“Harp. We have to go. I’m so sorry,” I say again, my heart breaking at seeing her so upset.
She looks back up at the house, tears running down her cheeks, taking another step before stopping herself, and then a giant sob hits her chest.
A black Honda stops at the curb behind us. It’s the Uber I had ready and called as soon as I saw Harper pulling in.
“That’s our ride,” I say, helping her back to her feet from where she’s sagged toward the cement again.
“I can’t,” she whimpers. “I can’t leave them.”
“You have to, honey. It’s what they want.” I kiss the top of her head, eyes squeezing shut hard for a second. “We always knew this was temporary. That we were just passing through.”
She shakes her head, sobbing harder.
But at least she’s clinging to my arm now and moving with me when I start leading her towards the Uber.
I just need to get her in that back seat. Then onto the bus to Austin when we get to the bus station. It’ll be easier once we get moving.
“C’mon. We’ve gotta go.”
“I can’t even say goodbye?” she cries.
“I’m so sorry. It’s what Helen wanted. She was feeling so bad after today’s treatment. She just really didn’t think she could handle it.”
With another low cry, Harper nods and turns.
Harper stops halfway to the car, her hand flying to her mouth. “Sox. I have to get Sox.”
She looks back toward the house, but I catch her arm gently before she can start moving backwards again.
“Harper,” I say softly, and wait until she looks at me. “Sox has a home now. A real one. With people who love her.”
Her eyes fill with fresh tears. “She’s not a stray anymore. She’s got—” I swallow hard, like it pains me to say it. “She’s got the family she was meant to have. The one she’s been looking for.”
Harper’s face crumbles, and I pull her against my chest. “At least one of us found where we belonged, right?” I whisper into her hair. “Don’t take that away from her. Let her have the happy ending.”
She sobs harder, but she’s not fighting me anymore. Not moving back toward the house.
“We’re the strays, Harp,” I say quietly. “Always have been. It’s just you and me now.”The way it’s supposed to be.
She nods against my chest, and I guide her toward the car. The Uber driver pops the trunk, and I load our bags while keeping one arm around Harper.
“At least Sox is safe,” she whispers brokenly as I help her into the backseat. “At least someone gets to stay.”
Then I slide into the back seat beside the woman of my dreams.
“Okay,” I tell the Uber driver as I slide into the backseat beside a still hysterically crying Harper. I put an arm around her and pull her close.
She’s finallymine.
And mine alone.
“Shhh,” I whisper, running my fingers through her hair and holding her close. Just like I used to.
Everything’s finally back the way it should be.
Look, I feel real bad about some of the shit I’ve done in my life.
But I don’t feel bad about this.