Chapter 2 "I still can’t believe I’m letting you miss school.", Harley told Joey as they waited in the Raleigh airport for Mika’s flight to arrive from California. "Oh, Mom.", Joey said rolling his eyes. Harley giggled at his actions.  Joey sat at the window and watched the planes landing.  Harley wasn’t sure about this trip.  She had an uneasy feeling about it.  All the time she had spent trying to forget that she had ever even been to North Carolina and here she was in the very place she didn’t want to be. But here she stood, in the airport.   The place where she went over the edge.  The place that she regretted.  There was only one thing that came from that weekend of sin that wasn’t bad.  In fact it was the best thing that had ever happened to her.  Every minute that passed heightened her fears - the fear that her past was about to slap her in the face. "She’s here!  She’s here!", Joey yelled forcing his mother from her thoughts, "Aunt Mika’s here!" Harley smiled as she grabbed her son by the hand and they walked over to the door to greet her friend.  It had been months since Harley had seen Mika, which made the hour difference in their flight landing and hers seem even longer.  Harley waved as she saw Mika step through the door.  Joey ran up and hugged her.  "Well, hi there.", Mika said as Joey almost knocked her down with his excitement. "Hey you.", Harley said joining the two. "Hey YOU.", Mika returned as she hugged her friend. "You look great…as usual.", Harley pointed out.  "Thanks.  You don’t look so bad yourself…for an old lady.", Mika teased.  "Haha.", Harley mocked. The trio caught a cab and talked all the way to the hotel.  As soon as Joey saw the pool, he begged to go swimming.  With nothing planned until the next day, Harley and Mika agreed that a swim would be nice.  They changed into their bathing suits and headed down to relax beside the pool.  The girls ordered some drinks and lounged beside the pool while Joey quickly made friends with some children his age that were playing in the pool. "He’s not shy.", Mika commented.  Harley shook her head in a agreement as she took a sip of her strawberry daiquiri. "He must get that from his father.", Mika stated. Harley nearly choked on her drink, "Don’t even start!"  "What?  I was just saying…", Mika. "You were just doing it again.", Harley snapped.   "Can I help it if I think that Joey needs a Dad?  He’s a little boy, Harley….he needs a man around.", Mika insisted. "He’s done just fine for seven years without one.", Harley said as she began to get irritated that the subject was even brought up. "But, honey, there’s going to be a day when he needs a man to talk to…", Mika started, but Harley interrupted. "Drop it, Mika!  Drop it now, or we’re on the next plane home.", Harley spouted, "I didn’t come here for this shit." Mika looked at her friend, "Calm down." "I’m sorry.  It’s just that you know how I feel about the subject.", Harley tried to explain. "But it’s more than that…isn’t it?", Mika pried. Harley rolled her eyes, "Think about it.  Think about where we are.  I never wanted to come back here, but here I am.  And now you’re giving me shit about my son needing a dad.  This is just too much!"  Harley stood up and grabbed her towel, "Joey!  Let’s go!" "But Mom!", Joey yelled from across the pool. "Don’t make him leave.  Just sit down.", Mika pleaded as she pulled Harley’s arm causing her to sit back down in the chair, "I’ll drop the subject." Harley glared at her friend.   "I promise.  Not one more word about it.", Mika pleaded again, "Just stay."  Harley sighed heavily, "You promise?"  Mika crossed her heart.  "Alright then.", Harley gave in.              Last Chapter ..*.. Next Chapter ..*.. Chapter Index ..*.. Home