Page 49 of Perfect Harmony

Her father put her arm around her motherand smiled adoringly at his wife. “Now, Andrea, Grace is an adult. She’s freeto do what she wants when she wants. She’s not required to come visit us. Wewant her to come see us because shewantsto, not because she feelsguilty.”

Her father was wearing a grey business suitwith a paisley red tie. As bank manager of Harmony Falls First Bank, he andher mother were about as different as two people could be. The classic love storyof opposites attracting.

“Why aren’t you at work?” Grace asked herfather.

“Your father’s been so busy lately and we’vejust been missing each other something terribly.” Her mother cupped her father’sface and gazed at him. “He’s taking an extra long lunch to spend time with me.Isn’t that sweet?”

“Very sweet,” Grace said.

Her mother and father kissed, and Grace stareddown at the table. She knew she was lucky, knew that her parents still being madlyin love was something that a lot of people didn’t have. But instead of happiness,she felt only a dull sense of betrayal and loss.

Her parents loved each other. They lovedeach other so much, in fact, that they’d never really had much interest intheir only daughter. Their priorities were and always would be – each other,themselves, and then Grace.

Don’t forget about Sassy.

She smothered her bitter laughter with acough. She couldn’t even try and tell herself that her mother’s cat wasn’tmore important to her mother than Grace was. The fact that Grace had required prescriptionmedication and asthma inhalers most of her teenage years from horrific allergiesto the cat and her mother still refused to give the cat up, made it more thanclear who she valued more.

It doesn’t matter, she told herself fiercely.It doesn’t matter anymore, and justget over it for God’s sake. So, your parents could care less about you… thereare worst things.

Yes, there were, but just being around herparents ripped open wounds that she hoped would stay closed forever. Beingwith them made her feel like a vein was sliced wide and all her childish needfor her parents’ love and approval flowed out of her in a roaring Niagara Fallssize rush.

Her hands were knotted in a tight fist inher lap and her head was suddenly pounding, and she needed to get the fuck outof here before she lost it completely.

Before she could slide out of the booth,her father said, “Gideon! Good to see you.”

Gideon’s warm hand gripped her shoulder. “Slideover, Gracie.”

She slid over and Gideon sat down next to her.His big hand covered her fist under the table and he gently tugged her handsapart before taking her left hand and linking their fingers together. Sheclung to his hand like a lifeline as Gideon smiled at her parents. “Hello, Mr.and Mrs. Larken, it’s good to see you again.”

“Oh please,” her mother said, “call usAndrea and Rick. Grace spent so much time at your house growing up, you’repractically family.”

Was Grace the only one who noticed how fakeGideon’s smile was? Probably. Her parents didn’t notice anything beyond theirown noses.

“How’s work going?” her father asked.

“Fine,” Grace said.

Her father glanced at her. “Oh, sorry,Grace. I meant Gideon.”

Gideon’s thumb rubbed along hers in long,soothing strokes.

“Good. Busy,” Gideon said.

“Honey, did I tell you that Sassy had hercheck up with Dr. Brandt last week and she’s doing magnificently?” Andrea smiledat Grace. “Her bloodwork came back perfect for her age. He said she’s the healthiesttwelve-year-old cat he’s seen at the clinic. I’m thinking of painting Dr.Brandt a portrait of Sassy for his clinic. I’m sure he’d love it.”

“That’s nice, Mom.”

“Did you ever look at that picture of thekitten I sent you? Barbara Morin really needs to find homes for the litter hercat had.”

“I didn’t,” Grace said.

“What? Oh, but you must!” Andrea’s handsfluttered to her chest. “You need something to mother, Grace, and a cat willenrich your lives in so many ways. I’d be lost without Sassy. Promise me you’llcall Barbara and talk to her about the kitten.”

“She’s allergic to cats. You know that,Andrea,” Gideon said. His thumb continued to smooth a path against Grace’sskin. It was surprisingly calming. Her usual anger that her mother couldn’tremember her almost debilitating allergy to cats hadn’t even surfaced.

“What? Oh,” her mother waved her handsdramatically in the air, “I forget because it’s such a mild allergy, really. Why,pop an allergy pill every morning and you’ll be fine.”

“My mother took her to the emergency roomwhen she was thirteen years old because of her cat allergy,” Gideon said. “Sheneeded an epi-pen and an overnight stay in the hospital because of hermildallergy.She spent most of her teenage years stuck in her room because you refused torehome your cat.”

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