Pure Harmony by McKenna Jeffries and Aliyah Burke Page B

homemade wrapping paper. She recognised it—she’d helped make ones like it before, where they used cut potatoes to create the print design. Placing it on her lap, she rubbed her hands together and carefully opened the wrapping, ignoring Lana’s comments on how she should just tear into it.
    A new wave of tears sprang to her eyes as she stared at the gift. Inside a gold frame rested a picture of her and her grandmother. She remembered the day as if it was yesterday. Lana had actually been in the shot as well but had cropped herself out and blown up the image.
    “Oh, Lana.”
    She found herself in comforting arms as Lana held her while she cried. There was no need for words—the picture right there was worth more to her than anything necessary for the apartment.
    They crashed on the floor and woke bright and early to walk down to a restaurant to grab some breakfast. She told Lana about playing at Bella’s while they ate. They ordered coffee to go then walked out of the door and headed back up the street, enjoying the cooler morning.
    Turning a corner, they both halted when a horn sounded behind them. She glanced over her shoulder to see a dirty green Jeep pulling up. The moment she saw who sat behind the wheel, she knew who it was—Delicia Wright, Jonathon’s youngest sister. She’d met her more than a few times before.
    “Harmony!” she called out, waving.
    They stopped and waited. The vehicle stopped beside them and the woman leaned towards them over the seats.
    “Hello, Lis,” she said. “How are you?”
    “I’m okay.” She flashed a smile at Lana as well. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Lis.”
    “Lana.”
    “Pleasure.” She gave a short nod. “Sorry to bother you both, but I thought I’d offer up my assistance if you needed it. Well, mine and Archer’s.”
    “And you knew I had moved out?”
    She chuckled. “In our family, you learn things are never really secret.” A shrug. “Most things. Anyway, Archer and I are more than willing to help you move some things, if you’re getting anything and you don’t want to wait for delivery.” She reached into the bag on the passenger seat and dug for a card, which she then held out. “Here’s my card with all my numbers. I’m free all day, so let me know.”
    Harmony took the card and said, “Thank you.”
    “Not a problem. Great to meet you, Lana.” A wave and she was driving off.
    “That is one crazy family,” Lana commented.
    “It’s definitely a lot different than what I’m used to.” They continued walking back to her new place. Out of habit, she walked up the stairs and at her door Lana laughed as Harmony opened it. “What’s so funny?”
    “You do know this place has a working elevator, right?”
    She huffed with false indignation. “I was working off breakfast.”
    “And I thought the Wrights were crazy.” She nudged her with a shoulder.
    They spent the day getting some things and she called Delicia over. With the four of them, it went smoothly. She and Lana went out to dinner with Archer and Delicia afterwards, as a thank you for all the help. Lana took her grocery shopping on her way back and helped her carry all of that up as well, before she went back to her home.
    After putting her food away, Harmony crashed on her new bed that Archer had brought up for her. She fell asleep with the photo of her and her grandmother tucked in beside her. The next day she began to put her things in even more order. She’d just made herself some lunch when the phone rang.
    “Hello?”
    “ Goreijou. ”
    Daughter. Her breath hitched and she automatically stood straighter. It was her mother. “ Hahaoya, ” Harmony replied.
    A moment of silence and she cringed from the disappointment she knew would be on her mother’s face.
    “Your brother told us you moved.” She continued to speak in Japanese. In fact, she’d not heard her mother speak English unless absolutely necessary. “Why did you not mention it to us?”
    “It was kind