Uncle Harry

-19-

Waking up completely alone for the first time in a very long time wasn't pleasant at all. It wasn't a vacation from tiny, little hands pulling on my hair or from my husband's heavy arm draped across my stomach. I needed a warm body next to mine instead of hugging one of the largest down pillows I could find in Arielle's room. If I hadn't ditched Harry in a cowardly moment last night, I would have one. I would have him here after a pleasurable, no, probably mind-blowing, night together. But I let doubt about his feelings cloud my head and my self-consciousness overwhelm me instead of immersing myself in whatever he had left to offer me.

Guessing I'd get up and face the music of my choices, I peel myself out of the bed and head to the bathroom to get ready for the day. This is the only time I haven't enjoyed a shower. I feel like I'm washing away all of the heated touches Harry bestowed upon me, every trace of his lips now gone. I notice it's fittingly overcast when I take a look out the window, so I slink on a pair of leggings and a slouchy heathered grey sweater from Ari's closet. Not even bothering doing my hair or makeup, I make my way towards the door, but when I open it, there's something on the floor outside in the hall waiting for me. Ari's flats and neatly folded jacket are placed directly in front of me, my underwear and bra carefully placed on top of the little pile. It felt like a deserved slap in the face. Because I didn't want to stay in the same room with him, he probably took it that I didn't want to for the rest of my time here. So he bundled up my stuff and left it for me. Well, at least I knew he was awake. It didn't make me want to walk down the stairs any faster.

Walking towards the kitchen, I don't see him anywhere in there or the living room, so I go to the pantry for some cereal and then I'm back at the isle pouring milk over it and into a bowl. Standing while I ate, I watched the mist flow over the bleak lake, a few boats passing by the house. It was eerily quiet here inside until I heard footsteps coming from down the hallway and I froze, still gripping onto the yellow ceramic carrying my cereal.

Harry must have just left his office. "Sorry," he says in a distant, monotone voice. "I would have made you breakfast... but you weren't there for me to ask what you wanted." Ouch. Knowing that tone, I knew he was definitely not happy with me right now. Why didn't I just go back to his room? I turn my head and watch him as he rounds the isle and drops several envelopes of mail on the counter.

Clearing my throat, I can't seem to find any words, so I walk to the sink to rinse out my bowl and start to wash it. He doesn't say anything else, just leans against the granite and I can feel his eyes burn into my back. "I figured you went back to sleep." Reaching for a dry dishtowel, I wipe out the bowl and start to walk back to the cabinet when Harry stick out his arms to stop me. Taking the clean bowl from my grip, he sets it down on the counter."

"We both know that's not what happened." He was so close to me now and my body was humming again. "What's going on, Mal? I thought... I thought that last night was going pretty well. I was having a good time, at least."

I couldn't look at him when he had that insecure look on his face. "I was, too," I say quietly, my fingers reaching out to the hem of his shirt to play with the fabric.

"Were you?" His eyes search mine for an answer, not really believing me.

Nodding, I take a deep breath and let it out, lowering my head. "Absolutely."

"Then talk to me," he uses a finger to lift my chin back up.

Shrugging, I tilt my head. "I just... got in my head." I take the bowl back and pass him to finally put it away. "When you asked me to stay with you, the last thing I wanted to do was answer that phone call. But I did, and once it was over, I got all freaked out and embarrassed. Last night... that was pretty serious, Harry."