Helen had to cope with her friends’ jokes for the remainder of the night. Michelle dropped quite a few sarcastic innuendos on her impetuousness, whereas Olivia maintained a milder attitude, pointing out that she was so in love with Marcus that she was just seconds away from making a serious mistake. Helen didn’t confront either of them. Despite their different approaches, they were right. She was mad at herself for being so immature and grateful to them for changing her mind. If anything, it had been an educational experience for her, one that would prevent her from making irrational decisions again.

The following afternoon, after an emotional “goodbye”, Helen left Los Angeles behind with a mind filled with questions about her parents’ problem, but also with many happy memories in her heart. She had had a lot of fun with her friends, but the moments that had rocked her world were undoubtedly the ones with Marcus. His confession, the sensual night that he had given her and the one in Butterfly beach.

We barely knew each other and you opened up to me. You gave me the time of my life in bed and then you showed me how sensitive you are. The way you held that guitar while you looked at me spoke so much louder than words. You don’t have to speak to me, Marcus. Besides, I know talking isn’t your strength. I am going to hold on to you, my biker. It’s going to be hard; we live thousands of miles away from each other, but nothing good comes easy, does it?

Night had fallen in Shandaken, as the bus entered the small town. Helen hopped off, as the familiar scent of balsam fir filled her nostrils. With her suitcases in her hands, she started down the main road, recalling the faint tone in her mother’s voice. The sight of her sister’s white Chrysler in the driveway added to her curiosity. Patricia lived in Boston. She only visited them on special occasions. As she came closer to the front door, Helen’s ears picked up loud, angry voices. Her sister was screaming at their father. Helen dropped her suitcases on the doorstep and stormed inside the living room, feeling her pulse rising more and more by the second. Debbie, Patricia and Dwight turned to her, almost at the same time. Her sister had an empty bottle of whiskey in her right hand.

“Welcome back, princess.” Patricia said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice, as she tossed the bottle across the floor. “It’s good to see you.”

“Can somebody please explain to me what’s going on?” Helen spoke in frustrated tones. “What are you doing here, Patricia? What’s with the bottle?”

“Dear old daddy’s picked up a couple of…” Patricia faltered; “… bad habits lately.”

“Dad?” Helen whispered, turning her gaze on her father. “Is that true?”

“Hell, no!” Dwight shouted, strutting towards the front door. As he brushed past her, Helen grabbed him by the wrist, but he quickly pulled his arm out of her grasp.

“Sweetheart, don’t. Leave him be.” Debbie urged, as her husband slammed the door behind him. “Why did you come back? I thought you…”

“Because: I knew, mom!” Helen exclaimed, narrowing her eyes at her mother. “I knew something was wrong!”

“I said it wasn’t urgent!” Debbie cried. “You shouldn’t have done this, Helen! I had it handled!”

“Oh, yeah?” Helen smirked. “Is that why Patricia’s here? When did he start drinking?”

“She didn’t want to bother you.” Patricia spoke, her voice calm. “She didn’t want you to quit your job. They’re barely getting by.”

“Barely getting by?” Helen squinted at her. “What are you talking about? Why?”

Her question put her sister in a difficult position. Patricia dropped her gaze to the floor, clenching her jaw.

“Your father has been gambling, child.” Debbie said, her voice broken as she started towards her. “He’s been drinking since his retirement. He says he feels useless.”

“It gets worse.” Patricia drew in a sharp breath. “He’s borrowed money from a loan shark: twelve thousand.”

“Oh, my God.” A sigh of despair left Helen’s lips, as she dropped her head into her hands.

“That’s why I wanted you to get that job, honey.” Debbie explained, as a tear spilled from her eye. Her mother’s words brought the night of their conversation back to her mind. Helen remembered that convincing her was much easier than she had expected, but she was too happy to wonder why. But now, everything was clear to her.

“I’ve brought four thousand with me.” Patricia spoke, her voice riddled with sadness. “It’s all I have. He’s got by tomorrow to pay him or…”

“Or?” Helen whispered, sliding her hands down her face. She glanced at her sister and then down at her mother, but neither of them could utter a word. Tears welled up in her eyes, as their prolonged silence gave them the answer that she so much dreaded. Dull despair settled over her, as her mother collapsed in her embrace. Debbie burst into loud, wailing sobs, as Helen slipped her arms around her back. Patricia hugged her mother from behind and held her tightly, as Helen sensed her tears flowing down her face. It was at that moment that James’s words flashed through her mind:

“There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do to protect the ones closest to me; nothing at all.”

Helen’s initial reaction was to reject the thought of asking for help. James and Olivia had already done more than enough for her. Sadly though, she had no one else to turn to. They were the only choice she had.

“Mom…” She sniffled, easing out of her mother’s hold. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this.”

“How?” Debbie wondered, curiosity written all over her face.

“I need to make a phone call.” Helen said, her voice picking up volume. “Just wait here.”

Helen turned around, opened the door and went outside. Finding her purse between her suitcases, she bent down and picked it up. Then, she pulled her cell phone out and called Olivia. Michelle’s smoky voice and piano notes filled her ears, as soon as her friend answered.

“Hey, girl! How was your trip? Is everything alright?”

“Hi, Liv,” Helen replied as she attempted a lazy tone of voice, while she wiped the tears from her face. “Yeah, it was fine. I’d almost forgotten about Michelle’s gig. How is it?”

“It’s great! They should be done in a few.”

“Listen, I need a favor. God, I wish I didn’t have to do this.” Helen sighed, looking up into the sky.

“You sound worried, girl. What is it?”

“I need money.” Helen stated, running her hand through her hair, as a sense of guilt overwhelmed her. “A lot of money: my father owes money to some loan shark.”

“What?” Olivia squeaked. “A loan shark? Why?”

“He’s been gambling for a while now. I’m really sorry, Liv.” Helen’s voice lowered once more, as tears welled up in her eyes. “I didn’t know who else to turn to.”

“How much money are we talking about here?”

“Eight grand.”

A weighty silence lingered over the line. Michelle’s voice and the piano became fainter. In a matter of seconds, all that Helen could hear was the click-clacking of Olivia’s heels on the floor.

“I’m sorry. I had to get away from the stage.” Olivia finally spoke. “It’s not the money that worries me, Helen. I’ll talk to James. We could lend you the money. Can you be sure that your father will stop gambling? Loan sharks are criminals, girl. Can you guarantee that he won’t pull off anything smart on you?”

“I can’t be sure about either of those things. I just know that if my father doesn’t come up with the money, he’s…” Helen paused and bit her lower lip. “He’s going to kill him.”

“How much time do you have?”

“Forty eight hours.”

“Great.” Olivia sighed in relief. “I’ll wire the money tomorrow. You’ll have it in time; oh, and Helen?”

“Yeah?”

“I’d call Marcus, if I were you. Goodnight.”

“Thanks again, Liv. Goodnight.”

Helen hung up the phone, overflowing with a sense of joy. Once again, her friend had not failed her. Olivia’s suggestion was precisely what she had been thinking about, but it could wait. Helen couldn’t wait to share the good news with her mother and sister.

“Mom, Pat…” she started, a big smile spreading across her face, as she rejoined them in the living room. “I was just on the phone with Olivia. She and James will help dad out.”

Helen watched relief entering their eyes, visibly loosening the tension in their faces. The two women walked towards her with open arms as they smiled at her. Within seconds, Helen found herself lost in a group hug. Her mother burst into happy tears, as Patricia rubbed her hand up and down her back.

“God bless that girl.” Debbie sniffled, as her tears soaked her daughter’s shirt.

“And James,” Patricia corrected her. “I’ll never forget this.”

“Guys, can I ask you a favor?” Helen politely requested.

“Yes, dear?”

“Can I please go to bed? I’m exhausted.” Helen said in her sweet voice, causing Patricia to burst out into joyful laughter.

“Mom, she’s right,” Patricia said, reaching to pull her mother’s arm away from her sister. “She just got back from L.A.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart,” Debbie whispered, leaning back.

“Goodnight.” Helen murmured, as the idea of contacting Marcus lingered in her mind. Still, it was 2:10am. She could hardly keep her eyes open; another phone call was simply out of the question. Before going to bed, Helen chose to send him a text message:

“Please come here, ASAP. Something big has come up and I need you. I’ve missed you.”