The Story of Me part 43

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Leo stood and looked around at the faces of the boys who hadn’t run from the house when they saw he had a piece of the broken mirror in his hand. No one said a word. No one even made eye contact. Leo dropped the glass onto the floor and ran from the house.

Leo didn’t stop running until he was standing on Harmony’s porch. She had been sitting outside waiting for him, but she was reading a book and her eyes were down so she didn’t see his approach. Harmony looked up expecting to see Leo’s crooked smile but instead she saw his lips trembling as tears ran down his face mixing with dirt and blood.

“Leo, what happened to you? Are you alright? Leo?” Harmony started crying instantly. Leo just stood there as she jumped up and threw her arms around him. “Leo, talk to me? Who hurt you?”

Leo was in shock, but he slowly wrapped his arms around the girl who had been his best friend since third grade. The girl who made him want to grow into a man who was worthy of having her in his life. “Harmony, I’m so sorry.” Leo was fighting back the tears because he didn’t want to scare Harmony anymore than he already had.

“Come in th house. We’ll get Mary and Gene. They’ll take you to the hospital.” Hamony pleaded with him.

“Harmony, stop.” the sound of Leo’s voice scared Harmony. He had never raised his voice to her before. “Listen to me.” Leo said as he placed his hands on Harmony’s face.

Harmony looked up at him with the saddest eyes he had ever seen on this sad little girl. Leo felt the sadness in his heart and was angry with himself for being the cause of her pain. “I have to go away for awhile.” Leo couldn’t fight the tears any longer as he tried to shush Harmony’s cries.
“Listen to me. I did something. I did something bad and I have to go away.” Leo tried to explain as quickly and calmly as he could.

“Why, Leo, why?” Harmony continued to cry.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I have to go away, but I promise you I’ll be back. I’ll be back for you.” Leo leaned his forehead against Harmonys as he once again tried to quiet her tears.

“Don’t leave me. I’ll come with you. I’ll come with you, Leo.”

“You can’t come where I’m going. The Harrison’s will take care of you. Just stay here until I come back for you. Stay here where you’re safe.”

“No!” Harmony cried even harder.

Leo heard police sirens and they sounded like they were getting closer so he knew he had to hurry. “I’ll be back for you. I promise. I will always come back for you.” Leo dropped his hands from Harmony’s face and took a few steps back. Harmony was crying so hard her body was shaking. “I’ll be back.” Leo said one last time before running off the porch and down the street.

Leo ran until he was far enough away that he could no longer hear Harmony calling after him. He stopped long enough to look around and get his bearings. Then he pulled his shirt up and attempted to wipe his face clean. After Leo had done that he walked to the street corner, took a seat on the curb and waited for the police to come find him.

Leo didn’t have to wait long. He knew that the police would go to Harmony’s house looking for him and he couldn’t let that happen. He couldn’t let her see them taking him to jail.
A police car pulled to a stop in front of Leo moments after he sat down. A second car pulled up right after that. Leo didn’t try to run away he simply put his hands in the air and waited for the arrest to happen.