Harry:
“Thank you so much for taking us out to dinner, Claire.” When Tiffany’s mother invited me out tonight I was more than happy to accept. Our vacation was coming to an end, and it felt good to spend my remaining days how they had started—with Tiffany. Things had been so busy the past week with family obligations that I hadn’t been able to see Tiffany. My mom’s side was big and loud and rather than have one big Christmas, we ended up spending the week visiting cousins, aunts, and grandparents having a never ending celebration. Of course, the one family member I wanted to see was in and out so fast we barely had a real conversation. David had spent Christmas in Boston with Kristen, but they stopped off briefly for breakfast before they drove to Massachusetts. I had overheard my mother gushing to the happy couple that their wedding may not be the only one in the Archer future. Kristen smiled politely as I flipped sausages, pretending I didn’t hear her.
I ended up watching the ball drop with my mother, who bombarded me every fifteen minutes asking if everything was all right with myself and Tiffany. She couldn’t understand why I wouldn't be kissing her at midnight. Ever since that moment of weakness in my room with Tiff, I had been asking myself the same question. Tiffany was invited to spend New Year’s Eve with Brit, and although I selfishly wanted her to ring in the new year with me, I knew I had no grounds to keep her by my side.
Claire smiled, signed the credit card receipt, and placed it back in the billfold. Tiffany had gone to the bathroom, and when Claire looked up at me, she had a rather determined expression on her face. “Harry, can we be honest with each other?”
“Uh, sure, of course.” Why was I suddenly terrified of this woman?
“After Tiffany got hurt, she gave up on her dancing career. She needed a second operation but refused. She settled for a mediocre life. Left the city and ended up going to school to study business and bar tend on the weekends.” It was fair to say that Tiffany’s mother was not happy with her daughter’s choices. “Do you have any idea what her life was like a few years ago?”
“I know bits and pieces.” Claire looked disappointed in my answer. “She doesn’t really speak of it.”
“If Tiffany had never had her accident, she would still be on the stage. She had all the right connections, and her talent was untouchable.”
“Was?”
“Harry, she will never be the dancer she used to be without that operation. She refuses it. And now… now I’m afraid she has even more reason to refuse it.” Her gaze met mine.
I couldn’t fault her. Tiffany was close with her mom. They were practically sisters, and I had no doubt she had told her the whole story about me. There was no reason to keep the information from her, and now looking back at Claire, I understood all too well her not so subtle implications. I understood, and I agreed. Claire wasn’t this villainous mother who wanted to tear us apart. She was looking out for her daughter, and clearly, dating an addict could be seen as a derailment in Tiffany’s life journey.
“Well, this looks like a drastic conversation,” Tiffany said as she returned, eyeing us both with suspicion.
“Not at all. Your mother was enlightening me on changes that I wasn’t aware of.”
Claire gave me a small look of admiration at how easily I was able to adjust my sails.
“What kind of changes?”
“City stuff… all the places I liked that don’t exist anymore. Anyway, we better run if we want to make that movie.”
Tiffany nodded and wrapped her shawl around her arms. “I won’t be back too late. Thanks again for dinner, Mom.”
“You kids have fun. No need to rush back.” Claire hugged her daughter and gave me a long look over her shoulder. It wasn’t a look of anger or resentment. It was a look of hope. It’s when I knew, if I really loved Tiffany, I’d have to let her go.
“So, you’ve been quiet.” Tiffany hip checked me and laughed while munching on the eight dollar Twizzlers she had bought at the theater. I glanced at her lips that were wrapped around the candy, thinking how if I kissed her now, she’d taste like strawberry.
“Have I?” It was a rhetorical question. I hadn’t even realized the movie was over because I was too stuck on what Tiff’s mom had said. Too lost in wondering how to let go of this girl without breaking her heart and losing my mind in the process.
“Harry.” She giggled. “Where are you?” Her teal eyes searched mine, and I began to memorize every curve and contour of her face, down to the feathered lashes that she inked in black.
“I just…” I took her hand in mine, hating myself for even offering her hope. “I know how much I’m going to miss the city when we go back. Thank you for suggesting this trip. It was very eye opening.”
“You’re being weird.”
“I know. Hey, care to share those overpriced sugar sticks.” She handed me a Twizzler and smiled as I took a bite, savoring the taste and wishing it was her in my mouth instead.
Because I was a complete coward, I prolonged the inevitable. I should have left early, gone back to Pennsylvania alone, letting Tiffany digest my words at home with her mom and friends. But instead, I remained quiet and offered her my shoulder on the train when she looked too tired to stay awake. She nuzzled up against my arm, falling asleep at rapid speed. She was at peace while I battled with my heart. I was in love with her, and if loving someone meant protecting them, then I had to protect her from me. From us. From anything that could keep her from her destiny. Her mother was right—Tiffany had become complacent. Maybe she needed a little heartbreak if it meant it would send her back on track. But how do you hurt someone you love? It was a conundrum, and therefore, she slept peacefully while the wheels of the train pulled us away from New York and back to the mediocre world that Claire was afraid would trap her child forever.