Dancing Through The Night

Chapter 3

A black stroller, like so many others, is coming towards me. The cute blond boy with sparkling blue eyes inside munches on a biscuit, or something that resembles one. A small book is hanging down on one side, attached to a colorful link chain. A see-through sippy cup is lying next to the young child. What strikes me are the steely eyes glaringly back at me when I look up. Harry.
Why is Harry pushing a baby around? I stop in my tracks while Harry keeps on walking, although his stride seems to slow down, his gaze not leaving mine. I can't read his expression. Is it surprise? Is it shock, embarrassment, anger? But then I notice the woman next to him, her airy floral dress dancing behind her. She's pretty and a deep, sinking feeling spreads through my stomach, even more when I notice her arm linked with Harry's. It's her, Angela. I recognise her from the photo I had found in Harry's drawer just before he admitted that he was still married. Just like back then, there must be an explanation. I can't think of one just yet, but there must be. In vein, I try to force a smile onto my lips. I'm rooted to the ground and when Harry and Angela are right in front of me, all I manage is a croaky "hi". Harry nods in my direction. His lips are moving but no sound escapes them. We just stare at each other for what seems like an eternity, his blue eyes locked on mine, then Harry breaks the silence. He's freeing his arm from Angela's, asking "What are you doing here - on a Sunday morning?"
Surprised by his cold welcome, I remind myself that the woman next to him is still his wife, even though they are separated, and Harry is just being a gentlemen, not wanting to hurt her feelings. I do have to have a talk to him about her linking arms with him though.
The little boy starts squealing. Is he maybe Harry's nephew, a neighbor's kid that they look after together? I am brought back to the uncomfortable situation. This was meant to happen differently. Today was about us, our baby, our future and not about Harry's past.

"I came to discuss something with you," I say with a smile I finally manage to put on. Somehow, I have to get him out of this situation but of course I don't want to hurt his ex's feelings.

"Ah," Angela points at me with a bright happy smile. "You are Alannah, right?"
I nod, surprised but glad that she knows my name. Harry must have told her all about us then. He is in this with me. And now I know that he likes kids. Deep down though, the feeling that something is very much off spreads wide until it fills every inch of my body. Every part of me feels heavy, numb. There is an explanation. But then Angela continues, her cherry red lips perfectly shaped and filled by what looks like several layers of lipstik: "I thought the network deal was resolved weeks ago?"
"The network de..." The question shoots out of my mouth without thinking until Harry interrupts me.
"Yes, it is," he directs at Angela. "Just a debrief."

I don't understand a word. My head is spinning. There must be an explanation. But deep down, I already know the truth. My stomach squeezes tight, and a thousand immature responses rush through my head. I could run, I could call Harry out on his cheating, I could tell them both why I'm here, I could cause a scene. As if Harry could read my thoughts, I notice his angst. With a confused expression, maybe some insecurety because she may just have had a lightbulb moment herself, Angela slides her arm back through Harry's. He's clearly uncomfortable with it but doesn't budge. So I decide I'm not going to cause a scene. I may be the loser here, but I'm not going to show it. It costs me all my strength but I manage to stretch out my hand to Angela, tell her how lovely it is to finally meet her and declare to both of them that I will ring Harry's office on Monday to schedule an appointment. Then I walk off, in the wrong direction, rushing around the block back to my car, where I finally burst into tears. My phone announces an incoming text, the first of many more as I expect. I don't intend to answer any of them. Not this time.