Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Copper

Sylvester traveled out of the house. I followed behind, trying not too pay too much attention to the makeshift wind lifting the hem of my skirt. The backyard greeted us with its tranquil beauty. Scattered acorn trees protected the spider lilies from the sun, not that they needed much protection now that the sun was setting.

A dragonfly hovered over a water fountain. The faded sunlight reflected off a stone bench with butterflies curved into its legs. Mr. Harmony walked on a cobblestone path that led him to a large pond at the end of it. Lily pads covered one fourth of the surface. I watched as he went down on one knee and disturbed the water, which also ended up frightening the carps swimming beneath it. I listened out for his bones to creek. They didn't, but they could've.

Sylvester played with his reflection as he spoke. "You know, when your father was young, he hated water."

I raised my eyebrow, but didn't say anything as he continued.

"My wife and I are divorced, but when we were together, we did everything to make him get adjusted to it. He cried while taking baths, and when he was a toddler he cried at the beach. Even during swimming lessons, he cried as well. Eventual he grew to learn to tolerate wetness, and his mother and I finally accepted that we had a son who did not appreciate being wet."

A blue butterfly chose a nearby lily and gently rested on its petals.

"That's probably different with you. I don't know your likes or dislikes. I never got to see your first time eating vegetables or whether you preferred warm tones over cold tones. Your father sent me a video of you saying your first word. A rare moment caught on film and one of my treasured keepsakes. What was it again?"

I smiled. "'Dummy'. I said 'dummy'."

Sylvester nodded, then turned, still stooped down, to face me. "Learning how to tie your shoelace. Having your first big achievement. These are things I will never be able to see again once they have passed. I barely know anything about my own granddaughter..."

His voice wavered at the end and I stood still. If he started crying all of a sudden, I wouldn't know what to do. Then again, as I listened to him speak, I felt nothing. We don't know each other, but we could have. That is a fact I've kept close to me for most of my life.

Oh, what it would be like to have uncles, aunts, grandparents. What would it be like to have a big family? Recently I gave up on those dreams as they only made me feel longing whenever I thought of them. That longing turned into sadness. And sadness turned into anger. Anger then turned into resentment.

As for Sylvester Harmony, although he brought me here and taught me so many things in the past few days, I still didn't trust him fully. I sort of got used to him, but that's it. So what exactly am I supposed to do in this situation when he tells me how much of my life he missed?

"It's okay," I slapped a big ole smile on my face. "I'm here, aren't I? You can find out all of that from the source."

Mr. Harmony chuckled and got to his feet. "You're right. Let's let bygones be bygones and keep your sight set on what's in front of us."

Well, I didn't say that but okay.

I nodded. We stayed for a moment, eyes locked onto the pond. "Is that what you wanted to tell me, Sylvester?"

Several seconds passed before he nodded. "I reckon so." He shrugged. "I remember more but the words just don't come to mind."

There was an ugly sound that shocked us both. It wasn't coming from me.

I raised my brow. "When was the last time you ate, huh?"

We laughed as we went back in.

It was in the hallway between the kitchen and the foyer that the butler came to greet us. His chest rose and fell as if he had been doing something strenuous. When he saw us, he sighed.

"Mr. Harmony! I finally found you. Your daughter-in-law is waiting for you at the door." His words were rushed and low.

I perked up. "Mom?"

Aran looked at me and shook his head. "No, Miss. It's your aunt."

"Oh." What a bummer. Still, there's no reason for her to come here unannounced. I talk to her on the phone all the time.

"Copper."

"Hm?"

"You can go to your room first. You don't need to come down until we call you for dinner."

I don't need to, or do you not want me to?

"OK, later!" I waved goodbye and continued the rest of the way to my room.

But only half the way there.

At the top of the staircase, I hid behind the wall and peeked over the banister. My heart did crazy jumps in my chest. It's not like I'm doing anything. Just taking a little looks-y.

There she was.

Just like Aran said, she loves purple. She's covered in it from head to toe in a dress suit that must have been really expensive. She had a pretty small frame, even smaller than my mother. But as I compared her to Mr. Harmony when she hugs him, I realize that she's actually pretty tall.

That old man hugged her back and they kept chatting right there. I folded my arms and pushed myself off the wall.

_________

Students stepped through the gates of the school and once again I wondered how people could wake up so early. I stepped out of the car and straightened my skirt. If the principal has a stick up his butt today, then he would be ready to nitpick everything regarding my appearance, including my uniform.

My dyed blonde hair was starting to fade, but that didn't distract me from pulling it into a tight ponytail held together at the back of my neck. After Sylvester leaves, all I have to do is wait for Mom to come, then we would go in together.

That's what I thought. Sylvester stepped out of the car in khaki pants and red plaid shirt. One of his men followed him out of the car, also in casual clothes.

"Um," I looked them up and down. " What are you doing?"

The old man smiled. "I'm coming with you to see the principal. Your mother told me that you needed an adult with you."

"Yeah, but..."

He simply patted my back. "Let's go inside, shall we?"

This is so weird. Yet I could totally see why Mom allowed him to come instead of her. She probably did this to get him more involved in my school life.

The people who were on campus don't know how to mind their own business. A teacher stopped and stared as we walked past them. I hated the school before, but now they're really not trying to hide their true colors. From an outside perspective, Mr. Harmony looked like an older man with salt and pepper hair who traveled quickly even with a cane. And his guard looked like a bodybuilder here to beat someone up for messing with their kid.

I wondered if I could get him to beat up better.

The secretary told us to go straight ahead and enter the office, letting it drop that Betty's parents and Mr. Hardley were waiting for us.

"Thank you, you are so kind for letting us know," Sylvester smiled. I glanced at him with an odd expression. In what world was she being kind? This is the same woman that gossiped about me with the other teachers.

But she blushed, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her earlobe as she issued him a preppy *you're welcome*. Whatever works, I guess.

We arrived at the office door, ready to enter, when he paused.

"Copper, when we're in there, I want to see you handle yourself with confidence. Harmonys never bow, even when we're in the wrong."

I smirked and nodded. "Sure thing, grandpa!" The word slipped out before I could stop it.

He appeared surprised, but his face soon formed a bright smile that almost made him seem young again. He turned the knob and stepped inside.

Everyone inside stopped talking and turned their head to us. Betty was sitting in a chair in between some potted plants.

"There she is!" A man pointed his finger at me. He was decked in a vertically striped suit with a golden watch wrapped around his wrists. "There is the demon child who dared to assault our daughter!"

Sylvester's guard shut the door behind us.

"Now, now, Mr. Lionheart," Mr. Hardley leaned against his desk. "Please be civil. Even if Miss Copper Harmony has every reason to feel ashamed of herself, let's not put down a child."

"Oh, I have no reason to be ashamed," I said. A woman whom I assumed to be Betty's mother started shouting at me.

"How disgusting!" She spat. "After what you had done to our poor daughter's face? What if you had injured her and it left a scar? She would have become ugly! Someone of your stature couldn't possibly compensate her for that."

I shook my head slightly. "She wouldn't have become ugly. If she did, it was no doing of mine."

She gasped but before she could say anything else Mr. Hardley interjected. "Enough! Young lady how dare you further insult this school more! I asked for your parents to come, but who are these men with you? I have never seen them before. If you don't have enough respect for follow my instructions then I will carry out your punishment with or without their presence!"