The Evening Hunter [#3]

01|the Pianist

3 years later

_____

“She didn't look pleased seeing you in that dress,” Helen said then released a sigh. “I hate that we have to deal with a grown woman who stinks by the way.”

I laughed at that. On every morning drive, Helen and I had to complain about Uncle Peter and his wife. Victoria was a pain in the ass, especially to Helen. I hated it because everything that happened in that house had to be on Helen’s shoulders. 

“It means I look good, thanks to you.” 

“You look amazing.” I could feel a smile through her words. “You remember those dresses Mum used to buy for us and match them?” 

How could I forget, everything about our parents was engraved in my mind. “I had a feeling. Where did you get the money to buy this?”

“Please, I'm working.” She said and stepped on the car in an instant. Thanks to the safety belt,  I could have banged my head. “Son of a bitch.”

We had stopped. I fixed my hair as I sat up again. “What is it?” I asked as I heeded around in case of anything. 

Helen started the car again and made a sharp drive to my side, which pushed me to the door. I wished I could drive because Helen was a rough driver. She scoffed as she picked the speed. “It was an old driver, never mind. He just stopped in front of us and I nearly crashed into him.”

I relaxed my shoulders. “Be careful, we can barely afford the parking fee, let alone repairing a car.” 

“You are right.” She snickered. “Anyway, I have packed a shawl in case it gets cold, which I doubt because the weather today is freaking hot. Oh, also, I recharged your phone with enough airtime for the week, and deleted some old voice messages.”

I nodded. “Thanks, pumpkin, hey…” I turned to her side as though I could see her. “...about the band—”

“We are here. How come Olivia is early today?” She cut me off and I had to agree that she did not want to talk about her music band. The band wanted to go perform in New Jersey,  and since it was for three months, Helen couldn't join. She couldn't go because of me. 

I felt bad about it. With all the hard work she put into being a dancer in the band, I was responsible for many opportunities she missed. I still wished I could free her. 

“Today is Saturday, remember?”

Helen helped me get inside the building. Olivia’s class was on the ground floor, which was easy to navigate around. It was an old building on this side of the town.

“Miss pianist.” Helen greeted Olivia heartily when we walked into the class. “Wait, you got a new piano?”

“It's a week old. Where have you been?”