. This condo will never do . . . There isn’t enough room for a small child here.” She stammered over his daughter’s name. “A-Autumn needs a backyard for her to play.”

  His mother didn’t realize she was still being controlling, and it was going to take some time breaking bad habits. Harrison wouldn’t be able to give an inch. “I’ll get it all figured out soon. Right now, I just need to spend time getting to know her. And for now, that will probably have to take place in Phoenix.”

  Catherine was anxious. “When can I meet her?”

  Harrison rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure, but if you can keep up your end of the bargain, I’ll work something out with Mia.”

  Chapter 29

  Harrison and Autumn spent hours together. Mia disappeared to let them have some bonding time alone. Eventually, she knew he would have questions, and ready or not, she would have to answer them.

  Autumn invited Harrison to an exclusive tea party in her bedroom, and he allowed her to try her makeup artistry skills on him. He was currently sporting the latest in blue eyeshadow, purple lipstick, and blush. He didn’t care. Autumn seemed to be enjoying every minute of it, and that’s all that mattered. Mia ordered pizza, and the two of them shared it in her room.

  Mia didn’t want to end their time together, but it was already two hours past Autumn’s bedtime, she had no choice. She leaned her shoulder against the doorway. “I’m sorry, but it’s time for Autumn to get ready for bed.”

  She stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. “Aww . . . mom. Just five more minutes?”

  Mia shook her head. “Sorry kiddo. You’ve got to get a bath, and then off to bed you go. You have school in the morning at the daycare.”

  Autumn slumped her shoulders then turned to Harrison. “You’ll be here when I get back right? You won’t leave will you?”

  Harrison captured her chin in his hand. “I’ll be right here until you fall asleep. How’s that?”

  She shook her head up and down.

  “Cool. Now go get cleaned up before I’m too tired to read you a bedtime story.”

  Autumn placed her hands in Mia’s but continued to look over her shoulder at Harrison as she left the room.

  An hour later, Autumn was bathed, in bed, and lying in the crook of Harrison’s arm sleeping. He wasn’t five minutes into reading her a story before she fell asleep. Carefully, he closed the book, put it on the nightstand next to her bed, and eased up trying not to wake her.

  Mia was sitting on the couch with her feet curled up underneath her looking at a book when Harrison came out of Autumn’s bedroom.

  She could see the exhaustion all over his face. Mia probably didn’t look any better. He approached her; Mia unfurled her legs and closed the book, putting it on the table with several others. She sat up straight. Mia honestly didn’t know what to say. “Is she asleep?”

  He was tired. “Yeah, she finally fell off.”

  Mia nervously twisted her fingers together. “I know you have lots of questions.”

  Harrison sat down next to her but not too close. There was a healthy distance between them. “How could you not tell me about her, Mia?”

  Nervously, she rubbed her hands back and forth on her thighs. “At the time, I thought I was making the best decision.”

  “How could you think that? Imagine if you were me. Put yourself in my shoes. There is a living and breathing person in that room that I helped create.” Harrison pointed his thumb in the direction of Autumn’s room. “You stole five years of her life from me.”

  Her saddened eyes looked into his. “I-I messed up. I made a mistake! At the time, you weren’t the only one who couldn’t find their footing. When we broke up, I didn’t know if I was coming or going. Our relationship was over, my parents wouldn’t have anything to do with me. I was pregnant with no job and no money.”

  “We could have figured things out.”

  “Harrison, you said yourself that it to
ok you awhile to get it together. I was scared. I freaked out.”

  “Let’s say I could understand all of that. What about now? You weren’t ever going to tell me about her.”

  Mia looked away. He was right. She hadn’t ever planned on it. “No. I wasn’t going to tell you. I thought we should let the past be. It wasn’t until I sat down with Autumn that I realized how wrong I’d been. I thought I was doing what was best for everyone. All I can say is I’m sorry. I hope that one day both of you will forgive me.”

  His gaze was hard. He stood. “I should go.”

  “Wait.” Mia placed her hand on his arm. Her voice was soft. “I can’t give you that time back, but I thought you might want to look at these.” She leaned over the coffee table and lifted the three books. They were photo albums. “They are pictures of Autumn from the time she was a little baby up until now. You can make copies of the ones you want.”

  Harrison stared down at the books before taking them from her hands. The knot in his throat was large. “When can I see her again?”

  Her voice was defeated. “Whenever you want. I’m usually home by five-thirty.”

  “Tomorrow? Six?”

  Mia nodded. “That’s fine.”

  “I rescheduled my flight back to Chicago for Friday. I’d like to spend as much time with her as I can before then.”

  “I have no problem with that.”

  He blew out a breath. She could hear the listlessness in him. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” All she could do was stare at his back when he walked away.

  *****

  It was two-twenty in the morning. The house was dark, and the quiet was way too loud. Mia lay on her back wide awake staring at the ceiling, thinking. How she prayed she could shut her mind off, but it kept replaying Harrison’s words back—You stole five years from me. She’d never thought about it like that. Not only had she taken that time away from him, but she’d taken it away from Autumn. Now that everything was out in the open, Mia couldn’t believe she’d made the decisions she had. Even though, at the time, she thought it was best.