Chapter 7
“This is it, right?” Michael asked me. I could tell by the look on his face he was still upset about his dad.
“Yeah. Michael, why don’t you come in with me? I’m pretty sure my dad wants to meet you.”
“Not right now, Harmony.”
“Michael, please?” I begged.
“Alright, fine,” Michael said as he unbuckled himself and got out.
“Michael, your dad didn’t really bother me.”
“He always does that to me when I bring my girlfr- I mean, a friend over.”
“It doesn’t matter to me. I’m fine. Don’t worry about it,” I smiled at him. As I walked to the door, Michael held my finger. I turned around to find him examining my house. I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door. “Daddy,” I hollered as I opened the door. “Mom?” I said. “Are they home?”
“Their cars are there.” Michael and I still held hands as we walked around my house.
“I’ll just give you the grand tour,” I told him as we walked in the living room.
“Your parents really must love black and white.”
“It’s all my mom. My dad doesn’t like it. He says it should just be one color. My mom doesn’t give him a chance to pick,” I told him. “Michael?”
“Yes?” He answered and stared me down.
“Want to see my room?”
“Sure.” We walk up the stairs and pass my parents room to hear heavy breathing and my mom moaning my dads’ name. My eyes get big and I try to rush past, but Michael stands his ground. “You could at least introduce me or something, so they won’t think we’re going to do what they’re doing,” he laughed.
I sighed and rolled my eyes and knocked on the door.
“We’re busy,” my dad announces.
“I can hear that,” I reply.
“Harmony?”
“Yes, daddy. It’s me. I brought Michael over to meet you and mom, but like you said, you two are busy. So, he just says hi.”
“Hello, Michael,” my mom says.
“Hello, Mrs. Jacobs.”
“We’re going to my room,” I tell them.
“Harmony, I don’t want any-”
“Daddy, we’re just friends!” I holler over him and walk into my room.
“Wow, this is your room?” Michael asks me as he lets go of my hand and walks around a corner.
“Yeah. Nothing special.”
“Why do you have a pinball machine?”
“I only play it when I’m mad.”
“Why?”
“So, I won’t kill anyone. When I was younger, I got so mad, I took all my goldfish out of the tank and watched them die on the counter.”
“Damn, Harmony!” He looked at me like I was crazy.
“At least I didn’t kill my dog, but hey, I didn’t understand. I was like ten years old. I’m not that cruel anymore. I love animals.”
“Well, that’s good. I do too,” he said and walked up to me and held my hands.
“What’s your favorite animal?” I ask and let go to sit on my bed.
He sits beside me and traces the shapes on the blanket, “you’re so beautiful, Harmony,” he smiles and places his hand on mine.
“Thank you, Michael.” He stares into my eyes and places his hand on my knee. I get nervous. “What time do you have to be home?” I ask him.
“Whenever I’m mad at Joseph, Mother says I don’t have to come home until I’m no longer upset.”
“That’s nice of her. Would you like to get something to eat or drink?” I ask him out of nervousness.
“No, I’d rather stay in here with you. Maybe watch TV or something.”
“Oh. That’s fine. My parents shouldn’t have a problem with that, hopefully.”
“Can I have another hug?”
“Sure,” I smile and wrap my arms around him. I feel a light kiss on my cheek. I gasp and back away.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I mean, wow,” I smile and walk to my pinball machine.
“Are you upset?”
“No, why?”
“Because you’re playing on your pinball machine,” he says and wraps his arms around my waist. I turn around and look into his beautiful brown eyes. Our lips are so close together. I don’t want to kiss me. We just met for Pete’s sake. He looks back into my eyes and smiles. I smile back and walk away. “Why do you do this to me?” He laughs and hangs onto my wrist.
“Do what?”
“Leave me like that.”
“I don’t do it on purpose.”
“You don’t, huh?” He asked and pulled my waist to him.
“No.”
“Harmony?” My dad asks as he walks in. Michael lets go of me and looks at me dad. “What is this?” My dad asks.
“Nothing, dad.”
“Him holding you like that was nothing?”
“Correct. It was nothing. Michael was just hugging me. He was just about to leave.”
“Really? Is that how the kids hug these days? He grabs you by your waist and you two are staring at each other?”
“We were just breaking from a hug, dad. He was just leaving.”
“Bye, Mr. Jacobs. Bye, Harmony,” Michael says and quickly gives me a hug, then leaves.
“Is something going on? Is he your boyfriend all of a sudden?”
“No, dad. We’re just friends.”
“Harmony, I don’t have a problem with him like I did with your other boyfriends.”
“He’s not my boyfriend. Dad, it’s a school night. Goodnight. Shut the door on your way out,” I tell him as I take off my socks and shoes and lay in bed.
“Are you hiding something from me, Harmony? Did he take your virginity?”
“Oh god no, dad!” I say and throw a stuffed animal at him. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Harmony,” he says and shuts my door.
My dad just ruined the moment. Now is the best time to play on my pinball machine…