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Anne pushed a piece of my blond hair behind my ear and gave me a weak smile. The missing piece of my heart was so evident it hurt to even exist.
Looking at Jake, Anne said, “She looks like she hasn’t slept in days. Jake, please make sure she rests.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Anne talking about me like I wasn’t standing there. Jake pulled me closer to his side and replied, “Yes, ma’am. I intend on making sure she takes care of herself.”
Nodding, she smiled. “Good. Dan and I are very worried about our sweet Harmony.”
Closing my eyes, my body swayed. Jake took the hint and began leading me away from Anne and all the prying eyes. As we neared the last row of chairs, a young girl caught my eye. She had dark hair and was dressed all in black. Her body shook as she cried. Stopping, I looked at her and she looked at me. Standing, she wiped her eyes and made her way over to me.
“Harmony?”
With a nod, I barely said, “Yes.”
Swallowing, she continued to speak. “My name is Margie. I…um…I worked with Trey. We actually all went to high school together, but I’m not sure if you remember me.”
Staring at her, I could have sworn I had seen her before, I just couldn’t place it.
“You said we went to high school together?”
Nodding, she smiled. “Yes. I was a year younger. Big into cheerleading,” she said with a nervous laugh.
My head began to spin and all I wanted to do was run. Run away from everything and anyone who reminded me of Trey or TJ.
Giving Margie a weak smile, I said, “Thank you for coming, Margie. I’m sure Trey would have appreciated it.”
She broke down sobbing again as Jake quickly led me away. Looking back over my shoulder, I watched as Margie made her way over to Trey’s casket and Anne wrapped her arms around her. I didn’t want to be anywhere near here when they lowered my husband and child into the cold, dark ground.
Margie turned and looked over her shoulder at me before turning back. She just stood there with Anne and Dan as they looked down at Trey’s casket.
Turning and staring straight ahead, I allowed my brother to guide me to his car. The sooner I got out of there, the better.
—
One month after the accident, I found myself in an unmoving stance at the intersection where the accident happened. My eyes traveled to the road where TJ had been lying on the ground. My chest ached even more than it did the day I found out I had lost Trey and TJ. Pulling the charm out of my pocket, I inhaled a deep breath as I looked at it.
I was tired of everyone telling me I would be okay. Tired of how people looked at me as if I would break at any moment. In my desire to escape the memory of losing Trey and TJ, I found myself staying in a hotel in downtown Boston. It was the only thing I asked of my parents when they called to tell me how sorry they were to hear about Trey and TJ. They offered to help in any way they could, and I knew it was just to stay on Jake’s good side. I didn’t care, though; if asking them to put me up in a hotel kept me out of the house and away from the memories, I’d ask. The thought of going home made me sick.
My phone beeped in my pocket. Pulling my eyes off the road, I turned and blew out a breath as I placed the charm back in my pocket.
“God, please help me,” I whispered.
Shaking my head, I pulled my phone from my pocket.
Jake: When was the last time you went home?
Pulling my head back in surprise, I responded.
Me: How did you know I wasn’t home?
Jake: Preston has stopped by a few times and left a few things at your front door. He stopped by today and they were still there. He was worried.
Letting out a deep breath, I walked away and headed to Trey’s office. Anne had called and said there were a few personal items of Trey’s that they thought I might like.
Glancing down at the text again, his name stood out.
Preston.
I wasn’t sure why I was so afraid to see him. He was a reminder of that day. His eyes haunted my dreams, yet something powerful pulled me to him. I just couldn’t figure out what it was.
