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I smile, remembering how I’d teased him about guys and big trucks, only to be proved deliciously wrong.
I see his parents in the truck, and they apparently see me too, because they immediately wave and point at me. They park and quickly jump out and rush towards me as if they’re meeting an old friend.
I thank Abner and his wife, who is looking very relieved that they won’t have to drive me, as they get in their car and drive off.
“Elsa!” Lorna says, waving her hand like crazy and bringing me in for a hug. “What are you doing here?”
“I…” I freeze for a second but decide to just speak the truth. “I need to talk to Harvey, but his phone isn’t working.”
“Oh, he lost his phone,” George says with a frown. “But he promised to get a new one as soon as he reaches Vancouver.”
I start to wilt. “I’m guessing I missed him already?”
“Yes, unfortunately…” Lorna says. “But what’s so important you need to talk to him this urgently?”
“Yeah, we thought you were working!” George adds.
“Working?” I hold back laughter. “Yes… I was. But something popped up.”
“Oh, tell me, tell me, tell me!” Lorna does jazz hands out of excitement.
“It’s…”
It’s just me using money as an excuse to see your son again and quench my thirst of him.
I shake the thought from my head.
“It’s kind of personal, Lorna…” I continue.
They both place their hands under their chins and let out a playful 'Hmm!' directed at me. It's clearly in a joking manner, and their lighthearted approach puts me at ease, making me smile.
“Okay, since Harvey is not here and you don’t want us to pass on the message, let us at least offer you lunch! Come on in. We have plenty of leftovers from…” Lorna’s voice tapers off and she leads me into their house, wrapping her arm around mine.
Over a lunch of leftover lasagna, I learn that Grandma Rose passed away. I had to pretend like I already knew because why on earth would Harvey not tell his fiancé about it, so I try to hide my shock and apologize for not being able to make it to the funeral.
To my surprise, my eyes tear up as I think about Grandma Rose. Even though my time with her was brief, she left an impression on my heart, and I feel even more guilty for lying to her.
Lorna wipes her eyes with a tissue then offers me one. “Oh no, dear. We understand. It was sudden and Harvey told us you couldn’t take off from work.”
I’m debating whether to head home after lunch, but they invite me to stay with them.
“Humor us old folks. We are empty nesters and would love to talk to you for a bit longer if you have time?” Lorna asks, and I don’t have the heart to leave.
“Do you know when Harvey is coming back?” I ask, following them into the living room.
“His team is playing against the Vancouver Thunderhawks in the Conference Finals for a place in the Stanley Cup,” George turns around to inform me with an excited look on his face.
He continues, “He’ll be back in a couple of days, but then they’ll play a few games here in Boston. They’ll go back to Vancouver to play until whichever team wins four games first. It’s a best of seven situation.”
Yet again, I wilt. A lot of what he said went over my head, but it sounds like Harvey will be busy for a while.
My face must have fallen because he says quickly, “But don’t worry, you’ll be able to talk to him soon. He promised he’d get a new phone as soon as he landed.”
“God, whatever you have to tell him must be important!” Lorna says, trying to fish out my secret again.
“Yeah, kinda,” I say as nonchalantly as I can.
Once more, I’m feeling overwhelmed by Harvey’s family. I probably shouldn’t stay longer with them, but they’re nice, I like them, and I can bid them one last goodbye.
