Chapter 13

“How long do you plan on being in this mood?” Ethan competed with the music in the background, his head pounding as he slid beside Harvey at the bar. Since his marriage he actively avoided places like this for the obvious reasons. He didn’t need unnecessary arguments and trust issues. The best part though, was that he didn’t miss this life.

The only exception to him entering a club again willingly was the rare days where his oldest friend isolated himself from the world. Harvey was winning no awards for his acting skills, of that Ethan was sure. Harvey’s moods were always very in your face. It was hard to not know what he was feeling. He had a characteristic response for every emotion.

This night club was his frequent spot whenever he was angry or numb, so it was Ethan’s first guess. Harvey had been dodging everyone in the past week. He spoke when spoken to, no more no less.
Harvey’s attention did not shift; he focused on the drink being poured by the bartender. Her eyes shuffling between the drink she poured and the man sitting in her section.

Ethan found it difficult to disregard her discernible interest, but for the most part Harvey seemed oblivious to anything else other than his own thoughts.

“What mood is that?” Harvey downed the drink in his crystal glass, his mouth warming instantly, a smokey aura lingering on his tongue. He tapped the bar counter and the bartender nodded, pouring him another drink. She didn’t risk glancing in another direction.

“Sour.” Ethan tried for a good five seconds to pry the bartender’s attention away from Harvey, so that she could pour him a drink.

Sour? Harvey scowled. His was depreciating lately. But why? He’d only met the damned woman once! So why could he still remember her dry humour and straight forward personality? It was just one singular woman, he possessed the ability to find another with attitude and sass, they were not lacking.

His cell phone vibrated against his thigh, yanking him out of the million questions in his head. He shoved his drink down on the counter, some of liquid dancing over the rim of the glass and escaping onto the smooth surface. He fished his cell out of his pocket and checked the caller I.D.
He growled. It was his uncle Scott. He ignored the call and shoved his call on the counter; the force of action causing the cell to propel across the table and onto the other side. The female bartender collected the cell off the floor and placed it next to Harvey’s drink. She eyed him, waiting for him to acknowledge her, but he couldn’t see anyone, not tonight.

Ethan mouthed his appreciation to the bartender at the realisation that Harvey was in a daze again, but she didn’t seem to care for his acknowledgement. She did, however, take the hint. She pulled aside a male bartender and whispered something in his ear. They switched sections and she was out of sight.

“Are you waiting for a special call or something?” He felt as if he was bawling into Harvey’s ear, but the music drowned out most of his voice. Harvey downed his drink and requested another.

Harvey Regal waited on no one. He had to keep reminding himself of that. Then why was his ego bruised. It had been a week since he saw Mia, he was awfully certain that she would have reached out to him by now. How had be miscalculated the situation? He would have had to be blind to miss her obvious attraction towards him.
Stupid. He was stupid. He should have gotten her contact information instead of leaving it up to her. He passed his hands over his face and cringed. He thought about himself waiting outside her gym this past week. He waited until his time had come and gone, he’d even gone into that damn coffee shop but he didn’t see her.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” He pushed back. “Who would I be waiting on?” he continued furiously, his mouth twitching as he spoke. “Simply annoyed by the vibration against my skin.” He lied.

“I don’t believe—”Ethan began shouting again, caught off-guard by Harvey’s defensiveness.

“Does your wife know that you are in this den of iniquity?” Harvey countered, cutting him off. He’d made a point of evading places like this with Ethan, especially that he was a married man. Not that Ethan was fickle or unfaithful but there were flirtatious women who would find a married man a challenge. They would never be able to drink in peace and Harvey valued his peace.

“The wife was the one who convinced me to find you.” He sipped on his drink. Harvey didn’t respond. “We can just drink tonight, no need to talk.” Ethan offered, calling for another drink and a bottle of water. At least one of them had to keep their wits about them.

“I can drink alone.” Harvey glared at him, hoping he would just leave.

“Too bad.” Ethan shrugged and turned around to face the open space. It was jam packed, to be expected for the weekend. He looked out at the crowd and wondered how he ever enjoyed this life. “I am not going anywhere without you.”

*****

“I really needed to talk to you.” Mia twirled the cup of ginger tea around in her hands. The heat scalding her palms and keeping her focused. “I am so sorry I barged in this early and without calling first.” Mia babbled. There was a high chance that Marina may take the news well, but there was always the possibility that she wouldn’t.

“Nonsense, you are welcome anytime.” Marina placed a hand on her daughter-in-law’s wrist and smiled. “You can tell me anything, you know that.” Marina sensed the unbalanced state of Mia’s mind. She’d showed up in front of her house at 8AM on a Sunday, her eyes drawn in, it was obvious she hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before. It had been years since Marina’s doorstep was darkened on the weekend. She didn’t mind the company at all.

“I have left Gabriel.” The words alone were creating a euphoric sensation that turned her limbs to jelly. She eyed Marina for a reaction. As much as those words tempted Mia to smile with the force of the sun behind her, powering her, she had to be mindful of Marina. After all, Gabriel was still her son and she would still have affection for him, despite his wrongdoings.

“ When?” Marina eased back in her chair. The news startling her. It wasn’t what she was expecting at all. At the very worst, she thought that her son had added more wrongs to the pile, but this…this was unexpected.

“Last night.” Mia responded. “I’m sorry that—”
Marina tapped Mia’s hands with her own. “Do not apologise to me. I know you weren’t happy.” A small tear rolled down her cheek. “ I am the one who is sorry, I couldn’t do anything to help you.” She grabbed hold of Mia’s hands and squeezed. “Forgive me.” Her voice cracked.

“Not at all.” Mia comforted. “Without your help I wouldn’t have been able to reach this far.”
Marina nodded, she sniffled, “How’s Amiyah taking it?” She was worried about the effects on her grandchild the most.

“I am lucky that she rarely spends a lot of time with Gabriel since he was always so busy. She won’t fuss if she doesn’t see him regularly.” Mia explained.

“I am relieved.” Marina said, her eyes dazing off as she sipped on her tea.

“I actually have a favour to ask you.” Mia pulled the mug of tea off the table and closer to her face. The steam from the cup refreshing her.

“How can I help?” Marina removed her gaze from the back yard. Her heart aching, she wondered if she would be able to continue seeing her granddaughter as before.

“I need a good attorney. Someone who has a lot of experience in divorce proceedings.” She paused. “Can you recommend me anyone?” she said the words carefully. Her intention was not to further hurt Marina but she was the only person Mia knew who had knowledge in this area. The years she spent years working with multiple firms when she was a social worker. Mia knew her mother-in-law had long retired from her post but she hoped that Marina would be able to give her a place to start.

“I may know a few.” Marina nodded. “Will you allow me to compile a list of reputable firms for you?” Marina asked.

“I would really appreciate it. It would narrow my search.” Mia was grateful. She had no clue on where to start, at least with a list she could narrow her search by looking at the firms’ websites.

“I have a favour to ask you.” Marina was twirling her fingers around the mouth of her tea cup. Her eyes staring at the liquid within.

“Ask anything.” Mia encouraged.

“Will you still please let me be a part of Amiyah’s life?” her eyes were filled with tears again.

“Ma, I would never keep Amiyah away from you.” Mia was horrified that Marina would even consider such a thing.

“Thank you.” Marina’s body shuddered, tears squeezing out of her eyes non-stop. “Thank you.” She whispered again. Mia held Marina’s hand in hers as she cried tears of relief.