Page 5 of Harvey

Chapter 2

Harvey concentrated on eating the meal, acutely aware of being watched. His mother had greeted him at the doorway as if he was the long-lost prodigal son and made him feel like a jerk who did not deserve anything good. His father had not behaved any better but had pulled him in for a hug and insisted on hearing about his week.

Now, they were watching him, and he felt they were looking for signs of unwell.

Pushing away his plate, he lifted his head and turned to look at them. “Okay, let’s have it.” His resigned tone had his mother smiling sweetly as she nodded at the maid to remove the plates.

“We missed you.”

“We are entitled to.” His father added.

“You saw me last Sunday.” Harvey pointed out, looking at his brother, who was sipping wine and being no help.

“And we cannot help but feel we should see you more often. Ah, look, darling. Antoine made your favorite dessert. Apple crumble pie.”

“What a surprise.” He nodded to the maid, who set the plate before him. “Speaking of which- “Picking up his dessert fork, he directed a look to his mother. “I would appreciate it if, in the future, you are going to send someone over to rummage through my things; you will at least alert me first.”

“Hilda said you were running out of underwear.”

“Mother- “

“I am not going to apologize for being a caring mother,” she told him, sniffing.

“I am thirty-two years old and certainly do not need you taking care of me. Silas might need that sort of thing- “

“Hey! The fact that you had nothing clean in either your drawer or your closet says otherwise.”

“I picked up some new stuff just before work.” He protested.

“That’s your solution? Go out and buy new underwear when you run out instead of doing laundry?”

“I don’t have time- “

“Precisely.” Julia dug into her apple crumble as if the matter was settled. “Hilda will be going over to tidy up once a week. You insisted on moving out of your home, but that does not mean we will stop caring about what happens to you.

You don’t have the time to tidy up, and Hilda does not mind. Coming home to a clean house or trailer is something to be grateful for.”

Harvey eyed her in frustration. “And if I threaten to move into one of the apartments?”

“Then I will drive Hilda there myself to perform her duties.”

Picking up his wineglass, he tried to outstare her, but he was the first to look away, his eyes catching his dad’s amused look. “Can’t you talk to her?” He demanded.

“I happen to agree with her son. Now, eat up your dessert. Antoine prepared it especially for you.”

Giving up, he did just that.

*****

“You are spending the night.” Julia’s joy knew no bounds as she bustled into his old bedroom suite armed with fresh towels and washcloths.

“It’s just one night,” Harvey warned. “And you and Dad somehow managed to twist my arm. That said, I am going to be leaving here at the crack of dawn- “

“I will apprise Antoine to make certain he has coffee and a full breakfast to take with you_.”

“Mother- “

“No.” Putting the towels on the sofa, she came to sit on the edge of the bed next to him. “I am allowed to fuss now and then. I don’t see you enough, darling, and worry about you.” Lifting a hand, she tucked back tendrils of long dark hairs from his face.

---