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I tried to hide my shocked expression by looking away quickly. This had to be the Helen that Gerard was trying to avoid. “Nice to meet you.” I finally found my voice.
“I wish Gerard was with you.” Helen said, “I haven’t seen him in years. When he was young he and Mikey used to come over to my house almost every day.” She smiled, “I used to make cookies for them, chocolate chip cookies.”
I smiled, “He’s back at our motel sleeping. We just got back from Vegas.”
Helen nodded, “I have to say I saw you and Gerard here the other day. I was shocked. Since Donna moved the house has sat empty. I thought it had sold cause the For Sale sigh was removed.” She looked puzzled, “Donna never told me she still owned it.”
Oh boy. Here come the questions, I thought. Shit, she was friends with Donna. Now Donna would find out her son had bought the house. I couldn’t think of anything to say but the truth. There seemed no way around it. “Actually Gerard bought the house. He didn’t tell his Mom but the idea of the house being sold upset him so he purchased it.”
Helen was totally surprised I could tell. “Gerard bought the house?”
I nodded. “Yeah”
“Oh.” She seemed to be ingesting the information. Suddenly she smiled, “Sorry to keep you. I just wanted to say hello.”
“I’m glad you did.” I tried to hide the fact that I didn’t think I could get in the house cause I was pretty sure she’d watch me. “Actually I realized when I got here that I forgot to get the key from Gerard. Guess I made a wasted trip.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. But since your hear would you like to come over for a cup of coffee? I would love the company. I live alone.”
Hell, yeah. I was sure this woman had something to with this whole situation. “Sure, that would be great. I’m just killing time anyway. Letting my husband sleep.”
Helen looked at me strangely a moment then smiled, “It just sounds so strange to hear Gerard referred to as a husband.” She nodded towards her house, “Come on, I even have a fresh batch of cookies.”
We crossed the street and walked towards Helen’s house. “So tell me how is Gerard? Is he still drawing? Such a talent that boy has.”
“He is actually. I wish I had just a fraction of the talent he has.” I said as we walked in to her house through the back door.
“Have a seat”, she nodded toward the kitchen table as she slipped off her sweater. “It will just take me a minute to get the coffee started.”
I watched as she puttered around the kitchen. It gave me a chance to look around. It was a cozy kitchen with lots of homey touches. I saw a drawing taped to the fridge. “You have kids?” I asked.
She turned quickly and followed my line of sight. “Oh Marie did that years ago. She was only seven when she drew that. So will you want cream in your coffee?”
I glanced back at her, “No thank you. I drink mine black.”
“Me too” She said walking over to the table and taking a seat across from me. She placed a plate of cookies on the table. “So Laura, tell me about yourself.”
I smiled, “Not much to tell really. I grew up in Missouri, the same town as Mikey’s wife. I moved to New York a few months ago. That’s when I met Gerard.”
“Brothers married to best friends. That’s nice. So do you miss your family?”
“Both my parents are dead,” I said softly. “That is one of the great bonuses to marrying Gerard. I love his mom and dad. They’ve been so great to me.”
“Donna and I have been friends for years. I was so sad when she moved. We still talk on the phone and see each other but it’s not like living across the street from each other.”
The sound of the phone ringing from the other room made Helen stand. “Be back in just a minute.”
I sat waiting for her return. Okay this woman seemed really nice. Was it because she knew Gerard when he lived at home that made him not want to see her? Did she bring up bad memories for him? Hell, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in the middle of a fucking mystery novel.
Helen came back into the kitchen, “Sorry about that. I’m always getting calls from this or that charity.” She went over and poured two cups of coffee. “Come on lets take these into the living room. It’s more comfortable.”
I stood up from the table and took the mug she offered then followed her through a dining room and into the living room. It too was dated but very inviting. I settled in a big over stuffed chair then took a sip of coffee. “This is delicious.” I told her.
“Starbucks” she said smiling. “I don’t get out as often as I would like so I buy their coffee and make it at home.” She too took a sip of coffee. “Do you think you and Gerard will have time to have dinner with me? I could make one of his favorite meals. I used to love cooking for the kids.”
I felt sorry for this lonely woman. “Unfortunately we won’t be in Jersey much longer. The group just had a few days off from the tour.”
She looked at me sadly, “Oh, I understand of course. I just wish I could have gotten a chance to see Gee. He was like a son to me once.”
I didn’t know what to say. “I am sorry.”
She nodded, “I understand how busy his life must be now. Once the group started none of us really saw much of him. Poor Donna didn’t even see him. She used to tell me how much she wished he would come home and visit.”
Once again I didn’t know what to say. I knew he had stayed away from the house but I didn’t understand why. I took another sip of my coffee. Glancing around the room my eyes fell on another drawing. This one was framed and hanging on the wall above the T.V. Helen saw what had captured my attention. “Marie did that one when she was sixteen.”
I sat my cup down and walked across the room to get a better look at the picture. It was actually quite well done. The drawing was of a girl sitting under a tree. There was so much detail in the drawing. “She’s an excellent artist.” I said.
“Marie started drawing when she was two.” Helen said smiling, “That is one of my favorites.” There was pride in her voice. “I made one of the bedrooms upstairs an art studio for her. It’s filled with her drawings. Would you like to see it?”
“Sure, I’d love to” I said turning back around.
The pounding on the door startled both of us. “Who on earth?” Helen said as she made her way towards the knocking.
“Helen, is my wife here by any chance?”
Holy shit, I felt like hiding. Helen might not know that tone of voice but I did. Gerard was royally pissed.
“Gerard” Helen said throwing her arms around him and enclosing him in a hug. “I’m so happy to see you.”
Gerard returned the hug but his eyes looked past her until they landed on me. Holy crap was he mad. Helen pulled out of the hug. “Laura’s here. Come in.” She stepped back to allow him to enter.
I pasted on the best smile I owned, “Honey, how’d you get here?”
“I had to take a cab.” It was so obvious to me he was barely containing his anger. “I thought you were gonna wait until I got up.”
Helen smiled, “Gee, it’s go good to see you.” She smiled at him and once more I felt so sorry for this woman. She seemed so lonely.
“Helen, how have you been?” He gave her one of those smiles he’d perfected. The smile that makes you believe he’s sincere.
“I’m fine but missing the Way boys everyday. Please sit.”
Gerard frowned, “I wish I could but Laura forgot she and I have an important dinner date.” He looked over at me. Time to act.
“Oh damn.” I glanced at my watch, “I didn’t realize it was so late.”
He forced a laugh, “I tried to call you but you didn’t answer.”
“Cell’s in the car” I said smiling. “Sorry.”
Gerard turned to Helen, “I’m sorry I really wish we had time to catch up. I’ve missed your chocolate chip cookies.”
Helen smiled, “I just made some this morning. Stay right there and I’ll bag some up for you and Laura to take with you,” She hurried from the room.
I looked everywhere but at Gerard. Helen returned in just a few moments. She handed a baggie to Gerard. “There you go. Now promise me that next time you come you’ll make time to visit.”
Gerard gave her a quick hug. “Not sure when that will be. We’re touring right now.”
“Well I’m sure you’ll have to check on your house, won’t you?” Helen asked innocently.
Fuck, the look Gerard shot me should have killed me where I stood.
“Yeah, I will.” He held out his hand to me and I walked towards him. Once my hand was in his we moved towards the door. “Thanks for the cookies Helen” he said.
“And thanks for the coffee” I told her. “It was nice meeting you.”
“Nice meeting you too” Helen opened the door for us. “Take care of her Gerard.” Helen said softly.
His grasp on my hand tightened, “I will.” We said goodbye again and walked across the street to the rental car. “Give me the fucking keys” He ground out.
I took them out of my pocket and handed them to him.
Once we were in the car and driving his anger exploded. “What the fuck we’re you doing?’
“Visiting Helen” I said softly. “How did you know where to find me?”
“I figured you’d go to the fucking house again. When I went inside and couldn’t find you I thought of Helen.”
“She came up to the car and introduced herself,” I told him. He was pissed enough. I didn’t want him thinking I’d gone looking for Helen. “She was very nice.”
My answer infuriated him. “I can’t take this shit. Every time I turn my back you do some thing fucking stupid. Look I’ll call our lawyer tomorrow.”
My heart stopped, “What?”
“I’m having the marriage annulled.”