Page 92 of Together in Harmony
“Asa?”
“Yeah, sweetheart.”
“Why did Hugo decide to go see his parents now?”
The knife that is chopping the tomatoes, slows to a stop.
“Err, because it felt like the right time?”
Now that sounds like a load of bull.
“Asa?”
“Want to try the muffin batter?’ he asks me. “Or I could butteryourmuffin…”
“Stop trying to divert me. What’s going on? I can sense something. You and Lennox are doing an excellent job keeping me entertained, but… Carlie being at the same place Hugo was last night? If she was there, then Screech would have been there too. Something is going on.”
Asa walks over to the arch that leads into the main room
“Lenny!” he bellows. “Come distract Harmony, she’s asking questions.”
HUGO
I’m absolutely exhausted, the past twenty-four hours has taken more out of me than when we did three back-to-back nights at Wembley Stadium.
But, hopefully, it will all be worth it. Time will tell I guess. Now I just want to be back at the ranch, and back inside my best girl.
My parents had quizzed me about her.
“Frenzy Towers? Hugo, honestly. Your taste goes from bad to worse,” Mother had said.
Gritting my teeth to hold back a series of expletives, I’d answered firmly, but politely. “Harmony is going to be your daughter-in-law. If you can be civil, youmayget the honor of meeting her. But at this rate, I don’t think I’d risk having her in your toxic presence.”
Father had narrowed his eyes, and stepped back. Like I’d made a bad smell. “Hugo, apologize to your mother at once.”
“I came as a courtesy. I intend to be married soon. You will not have any part in my life unless you can be decent and kindto my wife. If you can’t agree to that, this will be the last time we see each other.”
“So dramatic,” said Mother.
I once read that only kids who felt unloved use the names 'Mother' and 'Father', rather than 'Mom' and 'Dad'.
"Goodbye, Mother."
Leaving the cold penthouse apartment for the last time, I felt nothing but a sense of relief.
My next New York conversations were not any easier.
But at least they felt like they accomplished something.
Entering the ranch house, I can hear music and laughter. The place smells of cookies, and there are cushions and blankets all over the floor. I am so fucking glad to be back.
I stand in the archway to the kitchen, observing the scene.
Asa and Lennox are wearing matching aprons and nothing else. It looks like they are trying to do a dance routine."Champagne Life" by Ne-Yo, is playing. Harmony has an ipad in her hands and is giving instruction.
“No, no! You’ve got to sort of dip to the left, then grind…here let me show you.”
The three of them huddle around the small screen.
