14

James pulled up in front of the door. He practically had to lift Harmony out of the car and push her toward the house. She went through the motions wondering if she should be concerned knowing she felt nothing at all. James didn't speak. He just escorted her up the stairs and left her at her bedroom door, before excusing himself to change.

Harmony threw the envelope and her purse on the bed. She stripped out of her wet clothes leaving them in a pile on the floor. Downstairs she could hear the caterers preparing for the wake. She really wanted a drink to wash down the bitter taste of reality. She looked through her closet and absent-mindedly snagged the black form fitting spaghetti strapped dress and stepped into it.

The zipper snagged causing Harmony to curse loudly. It was loud enough for James to hear as he was passing by. He came to her rescue and silently zipped her up. She nodded her thanks, slipped into a pair of black velvet pumps and checked herself over in the mirror. She was surprised to see that her makeup had remained even though her entire body had been soaked. She shook her hair free and let it fall in the wet tangled mess it had become. She honestly refused to care what she looked like anymore. After all, there was no one left to impress.

"It's real now. He left me James and this time he's not coming back." She coldly stated.

"You look at me Harm," he said shaking her shoulders violently.

"Don't you dare quit on me. You hold your head up high." He demanded.

"What's the point?" she replied harshly. "Everyone I loved is gone. My parents, grandparents, John; they all left me alone." She finally started to cry.

"Stop it." He said harshly. "You believe me when I say this to you. I will never leave you alone Harmony. You're all I have left."

"Oh James," she wept. "I don't know what to say." She stammered as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Then don't say anything. Let's just get this day over with and go from there." He replied softly.

"Alright," she sighed.

"We have all day tomorrow I don't have to fly back until Thursday morning. So hang in there one more day." He held out his hand.

Harmony nodded and put her hand in his. James smiled and led her down the stairs. Consuela was finishing up the relocation of the photos from the funeral home to the staircase as they passed her by. Across the banister, in front of the photos, Consuela had secured a red rope to the post to keep the guests on the main level of the home. Just as she finished, the door bell rang.

"Thank you for coming Mr. Mayor." James said as he shook the man's hand.

"So sorry for your loss." The mayor's wife said as she hugged Harmony.

"Thank you. He will be missed by us all." Harmony replied as she hugged the woman back.

"Refreshments are in the kitchen. Please help yourselves." Consuela said as she led the way.

Harmony and James stayed in the foyer. They prepared themselves to be flooded by mourners and waited patiently to greet them. One by one they came in hordes until over fifty were gathered in clusters around the house. Harmony could hardly contain her nerves any longer. When James appeared with two glasses full of whiskey she managed a smile.

"How did John manage all this?" she wondered aloud.

"I don't know." James admitted. "I feel guilty that I left him to bare it all alone. The thought of this lifestyle nauseated me."

"He didn't have to do it alone. He had me. It's like I was cheated out of knowing this part of his life." She pouted.

"Well, it's your life now. You're a wonderful, brilliant, woman Harm. I'm sure you'll do just fine." He smiled.

"Thank you for being so nice to me James." She said sadly.

"I'm glad I finally met you. Even though, I wish it wasn't under these circumstances." He replied.

"Me too." She said softly.

Their conversation was soon interrupted. The mayor has made his way through the crowd to join them on the patio. For a while the three of them stood there looking out over the water.

"I'm sure that the timing is terrible." The mayor began.

"But, I'm in a bit of a bind. You see, before John died, he was funding a natural history exhibit next Friday. This fundraiser was scheduled to be the largest one of the year." He explained.

"That does seem like a bit of an inconvenience. Why don't you call me Thursday afternoon and fill me in. I'll be happy to fulfill john's obligation with the museum." Harmony replied.

"That would be great thank you." The mayor exclaimed as he shook her hand.

"See, I told you that you'd be good at this." James smiled as the mayor returned to the crowd.

Harmony emptied her glass. "Not really. The whiskey helps though."

"I'll get us another glass." He laughed and disappeared into the kitchen with their glasses for a refill.

"Are you Miss Pond?" an elderly woman asked as she walked up behind her.

"Yes," Harmony replied as she watched the woman fiddle with her tissue nervously.

"I'm Amelia. I was the boy's foster mom for a few years." She replied.

"It's nice to meet you." Harmony replied politely.

"I've been waiting to catch you alone. There's something you need to know." She rushed.

"Alright," Harmony replied.

"James is a very disturbed man. You can't trust him." Amelia stated as she grabbed Harmony's wrist harshly.

"He's capable of terrible things. You watch yourself around him." She insisted.

"You're hurting me." Harmony winced.

"Hello Amelia," James said in a low growl.

Amelia released Harmony's wrist and replied, "James, you look well."

"Of course, and it's always a pleasure to see you." He smiled and handed Harmony her glass of whiskey.

"I should go. It was nice meeting you Miss Pond." Amelia said backing away slowly.

"You too," she replied shaking her head as she took a large swig and watched the woman disappear.

"You alright?" James asked.

"Yes, what a strange woman." She replied.

"Yes, I hope she didn't bother you too much. She's always been a very disturbed woman." He said.

"Apparently so," she smiled. "I'm alright though, seems that the whiskey is working. My head is dizzy." She giggled.

"I'm a bit numb too. It looks like we're going to survive this day after all." He winked.

"Yes it does." She replied as she made her way back inside.

It wasn't too much longer before the caterers packed up and left for the night. The guests all but abandoned their conversations and filed out into the evening. Consuela was the last to leave and only did so upon agreement that Harmony would leave the cleaning to her in the morning. James abandoned his glass in the kitchen, bringing the bottle into the sitting room where Harmony rested lounged out on the couch.

"I'm glad that's over." He said, passing her the bottle.

"Me too." She replied. "I'm way too drunk to play proper anymore." She laughed and took a drink straight from the bottle and handed it back to him.

"But you do proper so well," he joked and took a large drink.

"I do bad better." She admitted as she snagged the bottle from his hand and drank eagerly.

"If you don't believe me ask Karen. She's been my friend for fifteen years." She smiled.

"You should see me on concert night!" he laughed loudly.

"I'll have to take you up on that some day." She said.

Before they knew it the bottle was empty. James went to get more as Harmony stumbled over to the bench seat by the window. When he returned he sat quietly beside her and watched her as she stared out into the darkness.

"You're so beautiful when you're sad." He said as he brushed the hair from her face.

"Oh James," she sighed. "I can't."

"It's alright." He touched her cheek softly. "You're beautiful and broken and I completely understand. I expect nothing."

"Thank you." She nuzzled his hand as he caressed her cheek.

"Come on, let's get your drunk ass to bed." He said helping her up.

"Alright," she replied and then stumbled, landing solidly against his chest.

Harmony looked up into James eyes. He smiled and looked down at her holding on tight. For a moment, she thought about kissing him. He must have sensed it causing him to turn away gently leading her up the stairs. As they stood in front of her bedroom door he smiled at her softly.

"Good night Harm."

"Good night James." Before he could get away, she kissed his cheek.