C3Victoria

Stolen Moments
Victoria vblezard

The putrid smell of gasoline filled the air. Harvey cheered as his son’s
miniaturized go-cart, spewing exhaust and smoke, sailed past him. Go-carts
had recently become Jerry’s all consuming passion. Anna didn’t like Harvey
indulging Jerry’s fascination with go-carts. She disapproved mainly because
she felt Jerry was still too young. But Harvey didn’t care anymore what his
ex thought. Harvey’s hectic, and often uncertain work schedule, prevented
him from spending many days like this with his son. And he wasn’t about to
spoil their moments together by capitulating every time Jerry’s
overprotective, clingy mother snapped her fingers.

Harvey waved as Jerry drove by him again. His son put the little cart into
overdrive, and whipped around the racetrack. The grin Harvey saw on Jerry’s
face was worth the aggravation he would suffer later when Anna found out.
Looking at his watch, Harvey moved towards the entrance. If he and Jerry
were going to get something to eat before going home, they would have to
leave right away. Besides, the sun was starting to set, and Harvey didn’t
want Jerry driving in the dark.

Waving his hand, Harvey motioned Jerry off the track. At first the child
didn’t want to get out of the go-cart, but he knew better than to argue with
his father. Harvey occasionally gave into Jerry’s demands, but that didn’t
mean putting up with whininess or tantrums.

Climbing out of the go-cart, Jerry waved eagerly at his father. The boy
could barely contain his excitement as he ran up to Harvey. “Dad, did you
see me? Did ya?”

“Yes, Jer. You were fantastic.” Harvey hugged his young son affectionately.
“Have you got all your stuff?”

Jerry nodded his head up and down vigorously. “Yep.”

“Ok, let’s go. Hamburgers or pizza?”

“PIZZA!”

Harvey smiled. “A man after my own heart.”

In the car, Jerry talked non-stop about his adventure on the go-cart. He
paused only long enough to scarf down two slices of pizza at their favourite
hangout. And then he was off again. Harvey wondered how it was possible for
him to have such a talkative child. Harvey shook his head in amusement. To
call his son a chatterbox would be an understatement.

As they left the restaurant, Jerry asked if they could go to the park to
look at the ducks. De-activating his car alarm and switching off the power
locks, Harvey checked his watch again. “Five minutes. That’s it buddy. Then
we have to get going. Your Mom will be wondering where we are.”

Jerry raced over to the PT Cruiser at full speed. Even before Harvey had a
chance to start the car, Jerry was inserting one of his bootleg Grateful
Dead cassettes into the tape deck. Father and son sang along to the lyrics
of “High Time”. Harvey couldn’t figure out what his son enjoyed more…the
Dead or go-carts. It was probably a toss up.

After a brief stop at the park, Harvey headed back to Anna’s place. He
checked his watch once more. If they hurried Harvey would have just enough
time to get ready before Rachel arrived at his apartment. He pulled up in
front of Anna’s townhouse. Opening the passenger side door, Harvey gathered
his sleeping son up into his arms. “Ugh.” Harvey nearly fell backwards.
Jerry was getting too big to carry around like a baby. Walking up the
sidewalk, he noticed Anna standing at the door waiting for them. He could
tell that she was in one of her moods. “Where have you been? It’s almost 7
o’clock.”

Harvey wasn’t about to apologize. “Shhh...you’ll wake him.” Harvey carried
Jerry upstairs and tucked him into bed. It had been a long day, but a good
one.

Heading back downstairs, Harvey bumped into Anna on the landing. The
interrogation started almost immediately. “How was the pool? It wasn’t too
crowded I hope. Studies have shown that kids exposed to germs in public
swimming…”

“We didn’t go to the pool Anna. He thinks it’s boring.”

Anna’s lips thinned. Looking at her gaunt face, Harvey sometimes wondered
why he ever found Anna attractive. “Don’t tell me you took him to the...”

“I certainly did. He loves it there. There’s no reason he can’t. It’s
perfectly safe.” Before Anna could protest Harvey took off. “I’ll get
Jerry’s things from the car.”

Harvey jogged down the front steps. He yanked open the back door and
collected Jerry’s backpack, jacket and the dreaded beachball. He was livid
with Anna. She was smothering their son. Harvey wouldn’t be surprised if
Anna still made Jerry wear his water wings in the pool.

After depositing the items in the front hall, Harvey made a hasty retreat.
He didn’t have time for another round with Anna. Glancing at his watch
again, Harvey pulled quickly into traffic. He was late. Harvey had less than
half an hour before Rachel showed up at his door. Thankfully he had already
picked up his tux from the cleaners.

Pulling into his parking stall, Harvey grimaced. Rachel was waiting for him
out front. Harvey stopped as he caught sight of her. She was wearing an off
the shoulder white peasant blouse, black skirt and slinky, black low heeled
shoes. Even after all these years, Rachel could still make his heart
quicken.

Rachel smiled broadly. “Hey there, I was beginning to wonder if you were
going to stand me up.”

“Never.” Harvey gave Rachel a quick peck on the cheek. “Give me ten
minutes.”

“If we hurry, we might make it!” Harvey grabbed Rachel’s hand, and they
dashed down the dock towards the waiting yacht. Floating city was more like
it. Racing up the gangplank, Harvey glanced at the name painted across the
bow in dark black letters: “Snapdragon III.” Moments after they scurried
aboard, the boat weighed anchor.

Harvey sighed with relief. “Made it.” Harvey sat down on one of the folding
white deck chairs as the yacht glided silently towards the center of the
bay. “We almost missed the boat because of me. Sorry I took so long. Forgive
me?”

“Ah Harv, don’t worry about it. Actually, I was secretly hoping we might not
make it in time.” At Harvey’s quizzical glance, Rachel lowered her voice and
sat down next to him. “My cousin Tiffany can be a bit over the top. Being
trapped on a boat with her and Chip for several hours isn’t very appealing.”

Looking around, Harvey couldn’t help but agree. The wedding ‘theme’ was
black and white. Every detail from the flowers, to the decorations, to the
guests’ clothing was either black or white. The railings were dripping with
white roses and exotic black orchids. Harvey smirked when he noticed the
faux zebra-skinned piano set up near the ceremonial arch.

Rachel settled into her seat and whispered slyly into Harvey’s ear, as if
she was revealing some juicy family gossip. “Apparently, Tiff wanted to have
their wedding on the night of a full moon. They did this on purpose so the
moon and the stars would complement the whole black and white
mise-en-scene.”

Harvey chuckled softly. “Rachel darlin’…aren’t these your relatives?”

“Yeah, but just because you’re related to someone doesn’t mean you like
them.” Rachel smiled warmly as uncles, cousins and family friends walked by.
“My family still hasn’t forgiven me for betraying them by giving up
medicine.”

Harvey’s eyes sparkled. He couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease Rachel.
“I won’t let them hurt you. And if it gets too bad, we can always jump
ship.” Rachel poked him playfully in the ribs.

The twinkling city lights provided the perfect backdrop for the wedding.
Tiffany’s five perfect bridesmaids were dressed head to toe in black, and
the groomsmen wore white tuxedos. Everything was perfect…almost too perfect.
It seemed staged to Harvey, but he said nothing. He didn’t want to add to
Rachel’s obvious discomfort.

After the ceremony, Harvey grabbed a couple glasses of champagne off a
nearby table. “Shall we circulate?”

Gritting her teeth, and plastering a phony smile on her face, Rachel
responded to questions like “Are you still doing that cop thing?” or “Oh, I
thought you went back to being a doctor. Your mother said you were worked in
the ICU…” not to mention, “I didn’t know women were allowed to be
Inspectors.” Harvey kept his hand in the small of her back as they navigated
through hordes of Rachel’s relatives. If he let go Harvey was certain Rachel
would commandeer the nearest lifeboat, and head for shore.

After a particularly disastrous encounter with Aunt Beatrice from Long
Beach, Harvey steered Rachel to one of the upper decks. He knew she needed a
few minutes away from the madness. Leaning against the railing, Harvey
wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Three decks down the live band
entertained the assembled guests. Tapping his foot, Harvey hummed along with
the familiar tune..."and don’t you go stepping on my blue suede shoes."

“Thanks Harvey. I needed this.” Rachel twisted her head around to look into
his crystal blue eyes. “How come you always know how to cheer me up?”

“Ah, honey. That’s a trade secret.” Harvey smiled devilishly. “A man does
not give away his best moves. Unless of course, he’s teaching his son the
finer points of dating.”

Rachel twisted free of Harvey’s grasp. Placing her hands on her hips, she
tried to look offended. “I see. So you’ve already set your son on the path
of depravity.”

“Of course.” Harvey held out his hand to Rachel. “Care to dance with a dirty
old man?”

Rachel laughed. “Delighted.“

Harvey pulled Rachel into his arms. Twirling and laughing like a couple of
children, they danced around the deserted deck.

“Fowl, fowl...” Harvey protested. “I’m supposed to be the one leading you,
remember.”

“Get over yourself Leek. This is ladies night.”

Suddenly, the band switched to a waltz. Wrapped up in their own little
universe, the couple swayed slowly to the mellow music. The faint odour of
cigar smoke wafted up from the main decks, and mingled with the salty ocean
air. Moonlight bathed Rachel’s face with an ethereal glow. Harvey could
think of nowhere he would rather be at that moment. The night was magical.
Harvey leaned in, and kissed Rachel tenderly as she slid her arms around his
neck. Their dance under the stars was soon forgotten.

THE END