9
Harmony woke up at first light. When she looked at the clock it read ten minutes after six in the morning. The cd player had shut itself off after she had fallen asleep while listening to it. She yawned, stretched, and then climbed out of bed. She padded barefoot down the stairs and fetched a clean set of clothes from the duffel bag that had spent the night in the sitting room.
As she made her way back through the foyer, Harmony could hear the sound of tires approaching. She pranced to the door hoping to see James on the other side. She was slightly disappointed when it turned out to be Consuela arriving to start her shift. Harmony watched as she fumbled in with the groceries thankful that she didn't have to fight with the door as well.
"Good morning missus Harmony. I had a feeling you'd be back." Consuela smiled. "You want me to make breakfast?" she asked.
"Yes please. I forgot to eat last night. I'm starving." Harmony replied. "Are there towels upstairs?"
"Yes, they are in the closet in the bathroom." Consuela replied.
"Thank you. I'll be down in a few minutes." Harmony smiled.
"Good, you take your time missus Harmony. I'll make you a good breakfast." Consuela waddled away into the kitchen.
As Harmony made her way back up the stairs, Consuela jogged back from the kitchen.
"Don't forget your soap missus harmony." She smiled and handed her a bag.
"Oh, you didn't have to." Harmony exclaimed.
"Was no trouble," she chuckled and vanished again.
Harmony shook her head and made her way into the master bathroom. She unpacked the bag that Consuela had given her to find shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Also included was a pack of lavender bath bombs. She started to fill the oversized Jacuzzi tub with hot water and dropped in a bath bomb. As the tub filled she walked across the hallway, selected a different cd from James band and put it in the player. Both items were carried back to the bathroom and plugged in.
Harmony pushed play and listened to the guitar screech as she got undressed and climbed into the soothing hot water. With a flip of a switch, she turned on the powerful jets and sat back contently closing her eyes.
"In the depths of nightmares
One silently creeps
Eager to steal the soul
Of the one that sleeps
You will see me as none have before
Tonight I will lead you
Straight through deaths door
In the absence of good sense you weep
While in the shadows I do creep
To take your mind so deep
Deeper down through deaths door
Coming to settle a score
Darkness claims the forewarned
For there shall be no more
After I take you through deaths door
Die for me my beauty
Exist in darkness forever more"
Harmony shivered. She couldn't be sure if it was the water turning cold or the cold lyrics from the song. She pulled the plug, shut off the jet switch, grabbed the oversized towel, and began drying herself off. She stepped into her jeans and pulled her teal shirt on over her wet hair.
Harmony towel dried her hair the best that she could and pulled it away from her face with a hair band. She then turned off the music and looked herself over in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy and swollen with dark circles forming underneath from all the tears she had cried. She didn't approve of it at all. She hated how she looked only half as much as how she felt. Her emotions were still all over the spectrum and it irritated her.
"Missus Harmony, breakfast is ready." Consuela called up the stairs.
"I'll be down in a minute. Thank you." Harmony replied loudly.
Harmony turned away from the mirror and returned the cd player to the nightstand in James room. She then grabbed her purse, put on her shoes, and made her way downstairs into the kitchen. Breakfast smelled wonderful as she sat down at the table. Consuela put a plate of food down in front of her that contained fresh grated hash browns and blueberry pancakes. Her mouth watered with anticipation.
"Will you sit and talk with me please?" Harmony asked as Consuela poured her coffee.
���Yes, of course missus Harmony." She replied as she grabbed another cup and took a seat across the table.
"I appreciate everything you do here Consuela." Harmony began as she poured the syrup over the pancakes.
"It is my pleasure." Consuela replied as she sipped her coffee.
"I know John meant a lot to you. Tomorrow is his viewing with the funeral Tuesday afternoon. I'd like you to take this week off so you can mourn him in your own way." Harmony said.
"Thank you missus Harmony." Consuela smiled sadly.
"There's a few things I need help with before you go today." Harmony spoke between bites.
"Yes, of course. What can I do to help?" Consuela asked.
"I need a caterer for Tuesday evening to host the wake. If you can find one and set it up for me I'd appreciate it." She asked.
"I will set that up for you missus Harmony." Consuela replied.
"Thank you. Also, where can I get furniture from near here?"
"There are shops just up the beach." She answered.
"I guess that's where I'll be today." Harmony smiled.
"Will you be home for supper?" Consuela asked.
"I'm sure I will be. I'm not ready to deal with my place yet." She sighed.
"Very good, is there anything else you will need?" she asked.
"I'm not sure yet. I'll let you know if I figure it out." She smiled. "Thank you for breakfast. I'm going to motivate now."
"Have a good day missus Harmony." Consuela replied as she cleared the dishes from the table.
"You too Consuela." Harmony replied as she gathered up her purse and car keys.
Harmony made her way down the beach until she finally spotted the line of shops Consuela had told her about. She picked a parking spot near the beginning of the two mile long strip and pulled the car in. She locked it up and put the change in the meter. She then slowly walked along looking in the shop windows for something she liked.
Everything looked so expensive. Harmony had never been to this part of town before. She was shocked as she stared at the price tags in the window of the jewelry store. All she could do was shake her head as she moved on up the street. Finally she spotted the furniture display five stores down from where she had started.
The bell on the door chimed softly as Harmony made her way inside the store. She didn't make it two feet into the showroom before she was confronted by the finely dressed woman. The thin blond lady wore white high heels and a pink business suit dress. Harmony suddenly felt severely under dressed as the lady looked her over unsure of her seriousness.
"How can I help you today?" the lady finally asked as the hesitation passed.
"I need bedroom furniture." Harmony replied.
"Right this way," the lady replied as she led Harmony through the aisle and into another showroom.
Harmony looked around at the large amount of furniture in every style. She found it more difficult than she had anticipated deciding on what one she liked best. In the far corner she found a white willow carved bed with posts that hung sheer curtains from the top frame. The wood looked like crafted vines woven together from individual pieces of willow. It had a matching vanity with mirror, tall dresser, and two night stands.
"I'll take this set." Harmony decided.
"Of course," the lady replied with a raised eyebrow.
"Can you deliver it to this address today?" Harmony asked as she handed her a slip of paper.
The woman's eyes went wide as she replied, "Yes of course."
"You can charge it to the account listed there as well." Harmony smiled.
"I'll get on that right away!" she exclaimed.
"Thank you." Harmony walked away without looking back.