Copyright © 1999/2000: My intellectual property. All rights reserved. No part or whole of this work may be copied or used in any shape, form, or manner whatsoever without the author's express written consent. Don't be afraid to ask. The bard doesn't bite·

Disclaimers: The prerequisite disclaimers.

Intellectual Property: The characters are wholly my own. Any similarities drawn between them and any persons, plants, or animals, living and dead, are figments of your imagination. However, some places and products mentioned in the story do exist. No infringement is intended. (Hey, look on the bright side! Free publicity! Yeah!)

Ratings/Language/Violence: R-rated. Generally, the language and violence is mild, as is the sex. However, at risk of spoiling some surprises, the story deals with sensitive issues like overbearing parents, youth violence, rape, and murder.

Sex: Love is expressed between two consenting ladies. If that bothers you, then for the love of God (or a higher being or beings, if any), get help.

Age: If this material is illegal where you live and/or if you are underage then find something else to do.

NOTES: Mickey is NOT the main character. Be patient and you'll meet the two leading heroines in no time at all. Also, this story takes place over about the span of a decade. If you want to see sign language, go to this web site. http://www.bconnex.net/~randys/

I'd also like to thank everyone who helped. Thanks to Steph, Critic, Ink, and everyone else who has contributed.

Author's Note: I'd like to thank the wonderful people at Xenaverso for honoring AITF with the Olé award. Check the Xenaverso out at http://www.atenea.easynet.co.uk/xenaverso/fanfic/fanfic_ole.htm

If you have any feedback, suggestions, or comments, please let the bard know at sarkel_bard@yahoo.com You are guaranteed a reply if you so wish. Constructive criticism is accepted Don’t Be Shy! J

"Hey." Helen smiled, welcoming Allison into her apartment. She hugged the younger woman gently. "How are you?"

"I’m fine. I wasn’t close to Julio but… still, his death made me think. Mortality. All of us have a limited time on Earth. We need to make the best of it." The blonde sighed regretfully. "No, don’t do that." She quickly stuck her hand into the hallway before Helen could close the door. Allison grinned slyly and stepped back. "You don’t really think I’d come unprepared? Looky here." The green-eyed woman bent down and grasped four grocery bags bursting at the seams with all sorts of junk food.

Helen’s dark eyes widened. "That’s not adequate to even fill you up. Did ya bring anything for me?"

"Enough!" Allison set the food on the kitchen counter and swatted Helen’s shoulder playfully.

The dusky lawyer grimaced. "I’m serious." She laughed, peering into one of the bags. "I like your taste in fine cuisine." She extracted a huge chocolate candy bar.

Allison looked at Helen out of the corner of her eye as the taller woman eagerly inspected the loot. "You sure I didn’t disturb you when I called so late the other day? You’re a busy attorney. You have more important things to deal with than my petty problems."

"Oh, Allison." Helen turned to her guest. "Not at all. I’m your friend. You’d do the same for me, right?" She kissed the blonde’s forehead softly. "Call or stop by whenever. I mean it."

"Sorry." Allison chuckled. "I worry too much. Thank you for talking with me."

Helen waved the gratitude off with a careless hand. "Anytime. No need to thank me." She puckered her lips thoughtfully. "Need to talk some more?"

"Well…" The blonde sighed. "I just can’t shake this feeling of… I don’t know, doom. I know, I know, I’m being silly. This is supposed to be a fun night."

"Hmm." Helen took the shorter woman’s hand and led her to the couch. "I’m here for you. Talk to me."

Allison half-smiled, allowing the lawyer’s encouraging hand to remain in hers. "Well—" The blonde cleared her throat. "I just…"

"Is it your mother and Barry?" Helen nudged Allison forth gently.

"Uhh… hardly. Let’s just say they’re calling each other by their pet names again. Pooie, honey-lilac, ugh!" Allison grinned. "They’re doing great, actually. Barry’s been playing with Allen and Beau a lot, spending time at home. He isn’t drinking as much. Momma got a job to help out with the money. She’s been in a much better mood too since she made up with her parents. Of course, it’s only been less than two weeks so…"

"How did that go for you? Meeting your grandparents?" Helen studied the blonde, enjoying the feel of the slightly smaller hand in hers.

"For me?" Allison repeated the question thoughtfully. She wasn’t used to someone actually taking a genuine interest in her life. "They practically ignored me and Allen. They really despised Phillip—my father. The drunk, the boy from the wrong side of the tracks," explained the younger woman. "Momma ran away with him when she was still in high school, you know the same old story. So my grandparents played with Beau and my aunt Jackie’s kids all night."

"Wow," Helen murmured, sliding closer to Allison, their hands still interlocked. "They’re missing out on a wonderful granddaughter." She shook her head in astonishment. "I’ll never understand how people can just—"

"I know." Allison interrupted, pain permeating her voice. "Allen was really hurt. He’s never had grandparents." The blonde sighed. "That’s not really what’s bothering me, though. That was the first time we met. Our relationship’s bound to improve with time."

"That’s right. Think positively. So… what’s the matter, then?" Helen slipped her hand out of Allison’s. "You seem unhappy."

The blonde swallowed and crossed her legs. "Guilt, I suppose." She forced the words out of her mouth; she desperately needed to share her feelings with someone. "Things just didn’t work out between me and that person I was telling you about before. She took it very, very badly… and now I feel as if…" Allison groaned and covered her face with her hands. "I’m not making sense, am I? Dear Abby." She grinned, uncovering her face.

Helen laughed. "You can’t be blamed if she didn’t deal with the breakup well. It isn’t your fault." Her suspicions about the identity of the mystery person were about to be confirmed.

But it is my fault. "I handled the situation a bit too harshly. I didn’t have to." Yes, you had to, for Allen. You know momma would have kicked you out and started doing awful things to Allen. Allison sighed and fiddled with the thin silver bracelet that graced Helen’s elegant wrist. "That’s beautiful." Without thinking, two more words slipped out of her mouth. "You’re beautiful."

The lawyer smiled. "So are you. Hey…" She cupped Allison’s chin in her hand and forced green eyes to look into her face. "Sam, wasn’t it?"

Allison swallowed and nodded in confirmation. "See what I mean now? She ran off and it’s affected everyone. Barry, Allen…I don’t want to split up the family like what happened with my mother and her parents."

"Not true." Helen rubbed the blonde’s shoulder soothingly. "You two had a relationship, it didn’t work out. She couldn’t handle it. Not your fault."

"I guess so." Allison spoke uncertainly; Helen didn’t know the half of it. "Uhh… look." She coerced herself into smiling. "Thanks, you really helped. But let’s not talk about this anymore." She hopped from the sofa, grinning. "Let’s pop in a movie and order some pizza. Whoever can’t eat one whole large pizza is a rotten egg!"

"Being cheesy tonight, aren’t ya?" Helen jested.

Two movies later, the scene in Helen’s apartment for Saturday night’s pig-out was nothing but revelry. Various movie covers littered the area around the entertainment center and the comedy blaring on the television screen only added to the laughter in the living room. Two greasy cardboard pizza boxes lay scattered on the floor. Cat, the beagle, sniffed happily around the pizza cartons.

Helen and Allison sat at the foot of the couch chatting animatedly and playing. They were too busy to pay attention to the movie or the late hour. "Come on!" the blonde shouted encouragingly. "No pain, no gain." She leaned back and prepared for the airborne assault.

Allison laughed as Helen missed her target once again. "Dammit!" The older woman swore. "Told ya I have lousy aim. Besides, I’m so full I can hardly move. Never before have I eaten so much pizza!"

"There’s plenty of popcorn left," the blonde teased. "Try one more time." She opened her mouth wide in anticipation of the buttered treat, but Helen fumbled miserably again.

She threw her hands up in defeat. "You win. You’re the popcorn throwing champ."

"Yay!" Allison giggled as a handful of candy found its way into her mouth.

Helen cocked a dark eyebrow. "Smug bottomless pit, aren’t you?" She grinned mischievously. "Just means I get to keep the rest of the popcorn."

"Aww!" The blonde pouted and crossed her arms in mock anger. "You’re mean."

"Shame, isn’t it?" Helen sighed exaggeratedly. "Maybe I’ll give you a break, but you gotta promise to be good."

Allison crossed her heart with her fingers. "I’m always good."

Helen chuckled. "Yeah, right!" She reached into the bag and came up with a few morsels. "Here." The dusky lawyer leaned across Allison’s leg and slowly fed each popped kernel to the younger woman one by one.

The blonde sucked each piece into her mouth slowly. She savored the buttery and salty taste, enjoying the intimate presence of Helen, her light smell, her full lips, so close to her own. "Thanks." Allison grinned once her companion’s hands were empty. "Mighty generous of ya."

"Glad to oblige." The older woman rested her arm around Allison’s shoulder, pulling the blonde in closer. She ran her slender fingers through Allison’s fine hair, smiling as each strawberry partition fell one by one. "Your hair’s so pretty." She looked into Allison’s exquisite green eyes. Her gaze lowered, as did her voice. "You have beautiful golden flecks in your eyes," Helen murmured, moving her fingers to the blonde’s cheek.

A light pink blush charmed Allison’s face but Helen’s touch was magnetic. She couldn’t avert her eyes or break contact. "Thank you. I never was good at accepting compliments," she whispered in a silky voice, bringing her face millimeters from Helen’s. The fringe of the lawyer’s lashes cast shadows upon her cheeks. The younger woman’s hand crept onto Helen’s waist as her taller companion’s lips brushed against her own.

Allison yielded to the light summons with increasing urgency as she tightened her grip on the older woman’s lower back. Helen’s heated tongue glided into the hot recesses of the blonde’s mouth. Helen’s breath was warm and moist against her friend’s face and her heart raced. Allison slipped her hand into her partner’s bra and massaged a taut but supple breast.

Helen’s back arched slightly as the blonde’s thumb kneaded her erect nipple. The older woman became flushed with heated arousal as her companion deftly unbuttoned the lawyer’s pants and slipped her hand under the elastic.

Suddenly, Helen pulled back, stopping an intense kiss. "Allison—that’s enough." She panted and caught a hooded flash of darkness in her friend’s green eyes. "Don’t be upset, baby. I just don’t want to rush anything."

Allison nodded, sitting up. "I’m sorry. I don’t know where that came from." She smoothed her hair and pulled down the edges of her shirt.

Helen scowled. "Are you really sorry? Because I’m not."

The blonde flinched and looked into Helen’s face. What she saw sent an involuntary shiver up her spine and a shy smile tugged at the corner of her soft lips. "Of course not. I just didn’t want you to be uncomfortable."

The taller woman sat back against the couch, taking Allison’s hand into hers. "I’m not uncomfortable. I just want to take this slow. Don’t want to leap into anything. Do you want to pop in another video or get around to playing that game of Scrabble you’ve been threatening me with?"

The blonde giggled. "We haven’t paid attention to the last two movies! Let’s play Scrabble, but don’t sneak any fancy lawyer words in. I know all the tricks." She winked at the dark woman as she jumped from the floor. "I gotta…uhh…excuse myself." Allison kissed Helen softly on the forehead on her way to the facilities.

The blonde studied her appearance in the mirror, gazing intently at her green eyes in the reflection. Her hand stroked her lower lip delicately, remembering the warm sensations Helen had ignited. The lawyer was a good kisser, like Sam was. But there was a difference. Sam’s kisses were raw and passionate, hungry, like a tiger that had finally captured its prey. Thinking about her former lover, Allison shuddered lightly. Her breathing became ragged and her jaw dropped slightly as she recalled the whirlwind of emotions and passion associated with Sam. Even in remembrance, Allison felt the intimacy of the blue-eyed woman’s kisses.

She shook her head. Reliving the past was not a good thing. She needed more time to erase the pain. Even so, she had to move on with her life. It was doubtful that Sam would ever come back. Helen was charming, smart, funny, kind, and beautiful. Everything she would want in a lover. No sense in both of them suffering and wasting their lives because the blonde clung to a thin ray of hope that the tall, blue-eyed woman would return for a fairy tale ending. With renewed resolve, Allison straightened her clothes and splashed some water on her face.

Helen was setting the board game on the dining room table. Smiling, she looked at Allison as the blonde entered the living room. "All ready for us to play. Want another glass of wine?"

The green-eyed woman nodded in affirmation as she drew seven wooden pieces to start her off. X, Z, Q, B, N, J, E. Lousy selection. Zen? She couldn’t remember if proper words were allowed in the game. She snuck two of the squares back into the bag and replaced them with new letters before Helen returned from the kitchen, balancing two glasses of wine in her hands. "Helen!" Allison jumped as the lawyer startled her.

The older woman raised an eyebrow and peered at her companion. "You’re cheating, aren’t you? God, you’d suck at poker. You can’t hide anything. What gives?" She set down Allison’s wineglass and sipped from her own.

Allison glared at the woman. "Yeah, you got me. I got really lousy letters and…uhh…I put them back and got new ones." She smiled sheepishly and raised her hands in guilt.

"That’s ok." Helen grinned. "Life ain’t fair. I’ll start then. Did you read about the Burger Barn scandal in the paper this morning? What did you think?" Helen lined up a word on the board. Descry. "There you go. Your turn."

Allison rolled her eyes. "Burger Barn. Yeah, that was ridiculous. A burger place that runs out of hamburgers and only has chicken left. That’s like a coffee shop that only sells pop." She puckered her lips, studying the newly drawn tiles. "Descry…that’s a good word. You might be worthy competition after all." The duo played long into the night, chattering spiritedly about this and that.

"It’s four in the morning. I’m glad it’s a Sunday." Helen stretched out her frame, her joints popping from hours of not moving. "I’m getting old."

"Hardly! You look great, but I’m beat too." The blonde yawned widely as her eyelids drooped.

Helen grinned. Her companion looked darling in her state of fatigue. "Let’s hit the sack and leave the mess for later. You know where the guest room is. I put in fresh linens. I’m too old to bunk on the floor in a sleeping bag. After that story about what you did to that poor girl at camp, I ain’t safe sleeping around you, am I?"

Allison laughed. "I’m not ten anymore. That bed sounds great! I’m there already. Good night." They padded down the hallway and paused outside of the main bedroom. Allison and Helen looked at each other, holding their gaze for a few moments. The blonde hugged the lawyer close. "Thanks, Helen. Tonight was great."

The taller woman returned the embrace, smiling. "Thank you, Allison. See you in the afternoon. I am not getting up before noon." She kissed the blonde on the tip of her nose and languidly moved down to her lips.

*****

Susan paused the tape of Oprah’s latest program and ran to the phone. Breathlessly, she spoke into the receiver. "Hello. Cannizarro residence, Susan speaking." She heard the simpering voice of her sister Jacqueline and wished she hadn’t interrupted her favorite talk show for the call.

"Susanna, darling. I found an absolutely heavenly cruise for us. I was thinking that the two of us, Allison Alexandra, and my friend Jennifer could go on a quick stint to the Caribbean." Jackie lounged at the side of her swimming pool, sipping a Mai Tai, and chattered into a cordless phone. A large brimmed hat and oversized sunglasses protected her face from the harsh sunlight while a maid sat on the pool deck holding a reflector to improve Jackie’s bikini tan.

Susan leaned against the kitchen counter. "I’m afraid I cannot go." I can’t tell her Beauregard curbed my spending. I’d be the laughingstock of this cow town.

Her younger sister giggled. "Why ever not? It’d be fun. Get out of the house, spend some money."

The redhead scowled into the phone. Her damned sister was rubbing her money in her nose! The bitch. " I’m busy. I’m up for elections soon. The garden club needs a president and I’m organizing the charity bash for the yacht club."

"Susanna, going for a measly seven day cruise won’t hurt. Certainly not more than being a receptionist at some construction firm." Jackie belittled her older sister, holding back a scoff.

Susan gasped. How the hell had Jackie found out about her job? "Jacqueline, I’m afraid your source is mistaken."

"Don’t give me any dung. Fiona’s husband mentioned it to my manicurist’s daughter-in-law. Darling, don’t tell me you and your Beauregard are having financial problems. Imagine!" She motioned to the maid to adjust the angle on the reflector. Her thighs needed a decent tan before she went on the cruise.

The redhead’s eyes bulged and she growled. "Jacqueline, you’re uninvited to the yacht club bash! Go to hell! Stop rubbing your money in my nose, you bitch!" She slammed the telephone down on the counter and then threw it across the room. It shattered against the wall with a wail. Susan sat down at the bar and buried her face in her hands, sobbing. No matter what she did, Jacqueline would always upstage her. She loved her Beauregard but was working and being the talk of the town worth such great sacrifices?

*****

"Al!" The towhead ran to his sister the moment she stepped into the house. He threw his arms around her waist. "I missed you yesterday while you were with your friend."

"I missed you too, baby." Allison kissed the top of her brother’s head. "Anything happen?"

"Yeah." Allen bobbed his head angrily. "Momma took me and Beau to the mall yesterday, but she bought all the toys for Beau! I wanted a model airplane set but she said no." The boy scowled at the memory.

"What?" Irritation clouded Allison’s fair features. "Don’t worry, ok?" She grinned cheerfully. "We’ll go buy you one right now."

"Yay!" Allen jumped up and down and grabbed his jacket from the hall closet. "I was bored yesterday with momma and today by myself."

Allison’s green eyes widened. "Oh my goodness. You’re home alone, aren’t you?" That bitch! "Where’s momma and Barry?"

The boy shrugged. "Beau had something at pre-school and I didn’t wanna go. Momma got mad and said since I was being horrible, I could just stay home by myself."

"Oh, baby." Allison sighed. "You know that’s not true, right? You’re wonderful."

Allen didn’t answer for a moment. "I didn’t wanna go anyway. I hate momma and Beau."

"Sweetie… you don’t mean that." Allison got on her knees and swept the boy’s hair out of his eyes. He needed a haircut soon.

"Yes, I do!" He glared at his sister and crossed his arms. "Beau’s mean. Momma won’t listen to me when I tell her Beau bites me. I wish our daddy was here and alive."

"Where’s Barry?" The blonde asked lightly, concealing her frustration. She had a huge project due tomorrow, and couldn’t really afford to pacify Allen today, especially since she was working at the Addict tonight.

"With Julia," Allen recited seriously. "Before momma left, she called again, crying. I’m sorry for Julia, Al. I know how she feels. Her parents and sister died and now her husband too."

"Yeah." The young woman shook her head, then smiled. "Let’s not be Mopey Misters. Come on! A new airplane’s waiting for you at the mall. We’ll get ice cream too." She took Allen’s hand in hers, all the while mentally berating her mother. Her schoolwork would wait. Her son came first.

"Good. I’m hungry." Allen nodded resolutely as the blonde gunned the engine. "I fixed myself a sandwich but I like yours better." He grinned at his sister sheepishly as he buckled his seatbelt.

"Momma didn’t leave you lunch?" Allison exclaimed incredulously. "Ohh…" She turned in her seat, looking out the rear window of the Pinto as she backed out of the driveway.

"I told her not to. I’m smart, you know. I can fix my own food! I just need more practice." He defended himself indignantly.

"I know you can." Allison signaled left and got onto the freeway a few minutes later. What if someone had broken in? A fire? Goodness. Momma is so irresponsible.

"Al. Are they going to my play this Friday? They missed the game last week." Allen looked out of his window at the passing scenery.

"I’ll be there, I promise. I’m sure Barry and momma will be too." Allison made a right turn and exited the highway.

*****

Barry sat across Julia’s kitchen table under a dim light, a steaming mug of tea in front of him. Julia seemed a bit haggard. Bags under her eyes indicated that the woman hadn’t slept peacefully in a long time if at all, and the twinkle in her eyes was lost. Even so, Julia had never been more beautiful to him than she was this day. He was resigned to the fact that Julia loved Julio Julian and not him a long time ago, even before he married Norene and had two children with her.

Julia sipped from her own cup of tea, savoring the spicy and soothing warmth. "Glad you made it out here. With the kids gone to their grandmother’s, I’ve been quite lonely."

The big man nodded, his hands wrapped around the warm teacup. "I’m always here for you, Julia. I’ve been thinking about Julio and his…passing away." He brought his eyes up to meet the brown eyes of his former sister-in-law. "I’ve realized that life is too short to waste. Sam has been gone for the last two years. Everyday, I berate myself for going off at her. She shouldn’t have attacked a pregnant woman but I could have done things differently. I’ve already lost one child. Now I feel like I’ve lost two. I wish that Sam could come back and we would start over again, you know?" Barry laughed bitterly. "When I went to see her in New York, she was adamant about not talking to me. Couldn’t you talk to Sam? Try to convince her to at least talk to me." He raised his brow hopefully.

The woman smiled ruefully. "Sam almost never spoke to me again after your visit. She thought I had told you of her whereabouts. It took a lot of talking to make her realize that you had hired an investigator to find her and that I hadn’t violated any confidences. I love Sam, as much as you love her. I’ve already talked to her many times about moving on, about forgiveness and forgetting, about reconciliation. She’s just as stubborn as Norene was." Julia shook her head in fondness. "If you knew what really happened, you might understand. But things the way they are now..."

The lawyer blinked. "Wait a minute. What really happened? Do you know what really happened, what made her so angry that day? Please tell me, Julia." He took her smaller hands into his own and squeezed them.

Julia gasped. "I’ve said too much. I’ll talk to Sam again. I’m sure, given enough time, she’ll come to her senses. She’s young. Those things seem so life-shattering and monumental."

"Can’t you at least give me her phone number? E-mail address? She changed them both after I tried to call her the last time." He leant into her. "Please?"

"Oh, Barry. No promises, but I’ll ask her. I’ll tell you this now." Julia stood and refilled both teacups with more steaming liquid and set down the teapot. She slipped quietly to the cabinets and took out a tin of cookies. "Want any?"

Barry shook his head, discouraged. "No thanks."

The lithe woman returned the tin to its proper storage place and sat down across from the tall, dark-haired man. He was indeed handsome, so much like her niece. Tall, brooding, dark, with electric blue eyes that she could just drown into. If not for Julio Julian, she might have fallen for him. Sam would be her daughter and things might have worked out differently. "Sam’s stubborn. It takes a long time for her to work things through. I doubt anything is going to happen any time soon. Phone calls, e-mails, correspondence, or visits. She’s fine. Almost finished with her schooling and she’s been getting excellent grades all along. Be grateful she hasn’t returned to her old self and taking drugs, dropping out of school, committing crimes left and right, doing all sorts of things. She’s going to be a successful young woman."

"I can’t help but worry. She’s my daughter. She’s out there, all alone in the world, and I can’t do anything to help her. I always wonder…" He slammed his palm against his leg, suddenly angry. Angry at himself. "Has she found herself a boyfriend? Marrying anytime soon? I hope I’ll be the one to give her away at her wedding. Walking down the aisle by her side and signing words of encouragement and wisdom. Playing with her kids and doing things with my son-in-law. Maybe once she has a family of her own, she’ll realize the value of family and forgive me. Susan loves her and we both want her back." He nodded resolutely, looking into the depths of his companion’s eyes.

Julia swallowed uncomfortably. Barry was clueless. What would the big man do if he knew of Sam’s strong suspicions that his wife was behind his daughter’s angry and sudden departure? "Perhaps a family would do that for Sam. She’s dating someone. It isn’t serious though." The aunt shuddered inwardly as she reflected upon her last meeting with her niece in New York. The young woman who had accompanied Sam had been horrendous. The girl’s nickname was Tartar. She had blue spiky hair, and wore those depressing black clothes with black nail polish and make-up. Prior to Tartar, Julia had not known that there was such a thing as black lipstick. She constantly snapped her gum and called Julia ‘old woman’ to her face. Julia suspected her niece was attempting to go as opposite as the sweet Allison as humanly as possible.

The lawyer’s chest slumped. "Yeah. I’d appreciate it if you talked to her." Barry pulled out his worn leather checkbook and scribbled some squiggles on it. "Give this check to Sam. Tell her it’s from you if you think she won’t take my money. I made it out to you, five thousand dollars. If she ever needs anything, let me know. God, she’s never stayed mad at me for more than a few months. Anyway, how are the kids?"

Julia accepted the check and grinned. "I’m sure Sam will appreciate the sentiment. The kids seem to be doing better, thankfully. Jules quit the soccer team but he’s still involved with his other activities and Juliette is going to a counselor."

"That’s good." He felt his cell phone vibrate and answered.

"Beauie-poo! Come home, dinner’s ready. I made your favorite, spaghetti carbona and a nice crisp salad." His wife’s disembodied voice wafted through.

Barry’s face fell. He hated spaghetti. "I’m having dinner with Julia. She’s still upset and needs a friend to talk to.

Susan growled. That woman’s husband’s body wasn’t cold yet and she was already moving onto the redhead’s territory. That wasn’t going to happen on her watch! "Of course Beauregard. I’ll keep it for tomorrow’s luncheon. I’ll see you soon sweetheart." The worst thing she could do now was antagonize her Beauregard especially after their reconciliation.

Barry slammed his cell phone shut and smiled. "Jul. How about we go for some dinner? Like the old days?" He gallantly offered an arm and she took it.

*****

Allen slumped deep into the passenger seat of his sister’s ancient Pinto. His face scrunched into a scowl as the Cannizarro house rose over the hill, mocking him. The mall had been fun and he’d gotten three new models to build but he hated the drive back. That meant going back to a scowling woman and a bratty half-brother. He sighed as his sister turned onto his street.

"Al… what do you think about me coming to live with you after you graduate?"

Allison turned to the youth, her green eyes wide at the sudden question. "Wow." She shifted her attention back to the road and gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles whitening. "I’d love that, honey. But I don’t know if you could or if my place would be bigger than a shoebox." She chuckled, making a right into the spacious Cannizarro driveway.

"I wanna live with you." Allen’s face scrunched up.

"Oh, honey." Allison stifled a tear threatening to come out. Her heart ached for her son; she hated to see him unhappy. "But momma would never allow that."

The boy shrugged. " I don’t care. I want to. Can’t you ask her? I hate momma and Beau. I hate living with them. I’m always in trouble, thanks to the brat. He ain’t even two years old. As he gets older can you imagine how much worse he’s gonna get?" Allen’s green eyes watered and he sniffled.

Allison sighed. "Aren’t you happier now that Barry and momma worked their problems out?"

Her passenger shrugged. "How long will it last? I don’t know if all that pooie’s and kissing and name calling is any better than those fights."

Allison laughed. "As for living with me… I’d love that, but keep in mind it won’t be happening for a while yet. You never know, by the time I move out, you and Beau will be thick as thieves." She stroked Allen’s head and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. "I love you, sweetheart. You have a nice big house, a nice room, things to play with, clothes, and food. A brother to hang out when he isn’t being an urchin. Everything I probably couldn’t give you."

"I’m not like momma. I don’t care if I have to sleep on the couch! I’ll get a job and help you out." Allen grabbed the armrest and leaned towards his sister.

"Calm down, Allen. I’m not going to move any time soon. I’m broke enough as it is."

Allison was torn. It would be wonderful to have Allen live with her and to be able to see him everyday. Nevertheless, she winced at the thought of asking Susan for permission. The redhead would whip herself into a frenzy and accuse her daughter of all sorts of horrible things: molesting him, turning him against his own ‘mother’, and using him as leverage.

Before Allison could even step out of the car, she was greeted by a shrilling redhead yammering from the porch. "Allison Alexandra! Allen Alexander! Yoo-hoo! See what Beau picked out." Susan pointed to a fluffy white rag doll kitten with blue eyes. "He couldn’t stay away from Priscilla here and I don’t blame him. She’s a good replacement for Cornelius."

Allison smiled and acknowledged the cat’s presence. "Cute little thing, aren’t you?" Barry wouldn’t like the cat, especially since she was long haired. He was allergic and Susan knew that. Allison would make herself scarce when her mother introduced the newest member of the family to the big man.

Allen reached down to pet Priscilla and was greeted with hisses and snarls. He quickly withdrew his hand before it befell any damage. Beau, clad in a T-shirt and diaper, toddled to the fur ball and pulled her tail, jerking her to the floor. The boy’s gray eyes glinted devilishly as he sat down next to the cat and screamed into its ears. "Kitty! Kitty!"

"Mrrrowww!" Priscilla remained unfazed and yawned, her pink tongue unfurling. The redhead beamed at her small son.

"Momma, why did you leave Allen home alone?" The blonde confronted her mother accusingly.

Susan raised her eyebrows. "He was being a brat, sulking! He would’ve ruined the day. Besides, you said you’d be home by noon! Not my fault if you ran late."

Allison rolled her eyes. "You don’t leave a young child home alone, no matter what!"

"Immaterial." Susan nodded knowingly. "He’s fine, isn’t he? Allen, go upstairs and change into a nice polo shirt and khakis. Allison, change into the black dress I just bought for you. It’s upstairs in your room. Goodness! It’s seven o’clock and Travis is going to be here at seven thirty for dinner. Bust some moves! Go." She waved her children into the house. "Travis is at St. Albans Medical School. He’s going to be a plastic surgeon. Allison, did you hear me?" she raised her brow in question, as her daughter seemed unruffled.

The blonde nodded. Nothing had changed. Plastic surgeon? So you’ll get free boob jobs and wrinkle blasting. "Yes. I heard. I can’t, though. You know I work every Sunday from eight to midnight. I have bills to pay."

Susan gasped. "Now you don’t, Allison. Go upstairs and change! If you’re worried about money, Beauregard will pay for it." She patted her daughter on the rump and shoved her towards the stairs. "It’s more important you focus on getting yourself a husband. You have no idea how many hours I spent hunting down the perfect dress for you. And Travis is a catch!" She glared daggers at her Allen, who was dragging his feet. "Don’t be a Gloomy Gus! Put a smile on your face. We all want to impress Travis."

Allison skidded to a stop at the bottom stair and made a U-turn for the front door. "I really can’t, momma. I have work tonight plus a major assignment is due tomorrow. I feel bad using Barry’s money when I can pay for college myself."

"Now, Allison. This nonsense of doing charity work for those poor handicapped darlings is a good idea and very kind of you. But don’t you think it would be better to simply marry a wealthy man and chair a few committees?" The redhead grabbed her daughter’s wrist and tugged her but Allison remained immovable.

"I’m leaving. I’ll meet Travis another time." With that, the blonde made a hasty retreat.

Susan lunged after her and ran outside, screaming at Allison. "Honey! Travis can’t wait. You better get yourself a husband before you become all bloated up and useless!"

Susan rolled her eyes as the Pinto screeched out of the driveway. She’d have to convince Travis to come again another time. Or she could just seduce him for Allison and send him her way when he was hooked. Priscilla arrived on the scene and rubbed against her new owner’s legs, hissing at the departing vehicle.

*****

The multicolored Christmas lights blinked merrily on the tall, burgeoning fir tree standing in the corner of the lawyer’s apartment. Allison and Helen snuggled on the couch, holding each other. They shared a solitary glass of eggnog, liberally laced with rum. Soft Christmas music floated in the air and a music box figurine waltzed across the glass surface of a ceramic frozen pond. Gaily wrapped presents abounded under the tree. For the last hour Allison had been trying to figure out which gifts were hers but Helen wouldn’t budge. She just said that the big surprise present wasn’t under the tree. Cat napped on the floor in front of the roaring fireplace.

Helen nuzzled her new girlfriend’s freckled ear and kissed the soft lobe. Her lips moved down to the pulsing hollow at the base of the fair throat. "Allison, my parents are coming here for Christmas Eve. I’d like for you to meet them. We’ll have dinner and open presents. You can come early and get settled, help me cook." She felt the blonde stiffen.

"I don’t know, Helen. Are you sure they won’t mind our age difference? You’re thirty-five and I’m twenty. Do they know Barry and Susan? What would they think?" The blonde turned to look into her companion’s intense eyes.

The exotic woman chuckled and captured the younger woman’s lips for a kiss, leaving the blonde’s mouth burning with fire. "Baby, you worry too much about what other people think. Our age difference doesn’t bother me and it won’t bother them. My mother is ten years older than my father. You know they have an interracial marriage. In the 1960s, that took a lot of courage. They’ll love you as much as I love you." She held Allison closer and looked down into her malachite eyes.

The blonde sighed and laid her head against Helen’s chest. "You’re right. I’d love to meet your parents." A smile tugged on her lips. "Can’t I open just one present tonight? Please? With a cherry on top?" She raised a fair eyebrow.

Helen laughed. "You have no willpower do you? Uh-uh. You have to wait. Only three more days."

Allison groaned, exasperatedly. "Oh. You’ll have to keep me pretty busy and keep my mind off that ‘big surprise’ you have waiting for me." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Any ideas?" She ran a finger down the inside of her lover’s thigh and the hand disappeared under Helen’s pajama shirt. The caress was a command.

The lawyer leered at her companion. "Yeah, I think you’re going in the right direction. You just might be able to squeeze that information out of me in the, ahem, negotiation chambers."

The younger woman giggled and climbed on top of Helen, straddling her. "I love it when you talk in that attorney speak of yours. I object! Badgering the witness." She rewarded her victim with a soft pink tip of her tongue. Her body ached for the lawyer’s touch.

Instinctively, her body arched towards Allison. Helen narrowed her eyes and turned the tables on her younger lover. "Overruled. I hold you…" She nuzzled Allison’s neck. A brief shiver rippled through her. "In contempt. I’d like to see you in chambers."

The blonde shook her head and pulled back. "Nah. I have better plans. Let’s put on a show right here in the courtroom." She bit the lawyer’s lip and sucked softly. The kiss became more passionate as their tongues fought for dominance.

The caress of Allison’s lips on her mouth and along her body set Helen aflame.

Helen’s striped pajamas landed in a pile on the floor and her nipples stiffened in pure arousal. Allison’s breathing shallowed as the taller woman began a lust-arousing exploration of her soft flesh. Their naked bodies slid together in tandem as Allison’s thigh pressed against the lawyer. Helen flipped the blonde over and slid her finger into the blonde’s wet folds. Her lips engulfed Allison’s nipple with tantalizing possessiveness.

Allison ran her fingers through the silky black tresses of Helen’s hair, pulling her closer. Her other hand raked across the coffee skin, leaving a trail of faint white marks. Allison moaned as Helen explored her thighs and moved up. She thrust forward, seeking more. Her pelvis arched as erotic sensations flooded her body.

Suddenly, images of Bob and Sam popped up in her head. Her eyes flew open and she squeezed her thighs together. Helen gasped. Her hand was trapped between the blonde’s muscular legs. She looked up, silently questioning the movement.

The younger woman shook her head. "I’m sorry, Helen. I’m not ready." She bit her lip and looked away, tears forming in her green eyes.

Helen extracted her hand and held her companion close. "No. I’m sorry I went too fast. Ahh… are you a first time offender?" She smiled to show the question was just in gentle jest.

Allison laughed and kissed Helen’s hand. "That’s a long story. Uhh… goodness, I’m really—" She shook her head in disgust and closed her eyes.

"Hey now." Helen frowned at the derogatory movement. "What’s that for?" She brought her lips to Allison’s. "I’ll be right back," she murmured. The lawyer rose from the couch and slipped her pajama top and underwear back on. She padded into the kitchen and returned with a glass of water.

Allison sat on the sofa, a soft blanket wrapped around her lower body. Her knees were pulled to her chest.

"Drink up." Helen curled her arm around Allison’s shoulder and brought the glass of water to the blonde’s lips.

Allison took several small swallows, then shakily handed the glass to her lover. Helen placed the container on the end table and returned her attention to the blonde. The lawyer pulled the blanket above her as well. She enveloped Allison in her arms, holding her and whispering into her ear. "You smell so nice. Just like baby powder." The older woman’s fingers grazed the fine hairs on the back of Allison’s neck.

"Thank you, Helen." The green-eyed young woman finally spoke. "I really didn’t mean to—"

"Please don’t apologize." Helen spoke softly as she stroked Allison’s hair.

Allison burrowed into the older woman’s comforting embrace and rested her head against Helen’s chest. She knew she owed her lover an explanation but Allison couldn’t confess everything. She couldn’t tell Helen that she wished Sam was the one making love to her and that she wouldn’t have stopped if Sam had been on top of her. "Helen…I had some bad experiences with sex when I was younger. I was almost raped a few years back, and while I still lived in Arkansas, an older man caught me looking in lesbian magazines. Uhh…" Allison swallowed at the unpleasant memory.

"Take your time." Helen squeezed the blonde encouragingly, disgusted at the thought of the scum who had taken advantage of Allison. Her repugnance grew as the rest of the story unfolded.

"He didn’t rape me, so to speak. It was consensual… I was underage and all but I didn’t enjoy it. We did it about ten times over a month. He tried to convert me, you know, but…" Allison chuckled ruefully. "Obviously didn’t work. I didn’t do it with Sam either." She gathered Helen’s hands into hers and looked into her warm dark eyes. "Do you still want me?"

"Baby, of course I do." Helen smiled sadly. "Don’t doubt that. I’m here for you always. Okay?" She cupped the back of the blonde’s head and kissed her cheek tenderly. "We’ll move at your pace." She cleared her throat for the hard part. "Allison, you know you have options. I’ll support you if you want to report those bastards to the police."

"No." Allison looked into Helen’s eyes resolutely. "No."

"What if they prey on other girls, other women?"

The blonde sighed and reached for Helen’s hand. "One of them’s dead. I have no idea where the other is. Probably dead too for all I know. Reporting him wouldn’t be worth it. Besides, I couldn’t… I don’t think… I don’t know what I’d do if I ever saw him again."

"Shh. Okay." Helen smiled encouragingly. "Just remember you have an attorney on your side."

Allison grinned. "I don’t know if that’s a good thing. Seriously though, thank you. I appreciate your understanding."

The dark woman rolled her eyes. "No need to thank me." She reached for the remote and turned the TV on. The duo watched a movie and talked quietly until bedtime.

"Want to sleep with me tonight?" Helen asked the blonde after Cat had been fed his midnight snack.

"No. I’ll be fine." Allison grinned bravely, but for totally different reasons than Helen imagined. Sleep refused to come to the blonde as she tossed and turned in the guest bedroom. Holding a pillow to her chest, Allison thought of Sam, and then of the beautiful woman in the adjacent bedroom. Go to her. What are you waiting for? She smiled dreamily. She loved Helen so much.

She tiptoed into her companion’s room and slipped into her bed. "I’m here, Helen. I love you."

*****

Allison lay on Helen’s couch, her hair spread around her head like rays of sunlight. The tall lawyer mounted the blonde, her hand under her white knit sweater, massaging the younger woman’s taut abdomen. Her other hand stroked the fair cheeks as Helen ravished Allison’s mouth.

The blonde whispered, gripping one of her lover’s hands. "Honey, your parents are going to be here any time."

Helen looked into Allison’s concerned eyes and chuckled. "Don’t worry about it. They can’t get in here." She quieted the younger woman’s protests with a flurry of kisses and covered the blonde’s mouth with her own, crushing any protests.

Allison clasped her companion closer and nuzzled her neck, enjoying the exposed soft warm skin. The blonde jerked back when the front door opened with a bang and Helen looked up, astonished.

A short, compact Japanese man with silvering black hair and a spring in his step strode into the living room. He exuded an aura of confidence. He deposited bagfuls of presents under the tree and grinned in amusement at the two entangled women on the couch. A big-boned black woman, slightly taller than her daughter, followed, carrying several dishes of food. She spoke first, chastising Helen. "You look like teenagers caught on mama’s couch! Come here, little one, and let me have at you."

Helen and Allison remained frozen, like deer caught in headlights. Finally, the blonde withdrew her hand from the older woman’s neck. Allison sat up quickly and jerkily, smiling awkwardly. Helen scowled at her parents. "Guys! Why didn’t you knock?"

Kabuo chuckled. "Why give us keys to apartment if we aren’t supposed to use them?" He turned to his wife. "Children." He stepped up to his daughter. "I’ve half a mind to turn you over my knee and spank you. Such disrespect! You introduce us, put food in kitchen. Mama and I, we get acquainted with this lovely girl who captured your heart."

Helen nodded in chagrin as she and her lover stood to greet their visitors. "Sorry, dad. This is Allison." She motioned to her parents. "My mother, Sandra. My father, Kabuo. Please be good, guys." The lawyer grabbed the dishes and retreated to the kitchen, casting sympathetic glances in her girlfriend’s direction.

Sandra pinched the blonde’s cheeks and squeezed them several times. She stroked them with her thumbs. "You’re a cute little one. But does my daughter not feed you? You’re a skinny thing; we need to put some meat on those bones of yours. We’ve heard a lot of you from our Helen." She winked knowingly. "Our girl’s besotted with you."

Kabuo sat on the couch, sandwiching Allison between himself and his wife. "Allison, what are your intentions?"

"Kabuo! We don’t want to scare this one off. Don’t pressure her." Sandra squeezed Allison’s hand and interlocked their fingers. "Now, do you want children?" Her dark eyebrows arched hopefully.

Allison smiled instantly and her green eyes shone. "Yes, definitely."

Helen’s mother sighed in relief and threw her hands up. "I have hope after all! I’m going to be a grandma!"

The lawyer’s father threw his hands up in imitation of his wife. "Don’t pressure her? What do you call this?" He waggled his finger at his wife. He shouted for his daughter to join them in the main room, "Helen, come in here."

Sandra seized her daughter’s arm and forced her down on the couch, squeezing her shoulders. "Helen, this girl has some common sense." She pointed at the fair-skinned woman. "You should listen to her." She turned to her daughter’s lover. "Oh, Allison! We’re going to have fun together. Let me tell you a story from when Helen was a child. Kabuo bought some slides too. Helen, where’s that slide projector dad and I got you for Christmas last year? Get it out. That’s something to do while the turkey’s in the oven. You did remember a tofurkey for me? I can’t eat that turkey meat. No siree, only tofu for me!"

Allison giggled at the stricken look on her lover’s face. "I’d love to see those slides and hear all the stories."

Helen shook her head firmly. "I’m afraid the projector is broken. I was going to have it fixed but…"

Her mother interrupted. "Well, luckily your father thought to bring a back-up."

Kabuo’s eyes twinkled. "I love showing pictures of my baby Helen. I’ll be back in a jiffy. Don’t you move." He squeezed the blonde’s cheeks and departed quickly. There was something warm and enchanting about the lawyer’s father.

Helen nodded resignedly. "Leave it to my parents to bring a back-up slide projector. So, mama, which story are you going to tell?"

Sandra settled back into the plush couch cushions. "Ooh, those cushions are so comfortable! I keep telling your father we should steal your chairs. There’s so many stories I can tell. Allison, did you know Helen was the Dogwood Festival Queen?"

Allison shook her head. "No, I didn’t, Mrs. Vierow."

Sandra cocked her head and harrumphed. "Mrs. Vierow. What am I, old? Tsk. Call me mama! Any girlfriend of my daughter’s is family. Not that she has had any lately. I’m never going to be a grandmother at this rate." She glared at her daughter. "You going to make a honest woman of this little one? I like her. She’s cute!" She returned her attention to the blonde. "Darling, let’s go in the kitchen and scare up some goodies." She swiveled quickly, turning to her daughter who had moved to get up. Sandra pointed to the couch commandingly. "Helen Elena Vierow. Stay put!" She gave an impatient shrug and dragged the blonde into the kitchen.

"We gotta fatten you up. You’re just a little toothpick!" Sandra studied the younger woman disapprovingly. "No more birdseed for you."

Allison shrugged apologetically. "I love food, Sandra. Ask Helen. I can outeat anyone."

The taller woman scoffed with a dry and cynical sound. "No one outeats me. I am the champ!"

"Ah, ah, mama." Helen joined her mother and her lover in the kitchen. She slipped her arms around Allison’s waist so that her breasts pressed against the blonde’s back. "I wouldn’t be so sure. This bird here could eat a horse plus ten."

"Is that right?" Sandra smirked scornfully. "Hah!" She exclaimed, glaring at her daughter’s insult. "I don’t think so. Up for a match, Allison?"

The blonde giggled. "Sure. I’d—"

"No excuses!" Sandra rushed to interrupt. "Don’t hold back neither. I don’t like pretenders. Kabuo!" She yelled, hearing her husband return. "Clear off the table!"

Two hours later, Sandra dropped to the floor as if her stomach was full of lead. "I concede defeat," she muttered with what little strength she possessed. "Behold the new champion!" She indicated Allison weakly with her arm.

The green-eyed woman grinned and good-naturedly assisted Sandra to her feet. "You were a great opponent."

"I’ll unseat you yet." Sandra, grimacing and holding her stomach in agony, winked knowingly at Allison. "That’s a fine girl you have, Helen. Any gal who outeats your mama’s got my respect."

"Yes." Kabuo laughed. "Nice to see someone eat more than Sandra. Open presents now!" Seemingly out of nowhere, he whisked a pile of gifts into the dining room. When Allison wasn’t watching, Kabuo caught his daughter’s attention and gave her a big thumbs-up. The big surprise was ready to roll.

*****

"They’re a handful." Allison, a grin on her face, turned to Helen after Kabuo and Sandra left. "They’re wonderful. You’re lucky." Tomorrow with my grandparents is going to be so different.

Helen laughed richly. "What did I tell ya, baby? They love you. Oh, God, they really do. My mama’s probably going to start a fan club in your honor. She’s never seen anyone eat that much. I gotta change those locks for the front door though." She rolled her eyes.

"That was so nice of them to get me presents." Allison spoke admiringly. She glanced over to her new bath and body set and the racy piece of red lingerie. "Your family’s cool."

"Yeah." Helen nodded in agreement, hugging Allison. "I have the best parents in the world. And the best girlfriend too."

"Do you really like the gift I got for you?" The blonde asked apprehensively. She’d worked overtime and cut a few classes to afford the gift for her lover, who was worth every cent. In turn, Helen had gotten her two times as much, plus the yet to come surprise.

"I love it, baby." Helen’s dark eyes twinkled. "You could buy me a plastic bag and I’d worship it. Okay… now." She smiled impishly. "Ready for your surprise?"

"Ready as I’ll ever be." Allison returned the grin, still clueless as to the big gift. "Wait a sec, Helen. I feel bad that I can’t afford to buy you all the nice things you deserve—"

"Shh." Helen pressed two fingers to Allison’s lips. "I’m not worried about that. You’re a college student and I have all this money and practically nothing to spend it on. Just give me yourself, eh?"

The blonde smiled gratefully. She drew the older woman in and caressed her lover’s cheeks. They kissed slowly on the lips. "I had a great time tonight." She looked into Helen’s dark eyes. "This has been the best Christmas Eve of my life."

The lawyer hugged her companion warmly and kissed both of her hands. "It’s gonna get even better. Come on now." She took Allison’s hand and guided the shorter woman to the bar between the kitchen and the living room. Helen reached into her purse, which was hanging from a barstool. She extracted a small jewelry box, gaily covered with silvery wrapping paper.

Allison’s green eyes widened as she glimpsed the box. It looked suspiciously like a ring case. Oh goodness. She’s asking me to marry her. What should I say? Am I ready?

"I’ll let you tear this open in just a minute." Helen grinned coyly then her face took on a more thoughtful expression. "I just want to say a few things first."

She is! Allison’s heart beat with nervous and rapid excitement. She’s going to! No, she isn’t! It’s too soon. Probably just a pair of nice earrings or…but what if she is?

Helen kissed the tip of Allison’s nose. "I love you, baby. You make me feel whole again. I cherish every moment we spend together, even if that means I gain a few pounds." She chuckled wryly. "I hope you enjoy this gift. Ahh… I better just shut up and let you open it, huh?" She handed the box to the blonde.

Allison’s hands trembled as she took the case. She smiled at her companion; the woman was so sweet. "I love you too, Helen." Yes, I want to marry you. Caught up in the moment, Allison’s heart beat at the prospect of waking up next to Helen each morning, growing old with her. With a dry throat, she unwrapped the shimmering paper and lifted the lid. Before she even saw what was inside, she blurted out: "Oh, it’s beautiful!"

A gleaming silver key lay admist the cottony packaging. Allison’s brows furrowed, the gift taking her by surprise.

Helen laughed. "That key isn’t for looks, baby. Follow me." She encircled Allison’s waist and led the green-eyed woman outside on the balcony. The night air was chilly and brisk, and both women automatically held tighter to each other for warmth. "See that in the parking lot with the great big pink bow?" The lawyer pointed to a car adorned by ribbons, sitting in the upper corner of the parking lot. Allison’s Pinto slouched miserably next to the stylish vehicle.

"Oh, goodness." Allison gaped at the sight. Finally, she regained her ability to speak. She turned to Helen, her green eyes unbelieving. "You didn’t!"

The older woman smiled and held Allison close. The younger woman’s reaction alone was all thanks she needed. "Want to go down and take your new car for a whirl?"

Tears pooled in the blonde’s eyes. She kissed Helen softly. "Thank you honey… but I can’t accept your gift. It’s too extravagant." Shamefully, the blonde thought of her presents for Helen; they seemed cheap and tacky in comparison.

"I won’t accept no for an answer." The lawyer grinned. "My parents own a car dealership, remember? It was a steal. The car uses gas better than the Pinto. It’s safer. That junk heap’s gonna cave any day now."

"Ohhh… I cannot believe this!" Shock remained on the blonde’s face. "This is so great." She whispered slowly.

"Enough talk. Let’s go!" Helen grabbed Allison’s hand and the duo dashed down the steps, to the parking lot.

An hour later, they returned breathlessly to Helen’s apartment. Allison, chattering a mile a minute, couldn’t get over the vehicle. It drove so smoothly, without any noise. She’d tell Susan that she charmed a boy at a car dealership and traded in the Pinto. Her mother would be thrilled.

Allison gazed longingly at her lover as she took the time into account. Almost midnight. She needed to get home before people started wondering.

Helen sighed, noting the blonde’s line of vision. "Guess you should be going."

"I don’t want to." The green-eyed woman scowled. "I want to stay with you all night and…make love." Allison slipped her hands onto Helen’s back, touching the older woman’s hot skin. Titillation shot through her groin as she undid her companion’s bra.

"Ahh baby." Helen moaned, throwing her head back and grinding her pelvis into Allison’s. "Then don’t go anywhere. I’m sentencing you to one night in captivity with me."

"So harsh." The pure lust in Allison’s voice, also visible in her heavily lidded eyes, was more than Helen could bear. She thrust her tongue into the blonde’s mouth and tore apart the younger woman’s shirt. Allison groaned with increased arousal as her lover undressed her.

*****

The rest of the winter holidays dragged by, especially after the heady jump-start Allison received Christmas Eve. Her groin would never recover after experiencing the sensations of Helen’s skilled tongue and nimble fingers inside her.

The only highlights of the holiday were seeing Helen and having no classes. The lawyer began taking longer lunch breaks to visit the blonde at work, and Allison contrived lie after lie to explain the increasing amounts of time she spent away from home. She’d never felt better in her life, so carefree. Being with Helen was so easy, especially since Allen was involved with school and extracirrculars. The lawyer was secure, wealthy, intelligent, gorgeous, a tremendous lover, with great parents. Allison easily envisioned herself having a great and prosperous future with Helen.

Allison decided to put off grad school for a year or two while she worked as a full-time teacher to earn money. Her options were to either live at home for a few more years and go to grad school or move out and get a job, away from Susan.

*****

Barry’s briefcase landed on his office hardwood floor with a dull thud. The settlement meeting hadn’t gone well and he had just wasted the last few hours of his life. He slowly uncapped a decanter and poured some amber liquid into a glass. He brought the alcohol over to his large desk and sat in his big executive wing chair. The lawyer propped his feet up on the desk, stretching his long legs, and picked up the phone. After a few rings, the phone connected. Barry mumbled a hello.

A familiar and sexy feminine voice answered. "Hello, there handsome. You’ve reached the Hot Wet Line. Please hold for an agent. What is your preference, blonde, redhead, or brunette?" The receptionist ran a warm pink tongue across her lips in a lavicious manner, imagining the man on the other end.

"Um. That’s a toughie." Barry chuckled, feeling his groin go hard. "I’d like… two brunettes, please." He grinned. He’d been calling the Hot Wet Line for years. Another sip of the Scotch burned its way down his throat as he listened to the dreamy voice.

"Certainly." The voice purred. "Billie and Candy here." Peals of mirth were heard.

Barry chewed his lower lip, enjoying the banter. "Isn’t my usual on duty? I believe Julia is supposed to be there." His throat suddenly went dry and he downed the rest of his drink.

Julia’s laughter floated up from her throat. "Barry. How good to hear from you, you little perv. How are you?"

The caller yawned. "Not good. Glad I caught you at home. Bad morning but I called to see how your talk with Sam went. Maybe I’d get some good news?" His tone was hopeful.

The woman sighed, drawing her lips in thoughtfully. "I’m sorry, Barry. I tried everything. She did take the money but I didn’t tell her it was from you. She wouldn’t have taken it otherwise."

Barry heaved a breath and watched it condense in the chilly air of his office. "Jul. How were the holidays? I missed her on Christmas morning. My heart hurt and I cried for a few minutes. Like every Christmas, holiday, anniversaries, her birthday, whenever I watch Beau grow. I want her back! Why won’t she? Why? I just don’t understand." Tears snuck down Barry’s cheek and he angrily wiped them away. "At least tell me if it was Susan. I know she pushed Allen away but it was Susan she beat up. Did you tell her I was sorry I drove her away? Or did you give her the letter I wrote?"

Julia shook her head, commiserating with the man’s pain. She had tried to talk some sense into that niece of hers but Sam was as stubborn as a mule. Two years hadn’t changed anything, only made her more bitter. She recalled the holidays. She had enjoyed Sam’s three-day visit but her newest girlfriend, Discord, was an entirely different matter. After the girl’s departure, she had to replace her entire missing silverware set. "The holidays were nice. We all had a good time. She tore the letter apart without reading it. I tried to tell her you were sorry but she said she doesn’t even want to mention your name. She did say that she regretted risking the baby. Nothing more. Nothing less."

Barry rubbed his temples in frustration. "Will she ever make amends? What do I have to do? Get on my knees and beg her forgiveness? I’ve already tried that."

Julia wiped away tears of her own. Maybe I should tell Barry what happened. I shouldn’t. Images of a very angry Sam flashed in her mind. I can’t. Better one of us than both. "Honey, you know Sam. She won’t accept an apology. She holds grudges better than anyone does. It’ll take an act of God."

Barry sighed and poured himself another drink. "Sometimes I feel like just giving up. But she’s my daughter and I know I’ve been a lousy dad." Tears choked Barry’s voice.

Julia tucked her dark hair behind an ear and sat down at her kitchen table. "She’s like a daughter to me too. Give her time. I’ll try again in a few months. She’s hurting and she misses you but you know Sam. She can’t admit she makes mistakes. How are your other children doing?"

The husky lawyer growled and downed his glass. "Yeah. Susan’s doing well; her parents are thawing, albeit very gradually."

He added with pride, "Beau’s a typical bully, already like me. He got this dumb cat named Priscilla. Susie won’t allow another dog. Allison is doing great. I’m so proud of her. She’s graduating early and doing well. She has a teaching job lined up already. Starting next fall and she managed to do this with very little financial help from me. She wouldn’t take my money. Between you and me, I think she has herself a new boyfriend. She’s almost never home anymore and she has this glow, a twinkle in her eyes, an added bounce to her step. She was already cheery but this is almost scary." He winked. "Allen’s pretty good too. He asked about Sam the other day. He misses her and all."

The woman stifled a cough. "That’s good to hear. Sounds like everyone’s happy. I did mention to Sam that Allen was sure to miss her and that she had a baby brother but she just didn't budge."

"Should I visit her again in New York? Or has she moved already? Come on, Jul! You can tell me what happened. I swear Sam won’t find out that you told me. I just need to understand. I know my daughter and I know what I said, by itself, is enough to tick her off for a few months but she was already beating up on Susan, already angry! There’s something else. I want to resolve this and how can I if I don’t know what happened? Was she on drugs?" Barry swilled around some liquor in his mouth and gargled, staring at the ceiling.

"No. It wasn’t drugs. Sam was clean and sober, still is. That’s all I will say. It’s the kind of problem that you can’t resolve. No matter what." Julia sipped morosely from a fresh cup of tea.

"Ok. I’ll just keep working on her." When he spoke again, his voice was tender, almost a murmur. "I can’t thank you enough for watching over our little girl. I gotta go. Good bye, Jul."

"Bye Barry. Have a good day." She hung up and held onto the counter. Her heart swelled with fondness as she replayed the phrase. Our little girl.

Barry removed a flask from his bottom desk drawer and drank from it, allowing the cool liquor to wash down his throat. He knew what he needed to do tonight after work. Sam had been away for too long. There had to be something behind Sam’s sudden and angry departure.

After Sam left, he waited several months, thinking that she’d return as soon school was over in May. She hadn’t come back so he’d hired an investigator. But after his visit in New York, Sam’s still furious attitude, and Julia’s evasiveness, he had to do something before he lost his daughter forever. He had already asked Susan and Allison what had happened but now it was time for a serious interrogation/brainstorm. If they all worked together, they would find some sort of solution.

*****

Barry straightened out his large yellow legal pad and neatly wrote in block letters with a blue felt pen. ‘Notes: Sam’s departure.’ He looked around the table and smiled grimly.

Allen sat on his legs staring into a glass of chocolate milk, a rare treat. He was savoring it slowly, enjoying the ice-cold beverage. Allison sat next to him, a worried expression on her face. Her brow was furrowed in thought as she sipped a newfangled fruit drink that Susan was ballistic about. His wife sat on the other side of the table, scanning the pages of her latest Oprah magazine.

"Attention. I want to go over exactly what happened that day Sam left. Everything. Don’t leave out any details. I’m determined to find out what happened. First, we’ll establish a timeline of events then work around that. Any questions?" The barrel-chested man spoke with cool authority.

Susan recoiled at her husband’s sudden aggressiveness. She sent a clear message to her daughter. If Allison Alexandra spilled the beans, she was dead meat. "Of course, Beauie-poo! I do want to return darling Samantha. We’ll all work together, pool all of our knowledge. And love for her, of course." She squeezed her man’s hand. "It’ll be difficult talking about that day though. I did almost lose our darling baby boy. The memories are horrendous." The redhead sniffled and sipped again from her own fruit drink. It was simply marvelous.

Allison wondered if Barry was baiting her. The blue-eyed woman’s face haunted her, smiling, serious, or thoughtful. "I hope Sam comes back one day. I can’t believe what she did to momma that day but after two years, it’s time we all moved on. Beau is fine. We’re all fine. It’s not like anyone died, you know? But Sam’s an adult. It won’t be like having her come back to live with us."

The family man inclined his head in agreement. "I know. But what about her being here for the holidays? Or being at her wedding. I’d like to give her away but right now, she won’t let me."

The blonde interrupted with a gasp. "Sam’s engaged?" Jealousy reared its ugly green head as Allison’s blood soared with unbidden memories.

Susan narrowed her eyes at her daughter. The hussy seemed upset that the savage was engaged. "Beauie- is she engaged to a lovely doctor? I always knew she would do well." Insincerity dripped from her voice and her face became a marble effigy of contempt.

The Albrechts looked at her with disgust. They both knew their mother had been all too happy to be rid of Sam.

Barry gazed at his wife adoringly. "Oh, Susie." He kissed her noisily. "She’s not engaged. Or married. Or pregnant. Y’all didn’t let me finish. I was only speaking figuratively. I’d like to watch her grow, succeed, marry, have a family, and go into business with me. That sort of thing."

The towhead bobbed his head eagerly. "I want Sammy to come back. I don’t like people leaving me." Allison put her arm around her son and gave him a light squeeze.

The husky man chewed his lip. "I know that, son. We’ll get her back. Now, here is what happened that day. She went to work with me. She was all smiles and cheerfulness. She left at four o’clock and an hour later, I arrive to find her beating up on Susie. Let’s start with you, Allison. You two were close."

Susan inwardly snarled. The damn hussy had risked her relationship with Beauregard. How suspicious was he?

Allison nervously glanced at her mother. "I was at home, in my room, on my bed, reading a book." When she spoke, her voice wavered. "Sam came into my room and we chatted for a few minutes. She seemed fine. The next thing I knew, I heard some horrible sounds from downstairs and ran into the living room to investigate. I saw what you saw, Barry." Allison stirred uneasily in the chair.

Barry nodded, jotting down neat notes. "Did she mention any phone calls, e-mails, letters, correspondence, or visitors? Did she stop anywhere after she left the firm? Did she mention any boyfriend troubles, money, drugs, pregnancy, anything? Rest assured, everything remains in confidence. Sam won’t get in trouble."

The blonde twiddled with a strand of her hair; Barry hadn’t noticed the strained tone of her voice. "I really don’t know. She didn’t mention anything out of the ordinary. She seemed fine, not upset, nothing at all. As far as I knew, she had no boyfriend and wasn’t doing anything illicit."

The lawyer turned investigator chewed the cap on his pen. He shook his head regretfully. "My credit card bill states that she stopped to get gas but the amount is too high. She must have bought something more. Any ideas?"

All three shook their heads in chorus. Susan volunteered a tidbit. "Maybe a drink, some snacks?" She flipped over another page.

Barry slammed his fist on the table. "Put that goddamned fucking magazine away! We have important things to cover." He leaned towards Allison, his eyes cold. "How long did you talk? What exactly did you two discuss? What book were you reading? Anything could have set her off!" He raised his eyebrows. "Well?"

The younger woman’s jaw dropped. "I’m thinking! I can’t answer you like a robot." Her slender hands unconsciously twisted together.

Barry sighed. "Sorry." He jotted down some notes. ‘Allison seems defensive.’

"I don’t remember what I was reading. Probably some assignment for class." The blonde finally answered. Her voice faded to a hushed stillness.

The lawyer pursed his lips, his voice barely rising. "What was the title of the book? What class was it for?" I didn’t know colleges assigned homework between semesters.

The young woman’s heart hammered. She flinched at the tone of Barry’s voice. He was catching on. "It was a general book about deafness. Uhh… Deafness and Juvenile Crime was the title."

Barry retained his affability but there was a distinct hardening of his eyes. "That title, in itself, could explain a lot. Do you mind bringing down the book?"

Allison raised her head with a cool stare in Barry’s direction. "Now? She didn’t see the title. I put the book down when I heard the door open."

Barry jerked his head in the direction of the stairs. "Allen, get the book while I ask your sister more questions."

Susan smiled smoothly, betraying nothing of her annoyance. Sending the boy out wasn’t a good sign. Beauregard wouldn’t expose the boy to certain goings-on.

The lawyer returned his attention to his stepdaughter. "How long did you two talk? What did you talk about? She just opened the door and walked in?"

"Yeah. She just opened the door and walked in. We just talked about trivial things like how much it sucked for winter break to be over so soon. That she was looking forward to the spring semester and taking that photography class. She was going to buy a new camera. We didn’t talk that long. Around fifteen minutes." Silence grew tight with tension.

The investigator’s jotting paused. Strange… Sam always knocks. Barry hadn’t realized his daughter and stepdaughter were close enough for Sam to just open the door and walk in without notification. He wrote the factoid down in case it was important. "Did you look at your watch or a clock? How do you know it was fifteen minutes? Could it have been more or less?"

Allison was becoming increasingly agitated. "I don’t know. I just assumed. It could have been more."

Barry leaned in. His expression was stilled and grew serious. "But not less. Why?"

The interviewee gulped and licked her lips nervously. "It could have been. I don’t know. Honestly, it was two years ago."

"Susan, mind refilling this?" Barry handed his wife an empty glass. He turned his attention back to his stepdaughter once his wife had left the room. "When she left your room, was she angry, upset, any indication of any sort of negative feelings whatsoever? Where did she go? Did she say where she was headed?"

The blonde groaned. "She was fine. No sign of anything malevolent. Sam went downstairs. She was happy. She was normal! She didn’t say anything about going anywhere and I assumed she was going outside to play with Corny and Allen."

Barry’s brows drew together in an agonized expression. "You two didn’t have a fight? You can tell me if you two did. I won’t blame you for anything. How did you know Allen was outside?"

Susan and Allen arrived with Barry’s requested items and handed them to him. He took a long drink of cold water. "Ahh, that’s refreshing."

Allison shrugged. "No, we didn’t. Nothing happened. I knew Allen was outside because I heard him outside."

The man jutted his lower lip. "How would you define your relationship with Sam? Would she tell you things that were bothering her? Would she be willing to talk to you like she does with Julia now? Is it possible for the two of you to bridge the gap? I know you don’t respect what Sam did to Susan but it’s time we all moved on and forget."

Susan kicked her daughter under the table in warning. Allison looked exasperatedly at her mother. The redhead didn’t need to remind her every five seconds not to mention any funny business. "We were good friends. She told me a lot of things, but nothing much was going on in her life. She didn’t have a boyfriend, or anything. Barry, believe me. If I knew anything, I would tell you in a heartbeat."

Susan smiled at her daughter’s inspiring performance. If she hadn’t known any better, she would have sworn Allison was telling the truth.

Barry picked up the book and skimmed through the pages, noting the publication date. Last year. Funny. First edition too. He noted that on his yellow legal pad for further investigation. "You sure you were reading this book?"

The blonde inclined her head in affirmation. "Yes. I remember because it was the only copy left at the bookstore."

Barry hmmed and raised an eyebrow. "You won’t mind if I keep this."

His stepdaughter shrugged and pursed her lips. "Of course not. I don’t need it anymore, I don’t think."

Barry turned his attention to his stepson. "Allen, how about you? Know anything? Did Sam say anything at all to you when she left? Anything at all? Earlier that day, before you went to school, or mention anything funny?"

Allen coughed. "She said nothing when she left. She just pushed me down into the snow and she pushed Corny away. She was mad. Really mad."

The lawyer didn’t want to push the young boy too much. "Just a few more questions. What did you do that afternoon?"

Allen chewed his lip. He concentrated and thought hard. He really wanted Sammy to come back. "Momma picked me up from school and we baked cookies. Al came home and she seemed a little upset and went to her room. She didn’t want to make cookies with us."

Barry faced the blonde. "Allison, I didn’t know you had left the house."

The younger woman swallowed and closed her eyes. "Oh yeah, that’s right. I ran to the store to get some personal products." Barry wouldn’t ask any more questions about that.

Allen motioned to add something. "After y’all left, Al came running outside to get me and she was crying hard. I mean, really hard." His eyes shifted to his sister as he remembered that day. "She wouldn’t stop crying all night. She kept saying ‘Sam’ over and over again. She was hugging me and wouldn’t let me go." His eyes darted to the ceiling. "I went upstairs to get her favorite teddy bear and I found the alien ring on the floor. The one Sammy gave Al for her alien membership, but I know Al’s still a girl. It just made Al cry even more."

Both Barry and Susan cocked their heads at this new information. Susan was fuming at her daughter for such a slipshod cover-up. Allen had blown it for them all with that ring! The lawyer was reviewing the new twist. It sounded too weird and he asked Allison to explain.

"I…uhh…I was upset. I was worried about the baby and I couldn’t believe how Sam had just beat momma up like that, out of nowhere." Allison desperately hoped her lying was keeping up to par.

"What was this ring? What does it look like? Why did you have an alien membership ring? What’s the significance?" This doesn’t make sense.

"It was a joke between me and Sam. The ring was on my desk and must have fallen on the floor when I ran downstairs. I threw it away a long time ago." Allison responded with conviction while Susan inwardly growled at her daughter.

Allen wore a mystified expression on his young features. Why was Al lying? "No, she has it in a box. I seen her wear it sometimes but she just starts crying. Sammy told me they were best friends but I know they were more." He looked at his sister with a concerned and puzzled look. "Al was really depressed for weeks after Sammy left, remember? She stayed in bed a lot."

Barry raised a dark eyebrow. He didn’t remember much about the time immediately following Sam’s huffy departure, instead preferring to stay out of the house as much as possible. More than best friends? He means more like sisters. Write that down. "Allison, that’s strange. Where is this box? I want to see it. Are you sure there’s nothing you’re hiding from me?"

Allison thought fast, searching for a plausible explanation. Barry couldn’t look into the box. "Allen must be thinking of another ring. I have no idea what he’s talking about." She looked away hastily, then moved restlessly.

"Then you wouldn’t mind if showing me this box? And may I investigate its contents?" Barry drummed his fingers on the table. Already, the story was warped and going in circles.

"You can’t." Allison’s mind floundered and she chose her words carefully but hastily. "I keep personal things there. My birth control stuff, old poems from boyfriends, trinkets."

Barry sighed, although something was amiss. "I won’t violate your privacy. I’ll take your word. I know you aren’t a liar. You’ve proven yourself to be a trustworthy, reliable, honest, hard-working, ethical, moral, young woman." He smiled then started. "Wait a minute! Birth control? Let me tell you something. You shouldn’t be doing this or boys’ll never marry you. You know what they say: why buy the cow when the milk is free? I used to be a boy and I’m telling you that’s not the way to go."

Allison fidgeted with blessed relief. "Just in case. I haven’t found an occasion to…uhh… use those items." She felt an inch tall. She had just lied through her teeth to a man who thought the world of her.

Barry shifted his attention to Susan. "Your turn, babe."

Susan wasn’t able to shed much light on the events of that fateful winter day but there were a few oddities he had to investigate. There were some discrepancies between Susan and Allison’s stories. How Allen had described Allison’s reaction to Sam’s departure. The ring in itself was weird but he knew that if Allison could help, she would.

After Barry summarily dismissed his family from the interrogation chambers, Allen immediately went to Allison in her room. He closed the door behind him and approached his sister. She sat at her desk, staring at nothing in particular. With serious and disapproving green eyes, the boy got straight to the point. "Why did you lie, Al?"

The blonde swallowed and sat Allen in her lap. She could hardly think anymore; Barry’s grilling had taken a high physical and emotional toll on her. "I had to. Please don’t ask any more questions." She rubbed her throbbing temples in frustration. Not another headache.

"Okay. If you say so, Al." Allen leaned his head against Allison’s chest and remained curled up in her lap for a few minutes.

Once Allen, Barry, and Susan were all asleep, Allison slipped out of her bed and tiptoed to the closet. She reached blindly, feeling for the box she knew would be tucked in a back corner. The blonde didn’t know how much longer she could go on, seeing firsthand the aftermath of her callousness. Everyone was suffering, and Allison could only begin to imagine what Sam was going through.

Squinting, her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Allison popped the lock open and her fingers brushed against the ring. Satisfied, the blonde slid it onto her finger and replaced the box. She returned to the warm bed and snuggled up under the covers. A hot tear, then another, rolled down her cheek as she gradually fell asleep. I won’t be an idle bystander anymore. It’s time to take action.

Meanwhile, Barry, worn-out from a long and exhausting romp in bed with Susan, studied his wife’s covered figure as she slept soundly. He couldn’t sleep; a nagging feeling that he was missing something simple kept haunting him. The lawyer was frustrated that in spite of his best efforts, he had not exposed new, relevant information.

Finally, the big man rolled over on his side and began the slow descent into sleep. He’d try not to worry. He still had a few more tricks left up his sleeve.