Your Body Close To Mine

Chapter Five

Harper

I was floored by the smell when I came through the door. It smelled good yet again in the house. I had wanted to make dinner for Ryann, but I guess she beat me to it yet again. I made my way to her room. I noticed her sitting at her desk hunched over her books and writing notes.

“Hi.” She turned her head to look at me. “Hey.” She responded. Something felt a little off. “You’re doing school work?” I queried. “Yeah. I figured I would get ahead a little.” I was hoping to spend an evening relaxing with her. “You’re making dinner. I was going to make dinner for you.” “Oh yeah. Its just an herbed chicken casserole. I figured I would make something easy while I got ahead on school work.”

Something is off a little with her. I wrapped my arms over her shoulders and hugged her to my chest as I was bent over her from behind. I kissed the side of her head. I felt her tense a little bit in my hold. “Are you okay Baby?” I felt a tear hit my hand where I was holding her. “You’re crying. What’s wrong?”

Ryann sniffled. She wiped at her face with her right hand. “Its nothing I’ll be fine.” “Ryann. Tell me please.” I softly begged her. “A man grabbed me after confronting me when I went grocery shopping earlier. He recognized me, I guess. He accused me of stealing from him. He was referring to what my dad did, but he held me accountable. He grabbed my left arm when I tried to get back to Hope’s car. A teenage boy cart pusher tried to help me. I guess a security guard scared the man away and I was able to come home.”

I want to holler but I know I will scare her. “Why didn’t you go to the hospital. Make a police report?” “This isn’t the first time this has happened, and it won’t be the last. I can’t afford to pay for medical bills just for a bruised and swollen arm I could ice and take pain meds for. I just let my guard down. I need to remember to not do that.”

I was so furious. I did the only thing I could think to do. I picked her up and went to her oversized chair. I cradled her in my arms. I placed gentle kisses across her lips and cheek. I need her to soothe me because I don’t want to lash out and scare her. I only hope that I’m soothing her some too. I did feel some of the tension leave her body as I held and kissed her.

I only got to hold her for about ten minutes before an alarm sounded on her phone. One thing is for sure. I will start to do all the shopping or at least she will never shop again by herself. I know she told me the quick version of events. I’ll wait to see if she wants to tell me more.

Ryann pulled the casserole out of the oven. She set it to cool. I noticed she was setting another baking dish in the oven, and it looked like a cobbler. I set out flat bowls for the casserole for us. I sent a quick live message to Hope to see if she was going to join us. She replied that she was busy and to leave some at the door. I carried our bowls to the coffee table. I figured we could sit back, eat, and watch something to hopefully relax Ryann a little bit more. I set Hope’s at the door and let her know it was there.

Ryann pulled her legs under her on the couch as she leaned forward to grab her bowl. I grabbed mine and we settled in to eat and watch tv. I was having such a good day hanging out with my cousins. I feel a little guilty I didn’t come home. I would have been with her, and it never would have happened. Hope joined us for when the apple cobbler was done. Ryann scooped vanilla ice cream on top and we sat back the three of us enjoying the movie Ryann and I were partway into.

I gave Hope a couple of side-glances. I’ll explain more later to her, but I think she understood what I was trying to convey to her. Hope and I are in tune usually. Though things changed during senior year we still have our ability to understand sometimes without words what we want to say with our eyes or expressions.

Ryann fell asleep when the movie was three quarters in. “What happened?” Hope whispered so low I barely heard her. I indicated picking up our dirty dishes and we went into the kitchen to clean up and I told her quietly what happened. Hope is not happy at all.

I carried Ryann to my bed. I tucked her in after removing her excess clothing. I left her in her shirt and panties. I was not happy at the red mark on her left arm. It circled her whole arm and I want to rip the guy’s hand off. I don’t care what Gordan did to him. Ryann is not responsible for her father’s crimes.

~~~

I refused to let Ryann do much but relax when we woke up. I decided to make some kebobs on our grill for dinner. I prepared them at lunch time in order for them to be ready for dinner to easily toss on the grill. Since she got fresh pineapple, I cut it into chunks to make a sweet treat of them. I love grilled pineapple and other fruits dipped into a simple but tasty kind of a dip. It consists of sour cream, a little vanilla flavor mixed with some brown sugar. You don’t need much but it elevates especially fruit grilled or not.

Hope came into the kitchen after I finished mixing the dip. She grabbed a pineapple chunk waiting for the skewer and dipped it in the bowl. “Hey!” I complained some. Hope laughed and put the island between her and me. “You know I love this dip.” She said when she finished chewing and swallowing the chunk of pineapple.

“What dip?” Ryann asked. “Harper’s fruit dip.” Hope replied. I relented and dipped a pineapple chunk for her and held it out to her. She came around and I fed her the chunk. She sucked my fingers to get all the dip off them. Not that there was any on my fingers. I wanted to groan. I was getting ideas on what else this dip could be used for to benefit us both mutually.

Hope and Ryann let me get back to preparing for dinner after I let them each have one more pineapple dipped into the fruit dip. Hope went back to her studio and Ryann seemed to be playing virtual chess. I realized she was playing with someone else. I couldn’t tell if she was winning because I am too far away and I’m on the reversed image side of the living room projector. I could see a message tab scrolling to the side as she played.

I set the kebobs in the fridge to marinate in the seasoning and marinade I did for them. There should be plenty of time to soak up the flavors before I grill them. I sat next to Ryann and kissed her cheek as she was concentrated on making her next move. My phone chimed and I dug it out of my pocket to see who texted. It was Mason. I had texted him before lunch, but he was busy.

Mason- What’s up?

Me- Are you still in touch with your friend that runs that store that helps with self defense protection items?

Mason- Yeah why? Is someone bothering you? You should tell dad.

Me- Not me. Some big guy approached Ryann while she was putting her shopping cart back over her dad and he grabbed her and hurt her.

Mason-…

I watched those dots like it was taking forever. I was beginning to think Mason wasn’t going to respond because the dots would stop and start again. Finally, the message popped up.

Mason- I don’t know how to respond. He had no right, but I had no right either to accuse her of something she didn’t do. Why am I angry about this?

Me- Because she is my girlfriend, and you love me and don’t want to see me hurt. In general, though you don’t like seeing anyone weaker than someone else get hurt. I know you, little bro.

Mason looks tough. Maybe even tougher than me, but he is very similar. We protect those weaker than us. Mason especially is super protective of Maddie. He may fight and squabble with her, but there is nothing he wouldn’t do for his twin. The fates know how he has watched me with our family, him, and others in general. I may be built like a strong man able to crush weaker things between my hands looking like my dad sort of. But I have the compassion of my mom. Not saying my dad isn’t compassionate. He was still a bit of a player and had an ego in his youth. I’m just glad he saw reason.

Mason- What do you need?

Me- Anything small and inconspicuous that Ryann can carry when I can’t be around to alert and help her get away.

Mason- I’ll head over right now and talk with my friend.

Me- Thanks bro. I’ll give you the money when you get here.

Mason- No need. Think of it as me making up for being an *ss.

I was so lost in my texting with Mason I missed the fact that Ryann has started a new game of chess. I didn’t care. If it was keeping her relaxed and happy then let her play to her hearts content.

Mason knocked on the door a few hours later. I spent the afternoon playing games of my own next to Ryann on the couch. She has won about half the games she’s played so far. I got up and opened the door. Mason held a bag out to me. I pulled him into a hug and ushered him inside.

“Whoa what is that?” He was looking at the holographic projector. I forgot he hasn’t been over in a while since we had them installed. “Hope suggested these holographic projectors. They’re a lot of fun.” “Man, I want one for my room. Do you think dad will let me install one?” “Couldn’t hurt to ask. I’ll have to ask Hope which company she used because I can’t remember.”

Ryann luckily was finishing up her game. “Hey Baby, I have some things for you.” I said. She looked at me. “Mason has a friend that runs a store to help with self defense and items. Mason picked you up some items to keep you safe for those times we can’t be around.” Ryann had an expression of a cross between grimace and anguish.

Mason took over and dumped the bag out on the coffee table and proceeded to explain to her how to use each item. I partially think Ryann was tickled pink that most of the items were pink or purple. Those are her favorite colors, and I didn’t think to tell Mason that.

Mason took Ryann out into the backyard when I started the grill to show her some defensive moves while I got dinner going. I had forgotten Mason helped with his friend’s classes when he met him as Mason started college. It is not much, but I felt better that she will know something more and have things to help keep her safe.

I offered Mason to have Maddie come over to share dinner, but he denied it. He said he wanted to tease her when he got home that he got my kebobs and the fruit dip to boot. I want to say I can save some for her, but my whole family loves it, and it seems Ryann does too. They can make it themselves, but they claim when I make it. It is that much tastier.

~~~

I stopped in to see my mom before I headed home. She had texted me to come down after work. I walked in. “Harper.” Jenna stopped cleaning up her station and came over to hug me. “Mom in her office?” “Yep.” I made my way to her office. I’m glad my grandmother hasn’t been in since needing to go to the hospital. Her allergies were affecting her breathing and mom made her take time to rest and relax. It is not like she needs to come to work anyway.

I pushed the cracked door open. I looked away immediately at what I saw. Its not that I haven’t seen it a zillion times, but I wanted my parents to have their privacy in a sense. My dad and mom were kissing deeply, and I do enjoy knowing how in love they still are with each other.

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat.

“Harper.” My mom said as she dislodged herself from my dad’s kisses. She blushed a little and my dad just beamed to see the pink form on mom’s cheeks. “Uh, you wanted to see me.” I reminded her. “Oh yes. I was wondering with Hope’s birthday coming up if we can plan a party for her or what the feelings are on it. Your aunt was talking with me about it and since she talks more with you, I said I would ask you.”

“Sadly, mom I don’t think she’ll be up to it. She has made no inclination about her birthday, and she left this morning and won’t be back for a couple of weeks. She may not be home for her birthday. I am unsure if that timing is on purpose or not.” My parent’s faces dropped with a little disappointment. They love her like all us kids as their own. We know who our parents are, but our uncles and aunts treat us like we’re their kids too.

“Sorry.” I said.

“Its okay. I just was hoping since its been a few years she would open back up to all of us. I should say we hoped she would.” My mom lamented her minor disappointment. My dad pulled mom into his side holding her to comfort her. He doesn’t seem as upset by this information as mom.

“Well, Aunt Wendy was wondering if you and Ryann are coming for their last weekend of summer party. They want to meet her.” “I’ll ask Ryann when I get home.” Mom nodded. My Uncle Jayson and Aunt Wendy like to have this party the last weekend of August each year, but in reality, they know summer isn’t over. Its more of a to prepare for everyone going back to school and such.

I know Mason and Maddie’s classes started Monday this week. Jenna, Taylor, and Alyssa would be going back to high school if they hadn’t just graduated this spring. I think Taylor and Alyssa are going to go to college, but I haven’t chatted with them too much since Ryann has come back into my life and become my girlfriend to see where my cousins stand on their future. Max is starting his junior year in high school.

“I’m going to head home if we’re done.” “Yeah, we’re done.” My dad replied. I hugged both of them. I gave Jenna another quick hug when I made my way out to the parking garage.