He Calls Me Harmony

Chapter sixteen: Pulse

Exhale. A word that my body has yet adapted to as an action. I flared my nose in an odd attempt to inhale. It worked. I just couldn't exhale. My attempt to breath failed miserably. Eventually my breaths came out as weazes.

Michael stops at the door of the restaurant. He releases my hand and looks at me in confusion and concern. He babbles out word's. I motion with my hand to tell him I cannot breath. I knew it was an anxiety attack. He finally finds word's. "Harmony a-are you, what's wrong? ", I fan my mouth with one hand and pointed to my chest with my other hand. This was a definite case of confusing charades. Michael's face grows a shade lighter. He was clearly panicking. "Harmony just breathe in and out ", He continued now demonstrating how to breathe properly. I nod and followed his demonstration. It was helping. After five minutes Michael was successful and helping cure my anxiety attack. "Thank-you ", I whispered out. Michael nods. "You had me frightened there", I look at the gravel on the ground. "I know, I'm sorry ", He let's out a sigh before wrapping his arm's around me. I take in his intoxicating aroma of musk and fabric softner. "I don't want to ever be that scared about loosing you ever again", He breaks the hug and looks at me. His doe eye's filled with worry. I caress his face. "Michael you will never loose me, ever", He takes my hand and placed a tender kiss on it. His action spoke volume. It was a seal of promise.  I look away feeling myself starting to cheese. "Michael my mother is waiting", He doesn't tear his stare away as he slowly nods. He reaches for my hand. I take his without hesitation. Time felt as if it was unpaused as we continued our original mission. I slowly let go of Michael's hand. He looks at me confused by my action. I give him a reassuring smile. I look towards my mother's table and continued walking. Michael stayed close behind me. I plastered a smile once I reached my mother. "Hello mother", She quickly looks up and let's out a small gasp. I giggle. She stands up and wraps her arm's around me. "Oh honey I missed you how are you? ", "I'm great mother, How are you?", She opens her mouth to reply but gaps instead. By the look on her face, I knew why she acted that way. I slowly turned and saw Michael. He had a nervous smile plastered on his face. He walks beside me. My mother's facial expression stayed the same as she stared at us. The silence from both sides was killing me. "Mother I-", She shakes her head. "No I understand, Hello Michael ", She extends her hand out. Michael glances at me before shaking her hand. "Hello Mrs. Riley", "I've been well, Well have a seat, Are you two hungry? ", She said taking her place in her seat again. Michael and I nod and sat. "Well good because I took the liberty of pre-ordering appetizers", She looks at her menu. I smile This moment is beautiful. Michael and my mother happily conversating. I sit back and watch in awe. My life this far has been surreal for me. The entire diner went well. It consisted of embarrassing stories about my childhood and funfacts about my awkward teenage year's. Most would think that I would be embedded with embarrassment, Yet I saw nothing but positivity from this lunch with my mother. It gave Michael a chance to grow a relationship with my mother. All in all, I think we left with new hope and a promise of a better tomorrow.

"That was interesting ", Michael beamed as we climbed into the car. I giggle. "If you find embarrassing stories about me interesting ", He chuckles. "Actually I do, I think it's cute you used bra's as face masks for your Halloween costumes", I give him a playful glare. "Oh so you find that really comical?", He starts the ignition.  "Yes, In fact I.found it quite adorable ", "No it's not I seriously thought bra's were eye masks ", I pout. He shakes his head laughing harder. I join in cracking up. His laughs are contagious. The rest of the ride was filled with giggles and corny jokes. I hated when it sadly came to end. Michael stops the car and shuts off the ignition. Our laughter was dead and reality had hit. Neither of us spoke a word for awhile. Michael takes upon himself to break the silence. "I had fun tonight ", I nod. "So did I", As on que that God awful silence covered our unspoken word's. Michael shifts a little in his seat. I look at him. I wish to stay here with him. "Do you want to stay?", His voice was small and unsure. "I don't know I ... ",.I trailed off looking ahead. He sighs.  "It's Saturday I just thought you would, Nevermind ", I turn to him. His eye's spoke louder than his word's. His eye's pleaded but his voice asked. I look down then up again.  "Yes", My tone came out as a whisper. He smiles. "So you will stay?", I nod cheesing at his excitement. He restarts the ignition and pulls out...

To Be Continued....