20 Questions

Chapter 83

Hunter

We spend the rest of the evening getting Helen settled into her new space. Jenna asks her what she is going to do after we leave and she says she is going to sit by the fireplace and watch a movie. She's been talking about the fireplace the whole time we've been here. It was really difficult listening to her talk about her husband abusing her. I've witnessed those attacks firsthand and I'm thankful that her son didn't see it happen. Nothing fucks up a child more than seeing the man that they are supposed to look up to with his hand around their mom's throat. Occasionally, those visions will wake me out of a dead sleep. I saw a therapist for a while for my PTSD, but I'm not sure how much it really helped. The guy consistently went back to my mom's death. I guess he felt like that should have had a bigger impact on me than the abuse, but honestly, I always knew it was coming. I would find her face down in her own vomit almost every morning so it was almost expected. I just remembering praying that she would die after my dad so I didn't have to live alone with that piece of shit.

"Hey, baby?" Jenna asks, pulling me from my miserable thoughts. We are alone in the kitchen while everyone else is in the living room, setting Helen up with Netflix.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Helen will be ok by herself? I mean, it's her first night here and maybe I should stay just in case she needs anything. She doesn't have a cell phone, but there is a land line so I guess she has that if she needs to get ahold of anyone. We need to make sure that we leave her a list of everyone's phone numbers. I showed her where all the linens are and extra blankets. I feel like there will be something I forget to tell her. I don't know why I am so nervous. I'm going to be the most anxious parent ever," she laughs, nervously.

I wrap my arms around her and kiss her head. "Baby, she will be just fine here by herself. You have an alarm system and your parents are close. She will probably enjoy having some time by herself. We will make sure that she has everything she needs before we leave for the night. Plus, we will see her tomorrow for dinner."

"I guess you're right," she tells me as Patrick walks into the room.

"Hey, I need to ask you guys something," Patrick says. "Do you think it would be weird if I asked Helen if I could stay here tonight? I'm just nervous about her being by herself on her first night here."

Jenna looks over at me and starts laughing.

"What?" Patrick asks.

"I just asked Hunter the same thing," Jenna smiles. "I was worried about her being by herself the first night, too. I think it's really nice of you to offer that, but you better keep your hands to yourself, young man."

Patrick throws his hands in the air and walks backward into the living room, grabbing Helen's attention. Helen enthusiastically agrees to let him stay tonight and I know it makes Jenna feel better to have somebody here with her. I need to have a talk with Patrick before we go first. I don't need him fucking this up. He's a respectful guy, but he's still a guy. I will kick his ass if he tries to take advantage of a very fragile Helen. Jenna is showing Helen the groceries and how to use the appliances so I take this opportunity to pull Patrick out on the back deck.

"What's up, man?" Patrick asks.

"I appreciate you staying here tonight and I know Jenna does, too. I just want to make sure you know that Helen is very fragile right now. Do you get what I'm saying?"

"Uh, no. What are you getting at?" he asks, his eyebrows pulling together.

"I'm saying that you better keep your hands to yourself like Jenna told you to. Helen is just starting a new life here and she doesn't need anything to complicate that. You are a standup guy and I trust you, but I just need to know that you will be a good boy tonight."