Page 51 of His Gift
Conrad
When Sunday morning comes, I'm way less confident that going to the barbecue with Harper is a good idea.
We both stayed awake the other night, neither of us willing to talk. And the next day, we just skirted around each other, Harper buried in her folders and I… trying to be as inconspicuous as I could. Now, I must choose what to do, but I know she won't go if I don't. I just know. And she needs a normal day. So, I stay out of the way until it's time and then drive her to her boss's house.
It's a nice two-story house on the outskirts of Ithaca, white picket fence, green grass. Perfect picture. Kids are running around with a dog, Jasper is busy with the grill, two men watching him work. When I open Harper's door, three women come out of the house with plates and bowls in their hands, followed by a teenager with his head low. I'm just about ready to turn the car around and go back home.
"We can say hello, stay a little, and then leave."
I drag my eyes from my worst nightmare and move them to Harper. She's so fucking sad and I have no idea why or how to make it better. Well, probably leaving would do the trick.
"Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. They were nice, inviting me too. Now let's go. I'll pick up the potato salad."
She's still using the cane, but she doesn't really need it anymore. I'm happy she's waiting to hear it from her therapist, though.
"Hey, welcome! You're the last ones. We can start now." One of the women, the lady of the house I guess, comes toward us and hugs Harper. "You look fantastic." She doesn't. She has bags under her eyes and the most miserable face I've ever seen on her. But then she grins at her friend and I'm suddenly happier we've come here. "And you must be Conrad. Nice to meet you. I'm Cecily, Jasper's wife." Plastering a smile on my face, I greet her and show the bowl I have in my hands.
"Oh, thank you. Come. You can put it on the table there. Then I'll introduce you to everyone."Can't wait.
I school my face and brace for the onslaught. At least the introductions are brief. The sister and her boyfriend, the neighbor and his wife, the moody teenager and the slobbering, cute labrador. I smile, nod, act as if I couldn't be more delighted to be here. Thankfully, the children are so engrossed in their fun that they don't notice me. Then I sneak my way toward the grill, convincing Jasper that it's no bother to tend to it and that he should relax after his long week at work. After all, I'm currently unemployed.Big mistake.I should have known he'd be on the fence with me.
"Oh! What happened? Did your company have to cut personnel?"AKA, are you going to live on my friend's paycheck?
"No. The company was mine. I sold my shares because I wanted to move here with Harper." His face relaxes a bit, but not by much.
"That's nice. Are you planning to make a fresh start here?"
"Not at the moment, no. I don't really need the money. I have enough for a lifetime." I've been brief, leaving no room for follow-up questions. Luckily, Jasper moves onto drinking beer and grilling his brother-in-law, who's apparently lacking initiative and drive. It sounds like this man has a strong urge to look after the women in his life. While it's comprehensible about his sister, it pisses me off when it comes to Harper. But I guess it's what friends do. I believe what Harper said, but sharing her with othersis not something that comes to me naturally. And taking care of her is my job, no one else's.
And what an outstanding job you're doing. Fuck.
I don't resent Harper for not opening up. Even I can see she's conflicted and fighting her own battles. But I am the worst person on this fucking planet to pick up on her silent cues and help her. And yet, I still cling to the idea that time will solve things. That I don't need to leave. That she doesn't want me gone.
I spot the moody teenager, the neighbor's older son, beelining for the grill and giving me puppy eyes.
"Do you want to help?"
"Yeah, please. There's no one my age and I'm bored to tears." I smile. I can relate. I hand him the spatula, but I don't join the others. The kid is silent, concentrated on his task, and I'm perfectly fine where I am. Actually, now that the other men have moved away to lounge on the grass, the kid gives me a nice cover for being here by myself. If last night hadn't happened, I'd probably want to be by Harper's side. Being things as they are, it's better she keeps chatting with Cecily about something I can't hear. She's smiling non-stop, even though from time to time she gives me a questioning look, to which I smile and nod. I want her to enjoy herself. It's the whole point of coming here.
"So, are you a lawyer too?"
"Nope. I had a company. Biochemical products."
"Oh, that's cool! I'll study molecular biology. I've already decided. Just need to muddle through high school."
"Boring?"
"Oh, yeah!" I chuckle. Educated guess. I remember I was bored half the time at his age.
"Is it true your girlfriend is wanted by the mafia?"What?
"Where'd you hear that?"
"My parents were talking about it. They didn't really know; it sounded more like they were guessing. But if that's true, that would be soooooo cool!"Yeah, kid. Soooo cool.
"Well, I'm sorry to be un-cool, but Harper is just a lawyer."
A sharp, snapping sound resonates above the chatter and barks, and when I turn around I find Harper on the patio floor. What the fuck happened?
