The One That Slipped Away

by LaShawn Vasser

  Mia’s heart was in pieces.

  *****

  Mia and Harrison went to her apartment and crawled into bed. She cried herself to sleep in his arms.

  They hadn’t been asleep but for a couple of hours, when at 2AM, his cell phone rang. Groggily, he leaned over to the nightstand to pick it up.

  “Hello.”

  Mia woke up at the sound of his voice.

  “What?” He sat straight up in the bed.

  “You can’t be serious. I-I just talked to him this morning. Mom, please tell me you’re not serious.”

  Mia didn’t know what was going on, but she sat up and turned on the lamp next to the bed. Harrison dropped his head on his balled up fist. His voice broke. “I’ll be on the road in an hour.”

  Mia knew something was terribly wrong. After disconnecting the call, he grabbed and held her. Mia hugged him tight. She ran her hands up and down his naked back. She did her best to keep the panic out of her voice. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  Harrison could barely bring himself to say the words. It came out strangled. “That was my mom. My father died.”

  Chapter 15

  Friends and family had been filing in and out of the Haughton residence all week in an exclusive upscale suburban neighborhood.

  Harrison had been putting on a brave front in his attempt to be strong for his mother. Mrs. Haughton had been having a difficult time accepting the death of her husband. Thinking of her own parents, Mia couldn’t even fathom it. She would be devastated. Losing a husband and father had to be an unbearable loss.

  Thinking of them, she remembered how livid they were that she’d taken a week off from school to be with Harrison. They didn’t understand why she couldn’t fly in a day or two before the funeral. Mia was saddened that her parents didn’t even try to understand because they continued to hold out hope that her relationship with Harrison was only a phase. They refused to believe that Mia could possibly be serious. Mia knew Harrison wasn’t a phase. He was the love of her life.

  If the tables were turned, he would be right by her side, and she would be by his through this experience. It was as simple as that.

  As controlling as her parents could be and as angry as they would sometimes make her, Mia couldn’t imagine one of them being gone. No one should ever have to bury a parent at their age.

  Whatever Harrison needed, she would be right there to give it to him even if meant just sitting in silence and that was really what it all came down to.

  During the day, Harrison was busy with the many business associates, charitable organization representatives and more offering their condolences. Even some of the kids from the Youth Center had shown up.

  Try as he might to hide his pain and be strong for everyone else, Mia could see the weight of his loss all over him.

  This was the week Mia saw Harrison transform from a carefree young adult into a man. He’d made all the decisions his mother couldn’t bear to face.

  Late at night, after everyone had gone, and the house was quiet, it was in these hours that Harrison would creep into his bedroom, climb into bed next to Mia, and finally, let down his guard. Sleep hadn’t come easily for either of them but especially this night.

  Mia hurt for the loss of Mr. Haughton, but she ached even more for Harrison. Silently, she wrapped her arms around him hoping he could pull any strength he needed from her.

  Harrison held her close.

  Mia lay her head on his chest listening to the steady beat of his heart before whispering into the darkness. “What else I can do?”

  He was exhausted. She could hear it in his voice. “This. Just being here is enough.”

  She ran her fingers down and across his chest. “I wish I could take away your pain.”

  “I wouldn’t wish this feeling on anyone especially you.” Harrison closed his eyes tight and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Tomorrow, I’m going to bury my father.” His voice broke as he attempted to fight back his tears. Grown men weren’t supposed to cry, especially in front of their girlfriends. He took a moment to gather himself before he spoke again. “I still can’t believe a heart attack took him. He was a healthy man. This all seems so unreal.”

  Mia didn’t say anything. This was one of those times where Harrison didn’t need her to. He just needed to talk it out. “My dad will never get to meet my children. He won’t have a chance to teach them all the things he taught me.”

  Mia agonized over finding the right words to say. Softly, she spoke. “That’s not true. Your father will always be here.” She placed her hand over his heart. “He left an amazing legacy—you. Every time you teach your son or daughter anything, that part of him will live on through you and them.”

  Harrison swallowed down the lump in his throat. Silently, tears leaked from his eyes and slid down the side of his face before dripping onto the pillow.

  For the rest of the night, neither of them said another word. Instead, Mia continued to hold him close as she lay awake ready to be or do whatever Harrison needed.

  *****

  The dreaded morning of the funeral arrived sooner than Mia would have liked. They dressed and went down the stairs. It wouldn’t be long before the limousines arrived to take the family to the church.

  It was unfortunate that she had to meet so many of Harrison’s friends and relatives this way. Weddings and funerals typically were the two places family could be counted on to get together. Too bad this occasion couldn’t have been to announce her and Harrison’s engagement instead of having to bury his father.

  The great room in the house became full of people. She didn’t know most of them, so she decided to find Mrs. Haughton to see if she could be of some help. All week she had been distant, but it was understandable. Mia couldn’t fathom having to say goodbye to someone you’d known and loved for more than half her life.

  She found her in the kitchen attempting to pull something out of the refrigerator, probably for the repast. “Mrs. Haughton?”

  Catherine turned around at the sound of Mia’s voice. She didn’t offer so much as a smile. Her facial expression was completely blank. Considering she had probably been exhausted from smiling at people offering their condolences all week, Mia didn’t take offense. She answered, “Yes?”

  Mia smiled warmly. “I wanted to see if you needed anything—anything at all?”

  Mrs. Haughton seemingly looked through her. When she responded, it sounded as if she were speaking to a stranger. There wasn’t any warmth in her voice. “No. But, thank you for asking.”

  Mia had noticed her indifference on occasion and chided herself for thinking the worst. The woman had just lost her husband. Granted, Mrs. Haughton hadn’t been thrilled about Harrison and her dating, but she’d never been outright rude. So, again, Mia chalked it up to her being distraught.

  If anything were to happen to her parents or Harrison, Mia knew she would be in a state of shock for a very long time, and her behavior might be even worse.

  “Catherine.” An older woman who looked to be similar in age peeked her head through the door. She was flanked by several younger women Mia remembered meeting earlier in the week. Well, she remembered meeting everyone except for the gorgeous blonde woman. She looked to be closer to Mia in age.

  Mrs. Haughton’s eyes lit up as she went to her with outstretched arms. “Yolanda! My goodness, I didn’t think you would make it home in time.”

  “We couldn’t miss Thomas’ funeral. You all are family. Liberty and I flew in from London as soon as we heard the news. We’re all so very sorry for your loss.”

  Mia sucked in a breath. She figured she might have an opportunity to meet Liberty but wasn’t prepared for it.

  “Thank you so much.” There was finally a sincere smile from Catherine, and it spread widely across her face.

  The two women hugged. “Thomas was one of a kind and will be missed.”

  Liberty was gorgeous—tall and thin. Two things Mia wasn’t. Liberty barely wore any makeup. She didn’t ne
ed it. Her straight nose and pink pouty lips with perfect white teeth fed into every insecurity Mia had. The woman could have been supermodel, Gisele Bundchen’s twin sister.

  Her thick eyelashes were wet as she spoke through her tears. “Mrs. Haughton. I just can’t believe this has happened. It’s still like a dream. I loved him as if he were my own father.” Liberty dabbed her eyes with a napkin.

  “He loved you too.” She turned to look at the other three women. “He loved all of you kids.”

  Everyone in the room bobbed their heads up and down in agreement.

  Mia stood back and watched the exchange. She couldn’t help that her interest rested mostly on Liberty. She felt a stab of jealousy at the closeness of her relationship with Mrs. Haughton, one that Mia hoped she could one day have.

  After standing in the back of the kitchen, Mrs. Haughton never acknowledged or introduced her. Mia began to feel as if she were infringing on a private family moment.

  “It’s so good to see all of you.” Mrs. Haughton touched Liberty’s cheek. “I want you to ride to the funeral with Ethan and me. It’s where you belong.”

  Liberty turned around to glance at Mia then back to Mrs. Haughton. “As long as Harrison doesn’t mind, I-I would love to Mrs. Haughton.” The smirk on her face said it all. Liberty knew who Mia was.

  The day had just gone from horrible to awful.

  “Mia, dear?” Catherine called out her name. “Mind my manners, Yolanda and Liberty, this is Mia. Harrison’s friend from college. I think you met everyone else earlier this week.”

  Liberty and her mother plastered on identical smiles that were as fake as their eyelashes.

  Mia’s feelings were a little hurt by how she was introduced. Still, she managed to smile through the awkward moment. If his mother hadn’t been clear before about her feelings regarding Harrison’s and her relationship, she was crystal clear now. Out of respect for him, Mia did her best to keep her emotions in check. “Yes, Mrs. Haughton?”

  “We should be leaving for the church right about now. However, I left the guest book upstairs in my office on my desk. Do you think you can run and grab it?”

  “Of course.” Mia was relieved to leave the kitchen. As she made her way up to Mrs. Haughton’s office, Mia ran into Harrison.

  “Hey, I was just coming to find you and my mom. The cars are out front. It’s time to head over to the church.”

  Mia nodded. “Okay. I’ll meet you in the car. Your mom forgot the guest book in her office, and she asked if I could go and get it.”

  Harrison looked at his watch. “Alright . . . try to make it fast, and I’ll meet you in the car.”

  “Okay.” Mia hurried to grab the book.

  Harrison finally spotted his mother coming out of the kitchen surrounded by Liberty, her mother, and his high school friends, Amber and Jeanine. They’d all reconnected again after the death of his father.

  It was the first time he’d seen Liberty since they’d broken up. It wasn’t an amicable split. He was a bundle of confused emotions when he saw her. She stepped up and kissed him on the cheek. Harrison was caught a little bit off guard. Maybe he shouldn’t have. They’d been friends for a long time before dating.

  “I’m so sorry, Ethan.”

  His smile was tight. “Thank you.”

  Yolanda and Catherine exchanged knowing glances. Yolanda said out loud what Catherine was thinking. “You two have always made such a striking pair.”

  They had been planning Liberty and Harrison’s wedding since before either of them were born and continued to hold out hope that they would get back together.

  Harrison cleared his throat. He was uncomfortable and turned to his mother. “Mom, we should make our way to the car.”

  She nodded her head vigorously. “Yes, you’re right. Oh . . . I asked Yolanda and Liberty to ride with us. I hope that was okay?”

  Harrison didn’t think that was a good idea. Catherine had anticipated his answer before he said anything. “Just being around them gives me such a feeling of comfort.”

  What was Harrison supposed to say in front of Yolanda and Liberty? Hell no? This day was tough enough without having both his current and former girlfriends riding around together in the same car. They all moved from the kitchen out into the great room. Harrison glanced up at the stairs as if Mia was going to magically appear. He could only hope she would understand. If having Liberty and her mother around was going to help his mother through this day, then so be it. He would deal with the fallout. “Sure. That would be fine.”

  *****

  After several minutes of sitting in the car, Catherine was starting to get impatient. “Ethan, we really need to go. We can't wait any longer, or we’ll be late.”

  “Mom . . . I’m not going to leave, Mia.”

  Catherine spotted Josiah and his wife, Daphne Jones. “There’s Josiah.” She rolled down her window. “Josiah!” She turned to Harrison. “I’m sure Mia can catch a ride with them. We really can’t be late.”

  Josiah came up to the car, bent low, and peeped his head through the window. “Hi, Catherine . . . everybody.”

  “Harrison’s friend, Mia, is still in the house. We’ve got to get moving or else we’ll be late. Do you think you can make sure she gets to the church?”

  “Mom, I told you . . .” Catherine’s eyes started to mist up. Harrison stopped in mid-sentence. He couldn’t bear to see his mother cry. He glanced over at Josiah. “Can you make sure Mia gets to the church?”

  Josiah nodded. “Of course.”

  Against his better judgment, Harrison went along with it. “Thanks.”

  Moments later, the limo drove off.

  Josiah walked back over to his wife. She looked curious. “What did Catherine want?”

  “Apparently, we’re driving Mia to the church.”

  “Harrison’s girlfriend?”

  “One and the same.”

  “Hmm . . . even on the day she’s burying her husband, Catherine is still her old manipulative self.”

  *****

  Mia searched everywhere for the guestbook but couldn’t find it. She had her suspicions that she’d been sent on a fool’s errand as she rushed down the stairs and out of the house. Mia looked around for the cars, but the limos were gone.

  Harrison wouldn’t have left her, would he?

  “Mia?”

  She turned around.

  “Hey, I’m not sure if you remember us, but we met earlier this week. I’m Josiah, and this is my wife, Daphne . . .”

  Mia smiled. “Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Yes, I remember you both.”

  “Harrison asked if I could make sure you got to the church. His mother was nervous they weren’t going to make it on time.”

  Mia had been left behind. She was stunned . . . and hurt. Then, she felt guilty when Harrison was laying his father to rest.

  She decided that she wouldn’t allow her mind to wander and think Mrs. Haughton had orchestrated this entire thing.

  *****

  By the time Mia arrived with Josiah and Daphne, the church was packed. More importantly, the first row which was reserved for Harrison and his family was full. She had to sit several rows behind them. Mia felt she’d been relegated to casual observer, which in her opinion was one step above a stranger. It pained her to see Liberty sitting next to Harrison and comforting him. As his girlfriend, it was her place to be there. She was angry about it, that, and seeing the guestbook sitting front and center in the church vestibule. Guilt hit her again. Mia needed to get it together. This was the wrong time and place to deal with it.

  Mia could tell that Mr. Haughton had been beloved by many family and friends. The church was overflowing with people. She could only wish they had had more time to get to know each other.

  The funeral had been gut-wrenching, especially as she watched Harrison escort his mother, who had been inconsolable, out of the church. Even angry, Mia’s heart twisted for them both.

  After the service, everyone who’d been in the church stood ab
out outside waiting for instructions on how to get to the cemetery. Mia stayed close to Josiah and Daphne. She wasn’t sure if she would need to ride over with them since she hadn’t been able to find Harrison in the crowd of people.

  Out of nowhere, he came up from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist before kissing the side of her cheek. “Hey. Where were you? I saved a seat up front for you but you never came.” Mia turned slightly to see his face.

  Mia was happy to know that at least he wanted her with him. “When we arrived the church was pretty full. I didn’t see any space up there so I just sat with Josiah and Daphne.

  “Someone else could have moved. There’s always room for you.” Harrison turned to address Josiah. “Thank you guys for making sure Mia got to the church.”

  He clasped Harrison on the back. “Anything for you. I know how important she is to you.” Josiah winked at Mia before turning serious. “How are you holding up?”

  “I’m numb. This feels like it’s happening to someone else.”

  Josiah pulled him into a bear hug and spoke into his ear. “If you just need to get away for a couple of days, you know you’re always welcome at my place. Daphne and I would love to have you.”

  Harrison nodded. “Thanks. I just might take you up on that. But, right now, the hardest part of this is still to come. I can’t think past getting through that.”

  “Understood.”

  “Are you coming back to the house?” Harrison knew that Josiah and Daphne had a chilly relationship with his mother.

  “Of course. We’ll be there for as long as you need us.”

  “Good. I’ll see you both later then.” Harrison smiled weakly then grabbed Mia’s hand and walked away toward the limo.

  Before they made it to the car and around anyone who could hear him, Harrison stopped. “Sorry, we left you. We waited for as long as we could, and then my mom started to get a little anxious.”

  Mia chewed her bottom lip and gazed into his eyes. There was so much pain and hurt in them that she didn’t want to add to it. Instead, she buried her feelings and smiled. “I understand.”