AN: Okie Dokie. I think I have my schedule organized now. *knocking on wood* Thank ya for reading, and following, and reviewing. It has been a few weeks, but I miss Harry. Honestly, it's hard not to. Ugh it's gonna be a slow start but, meh it's better that way. I hope. ^_^ AN
"I farted and my house blew up!"
Reese blinked rapidly at the bothersome punch-line, fighting the urge to check her phone for the time. Or to dial 911 to save her from this obnoxious guffawing across the table. Her plastic unbending smile remained suction cuffed to her face, as she stared into the disturbing collage of masticated food tumbling about in the apparent rinse cycle that was her date's mouth. His blond locks tumbled about his forehead as he rocked back and forth in laughter.
Damn Mellie for her unwanted and unnecessary interference in her social life. Maybe she liked being a recluse. Maybe she preferred being alone. She could buy a shaggy robe and a shotgun, with the money she'd save, not having to buy aspirin for romance fueled headaches. Reese looked down at the pile of hash browns on her plate, wishing a white rabbit might emerge through one of the criss-cross holes and reveal to her a tunnel for her to escape through. The mental image of her crawling through a pan-fried potato tunnel brought a small grin to her face.
"See," her date, Tom, Tim, whatever, pointed at her with his fork, letting a glob of white country gravy drip of the tip and land on the table between them. "It's funny, right?"
"Yea," she agreed, unable to stop her right eyebrow from shooting up. Glancing lightly around the diner, she sought out some way to politely excuse herself from the blind date her soon to be former friend had set her up on. His mindless chatter reached through into her mind, but fortunately for her IQ it was selectively muffled. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a sandy blonde head hovering through the window looking into the kitchen.
"Um," she mumbled, not turning her head from the window. "Will you excuse me for a second?"
"Ok…"
Reese pulled herself up from her side of the booth and toddled over to the section of the counter that was closest to the window. Peering through the window, she saw Harry, standing in front of the flat top grill. A white apron wrapped around his waist, nibbling lightly on his thumb nail, he carefully flipped two burger patties and pressed down on them with the back of the spatula. Smiling at how gingerly he prepped the burgers, Reese propped her elbows up on the counter top and cradled her chin in her hands. She watched him make up two orders of the burger and fries combo with a side of their house sauce with short precise movements. He was just to adorable for his own good. It was almost as fascinating as watching a puppy chew on an enormously large bone.
Slowly, he placed the two plates on the window counter to be picked up. As he tapped the little bell to alert the server, his bright blue eyes locked on to her, watching him working.
"Hey there," she smiled brightly at him. Despite the unfortunate ending to their last encounter, something about Harry wouldn't let her stay upset at him. Perhaps it was his incredibly attractive and sweet face. Maybe it was the Peter Pan effect, making women melt at his milk teeth. Or there was always her history with him. In the slightly aged features and matured body, she saw the young kid who snuck into rated R movies with her. The boy who hugged her on the swing when she needed to sob her little heart out. The first and only boy she'd ever kissed.
"What," Harry began, ducking temporarily out of sight as the server came by to pick up the orders. "Are you doing here?" She shrugged good-naturedly. Shaking his head, he went back to work and began stocking the shelves around him. Leaning over the counter as far as she could, Reese stretched her arms out in front of her and clasped her hands together until her back popped.
"Can we talk?" she asked, still stretched awkwardly. Harry glanced back at her, his brows furrowed in frustration. Reese watched as his eyes flicked from her face to somewhere lower and back to her face, a red flush heading from his cheeks to his hair line. Cocking her head at him curiously, she looked down to see what was bothering him. The pale skin of her abnormally exposed cleavage stood out starkly against the dark blue blouse she was wearing. Her stretch had cradled her breasts between her arms, pushing them more into view.
"Oops," she laughed. Adjusting her shirt, she began to shoot Harry an apologetic smile. A dark hooded look had covered his face. It was the same sort of look he had given her when they last spoke. Her spirit sinking at the change in his expression, she began to turn back to her abandoned date.
"I'm taking out the trash in a few minutes," Harry's voice traveled over her shoulder, stopping her in place. "We can talk there really quick." Reese nodded, and quickly made her way to the booth to let off her date as easily as possible. She had a feeling that she wouldn't be too perky after their talk, particularly if his changing moods meant anything.
"Hey, um," she said quickly. "I am really, really sorry, but I have to go."
"But," he started, looking surprisingly down-trodden. Guilt kicked her lightly in the side, but it was quickly chased away by the prospects of talking with Harry.
"You are very attractive and seem like a nice guy, but I," she paused searching for an answer. "have issues. You deserve someone a lot nicer." Snagging her coat, she sped out through the door and headed around to the back of the diner.
A high pitched screeching sound broke through the air as she made her way to the dumpster. Turning to the source of the sound, Reese watched Harry walking through a door with two garbage bags in tow. He tossed the garbage bags into the dumpster and dusted off his hands before coming to stand next to her.
"Well?" he asked picking some invisible lint from his finger nails.
Holding her breath she blurted out, "Harry, I know we haven't spoken in a long time. Our last conversation wasn't exactly the best reunion, but I… I miss you."
He stared at her strangely.
"I don't have many friends, not real ones anyway," she admitted. "You were my best friend. I don't like that we live in the same state, almost the same city, but don't talk."
"I don't know," he muttered. "I have to work a lot. Then Mother needs me at home."
"She always did, Harry. We used to manage to find the time."
"Hey!"
They turned towards the new voice. Marching angrily towards them was her forgotten date, whatever his name was. He planted himself in between them, and glared at her.
"You can't just drop me like that," he spat at her. Trying to think of something nice to say to diffuse his obvious anger, she didn't realize he had reached for her until his big beefy hand had clamped down on her wrist and was squeezing painfully.
"It's fucking rude." Reese winced. She could practically feel her capillaries burst under his grip, knowing a stark bruise would be her parting gift. She was really going to kill Mellie.
"Stop it," she hissed at him, wrenching her hand back and forth. "You're hurting me." T- something or other leaned in, his big frame hovering over hers. His mouth opened, but before he could say anything, he suddenly disappeared from her view. It took her a minute to realize he hadn't pulled a Harry Houdini, but rather he'd been knocked to the floor. Rubbing her newly free hand, Reese watched in horror as Harry pinned her date to the ground and proceeded to pound him into a red stain on the cement. She had never seen Harry mad. It was terrifying. She held her breath hoping that with each time his fist came down it would be the last.
"Harry!" she screamed, when it was clear he wouldn't stop. Harry's fist paused in mid-air. He turned to her, his sweet face twisted with a horrific rage she never thought he could muster. She covered her mouth with her hand, unable to wrap her head around what just happened. Harry's eyes drifted to the fresh bruises making their appearance on her skin. Curling his lip in a silent snarl, Harry swung again at the unconscious mound under him. She jumped forward, grabbing his shoulder.
"Harry," she pleaded. "Please stop! You've done enough." Harry turned his face to her hand pressed flush against his shoulder. Pulling her hand away, she stepped back carefully as he got to his feet. The anger had bled from his face, revealing that strange expression again. It didn't fit him. A line of blood dripped from high on his cheek. Reese reached out her hand to wipe away the evidence of his attack. He blinked at her hand closing the distance to his face. She watched as recognition filled his eyes. Pulling away before she touched him again, Harry glanced down at the twitching pile near their feet.
"Do you think he's dead?" he asked, his breathing labored.
"I dunno," she answered.
"He should be."