AN: Please read and review. This story is approaching the ending. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed AN
Reese stood before the walkway, her heart thumping in her chest. It was a different house. A different neighborhood in fact. When Harry had initially told her the address, she had been confused and, to be honest, more than a little relieved. It wasn't even that similar to the old house. Despite the notable differences, she found herself shrunken down to the state of a young girl, waiting again at the doorstep for someone who never came.
She cast a sidelong glance to the house next door. The reasonably well managed home of Harry's neighbors bore little in resemblance to her own childhood home. Still she half expected to see the curtain pull back in one of the little windows revealing the stumbling form of her mother. The muscles in her legs twitched. Looking down, Reese glared daggers at her agitated limbs. She swept her hands over the front of her dress., dispelling any lingering lint particle or crumbs that could be on her dress. Not that this morning's wash was insufficient. Or the multiple passes her lint roller had made over the dress. Certainly the two hours she had spent in front of her mirror evaluating and revaluating the quality of her appearance. She wasn't procrastinating. It was merely being efficient. There was smutz there to be removed. Invisible smutz. Yep.
If her dress could talk, Reese guessed it would be laughing hysterically at that moment. She was certain of it. The little blue number was arguably the only respectable thing she owned other than her casual wear. As much as she resented Mrs. Odum, Reese knew the hold that woman had on Harry was still unnervingly strong. That creature was smothering him. As much as she could appreciate wanting to protect your child, Harry would never be a fully developed man if his mother didn't let him off the leash. Controlling him and forcing him to dance within the confines of his cage was not love. She couldn't outright confront Harry with her concern. He'd only resent her for it and push her away. She had to play Mrs. Odum's game and play it well.
Swallowing against the growing anxiety that lodged in her throat and seized up her shoulders, Reese started up the pathway towards the door. She tugged her jacket tighter around her and knocked on the door. A soft rapid shuffling sound came from the other side of her door. The door opened a crack, and bright blue eyes peered at her through the small newly aimed slit. Reese exhaled in relief as she saw Harry's face fill doorway. She may have been mentally preparing herself for the evening, but if she had to meet with Harry's mother at the front door, Reese was certain she wouldn't have made it through the front door.
A shy smile met her own fearful one, and the two stood awkwardly for a moment in the doorway. Harry was dressed rather nicely in a sweater vest and slacks. His hair combed neatly parting to the side, almost resembling the style one might comb their son's for school pictures. Reese blinked at how childish he appeared. Harry would always be blessed with boyish charm and looks, but his presentation tonight emphasized it. She could probably guess who had the final word on how Harry looked. Someone was clearly already making a statement.
"Hi," she half whispered after more than a few awkward second passed.
"Hi."
Neither had moved. The evening up until that point was perfectly acceptable, and they both knew that the rest was going to be one trial after another. Would it be so terrible to freeze it there and call it a night?
"Harry?" a female voice called, breaking the spell. Reese grimaced inwardly. They couldn't stall anymore. A well-manicured hand dropped lightly onto Harry's shoulder. The bright red nails stood starkly against the pastels of his sweater. Reese watched tensely as the owner of the hand came into view.
"Hello, Reese," Mrs. Odum smiled a sickly sweet smile at her. Reese had forgotten how sultry her voice could be regardless of who she may be speaking with. It always reminded her of a lounge singer.
"Hello, Mrs. Odum."
The older woman looked to her son squeezing his shoulder lightly. "Aren't you going to invite her in, Harry? It's pretty cold out, and the poor little thing seems to be shivering." Harry looked at Reese apologetically before letting her in.
"Don't forget to take her coat, Harry." Mrs. Odum added, removing her hand from his shoulder. Harry took a step forward and pulled Reese's coat from her shoulders. She noted how despite the intimate act, he made sure not to make contact with her skin. With quick and submissive motions, Harry hung her jacket up in a nearby closet and excused himself to check on dinner.
"Sweet boy has been working on it all day." Mrs. Odum smiled possessively in the direction Harry disappeared.
"He's considerate that way," Reese agreed. The older woman's gaze snapped back to her, sizing her up blatantly now that Harry was out of the room. They stood in stark contrast of each other. Harry's mother stood confident in her black dress that sparkled ostentatiously even without motion. Her hair was styled highly on her head. Everything screamed loudly and aggressively at her competition. Reese brushed a hand protectively over her simple navy blue dress. It wasn't less flattering than the snazzy black number before her, but it was definitely more subdued.
Mrs. Odum gestured to the chair and loveseat set up nearby. "Come. There's no reason to stand at attention for me." She set herself in the loveseat, draping her dress elegantly along the piece of furniture. Reese eyed the chair to which she was required to sit and isolate herself. Gathering up her courage, Reese sat lightly on the edge of the seat.
"So," Mrs. Odum started. "I haven't seen you since you were a little string bean of a girl. You've certainly grown up."
"Yes it has been," Reese answered politely. "It's good to see you again."
"Right," Mrs. Odum squinted lightly at her. "I was surprised to hear that you and Harry had gotten close again. Last I recall, you had left your own home rather abruptly."
Reese bit the inside of her cheek as she sought out a pleasant response. "It was very abrupt. Unfortunately, my home wasn't really safe anymore."
"Ah yes. I do remember hearing many disturbing stories about the goings on in there. Some too grotesque to imagine." Mrs. Odum's eyes seared into her. In their depths flashed a hint of knowing mockery.
Reese breathed slowly through her nose. Apparently the old witch was coming out swinging. "Rumors are an ugly thing, but I know a refined woman such as yourself would never belittle herself to a childish pastime." The mockery disappeared under a dark flash.
"Of course. I was merely concerned for you and your family. Family is of course incredibly important to us."
Footsteps interrupted their quiet war, and both women turned to the source. Harry had returned from the kitchen. Without a moment's hesitation, his mother motioned for him to join her on the love seat. For what it was worth, Harry gift Reese with a small apologetic glance before sitting next to his mother.
"As I was saying," Mrs. Odum smiled, brushing a hand along Harry's hair just above his ear. "Family is incredibly important. The most important being of course the relationship between a mother and her child." Mrs. Odum turned back to Reese in fiend horror. "Oh my dear, I don't mean to bring up a sore subject for you."
Reese straightened her back as she watched the "affectionate" display. "Although it has been a while since I have seen her, I'm always hopeful for a reconciliation."
Mrs. Odum cocked her head with a sympathetic smile on her face. "Oh no, then you haven't heard."
A frightened shiver unfurled at the base of Reese's spine.
"Heard what?"
Harry's mother wrapped his hand tightly in her own and pulled it into her lap. The bright sparkles in flashing against the murky dark of her black dress drawing Reese's attention to it. Her eyes drifted from being focused and unfocused as she stared at the fabric. It felt like her head swayed lightly with each passing second. She blinked and turned to Harry. He met her gaze with just as much confusion as she felt.
No.
"Heard what?" Reese asked again. Mrs. Odum leaned slightly toward her, as she stroked the back of Harry's hand. Behind the concerned expression masked on the older woman's face, Reese saw the sharp lines of Cheshire cat grin.
"She died from a drug overdose 3 years ago. I thought you knew."