Page 64 of Hades

So, I packed my two meager bags and walked a few blocks away from the Steel Demons property and called a rideshare that took me to a shitty motel packed with tourists too cheap—or too smart—to pay Vegas prices. In the chaos of crying children, elderly tourist groups, and harried parents, I started cobbling together a new life.

That new life began with a place to live, which was how I’d found Bettie. She was a seventy-eight-year-old widow who lived in a big house where she’d raised four children who now lived all over the country. She was lonely and liked to rent out rooms for cheap just to have a little bit of company, and that suited me just fine.

“We’re having pasta salad today,” Bettie said, her soft voice cutting through my thoughts. “Want to make the dressing?”

I smiled and nodded. “Sure. Do you like creamy dressings or a vinaigrette?”

Bettie shrugged her delicate shoulders. “Surprise me!”

I smiled. Bettie was the grandmother I’d never had but always wanted. She was a petite firecracker of a woman with a kindly smile. We’d gotten to know each other a little over the past few days, and her presence steadied me. Made me think that maybe I could do this, rebuild my life.

Again.

I spent all day looking for work and sketching out plans for the future. I had no fucking clue how I’d work and take care of a brand new baby, especially with my limited work history. But it had to be done, which meant I had to figure it out. Alone.

I made a creamy dressing for the pasta salad and tossed it while Bettie pulled the salmon from the oven. She set two cups of fresh strawberry lemonade on the table while I set out the flatware, and minutes later we were seated at the table with a feast before us. “This looks delicious, Bettie.”

She beamed proudly and picked up her fork. “I love to cook and for the past few years I haven’t had many people to cook for.”

I frowned. “Your kids don’t visit?”

She shrugged. “They each visit two or three times a year, and I go crazy in the kitchen,” she laughed to herself. “But it’s not the same as cooking meals daily for the people you love.”

I took a big bite, savoring the flavors. “I’ll bet your family loved it. You’re a damn good cook.”

She blushed. “My Arnie loved to eat, he had such a passion for life… and for me,” she added with a conspiratorial whisper. Her eyes glazed over as if she was staring at the past. “Oh, he was a handsome devil and an outrageous flirt. Hooked me from the first wink.” She sighed as if she still saw him in her mind’s eye.

“No wonder you miss him. A man like that is a unicorn.” He loved her so good she still missed him a decade after his death.

“What about you, Raven? Do you have anybody to love you?”

I laughed, but the sound was bitter even to my own ears. “I have a brother, and there was someone… only I don’t think he felt the same.” Over the next twenty minutes, I spilled my entire ugly life story to the kind old woman who listened with wide, shocked eyes. “I’m rebuilding here,” I said, trying for stoic and failing miserably.

“Oh, you sweet girl!”

My cheeks heated and I held my face in my hands, completely humiliated. “Oh my god, Bettie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to unload all of that on you.” I shook my head and pushed away from the table. “You’re so easy to talk to and I’m, I guess I’m just emotional.”

Tears pooled in her eyes as she reached out and laid a hand over mine. “You’ve been through more than any one person should be expected to endure, and you’re still here. Still standing.”

I offered a sad smile. “Wobbling, but I’m trying to get back to standing. Your ad was just what I needed.” I didn’t tell her that it was perfect because I didn’t need a background or credit check, which would make it harder for Slate to track me down if anyone decided to come looking for me. I kind of left that bit out of my story. Along with the dead Russians…

“I’m happy to pay some of my good fortune forward, honey. You and the baby can stay here as long as you need.”

I gasped. “How… how did you?” I couldn’t finish the words, my mind raced to think of what I’d done to give away my secret. “I won’t disturb your life, I promise. I’m looking for a job so I can find a place before the baby comes.”

Bettie grinned. “I was pregnant six times in my life and gave birth to four children. I know pregnancy when I see it.”

I nodded and looked away when tears welled in my eyes.

The doorbell rang and Bettie perked right up. She loved visitors so much she’d had a thirty minute conversation with the mailman yesterday. While Bettie went to the door, I cleared the table, ready to make myself scarce, while she traded stories with someone else.

I heard her voice from the hall. “My aren’t you a tall, handsome drink of water.”

I smiled and shook my head. Guess Arnie wasn’t the only outrageous flirt.

But then I heard a familiar deep voice respond, “Now, ma’am, I’ll have you know I’m spoken for. That’s if she wants me.”

Hades.