Through The Lens

Chapter Six

With Harry asleep in the passenger seat, my GPS silently directed me along the coast towards Sacramento. The white Range Rover was quiet as I drove. It was almost a calming hum that sounded. I contemplated turning the radio on softly, but I didn't want to risk waking Harry.
We were less than twenty miles from Sacramento when Harry finally woke.
"Hey." His voice was raspy.
I smiled. "Hey. How was your nap?"
He sat up and stretched his arms out in front of him. "It was great. Thank you for driving. I'll drive back to make up for it."
I shrugged. "It's alright. I don't mind driving. Especially this car." I chuckled.
Harry let out a laugh. "It is a nice car, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
In the corner of my eye, I saw him reach into his coat pocket and pull out his phone.
He sighed. "Damn. Ten missed calls."
"From Amanda?" I asked.
"Yeah."
I nodded. "Hmm."
"Okay, I know what you're going to say-"
"Actually." I stopped him. "You don't." I kept the car going steady. "I wasn't going to say anything about that. In fact, I was going to change the topic completely because I need to stay out of other people's lives. I don't like it when people pry into mine, so I try not to pry into theirs."
"Oh. Sorry, Mari." He frowned a little.
"It's fine. I know I'm a complete mess and I'm sorry that you're dealing with it."
Harry chuckled. "Okay, first of all, I don't think you're any more of a mess than anyone else including myself. And second, I voluntarily came with you today. And thirdly, I handpicked you from all of the photographers in the world to be my personal photographer. So really, I got myself into this and I'm glad that I did. It's quite refreshing to be with you. Everyone else that I work with or have relations with are too peppy and have too much energy. You have the perfect amount of everything."
I raised a brow. "Seriously? No one has ever said that before."
"That's because most people are afraid to admit their true feelings. It's a side effect of being human unfortunately. They typically don't because they're afraid of the outcome of doing so."
I glanced at him and then back at the road. "Have you studied the human brain?"
"Yes, I have." He replied, nodding. "I took some time out during our last break and took a six week course online. It was quite intriguing and informative. Learning about something that so many people take for granted has helped me in the long run."
"Hmm. Well maybe someday you can tell me everything you learned."
"Yea, maybe some day."
"Hmm." My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. "I'll stay quiet and tune you out if you want to call her back."
"Eh, it's okay. She knows what I'm doing today. If it's at all important, she'll leave a voice message."
I nodded.
"Mari?" Harry said with a hint of concern in his voice.
"What?"
"Wanna loosen the grip on that steering wheel? You're going to hurt your hands."
I did as he suggested and released the pressure built up in my arms. I took a deep breath and leaned back in the seat.
Harry touched my arm lightly, his thumb rubbed circles on my forearm. "You alright, love?"
I nodded. "Mhm."
"What got to you?"
"I don't know." I whispered, shrugging my shoulders and shaking my head.
"Okay, well let me give her a quick call before we get there and then we can talk, yea?"
"Okay."
***
I put the car in park and turned off the ignition. I unbuckled my belt and leaned back against the seat.
Beside me, Harry unbuckled his seat belt too. "Are you ready?" He asked, one hand on the door handle.
I shook my head. "No, but I have to be. Not only for me but for Grammy too." My voice was shaky and my palms were already sweating.
"Love?" Harry reached for my hand and I took it and squeezed it.
I closed my eyes. "I'm not ready, Harry." I whispered almost inaudibly.
I felt him raise my hand and he put his other hand around it. I opened my eyes and watched him just stare down at out hands enclosed together.
"Harry?"
His gaze met mine. "Sorry." He dropped my hand and I put in in my lap. "We should go in. The sooner we do, the sooner you can get home to your grammy."
I nodded. "Yea."
He got out and the door shut firmly behind him. I hopped out as Harry walked around to my side of the car. He held out his hand towards me and I took it. It was a simple holding of hands but I felt safe with him near. If I'm being honest, it scared me. I barely know him and we met just a few days ago.
Nevertheless, Harry led me inside the large building. It was bright in the entryway where a woman sat behind a wall with a small opening. We walked up to her and I smiled.
"Hello." She chirped. "How can I help you today?"
"Uh, my name is Marina Hall. I have an appointment with Mr. Akers."
She stood up. "Meet me on the other side of those glass doors and I will direct you to his office."
"Thank you." Harry nodded before the woman walked away.
I let out a breath.
"Come on, Mari." His voice rang through my head.
I knew I was walking, but I couldn't feel the floor. The bright lights of the place made it hard for me to focus. I stopped and grabbed tightly onto Harry's arm.
"Love? What is it?" He whispered.
"Lights." I croaked.
Harry put himself around me, holding my head against his chest, blocking the lights.
"I can't do this. Don't make me do this, Harry." I cried.
"Oh Mari. You have to. Remember what we talked about?"
I nodded. "Yeah, but-"
"Remember why you're doing this."
I squeezed my eyes shut and thought of Grammy. She needs the help and the excitement in her life. There will be someone with her 24/7. She'll have the computer with Skype on it to talk anytime she wants. I can visit her anytime I want. She'll make friends and will have people she can rely on.
"Make me get through it." I whispered.
"Okay." Harry let me go but held my hand tightly, pulling me along.
***
"I hate myself." I groaned as Harry drove back towards Los Angeles. He'd stopped at a gas station and gotten us each a turkey and cheese sub and a coffee.
"Don't hate yourself, Mari. You made it through and now Grammy can come anytime she'd like."
I shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
The place was perfect. There wasn't one thing wrong with it. Except maybe the extremely bright lights when you first walk in. I rolled my eyes at the thought. Who needs lights that bright anyway?
I glanced at the GPS and read the arrival time to my house. 6:57pm.
"I guess I better call Reed and have her help me pack tonight. I can pack Grammy tomorrow after class." I took my phone from my pocket.
"Would you like me to help Grammy tomorrow?" Harry asked quietly.
Setting my phone in my lap, I turned my body to face him. "Harry, thank you but you've already done so much for us. I can't ask you to help any more."
"Well that's convenient then because you're not. I'm volunteering to help."
I frowned. "Seriously?"
"Yes!" He chuckled. "I don't have anything tomorrow so I'm free all day. I'll even stop by and pick up a U-Haul and some empty boxes."
"Harry, no!" I exclaimed. "I can't let you do that!"
"Why not, Mari? I'm available!"
"I don't want to take up anymore of your time!"
He sighed. "It's non-negotiable, Mari. I'm helping and that's the end of this ridiculous conversation."
I picked up my phone and texted Reed anyway.
'Hey girl, could you meet me at my house at 7? I need to start packing!'
'Of course! How was your road trip with Harry? ;)'
'I'm rolling my eyes right now. but it was good! Grammy is set to go when we're ready.'
'That's great, Mar! I'll see you at 7! :)'
':)'
"Reed is coming over to help me pack." I stated.
There was a silence lingering in the car. I sighed to myself, still frustrated with what had happened. Harry had already done too much.
"Go back to London." I whispered.
"Wha-" He paused. "Why?"
"Because you've done too much already, Harry. I can't let you do anymore." I croaked. "Please, just go back."