Redemption 4 - Helen's Release Read online

  Redemption 4

  Helen’s Release

  Written By

  Liz Andrews & Lena Matthews

  Published by Loose Id LLC

  Chapter One PG

  Today was going to be a good day. Helen Weller smiled at the errant thought. At some point she wouldn’t need to keep repeating the daily mantra, but until then, it made her feel better.

  Checking her makeup one last time in the mirror, she quickly fluffed her new bobbed hairdo. For a woman of fifty, she didn’t look half bad, if she did say so herself.

  There were a few more lines around her eyes and a bit more around her middle than she personally loved, but even with the added weight, Helen thought she looked eons better.

  Gone was the skeleton-scared look she had managed to perfect over the last thirty years, and in its place was a brand-new woman.

  Quickly flipping off the light, Helen grabbed her keys and headed out of her condominium to the garage. She’d just moved in the last three months and loved the brand-new building. All the units had high ceilings and windows everywhere, bringing in the sunlight. Helen had spent her days decorating each room, putting her own little touches everywhere. Knowing it was all hers was almost overwhelming, but she was getting used to the idea.

  Helen drove over to Lily’s house, excited about seeing her children. After Lily’s recent marriage to Marc Gossnor, her daughter had decided to throw regular dinner parties for the family.

  Lily was determined to ensure their family got along and stayed close, while at the same time including all the members of the extended family. It made for some interesting parties; there was never a dull moment.

  Pulling into Lily’s driveway, Helen noted there were quite a few cars already present. As she walked up the pathway, the front door was flung open and Lily stood waiting for her mother, her face beaming.

  “Oh, thank goodness you’re here. Now we can get started.” Lily grabbed Helen’s hand, pulling her into the house.

  “Well, hello to you, too, sweetie.” Helen chuckled as Lily dragged her through the house and into the dining room. When her daughter had a goal in mind, she was determined and nothing was going to stand in her way, literally.

  “She’s here,” Lily announced, smiling broadly at the group sitting around the expansive table.

  “I’m sorry if I kept everyone waiting …”

  “Don’t worry, Mom, she hustled each of us in here as soon as we arrived.” Logan, her oldest son, stood and pulled out her chair, helping her to her seat. Helen blinked back the tears coming to her eyes, knowing she was being foolish. She had only recently reestablished her relationship with Logan and every kind word and gesture felt like a step in the right direction.

  The true joy of the last year was the renewal of a relationship with all of her children, Logan especially.

  Helen knew she had made many wrong decisions in her life, but sending Logan away when he was seventeen years old to live with another family had not been one of them. Others had criticized her, but even then, Helen knew it was the only way her son would ever be happy. Nevertheless, it had still killed her a bit inside to see him go.

  The resulting rift in their relationship wasn’t what she had hoped for, but Logan had become an amazing man and husband. Helen recognized her sacrifice had made it possible. Fortunately, Logan’s wife, Evelyn, had helped her son come to the same conclusion, which made events like this all the more enjoyable.

  All of her kids were okay. Looking around the crowded table now, Helen had to fight to keep her emotions at bay. They were all happy, well adjusted, a-credit-to-the-community individuals. She hadn’t done so badly after all.

  “Would you like to borrow my napkin?” Blinking wildly to clear her tear-clouded eyes Helen turned to her left and faced the only other partygoer, Griffin Powers, who actually knew where he was when Nixon resigned.

  “Mr. Powers, pardon my rudeness. I didn’t see you there.” Helen wasn’t sure how she’d missed him. Every time she turned around he was there. Griffin worked for Marc as his head of security, but he was more of a surrogate father figure to Marc, so he attended all the family functions.

  “Probably hard to see anyone with all the water in your eyes.” His words were spoken in a low tone, something Helen was extremely grateful for. Her family wouldn’t understand her little social faux pas. They would worry, and that was the last thing she wanted.

  “It’s just an eyelash,” she whispered, embarrassed anyone had seen her little emotional meltdown.

  “Right.” Griffin brought his napkin to her cheek and gently dabbed at a runaway tear. “It happens to me all the time.”

  Helen softly smiled, before pulling away from his touch. “Somehow, I seriously doubt that.”

  Her son-in-law clicked his fork on the side of his glass, turning everyone’s attention toward the head of the table. “Now that everyone is here, Lily and I have an announcement.”

  Helen turned toward Marc, excitement and dread warring in her heart. She suddenly had a funny feeling she knew exactly why Lily had been so exuberant lately. Her thoughts were soon confirmed by his words.

  “Lily is pregnant and due in November. We’re going to have a very Happy Thanksgiving.”

  Cheers broke out around the table from the women. Logan and Steven, Helen’s second son, grudgingly offered their congratulations. The brothers still had a hard time accepting that their baby sister was married and had sex with a man they even now weren’t too sure they liked.

  Helen’s earlier attempts at stemming her emotions had no chance of being controlled now, and she smiled gratefully at Griffin as he pressed a fresh napkin into her hand.

  “Thank you, Mr. Powers. I appreciate it.”

  “I don’t mind, but how many times do I have to tell you to call me Griffin?”

  “Sorry, it’s just old habit, I guess.” Helen felt a fresh wave of tears threatening to overwhelm her. Quickly standing, she walked over to Lily and gave her a quick hug.

  “Honey, I am so happy for you and Marc. Congratulations.”

  “Oh, Mom, thank you so much. Are you excited about finally being a grandma?”

  Helen smiled at her daughter, but inside she could hear herself protesting the idea. Dear God, she wasn’t ready to be a grandmother yet. She had finally started to live again, and now she was being pushed firmly into the old lady category.

  “Of course, honey. What mother doesn’t want her children to start having their own children? Then she can laugh at all the antics they pull.”

  “Lily, this is so exciting,” squealed Evelyn, as she moved to their side. “I’m going to be an auntie.”

  “We both are.” Samantha, Steven’s wife, echoed Evelyn’s sentiment, excitement etched on her pretty brown face. “You know there can never just be one baby in the family. You’re going to have yours, and next thing you know, Evelyn and I will be big as barns.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Logan interrupted. “We’re in no hurry to be fruitful and multiply.”

  All the women turned sour expressions in his direction, causing him to hastily add, “But I’m sure we will be soon.”

  “Forget dinner; this calls for drinks.” During the course of conversation, Griffin had made his way over to Marc’s side and now had his hand placed proudly on Marc’s shoulder. “I’ll get the champagne.”

  “It’s in the kitchen.”

  Griffin nodded at Marc’s words and left the room with extra pep in his step.

  Helen turned back to face Lily, who had tears of joy gleaming in her eyes and a smile on her face that could light the Vegas strip. Everyone was talking now, laughter and happiness boomed from every corner of the room. It
was all too much for Helen to take in at once.

  “I’ll help,” she offered, needing a moment away from the well wishers. Quickly exiting the dining room, Helen made her way into the kitchen, where Griffin stood talking to the caterer. Even he seemed happy by the announcement. He was uncorking the champagne, bragging as if he were the expectant grandparent, instead of she.

  Damn it, there was that word again. Grand. It was such a dreadful word, at least in the context it related to her. She was old. One generation further removed from the bundle of joy now dwelling inside of her baby.

  “Oh, God.” Her baby was having a baby.

  Griffin glanced over at her softly spoken words, and Helen had to restrain herself from slapping her hand over her mouth. What kind of person would he think she was, more concerned about herself than her daughter’s wonderful news?

  “Amazing news, isn’t it?” Helen decided she was going to brazen her way through the social mishap and pray Griffin would follow her lead. Unfortunately, he wasn’t being too cooperative.

  “Yes, it is great news, but somehow I don’t know if you’re as happy as you pretend.”

  “Of course I’m happy. My daughter is married to a wonderful man, and she’s having a baby. Why wouldn’t I be happy?”

  “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”

  “You have to think I’m the most selfish person in the world.” If he didn’t, she did. What kind of mother wouldn’t be gushing at the news her first grandchild was going to be born? The selfish kind of mother, that’s who.

  “Far from it.”

  “Sure you don’t.”

  “I don’t, but it sounds as if you do.”

  Ignoring his statement, Helen began to pick up the tray of champagne glasses, only to stop when Griffin gently placed his hand on her arm.

  “Helen, talk to me. What’s wrong, really?” His kindness was her undoing, and the tears began to flow.

  “Damn it, I’m normally not one of those weepy females.” Snatching the tissue he held out for her, Helen wiped at her eyes. Her makeup was surely smudged by now, with all the crying and wiping she had been doing. “I probably look a mess.”

  “Fishing for compliments?” Griffin teased.

  “Hardly. I know exactly what I look like — a fat old lady.”

  “Ah, I see. The ‘grandmother’ comment.”

  “I see I can’t hide anything from you for too long. Yes, the ‘grandmother’ comment. I love Lily and Marc dearly, and I am happy for them. I just don’t think I’m ready to be a grandmother yet.”

  “Oh, come on. It’s just a label. It doesn’t mean anything anymore. Grandmothers aren’t those ladies of the fifties who used to bake cookies.”

  “No, now they wear track suits and gamble at the casinos. It’s pretty much the same thing. They are old, past their prime, put out to pasture.”

  “Okay, now, that’s just crazy talk.”

  “Really? I predict in the next six months someone is going to give me one of those grandma bragging books and invite me to a bingo game.” Griffin burst into laughter, and Helen joined him, picturing the image she had so vividly brought to life.

  “I think you’re taking this way too literally. You’re still a young woman.”

  “Don’t kid a kidder, Griffin. I am fifty years old, headed for over the hill.”

  “Oprah said fifty is the new thirty,” the caterer offered. Helen glanced over at the woman, who looked as if she was barely over the age of twenty-one. It was bad enough Griffin knew what a horrible person she was, but now a complete stranger had to hear about her fears, too?

  “My thirties were horrible, too.” Helen’s earlier hilarity was wearing off and grim reality was returning. “For the record, Oprah won’t ever have anyone call her grandma or granny.”

  “It’s time to turn over a new leaf, Helen.” Griffin picked up the tray and headed back toward the dining room. “Time to define yourself, not just be somebody’s mom, wife, or heaven forbid, grandmother.”

  “That’s easy for you to say,” she muttered, irritated Griffin thought he had any insight into her life.

  “As easy as it will be for you to do it.” With those parting words, he walked back into the room, leaving Helen staring after him.

  “Men,” the caterer scoffed. “They don’t understand anything. The older they get, the better society tells them they are. Women are still throwing their panties at the Rolling Stones, but if Mick Jagger were just an average Joe, no one would give him a second look. You have every right to your distress.”

  “I’m not distressed,” Helen denied. Distressed seemed like such an awful word for what she was feeling. She was truly happy for Lily and Marc, honestly she was.

  The woman snorted in disbelief. “Call it what you like, but you don’t see anyone asking Shirley MacLaine to do a nude scene, despite what Oprah said.”

  Good Lord, how old did this woman think she was? “I have to go.” Helen turned to leave, but was stopped cold by the woman’s next words.

  “Congratulations anyhow … Grandma.” Gritting her teeth, Helen took a calming breath.

  “Thank you.” Today was going to be a good day, and killing the caterer would be a step in the right direction.

  *

  Maybe he had pushed too hard. Helen was officially treating Griffin like he was something she had stepped in, and despite all the scraping in the world, she couldn’t get him off of her shoe.

  After their interesting conversation in the kitchen, she had figuratively given him the cold shoulder. The little hellion had even gone so far as to turn her chair so that, despite the fact he was sitting next to her, she didn’t have to see him. He had never been so politely ignored in his life.

  Sick, twisted man that he was, Griffin loved it.

  She was a fighter.

  By the time dinner was over and everyone was ready to leave, Griffin was more intrigued by her than he had been before, and that was saying a lot.

  From the very first moment he’d laid eyes on Helen, he’d been smitten. It was actually surprising, since it had been just a photo, but there had been something kind in her world-weary eyes that had made him want to protect her.

  The feelings grew deeper the more he learned about her. At first he had simply been researching her as part of his job with Marc, but very quickly it turned into more. Griffin needed to know what could make striking blue eyes like hers look so utterly sad.

  Griffin considered it his goal to make her happy. If anyone needed a little joy in her life, it was definitely Helen.

  Taking his time, Griffin said goodbye to Marc and Lily, intentionally timing his departure to coincide with Helen’s. He waited quietly for her to say her goodbyes, lingering in the other room so she would assume he’d already left. As she opened up the hall closet to retrieve her coat, he stepped out of the dark room he’d been waiting in.

  “Here, let me help you with that.”

  Helen jumped at his words, and Griffin wasn’t sure if he should be offended or not. She might be nervous around him due to her past experiences with her husband. After his brief interactions with the man, Griffin could see why, although he was a bit insulted she would put him into the same category.

  Thankfully, the world was a much nicer place since the death of the loser.

  On the other hand, she could be jumpy because she was nervous for a completely different reason. Griffin smiled at the thought and lifted the coat out of her motionless fingers.

  “I thought you’d left,” Helen murmured, ducking her head before straightening her spine and lifting her head high. Griffin had to tamp down his pride in her actions, knowing they didn’t have anything to do with him directly, but still happy she wasn’t allowing herself to be a doormat.

  “Thinking about me, were you?” Griffin slipped into teasing mode, certain it was the way to get her to open up and stop her from ignoring him. He didn’t have to wait long to see if his assumptions were right.

  “Not in the least. Only an
egomaniac would believe that.”

  “I never said I didn’t have a healthy opinion of myself.” Holding the coat up as if it were a foregone conclusion, Griffin slipped it on her, briefly allowing himself to stroke her body, even if it was through several layers of clothing. Helen turned in an instant, fire in her eyes, but Griffin quickly schooled his features. Reaching up, Griffin started to button her coat, but Helen batted his hands away.

  “There’s no need to treat me like a child. Besides, it’s a bit too warm to bundle up.”

  “First you accuse me of thinking of you as an elderly geriatric, and next you’re a child. How about we settle on something in between?”

  “How about we don’t? There isn’t any reason for you to think of me as anything at all.”

  Griffin chuckled at her naiveté, and Helen narrowed her eyes menacingly. Oh, yeah, she responded to his teasing very well. This was going to be fun.

  “Now it’s just impossible not to think about you, since I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind for quite some time.”

  Helen stared at him for a moment with a mixture of disbelief and surprise on her face.

  “I would appreciate it if you would refrain from teasing me.” With those words, she quickly stepped away from him and headed toward the door, obviously intent on fleeing.

  Griffin wasn’t going to let her get away easily, though. Grabbing her arm, he halted her flight and turned her back toward him.

  “I wasn’t teasing, Helen. I am deadly serious. I think that it’s time we discussed it. But someplace a bit more private than your daughter’s home would be best.”

  “As far as I’m concerned, Mr. Powers, there’s nothing to discuss.”

  “Fine.” If that was the way Helen wanted to play it, Griffin was game. “Then how about we go get a drink anyway? Just the two of us.”

  “Why would you want to get a drink with me?”

  Where did she want him to start? “Because I want to drink to our future grandchild.”

  Helen’s face softened a bit. “You really think of Marc’s child as your grandchild?”

  “I do. He’s my son, in spirit, not deed, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.” Seeing her waver, Griffin forged on. “Come on, I promise not to call you Grandma.”