Black Temptation

Chapter 43

I opt for a cleaning out his room of my things. The baggage Harry brought me the first set of clothes from the club house in is still waiting for a feed and will serve as my baggage for my departure. The time is 11:11, how appropriate. I've never believed in those such things. A matter of a teenaged mind needing a space for his imagination to flow. A desolate empty abyss of hope that some certain celestial power will bring that certain wish to a certain person. But all in good fun? To wish? Well, I'd wish for a bigger capacity for my head. Maybe if my brain had enough room to cultivate, my situation would be much different. I'd also wish for a bigger capacity for Harry's heart. So then, I'd know I would hold a place (nothing special, a one bedroom, small bath, 2nd floor apartment with wilted walls and rats as frequent guests) in his heart.

Zipping the remaining flap, I hear a door open with feet clicking out. I push my bag over my head so it straps my shoulder, my purse living near my side hip. I make it downstairs, awaiting the honk of my taxi. I'm accompanied by the sight of swollen eyes and an acute awareness of my plans. Marg is patting Harry's back as they make their way towards me. Harry's face somber but inquiring.

"Oh! You're leaving." Alexander speaks through his closed throat. Which was more of a settling confirmation and not a desire for me to not leave. I nod and out stretch my hand to them both.

"It's been a pleasure making your acquaintance, Mr. and Mrs. Styles. You have a," suddenly an intense shattering of my self control breaks the barriers in my eyes and I, God I need to hold these tears back, "an amazing son. Who truly is the greatest person I know."

Alexander shakes my hand first then Marg, all while Harry has never broken eye contact with me since they introduced themselves into my departing. I smile through the furious pain that is erupting my body. A sounding beep exclaims my taxi's arrival.

"Well that's my ride." I say, holding onto the strap of my baggage. Turning, I start to walk out of the door only to have Harry grab my bag.

"A proper farewell is necessary, Ms. Harper."

He holds out his hand. It slightly shaking as I stare at it, then at him. He nods and I enclose the large extremity.

Is this..

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye." I say to the best of my ability.

The end?

Goodbye means forever , or so it does to me, and he exchanged it so effortlessly it's nauseating.

I cancel all plans of stopping myself from crying when I enter into the cab. I got my 25 cents. I should be pleased. I should've been stingy enough to keep it in my back pocket. But I am now the well rounded human being I wished to be. I am an adult. I made sacrifices. I loved. I fell in love. I lost the battle. I lost the war. I gained myself. But is there really a winner? If so, who has died the most inside?