The Side You Don't Hear (1D)

Chapter 14

Anne's POV

                My only son's funeral had ended a few hours ago, and I'm not exactly coping well, but does anyone expect me to?  I can't stay at the house because the walls are lined with pictures of him as a child and memorabilia of his more recent accomplishments, so I'm staying in a hotel in the London area.  Gemma is keeping everything running for me and is currently out shopping for breakfast tomorrow, but I'd rather sit here and enjoy my bottle of wine. 

                Knock knock knock.  Who would be coming by the hotel room?  Gemma has a key and not many people know we're here.  I stand up apprehensively and walk over to the door.  Looking through the peep hole, I see its only Liam.  I put on a happy face and pull the door open.

                "Hi, sweetie." I say lightly and open the door wider for him to enter.

                "Hi Anne," he says, pulling me into a hug, "How are you?"  His words slightly muffled by my hair.

                "I'm hanging in there," I answer, trying not to fall apart completely in front of the young boy.  He probably feels just as bad as I do though, so he knows I'm downplaying it.  He pulls back and gives me a sad smile.  I return it and close the door.  "Tea?" I offer, leading him towards the hotel room's small kitchen.

                "I'd love a cup," he replies and follows me willingly. He sat at the small table while my back was turned to make the drinks.  As the water was heating, I lean on the counter and face him.  Liam looks very uncomfortable, which is unusual.  He knows me and that I'm always here for him, so why be unsure around me?

                "Something wrong, dear?" I ask, genuinely concerned for him.  He bites his lip and looks down at his hands in his lap, clearly unsure if he should be telling me about whatever is on his mind.  After a few seconds with no response, I walk over and kneel down in front of him until I'm at his eye level.  He is still avoiding my eyes, so I place one hand on his shoulder and the other on the folded hands in his lap.  He finally looks up and meets my eyes.  I give him an encouraging smile and he finally sighs, clearly giving in.

                "It's about Harry..." he started.  I knew it would be, as that's basically the only reason to come see a dead son's mother a few hours after the funeral.  He's just lucky he caught me in the rare moment I wasn't crying.  As I waited for him to continue, the water for the tea came to temperature.  I walked back, poured both Liam and I a cup, and returned to the table, handing him his and taking the seat across from him.  A minute later he still hadn't continued.

                "Whatever it is you have on your mind, take your time," I say to him, earning a thankful smile.  My cup of tea was nearly finished when he finally spoke again.

                "What if I told you....that there was still something we could do...for him."  Liam finally says hesitantly.  Confusion was written across my face at his words.  I knew he was talking about Harry, but what else could be done for him?  He had been laid to rest, that's about all we can do for him at this point.

                "You mean for his spirit, wherever he is out there in the universe?" I ask, trying to make sense of his words.  This is clearly what he meant.

                "No," he said almost immediately, shaking his head and looking down again.  He turned to face me completely and put his mug down on the table, staring into my eyes, "For Harry.  He's...not in the condition you think he is."  I was getting tired of Liam's cryptic speaking.  He obviously had information that I don't, and if it concerns my son, I must know.  I gave him a look that meant spit it out already, which he quickly caught on to.  He closed his eyes and rushed his next words.