Pieces of it All (14 page)

"I'm not naive, and I didn't sleep with him."

"You're going to." Lucy crossed her arms and snickered.

"Maybe I will. It's not like I've sat down and planned this out. I love spending time with him. You talk about this 'reputation' and you're right - you have
no
idea what you're talking about."

She put the chair's legs back down on the ground, uncrossed her arms and sat her elbows on her knees. "Are you familiar with Ricky Hicks? He used to hang with him. He probably still does. He's a drunk and a drug addict. I've heard stories about Ricky and his buddies having little parties and screwing all these girls. I'm sure Harvey's included in that."

"You don't know that."

"Neither do you." She tapped her flawless fingernails on the glass top table. "I did some searching on him."

Beth stood up. "You what? Why would you do that?" Snooping on a friend's boyfriend was something Beth couldn't even fathom doing. Whether Harvey was aware or not, it invaded his privacy, and in a way, Beth's, too.

"I've told you before. I don't want him to leave you brokenhearted, and I'm afraid you'll get mixed up in his lifestyle. You're too good for that."

"You don't know what kind of a lifestyle he has. I've never seen him drink
or
do drugs. He doesn't even smoke." She thought, anyway. They didn't spend
all
their time together. He could smoke pot when she wasn't around, although she doubted it. Harvey didn't deserve being classified in "druggie" crowd, the ones who would gather in a circle at lunch and puff on their cigarettes and whatever else they had. No. Harvey was too smart and sweet to fit the bill of an addict.

"He's got a record. Did you know that?"

Beth's mouth closed before any words came out. A record. With the police. Her muscles tightened as she debated the likelihood of Lucy's accusations. He would've shared that information with her. A wrap sheet wasn't something you kept from your girlfriend.

Lucy took the moment to smile. "Yeah. A record. I couldn't find a Facebook page for him. Believe me, I looked. I checked up on Ricky, as well. You don't even want to see the kind of pictures are on his page." She waved her hand in disgust. "Anyway, I went to the Circuit Court system website and looked him up. He's a thief. He's broken into a few houses and stole some stuff. Even written some worthless checks."

"So he's been in jail?" Her voice cracked.

"Briefly, I think. I don't understand all the notes, but from what I deciphered, he did some time in jail, and some sort of rehab center. He's still on probation and is completing community service."

The pieces started to come together. He had been gone for awhile, just began living back at his dad's house, wouldn't touch alcohol, and refused to talk about his past. He should trust her, though. She never would hold his past against him. People make mistakes. Harvey deserved a second chance. Beth didn't want to worry about the past. "Thank you for your concern, Lucy, but you don't need to be concerned about Harvey. He's a nice guy and even if he's had some run-ins with the law, he's changed."

She tossed her head back. "You can't be serious."

"I am, Lucy. Let's not get into a fight again over Harvey. Please accept he's part of my life now. Can you, please?"

Lucy reached her hand out in front of her to observe her perfectly painted nails. "Fine. I don't like it though. I mean this guy's been in
jail
, Beth. Jail!"

For theft. For writing fake checks. Compared to other crimes, how bad was that, really? "It's not like he murdered someone."

She gasped and playfully slapped Beth on the knee. "Shut up, Beth! Okay, I'll close my mouth. Just be careful."

Lucy sounded like her mom. Everyone suddenly acted like Beth lost all respect for responsibility, and she was the opposite considering most girls her age. "I'll be careful, Luce." She was done with this conversation. She grabbed her friend and hugged her "Now tell me how this happened? Why are you leaving for school so soon?"

She stared at the floor for a few moments, gathering her thoughts. She looked up at Beth. "It's just time."

"Time. Time for what?"

She crossed her legs at her ankles, picking at the Hello Kitty pattern at her knees. "Ever since my dad died, my mom's closed up. She's been like a hermit. She gets up, goes to work, barely talks to anyone from what I understand, comes home, and sits on the couch and watches reruns of ER. Frankly, I can't take this anymore. I called my admittance counselor and she said the dorms would be ready the first week of August."

"Your mom is okay with this?"

She laughed. "Um, no. I'm surprised you'd even ask. She freaked out in every possible way, even threatened not to pay my tuition. When I pointed out I would get financial aid instead, she realized she couldn't keep me here. She has to let go and allow me to move on, even if she can't."

"Aren't you going to be worried about her?"

"Of course I am, but I'll call and email her. She'll be fine. Maybe she'll finally pull herself together and get out of this house every once and a while!"

She sat down next to Lucy. Entwining her arm with hers, she added. "Does this shopping trip count as out for her?"

Lucy gently elbowed Beth. "I knew you were going to ask that. Hey, it's a start!" She laid her head on Beth's shoulder. "Thanks for not hating me for being so nosy."

"I know you're only keeping an eye on me." She pinched Lucy's arm. "I'll look Jackson up later."

Chapter Sixteen

At nine that evening, Harvey and Beth planned on seeing each other. Beth's mind, armed with questions, drove her crazy since her afternoon with Lucy. She truly
didn't
care about his past, however unfortunate or tragic it may be, but if they wanted to move forward in their relationship, she had to get to know him better. Some, not all, of these questions she had needed answers. Who
was
this man? After trying to do her own search online about Harvey, she gave up, unable to find anything. What person in 2013 didn't possess a Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn page?

She closed her laptop at eight o'clock and slipped into a mint strapless sun dress. Harvey got off work at nine and they agreed to a late dinner at nine-fifteen. After contemplating between The Blue Rooster or Mick's Eatery, a small establishment with a romantic ambiance, she asked him to meet her at Mick's. The candlelight and soft music would make the evening more intimate when she brought up her concerns.

After living in this area her entire life, she couldn't believe she'd never been to Mick's Eatery. Her parents dined there on dates, and she'd seen friends "check-in" at the restaurant on Facebook. It sat on the corner of a busy intersection, its booming red exterior hard to miss. White shudders outlined every window, stenciled hearts at the center of each.

Harvey met her at the hostess stand, where an archway filled with beautiful flowers rounded the entrance. Beth didn't expect to need to catch her breath at the sight of Harvey. The light green shimmering tie against the crisp, white shirt brought out his eyes, and his black dress slacks appeared tailored just for him. A silver watch dangled from his wrist. She didn't want to ruin the smile spread across his face with twenty questions about the things Lucy found. With him all dressed up, so attractive and tasty, she needed a kiss.

"You're gorgeous," Harvey complimented her.

She picked the dress out on her shopping trip with her mom. She mentioned to Harvey she couldn't wait to wear it, and was excited to get the chance at dinner. She couldn't believe he'd worn a matching tie. It thrilled her he remembered the small detail. "Thank you. You're super handsome in that tie," she told him. Without hesitation, she stole a kiss from him. Wearing heels made it an easy thing to do.

The hostess seated them next to a stained glass window with a complex pattern. The rounded table, covered by a maroon tablecloth, had a floating candle with a floral centerpiece in the middle. Black cloth with a satin bow tied around the back layered the pewter chairs. Couples occupied most of the tables, and the soft jazz music playing in the background distracted from the clanking of silverware and chattering of guests.

Beth opened the menu. "I ate a light salad at home at around six. I'm still starving."

Harvey eyed the items on the menu. "I would be too. A salad is like eating grass."

Like your lawn, or pot?
Beth wanted to ask, but didn't want to start dinner with an interrogation. She required food before this conversation. The prices of the appetizers alone made her happy she had a job. She'd be broke in no time if living on her own cost this much. "Let's skip the appetizer."

Harvey's finger slid down the side of the menu. "Good idea. Wow, thirty dollars for a steak?"

"Yeah. The chicken is the cheapest." Harvey planned on paying, and hadn't had his job for long either. Ordering something expensive was out of the question. Even a soda cost almost four dollars, and no free refills. "Look," she turned the menu around for him to see. "A grilled chicken breast sandwich is under ten dollars, and comes with fries."

He took the menu from her and stacked both of theirs on the side of the table. "Sounds good to me." They each ordered the sandwich and fries, and agreed on sticking with free water for their drinks, as well as complimentary bread for the appetizer. Her insides twisted, although wasn't sure if it was because of hunger, or her upcoming confrontation.

Harvey jump started the conversation before she had a chance to begin her questioning. "Your aunt gave me information for another job tomorrow. She keeps pretty busy with this."

"Really?" More work meant more time with Harvey, assuming his willingness to come and help. She shouldn't speculate he'd tag along every opportunity. "I'm glad. Now she can take on additional business. Since she started at the bank, her cleaning work has been put on the back burner." Clapping wait staff startled her. They passed by their table with a monstrous brownie and a candle singing
Happy Birthday
to the woman at the table next to them. Beth secretly wished for a gesture such as that one day. When the loud singing and clapping stopped, she said to Harvey, "Thanks for bringing the money to my aunt. You didn't have to."

"I wanted to. Did you have fun with Lucy?"

Perfect. An opening, but how would she start? She didn't want to tell him Lucy snooped on him. "We chatted a lot, caught up on things." Her throat was like a desert. She picked up her glass to take a drink of water.

"Your aunt looks so familiar to me."

Shoot. Opportunity lost. She'd work it in another time. "I agree with her. You probably saw her at the library or store or something."

He scratched the top of his head, a strand of hair falling over his left eye. "No. That's not it."

Watching him move his hair out of the way even turned her on. His large hands would fit perfectly on every part of her body, from holding her breasts, to massaging her back, to squeezing her inner thigh. "Whoops!" She dropped the roll she had onto the table. "What do you think it is then?"

He shook his head. "I can't place her. I recognized a bracelet she was wearing."

"So?" She shrugged. "I hear they make bracelets in mass quantity to resell them." She set the roll down.

He tossed another one at her. "Good catch, Einstein. It's not only the bracelet. I feel like I know her."

Beth started to chew on the roll she caught. "You might have seen her at the bank." She had to get back to his time in jail. She needed to turn this conversation around.

"Oh!" He wiped his mouth with the napkin. "Before I forget, I got something for you."

Beth's heart fluttered as he reached into his pocket. Harvey placed a single gold band softly on the table. "I'm so happy I met you."

"Wow." She said. "Harvey, you didn't ... what's this for?" She slid the ring on to her finger. A perfect fit. They could barely afford dinner. How did he pay for this? Lucy said he had stolen things. Did he steal the ring? No. Harvey wouldn't give her something he stole.

He took the hand she had the ring on, and touched it with his thumb. "I'm so glad you're in my life." He glanced at the ring. "I care about you a lot."

Her eyes began to burn as the tears tried to push their way through. "I've never cared this much about anyone."

"That's the difference, Beth. I've
never
cared. At all. But the thought of hurting you creates this pain inside me I don't understand. I want you to take this ring, knowing how much you mean to me."

"I love it. Where did you get it?" Million dollar question.

"It belonged to my great-grandmother." Her eyes fixated on the ring, snug on her finger. "Now it belongs to you."

This was simply unbelievable. Just a week ago she was single, no prospects in sight, and the only thing on her mind was finishing the book she was reading. Now this incredible man sat before her. She could have everything she wanted.

Her smile hardened. "What's the matter, Beth? I thought you'd be happy."

"I am happy, but I can't take your great-grandmother's ring." She started to take it off, but he grabbed her hand and shoved it back on. "Harvey. It's part of your family."

His face softened, and the dimple in his chin became more prominent. "You're my family."

Every day he filled her mind, and she daydreamed about their future together. Despite her fantasies, to consider her his one and only family was on a level she didn't think she was prepared to handle. "I can't be your only family. Your great-grandmother."

"Dead." A fast, unemotional reply.

"Your grandmother?"

"Dead."

"Your mother?"

"Fuck if I know. Can we drop this? Accept the gift and we'll eat."

Beth shook her head, bewildered. The emotion of his face had seemed to gush out of him, like a plug pulled in a bathtub and the water whisks away. "Fuck if you know? What sort of a response is that?"

Now Harvey moved his hands off the center of the table. He started to fidget with the knife rolled up in the napkin.