She and Cameron aren't exactly friends, but they talk for lack of other women. In March, when the snow begins to melt into slush, they go out to lunch, if only to get away from the men.
"Can I ask you a question?" Cameron asks. They're picking their way around puddles, hands in pockets.
"Shoot."
"Do you believe in true love?"
Harding has become use enough to Cameron's idyllic nature that she doesn't laugh. "No."
"Why not?"
"Cause I think that there's more than one person that you can be compatible with, but I think that once you find someone you're ridiculously happy with, you should stop looking."
"Then why did you and Chase get back together?"
"Ah, the real question. I stopped looking even after I left."
"But you're ridiculously happy?"
"Sometimes. Sometimes I'm just ridiculously content, but I know what I've got's good enough to stop looking. But what about you?" water drips off the eaves and down her spine, making her shiver. "You're talking like you met someone."
Cameron sighs. "Sadly, no. You remember when you were in high school, wanting to leave so you could date college guys? And then in college, wanting to date grad students?"
"So, what you're saying is you're looking towards the nursing home?" Harding teases, only to get an elbow to the ribs. "Ow! Vicious, are we?"
"It's just hard to find guys, you know?"
"Trust me, I get it. But sometimes you've got to stop looking."
Cameron rolls her eyes. "You don't believe in true love, but you're one of those 'it'll come to you' types?"
"No, I'm just saying that mates sometimes make the best relationships."
They've turned down the hallway to the office, arms full of discarded jackets, hats, and scarves.
"I've never found success in the friends then relationship thing," Cameron says. "It always fails."
But Harding's not listening. Chase is standing outside, leaning on the orange wood of the wall, phone pressed to his ear. He's rubbing the stubble on his chin. His hair looks like he's been running a hand through it, and his tie is askew.
"Yeah, yeah.…no, I'll try and get a flight out tonight, be there tomorrow evening."
"Hey, Allison, can you take my jacket?" It's the clearest way Harding can think to say Go inside. Let me handle this. 'This' being the expression on Chase's face.
"Yeah, sure." With a worried look, Cameron hurries inside.
"No, the only other is my sister. I'm not sure how to- yeah that'd be great. Thanks." He snaps his phone shut and stares at Harding. She's straightening his tie. It's one of the ridiculous ones he got for Christmas, covered in a hideous magenta paisley.
"You right?"
"No." He sniffs. "I uh, I've got to go to Melbourne. My dad…he's uh…he died, last night."
"Oh. God." She takes his hand in both of hers. "I'm so sorry."
"Lung cancer, stage four." he looks down at her, not seeing anything. "I've got to go find a ticket, try to call Molly, but-"
"But you can't think?" She kisses his hand. "I'm going to go find you a ticket. You are going to try and call Molly, but if you can't find her, don't worry and instead call someone at your dad's church to help with the funeral arrangements. I'm assuming that was his lawyer?"
"Someone at the hospital."
"Okay, after that call his lawyer, you're going to want to get all his assets straightened out while you're over there. All right?" she rubs his hand. "And I am right here, and you can call me at anytime."
"Right. Okay." he takes a deep breath. "Molly, then."
She leans up to squeeze him tightly. "I know it feels numb, but it'll all be okay. I promise."
He buries his face in her hair. "I wish you could come with me."
"I know, love. But like I said, only a phone call away."
She cries that night, hugging Winnie.
"What's wrong, Mummy?"
"Nothing's wrong, lovey. Don't worry about it." She doesn't cry for Rowen, but for Robert.
He comes back five days later, too tired to do anything but lean his forehead up against hers, their heads on the same pillow. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Talking me through things."
"I'm sorry that I had to at all."
"I'm sorry you knew how to."
"We got fucked over in life." she blinks sleepily, having trouble re-opening her eyes. "But we have each other." she scoches a little to kiss his forehead. "Come on. Let's just go to sleep."
"Don't have to tell me twice." he lifts his arm so she can roll over, snuggling back against him. "Do I have to wake up in the morning?"
"It's easier when there's two of us."