Chapter Eleven
Something bright was streamingonto my face, and I opened my eyes to see light filtering through my entire window. I was sweating even though I was still naked. The room was steamy and disgustingly hot. I looked around, saw that my bed was empty, and crossed my fingers that no one had seen Harvey leave my room last night. I lay in bed reminiscing how my body had trembled under him, how my mind had shut out everything except for our lovemaking. Despite the temperature in the room, I got goosebumps thinking of him touching me the way he did the night before with those expert hands of his. How could I look him in the eye again after all the ruckus I made?
I searched for my clothes, thrown around the room, and stuffed them into the hamper. After opening my bedroom window to let fresh air inside, I put on a tank top and shorts and went downstairs in search of breakfast. My mother was organizing of the pantry, and I saw Harvey and my father outside in the yard, Harvey taking down the shutters as my dad supervised. I wonder what they were talking about. I sat down at the kitchen counter.
“How was last night?” I asked my mom, praying she didn’t ask about my evening.
“Very nice. They wanted to share their food and water with us, which was very generous, but remember we had eaten BBQ earlier. We took some water with us. You never realize how important water is until you have a limited supply. But we should be fine with everything Julie brought with her from her house. I hope their house is fine. Harvey says he’ll give it another try today.”
“I hope they can make it,” I said.
“Audrey, I hate to ask you, but the radio this morning said they’re giving out bags of ice down by the shopping center. Would you mind going over there and getting us some?” she asked. “I don’t want your father standing in the sun so long, and there will be a long line.” Boy, did I know it. I still remember from the last time the desperation of getting a couple of bags of ice and what it does to people waiting in line for hours.
“Yeah, mom. Sure.”
“I’m going to start cleaning up the yard,” she said. She was still sorting through canned foods, picking out our lunch I assumed.
“What can I eat for breakfast?” I asked, picking my hair up in a ponytail.
“Well, there’s cereal, and the milk has been sitting in the ice, which is mostly melted. But it should have kept it fresh until you bring more ice.”
“Sounds delicious,” I said grabbing a bowl. As I was finishing, my father, Mrs. Garrett, and Harvey walked in. My body betrayed me immediately, and I was afraid a blush covered my face when our eyes locked. He was sweating from the outside work, and his own face was flush from the heat. I gave him half a smile, and he returned it with full measure.
“Good morning,” he said to me. I hoped only I noticed the wink he gave me.
“Good morning— everyone,” I said. We discussed our plans for the day. Harvey and his mother were leaving soon to attempt to reach her house. My mother would work on the yard, and my father would relax and try not to let the heat overpower him, according to my mother. She suggested he give himself a sponge bath since the water was still not running. The news on the radio said it should be back by the next day, at the earliest, but a boil water warning would be in effect until further notice.
Off I went to the shopping center to get ice. Unfortunately, the line was exactly what I expected. I put on a baseball cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and waited for an hour to get a few bags of ice and a couple of extra water gallons. I brought my car over when it was my turn and loaded it in myself since the relief workers were busy with a handicapped woman. I recognized no one in line, which was kind of strange, and I wondered if there were people there from other towns.
As I drove away, I thought I spotted someone I would not have liked to run into, and I thanked the Lord I did not. My high school boyfriend Justin. If it were not for Greg, I might have dated Justin far longer than I should have. He was an abusive boyfriend, and my young teenage self didn’t realize it until too late. I shook my head to dispel the memories and kept driving, hoping that woman standing next to him was stronger than I was.
Upon returning to the house, I rested a few minutes after unloading everything and putting the ice bags in the freezer. After I’d cooled down, I went out back to help my mother.
“Tia Lucy says hello,” she said.
“Oh, you spoke with her?” I asked, filling a trash bag with debris.
“Yes, I hadn’t received anything from her except that text message she sent saying they were fine, but she called me a few minutes ago. They didn’t have enough plywood to cover all the windows, so a tree broke the sliding glass door to her master bedroom. They have a lot of damage in that room from the water, not to mention having to put a new door and have the tree removed. She says Jack has been out there for the past two days with a chainsaw because another tree fell on their shed. The only thing we can be thankful for is that we didn’t get hit by the tornado and that there wasn’t so much water to flood us.”
“Hopefully, the same can be said for Mrs. Garrett’s house,” I said.
Not too long after, Harvey returned and came outside to say they had news about his neighborhood. I tried to listen and show my sympathy, but really I was staring at his arms. I remembered what those strong arms could do.
“We learned that all the houses had been submerged on that street and there’s still too much water to make it down that way,” he said. “My mom’s in the guest room. She said she was going to take a nap, but she’s real bummed.”
“Well, it’s no wonder. Poor Julie. Listen, Harvey, whatever plans she wants to make for where she’ll stay are fine, but she’s invited to stay with Elton and I as long as she needs,” my mom said. I was so proud of my mom, always helping everyone.
“Thank you, Mrs. Whitman,” Harvey said, genuine in his gratitude. “I spoke to the restaurant I manage, and I have to be back on Monday morning. I’m going to see if flights are taking off yet so I can leave tomorrow. It gives me some peace of mind that my mom is safe here.”
“Of course, sweetie, you do what you have to do. I know how work can be,” she said, and Harvey looked at me and made a motion for me to follow him.
“Um, mom, I’m going to get a drink of water,” I said, walking behind him inside to the kitchen.
Once inside, I whispered, “What’s up?” He closed the door and pulled my hand until we were out of view from any window, and he drew me to him. He kissed me softly, and I responded, our lips molding together. When he ended the kiss, he put his forehead to mine and whispered, “I don’t want to leave you.” I smiled, goose bumps traveling over every inch of my skin.
“Harvey, I—” I stopped because I didn’t know what to say. What did I want to tell him? That I didn’t want him to leave either? Because I definitely didn’t, but to what end? Were we going to carry on an affair here in my parents’ house until it burned out? Impossible.
I wasn’t going back to my house. Not yet. And what would we do there anyways? Date? We were the cheated-on spouses having a little revenge sex. That’s all. Right? So what could I tell him?
