Chapter 7

**Brad’s POV**

I unlocked the door and entered. The entire house was shrouded in darkness... as it should be. It was three in the morning. I craved a glass of water so I entered the kitchen and flipped the switch. The room lit up, the only thing out of place was a figure sitting at the table, bright brown eyes staring back at me.

“What are you doing here?” I inquired.

“Sitting.” He responded lightly.

“Clearly, but how are you here?”

“Angela took me to visit your mother with her today.” He responded casually. Angela took him? Didn’t his mother have a problem letting her kid stay out this late?

“I see, and how is mother?” I asked conversationally as I walked over to the refrigerator, I pulled out a bottle of water and sat at the table, opposite him.

“Not what I expected.” He responded and I heard the fatigue in his voice.

“Oh? What did you expect?” I questioned keeping my emotions neutral but the mention of my mother opened the flood gates of memories.

“You wouldn’t like my answer.”

I stared at him and I felt the corner of my lips quirk. I knew that was a direct jib at me but for some reason, I found it amusing coming from Harvey.

“Why are you awake?” I heard myself question, I could see he was tired, it showed in the features of his face and his posture.

“Why have you now come home?” he retorted.

“Because I want to,” I responded lightly.

“Didn’t you consider Angela all alone here?” His eyes grew intense. I wasn’t wrong, he trusted her, and I could tell felt some obligation towards her. The question though was why?

“I don’t think Angela minds.” A humorless simile spread across his features. He didn’t know our marriage was meaningless.

“Then you are the biggest fool I ever met.” He responded groggily.

What does that mean? I raised my eyebrows at him. He should know that life was not a fairy tale and marriage isn’t the true vow of togetherness as one would think.

I opened my mouth to respond but was interrupted.

“Harvey?” I turned my head slightly and saw Angela standing in the doorway, her eyes widened when she saw me but she turned her gaze to Harvey.

“Why are you up this late?” She questioned her voice a smooth caress. Why didn’t I ever hear her speak like this?

I saw Harvey lower his eyes as if he was battling some secret demons. I peered at Angela and saw her features soften even more. She looked at me anxiously and then back at Harvey.

“Was it...nightmares?” Her voice was uncondemning and her eyes sympathetic.

Harvey looked at her and nodded. “Come on.” She called and he rose from his seat and walked over to her, she led him upstairs.

This was a turn of events. If he had night terrors then why on earth did his parents let him stay over at someone else’s house? Wouldn’t parents be the best source of encouragement during such a dilemma?

I switched off the light and made my way upstairs. I noticed illumination escaping through the agape door of the guest bedroom. My curiosity pulling toward the room. I peered inside and I saw Angela, she was sitting at the chair beside the bed and she was running her finger through Harvey’s hair, his eyes closed and he looked pained.

I saw his eyes flood open. “The images won’t leave.” He whispered and I saw her tense.

“It will. Just relax.” She rubbed her fingers on his temple and I saw him sigh and close his eyes once again.

It was almost unnoticeable but I swore I saw her lower lip tremble. Why was she sad?

“Can I ask you a question?” Harvey spoke, his eyes still closed.

“Of course.” She replied.

“Why do you take an interest in me, why do you help me? There are so many children in the orphanage yet you choose to befriend me.” his eyes staring at her now.

Orphanage? Wasn’t Mrs. Smith his mother? I grew confused and shell shocked. Harvey was an orphan?

“For a fourteen-year-old, you are pretty perceptive aren’t you?” She smiled, “You sound as if you think you don’t deserve help.” She countered, she studied him carefully.

What happened to this kid?

“The other kids haven’t seen the things I have. They seem so carefree. I wish I knew what that felt like.” He responded and I saw the single tear trail down her cheek.

“This has taken quite a morbid turn huh?” She smiled. “Contrary to what you think, you too can be carefree, if you allow yourself to be.” She replied and I saw him consider this.

“Now why don’t you try to sleep?” She encouraged.

“You won’t go right?” His voice pleaded and this was the first time I heard him sound like a kid... vulnerable.

“Of course not.” She replied and continued rubbing his temples with her fingers.

I saw him close his eyes and this time the tears flowed freely from her golden eyes.

I walked away from the door, a sensation gripping me. Could I sympathize with Harvey? Is this why I sensed he was damaged? Why didn’t Angela tell me? How many other things occurred in her life that she kept secret?

My mind raced. All I had was questions and no answers. Surely when the morrow came I will demand them.