Unlikely Friends

by Sahar Abdulaziz

  “Because I feel like shit.”

  “Sit. Let me make you some tea.” Cornelia bounced around the familiar kitchen. “Dakota, right?” The name hung heavy in the air.

  “This morning. Doctor Rollins called. Said they tried to save her, but Dakota had no more fight left in her.”

  A wide-eyed Cornelia merely nodded. “I’m so sorry, Irwin.” Incapable of standing still, she bustled back and forth, then into the living room, and returned holding a handmade quilt. She wrapped the warm blanket gently around Irwin’s shoulders and resumed preparing his tea. When she glanced over, she spotted Irwin’s hands trembling as he readjusted the blanket over his slumped shoulder.

  Cornelia slipped three heaping teaspoons of sugar into the hot water. “You’re in shock. You need this.” She popped open the cookie tin. “Here, eat these too,” she said and proceeded to drop three cookies on the side of his plate.

  Irwin rubbed the nape of his stiff neck. His movements decelerated, drained of energy. His mouth twisted in a scowl more egregious than his usual frown face. He had so much to say, and nothing at all. How does one go about recounting the loss of a daughter he never had?

  The air felt stale. Even Bones sensed sorrow, burrowing his body protectively by Irwin’s feet.

  “What can I do to help?” asked Cornelia, situated in the chair across from him.

  Irwin shrugged. “There’s nothing to do. They notified her father. More than that, I don’t know.”

  Cornelia nodded at her friend before her, swathed in grief. As a widow, she understood grief. Knew anguish. Detested loneliness. “You made her journey better, Irwin. I’m not just throwing out empty platitudes. You know me better than that.”

  Irwin stared into space. His fingers tinkered with his spoon, stirring distractedly. “Another chapter is over,” he finally said.

  “Yes. It is.”

  “This one didn’t end well.”

  “No. No, it didn’t.”

  “I used to tell myself that one day if I just kept reading to her, she’d hear my voice and awaken.”

  “I know.”

  “She was so young.”

  “Too young.”

  “She fought hard.”

  “Like a warrior.”

  “I’m not sure if I can do this again.”

  Cornelia frowned. “What do you mean? With Harper?”

  Irwin nodded.

  “Too late.”

  “No, it’s not. I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but her mother confronted me last night after I gave her daughter a ride home. Not so much in what she said, but you should have seen the way she stared at me. Her eyes practically accused me of—” Irwin shuddered, his face scrunched in disdain. “You know what I mean.”

  “Why, that’s ridiculous.”

  “Not really. Not considering all the terrible things you read or hear about happening to young girls these days. I can’t say I blame her.”

  “True enough, but that has nothing to do with you. Once Harper’s mother gets to know you better—”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  “What you mean?”

  “I mean, I’m done. I feel bad for Harper, but I need to bow out.”

  “And then what, Irwin? What’s Harper supposed to do?”

  “She’s young. Smart. Let’s not forget, the girl has parents, or at least a functioning mother, Cornelia.”

  “And look where that got her.”

  “Please. Stop pushing. I can’t do this right now.” Irwin stood. “I have to call the job and let them know I won’t be coming in today.”

  Cornelia began clearing the dishes.

  “Leave them. I’ll get to it later.”

  “I can stay. Let me cook you a nice meal.”

  “No. I think I need to be alone. But thank you.”

  Cornelia pressed her lips together. “Then I guess Bones and I will take off and leave you to it.”

  As if on cue, Bones bolted into the next room.

  Cornelia stomped her foot. “That darn cat!”

  Irwin peered into the living room and found Bones curled up on his favorite reading chair. One big furry hairball. “I found him.”

  The phone rang.

  “I’ll get it,” called Cornelia.

  Irwin entered the kitchen holding Bones.

  “Hello? Abernathy residence.”

  Irwin rolled his eyes at his friend’s flair for the dramatic.

  “Yes. I see. No, no trouble at all. One moment, please.” Cornelia paled, visibly flustered. “Um, Irwin. I think you better take this.”

  “Tell whoever it is I’ll call them back. I’m not in the mood to talk right now.”

  “Too bad, Irwin,” hissed Cornelia, thrusting the phone in his face. “This can’t wait. Now, here. Take it.”

  Irwin growled, shoved the cat in her arms, and grabbed the phone, all while giving Cornelia the Death Glare.

  “Hello? This is Irwin Abernathy.”

  “Mr. Abernathy? It’s me, Olivia Crane…Harper’s mom.”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry to bother you.”

  Irwin flinched. He’d heard that same ominous phrase spoken only a few hours ago—and the news then had been catastrophic. He braced for the worst.

  Cornelia stood close by watching and waving her hands to grab his attention, mouthing, “What? What happened?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Crane, what I can do for you?” he asked, shooing Cornelia away.

  “It’s Harper. She’s missing.”

  “What do you mean missing?”

  “I mean missing, as in not here!” screeched the hysterical mother in the phone, causing Irwin to wince.

  “Since when?”

  “Not sure. After you dropped her off last night, we put the food away.” Olivia’s voice lowered, sounding guilt-ridden. “We got into a disagreement. About you, as a matter of fact.”

  Irwin gnawed his bottom lip.

  “Anyway, she ran to her room all upset. I assumed that’s where she was, but when I went to wake Harper up for school, the room was empty. Her bed wasn’t slept in all night. Mr. Abernathy, I don’t know what to do.”

  Irwin didn’t either, but he took solace at not having been accused of kidnapping.

  “Is she with you? Did you take her?”

  And there it was.

  “Did I what!”

  “I’m sorry. I know how that sounds, but I had to ask.” She began to sob. “Harper’s never run away before.”

  “Have you phoned the police?” he asked.

  “I did, but they said she hasn’t been missing long enough. Isn’t that the stupidest thing you ever heard? They claim that most of the time the kid will turn up.”

  “That’s it?”

  “They told me to call around. See if she’s gone to any friends’ homes. The only problem is, Harper doesn’t have any.” Olivia took a deep breath. “Oh wait, they did ask me for her description, like what she was wearing, hair color, stuff like that, but I’m not sure what they plan to do about it if anything! Oh my God! Where is my child?” The sobbing grew louder.

  “Mrs. Crane,” Irwin announced loudly. “Did Harper happen to take her backpack with her?”

  “Her backpack?” She sniffled. “Um, I don’t know. Hold on. I’ll go check.”

  Irwin heard the phone wobble and shake; then the pounding sound of footsteps climbing up wooden steps.

  “Yes, she took it,” puffed Olivia into the phone, out of breath. “Why?”

  Irwin had an idea. Not many. Just this one but he hoped it was the right one.

  “Listen. Get ready. I’ll be there to pick you up in less than five minutes. We’ll search for your daughter together.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Abernathy. I’ll be ready.” Olivia clicked off.

  Irwin hung up the phone. He leaned forward on the counter, head bowed. “I can’t believe this is happening,” he muttered, then slowly turned around towards Cornelia, his eyes wet and bloodshot.

  Cornelia a
lready had her coat on. She tossed Irwin his hat and coat and grabbed his keys. “I’ll drive.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Harper

  In an attempt to appear more community friendly, the library had placed benches directly in front of the building near cement planters. And despite the fact they faced a parking lot, the seats were a welcomed respite for tired legs. Harper sat, fighting off a bit of a chill. She’d spent most of the night out walking. Walking and thinking and trying to decide what to do next. She hadn’t initially planned on being out for as long as she was, but one hour turned to the next, and before Harper realized it, she’d stupidly fallen asleep by the side of the library, blocked from onlookers by bushes planted near the narrow cement pathway. Fortunately for her, the temperatures had remained relatively mild, but now, as the sun rose and the sky turned a menacing bright, it was a stark reminder that going home meant certain punishment.

  Harper sipped her juice purchased with the extra money left on her gift card. Luckily, the food store Irwin got her the card for stayed open around the clock. By her calculations, she had more than enough left over to buy herself something to eat while she waited for the library to open and her mother to leave for work before heading home to take a long, hot shower. Harper stretched. Her body ached from sleeping against the cold, cement wall.

  With nothing left but to wait, Harper retrieved her book from out of her bag, ready to indulge in some reading, when a car came careening into the parking out of nowhere, driving like a bat out of hell.

  Shit.

  Harper recognized the car pulling up to the curb, screeching to halt right in front of where she sat.

  Double shit.

  Harper cringed at the angry, fuming face sitting in the back seat.

  Within a second, her mother leaped from out of the backseat screaming and limping towards her, arms outstretched and hand flapping. Cornered, Harper slunk down, holding the book near her face, not sure if her mother planned to hug or wring her neck.

  “Don’t you hide from me, Harper Leigh Crane.”

  Harper winced. The use of her middle name meant big trouble.

  “How dare you pull this stunt!” shouted her mother, loud enough to wake the dead. “Where the hell have you been all night? Do you know how worried I’ve been? My God, Harper, what the hell were you thinking?” Olivia threw her hands in the air and slapped her thighs, beyond exasperated. “Do you know how many girls your age get killed for doing the same stupid damn thing you just pulled? I have a good mind to punish you for the rest of your breathing days.”

  Harper glanced sideways at Irwin as she sat in the passenger seat. He was wearing that ridiculous hat again, staring straight ahead, stone-faced. Next to him in the driver’s seat sat an older woman Harper didn’t recognize, but unlike Irwin, she appeared absorbed by the drama, intently watching the show.

  “Let’s go,” demanded Olivia. “Grab your stuff and get your narrow, tiny ass in the car. Now.”

  Harper scrambled to collect her stuff, chucked the unfinished juice container in the garbage can, and tossed her backpack over her shoulder, too scared to do anything to agitate her already irate, distraught mother.

  Irwin stepped out of the car, his face a mixture of irritation and relief. He opened the back door and glared directly at Harper. “Well?” he said. “Get in.”

  And she did.

  “Move over,” snapped Olivia, still seething, apparently not ready to make nice. Harper rested her backpack on her lap and scooted over as far as she could, directly behind the driver’s seat.

  “I can’t believe you did this, Harper,” griped her mother. “I really can’t.”

  “Seatbelts,” ordered Irwin.

  The older woman in the front turned around to face Harper, extending her small but firm hand for a shake. “You must be Harper. I’m Cornelia, Irwin’s neighbor and self-anointed caretaker,” she said, wearing the biggest smile. “So nice to finally meet you.”

  Harper swore she heard Irwin groan.

  “I can’t thank you both enough,” said Olivia, flustered but calming down.

  “Our pleasure,” answered Cornelia.

  Irwin squeezed his eyes shut. “Can we please go—”

  “You bet,” chimed Cornelia. “Oh, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to make a pit stop back at your house, Irwin. I have to pee something fierce.”

  Harper squelched a giggle. Olivia, still upset, merely nodded. Irwin banged the back of his head against the headrest.

  “And off we go.” Cornelia revved the engine and tore out of the parking lot like Evil Knievel. “Sorry about that, folks. Hold on. This might be a bumpy ride.”

  Cornelia glanced in the rearview mirror, caught Harper’s eye, and winked. This time Harper couldn’t hide the grin, as much trouble as she was in. And boy was she in a heap! She felt strangely content. Happy to be stuck in a car with three grownups who cared enough to drive around looking for her. Harper hugged her backpack tight, curious as to how this triad of crazy came about, but she wouldn’t inquire until the dust settled.

  Irwin lived close to the library. Certainly within walking distance. Harper didn’t get a chance to fully see the entire front of the house with how fast Miss Cornelia peeled into his driveway, but from what she caught, it looked elegant. No sagging porch or peeling paint. The front yard, though small, well kept. But it was the beautiful willow tree with a hanging birdfeeder that held center stage. Unquestionably an older home with architectural history and design. Harper looked forward to seeing the inside.

  Cornelia parked and bolted out of the vehicle, leg shaking. “Come on. Come on. Hurry up, Irwin. My bladder’s ready to explode.”

  Irwin slammed his door shut. “Don’t you have a bathroom in your house?” he asked, unlocking the door.

  “Move out of my way.”

  As soon as the door opened, Bones dashed out, loudly meowing in utter discontent.

  “Pipe down, Bones. We have guests,” said Cornelia, shooing him away with the tip of her shoe. “Momma’s on a mission. Go bother Irwin.” Without another second to waste, Cornelia darted down the hall in a blur.

  Irwin tossed his keys on the table, opened up the refrigerator, and pulled out a carton of juice. He started to pour himself a cup when Cornelia returned, brow arched, confused.

  “Where’s Harper and Olivia?” she asked, palms up in the air.

  Irwin shrugged and took a long, exaggerated swig from his cup. Apparently, Harper and Olivia had remained in the car.

  “Oh, Irwin!” Cornelia marched to the back door, stood on the stoop, and waved them inside. “Come, come. Don’t be shy.”

  Irwin ignored it all.

  “Sorry about that. We thought you were behind us,” said Cornelia, holding the door wide open.

  “No, we didn’t,” corrected Irwin.

  “Ignore him,” said Cornelia louder. “Come on in. Would you like some tea? I could also make coffee.”

  Harper followed her mother into the warm and inviting kitchen. Bones purred, circling and rubbing his body on her leg. “He’s beautiful,” said Harper, leaning down to pet him.

  “He’s yours,” said Irwin.

  All three looked at Irwin, not sure if he was joking.

  “I don’t know about you ladies, but I sure am famished. How about I whip something up?” asked Cornelia.

  “We don’t want to put you both out more than we already have,” said Olivia, much calmer than before. “Honestly, we can walk the rest of the way home from here. It’s not far.”

  “Don't be silly, dear.” Cornelia winked. “After the morning we all had, a hearty breakfast, now brunch, will do the trick. Anybody up for pancakes? I saw a box of mix in Irwin's pantry.” Cornelia opened the cabinet. “See! What did I tell you?” she said, triumphantly shaking the box. “Almost full.” She read the front. “Would you look at this, all I need to do is add water. What will they think of next?”

  Harper giggled.

  Cornelia smiled. “I'm serious. Irwin nev
er buys the real stuff. To tell you the truth, I’m never sure what he eats besides condiments. Totally worthless in a food store.”

  Now both Olivia and Harper laughed. Irwin did not.

  “Harper, help Irwin set the table,” said Cornelia. “Olivia, you just sit and catch your breath. Just relax. You’ve had a hard morning. I'll have us eating in no time.”

  Harper helped Irwin, but as soon as she sat back down in her seat, Bones jumped on her lap, purring and stretching, nudging Harper’s hand to scratch under his neck.

  As Cornelia chattered and cooked, Olivia sipped her tea, Harper nursed a glass of juice, and Irwin sat slumped in his chair, drained.

  “Thank you again, Mr. Abernathy. I didn't know what to do or where to go.”

  Irwin took a sip of his tea and nodded.

  “What's with all the formality?” asked Cornelia, walking toward them carrying a serving tray filled with mounds of fluffy pancakes. “Just call him Irwin. Everyone does, except Regan. She calls him a bunch of names. Now, dig in, everybody.”

  Cornelia had been right. The pancakes hit the spot. Nobody talked for the next ten minutes except to ask for this or pass that. After much chewing, swallowing, and clanking of silverware, Harper cleared her throat.

  “Um, I just want to say I’m sorry. For everything. I didn’t mean to scare you, Mom.” Cornelia and Irwin stopped eating. Olivia lips pursed and put her fork down. Harper wasn’t sure if it was safe to continue.

  Olivia wiped her mouth. Voice tempered, she stared directly into her daughter’s face. “Don’t ever pull a stunt like that again. I mean it. If you get mad, stay mad at home. Pout as much as you like from the confines of your bedroom. I won’t bother you, but don’t ever leave the house without letting me know again. Is that clear?”

  Harper nodded.

  “No, Harper,” repeated Olivia. “I mean it. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Ma. Clear.”

  Cornelia winked at Harper. The sad kind of wink that says: Let’s make peace, but today you scared me half to death. I almost had a heart attack thanks to you. Please never break my heart. I can’t bear to lose you. I love you too much.