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A New Beginning

Making Plans

I woke up rested, but I still didn't want to get out of bed because I would have to face the day and quite honestly, I didn't want to; the fact that Alex was still sleeping beside me was not helping either. I forced myself out of bed to pee and took my phone with me so I could call work and tell them about needing time off because of my brother’s death.

“What the fuck am I gonna say to them?” I said, sitting on the toilet.

“Harper?” I heard Alex ask from the opposite side of the door.

“Yeah?”

“Is everything okay? The door’s locked.”

“I’m trying to figure out what to say to my work about Conner and I didn’t wanna wake you.”

“That doesn’t explain why you locked the door.”

“I just felt like it.”

“Harper. Are you sure?”

After thinking for a moment, I got up and unlocked the door. He opened it and walked in.

“Could you be here while I talk to my boss? I feel like I’m gonna breakdown afterward.”

“Of course.”

I took a breath and called work.

“Hello?”

“Hey Mrs. Turner, it’s Harper.”

“Hey, honey. What’s up?”

“Well, I’m going to need some time off. My brother passed away.”

“I’m so sorry to hear about your brother.”

“Me too.” I said solemnly.

“Take all the time you need, Harper.”

“What about my column? Who’s gonna write it?”

“We have someone to fill in for you while you’re gone. She’s relatively new to the area and is a writer.”

“That’s a relief.”

After I hung up, I placed my head in my hands and shook it.

"Is there anything I can do?"

I smiled; he's so sweet.

"Just be here for me." I said, lifting my head.

"I think I can do that."

I laughed before pulling him into a kiss. He made it deeper and picked me up and took me out of the bathroom. He sat me on the bed and I moved to the top and grabbed him by his shirt, bringing his lips to mine, but just as I had my hand on the back of his shirt, he stopped me.

"Harper."

"What?" I asked.

"We can't."

"Why not?"

"Harper. Your brother just died."

"What's your point?"

I was very annoyed.

"I think you know what my point is."

I rolled my eyes and pushed him off of me.

"All I want to do is feel good. YOU make me feel good. What's wrong with having sex right now?"

"You need to grieve. It's part of the healing process."

"I am grieving. Can't you see that? Hell, before this, I was grieving the failure of my marriage. I know how to grieve, Alex."

"I'm not going to have sex with you right now."

Sex makes me feel amazing like I'm on cloud nine and with an even more amazing person. I don't feel pain; I only feel pleasure and joy. I truly didn't understand why this wasn't was an option when I'm in the deepest pain I've felt since I found out my husband had been cheating on me during our three-year marriage.

"Fine."

I got off my bed and walked over to my closet to find what I was going to wear for the next three days or so.

“What are you doing?”

“Looking for clothes to wear while I mourn.”

I heard him walk over and wrapped his arms around me. Tears cascaded once again and soon I decided to touch his arms.

"You want me to come with you?"

"If you'd like. I don't know how my mom would feel about me bringing someone new this soon after Kyle, though."

"I understand. Your mom is gonna be pretty damn emotional after all."

I turned around and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"People will be talking about me no matter what. They know I'm getting divorced. You know, why don't you come with. I actually think I'm gonna need you."

"You sure?" he asked smiling.

"Of course."

We stood in silence for a minute until I heard my voice being called by my cousin.

"I hope you can stand being in a vehicle with her for an hour-and-a-half."

"I think I can handle that."

"Well, you're gonna be in for quite a ride. Anyway, I'm gonna go see what she wants."

“Ok.” he said, letting me go.

I walked out the door and found her in the kitchen sitting on the floor.

“Iris?”

“Hug me.” she managed to say.

She’s having a breakdown. She stood up and hugged me.

“Oh, honey.” I said, hugging her tightly.

“I can’t believe he’s gone.”

She buried her head into my shoulder and cried incessantly.

“I can’t either.”

I don’t know how long we were standing there when I heard Alex’s voice this time; neither Iris nor I moved as he walked toward where we were.

“Is everything okay?”

“No.” she croaked.

“Anything I can do?” Alex asked, touching my shoulder.

“No. How about I call you later about Delaware?”

“Of course.”

He kissed my cheek and off he went. Once he did, Iris spoke up and wiped her tears.

“Is he coming with us?”

“Only if you’re okay with it.”

“I totally am.” she sniffled.

“That’s so good to hear.”

“Have you called work?”

“Yeah. Have you?”

“Yep. You start packing?”

“I was just getting my suitcase when I broke down. How about you?”

“Not really. I was looking for clothes to wear when I heard you.”

"Oh, I'm so sorry that I interrupted you."

"Don't apologize. Actually, Alex interrupted when he wrapped his arms around me."

"Are you gonna tell her before we go?"

"I'm just gonna bring him and then introduce him."

"You realize how shocked she's gonna be? You won't be bringing Kyle, which she knows of course, but a new guy?"

"I'm gonna take a risk and do it. People'll be talking about me, anyway." I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"That's true."

"You know, I was wanting to have sex not even a half hour ago and he shut me down."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He said that I have to grieve. I've never had anyone say no to sex when a guy was with me."

"I get it, though. It's not a proper time for it."

"Me too. I was angry, of course. Even when the argument about wanting to feel good and that he makes me feel good, he still wasn't budging."

She laughed.

"You got a good one."

I nodded and smiled. Twenty minutes later, we both had eaten breakfast and were in our respected bedrooms to pack for a sad visit to our hometown. I spoke to Iris while we were eating and agreed to leave in the morning, but I still had to speak to Alex before finalizing our plans.

"Hey." he greeted.

"Hey. I have something to discuss with you." I said, lying on my bed.

"And what would that be?"

"Iris and I wanna leave in the morning."

"I'm good with that."

"What time you plan on leaving?"

"Ten, since it's not that long of a drive to Wilmington."

"Am I meeting you at you two's apartment?"

"I was hoping to pick you up, and oh, pack for four days just to be safe."

"Sounds good."

We talked just a bit longer before I hung up, knowing that I had to call my mom.

"Hello?"

"Hey Mom."

"Hey Harper. What's up?"

"Iris and I are gonna head up tomorrow morning. Should be there by noon if all goes to schedule."

"That's great, honey. How is she? I can't imagine she's all that okay."

"She's okay and about as upset as me. You know how close we all were."

"I do. Well, send her my love. I can't wait to see her tomorrow."

"Will do. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Notes

Comments

Harper should get pregnant as revenge

Heyo, I just replied to your forum post and I decided to see if you're writing anything. And you are! I'm going to support you and read your stuff. I just started this, so give me a second to read it all. So far, I'm liking it.