~ Love in Photographs ~
by Alex Tryst
Copyright © June 2002
Disclaimers: See Part 1
Part 7
Toward the end of the summer that year just before Helen had to go back to
school, her parents came up for a visit. Seeing this as a potential
opportunity for them to meet Torrance’s family, she began to work on her own
parents as soon as they arrived about spending a few days in New York. Her
father instantly agreed to the idea being so anxious to meet the woman who
had won his daughter, but her mother wasn’t as thrilled. It took several
days of the two of them pestering for her to consent to meeting the
photographer.
On Friday afternoon the three of them journeyed into the city by train and
checked into a hotel before taking a cab over to Torrance’s building. The
older woman was excited about meeting the blonde’s parents and had suggested
that they all meet at her loft for drinks prior to going out that evening.
As Torrance stood in her kitchen with her own parents and Melissa, she began
to pace nervously.
“Now from what I’ve been told her father likes me, but her mother doesn’t,
so please just don’t start any trouble if it looks like she’s uncomfortable.
I want this to go well.” she stated.
“Everything will be fine, darling. We adore Helen.” her mother assured her.
“I just can’t afford to screw up. I want them to be impressed with me.
That’s very important.”
“We understand, Torrance, but not to worry. Who wouldn’t be impressed? I
mean you live in an excellent place in the city. You have a picture perfect
career. You’re financially stable. What parent wouldn’t want their daughter
to be with you?” her father rhetorically inquired.
“Her mother for one because I’m a lesbian. She doesn’t agree with that.”
“Well, she’s just going to have to get used to it.” Maria quipped taking a
sip of her wine.
Just then there was a knock on the door. Torrance gave one last look at her
family before slowly making her way to the door. Checking herself in the
mirror one final time, she opened the door with her best fake smile on her
face pretending that she wasn’t the least bit nervous. However as soon as
she saw her love standing there her face lit up as her smile turned genuine.
“Hi. Come on in.” she said having eyes only for the young blonde at the
moment.
Helen moved into her and gave Torrance a lingering hug and kiss on the
cheek. “Hi. I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” the photographer admitted.
Breaking away slightly Helen said, “Let me introduce you to my parents.
Mom, Dad, this Torrance Whitfield. Torrance, my parents, John and Diane
Melbourne.”
John stuck his hand out first. “Torrance, it’s a real pleasure to finally
meet you.” he said with a grin as the exchanged a friendly solid handshake.
“Likewise Mr. Melbourne. Helen has so many nice things to say about you.”
“Oh, please, let’s not be formal. Call me John.”
Turning to Helen’s mother, Torrance extended her hand to the older woman
but was met with a reluctant one in return. Nevertheless Torrance gave her a
congenial smile as well. “Mrs. Melbourne, it’s nice to meet you too. Helen’s
told me so much about you as well.” When the older blonde said nothing, the
brunette took it in stride knowing she had her work cut out for her. “Well,
why don’t we all go into the kitchen for some appetizers? My mother is
anxious to see you again.” she said to the teacher curving an arm around the
petite woman’s shoulders when she felt Helen do the same to her waist.
As they came into the kitchen, Maria approached Helen for a hug. “Oh,
Helen, it’s so good to see you again, my dear.” she exclaimed as the two
women exchanged kisses on the cheek.
“It’s good to see you too, Maria. It’s been far too long.” Melissa moved in
next for a hug from the blonde as well. “I’m glad to see you here, Melissa.”
Helen stated.
“I’m glad to be back.”
Interrupting them Torrance made the formal introductions. “Helen, I’d like
you to meet my father, Thomas Whitfield. Dad, this is Helen Melbourne.” she
stated proudly.
Her father beamed at the petite woman as he offered his hand. “My dear, I
see that Torrance’s description of you as one of the most beautiful woman
that ever graced the earth is accurate. You might actually be the loveliest
creature I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, second to my wife of course.” he
stated suavely with twinkling eyes as he held her hand a little longer.
Helen flushed lightly. “Well, thank you, Senator Whitfield. Being second to
Maria in anything is an honor.” she teased.
“Oh, please, don’t make me feel old now. I insist that you call me Thomas.
After all that is my name.”
With a laugh Helen turned toward Torrance and said, “Well, now I know where
you learned your tricks as a regular Casanova.”
“Be lucky that I learned my fidelity from him too. We’re both as faithful
as dogs with the right owners.” she jested.
Looking at her parents, Helen motioned them closer as she said, “Dad, Mom,
I’d like you to meet Torrance’s parents, Maria and Thomas Whitfield, as well
one of her cousin’s, Melissa Whitfield.”
“Well, would you like something to drink?” the brunette offered after
everyone had shaken hands. “We have lots of wine, or if you prefer I have
plenty to offer from the bar.”
“I’ll get it, honey.” Helen said moving toward the refrigerator. “Mom, you
want some wine?”
Seeing that one of her guests was being attended to, Torrance turned toward
Helen’s father. “John, what’s your fancy?”
“Um, I’ll have whatever it seems you and your father are drinking.” he said
gamely eyeing the small glasses in each other their hands.
“All right. Scotch it is.” the photographer replied heading off the her
bar.
They all stood around the kitchen making small talk as they waited on their
driver to take them to dinner. However as the lobby attendant buzzed them to
inform them of their limousine’s arrival, Helen inquired, “Where are we
going for dinner anyway? You never did tell me.”
Torrance shrugged. “Well, my father thought it was a good idea to go to
Spago.” she stated.
“Spago? Are you really taking us there? We’re not dressed for that.” the
blonde stated.
“We’ve been through this, dear. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. Wolf
(Wolfgang Puck) is like family, and he was so disappointed that he wasn’t
there the last time we were. He wants to meet you and your parents.”
“Did you just say Wolf as in Wolfgang Puck?” Helen mother’s cut in.
“Yes. You’ve heard of him?”
“Well, I’ve seen his show on tv.” she replied.
“I assure you that you’ll like Spago. Everyone does except for me, but
obviously my opinion doesn’t count.” Torrance joked.
Heading downstairs they all piled into the limo that was waiting and took a
quiet ride to the restaurant. The conversation flowed fairly easily between
the families thanks largely in part to Helen’s father. Even though his wife
was uncivilly quiet, John Melbourne made up for her lack of sociability with
his eagerness to learn as much as he could about Torrance.
Dinner lasted most of the evening, so once it was over, Thomas offered to
have the driver drop them off at their hotel that way they wouldn’t have to
take a cab. When Helen accepted for family, they once again all got into the
limousine for the quick ride over to the hotel. While in the car John
invited them all to join them for brunch and an afternoon on the town the
following day, but all of them had to politely decline due to their
schedules except for Torrance. Arriving at the hotel, all seven of them
stepped out onto the street to engage in a proper farewell.
However after Torrance’s family had gotten back in the limo, John turned to
the photographer and his daughter and asked, “Torrance, could I convince you
to come up for another drink?”
The brunette looked at her girlfriend seeing the hopeful eyes but then
noticed Diane Melbourne’s scowl. “Thank you, but I think I better pass.
There will be plenty of time for that tomorrow.”
“Well, all right. We’ll just let you two say good night. See you up in the
room, sweetie.” he said to his daughter giving her a supportive smile before
taking his wife’s arm and leading her away.
Helen looked back at her beloved and sighed. “I’m really sorry about my
mother.” she apologized. “Her behavior this evening was inexcusable. I can’t
believe she acted that way.”
Torrance gave a soft smile as she pulled the blonde into a hug. “It’s okay.
I knew going in that she would be difficult and so did my parents. The fact
that she even agreed to come amazes me. That means there might be hope. I at
least choose to look at it that way.”
“Thanks for trying to stay positive. I’m about ready to kill her though.”
There was a moment of silence as they just gazed deeply into each other’s
eyes adoringly before the model stated, “It seems strange that I have to
stay here instead of at the loft with you. I don’t like the idea of going to
bed alone in New York anymore.”
“Me neither but this is just for a night.”
Helen gave her girlfriend a smile. “You know, it’s been hard not kissing
you all night. Do you think maybe you could give me one that will give me
sweet dreams of you while we’re apart?” she whispered bewitchingly.
“My pleasure.” the older woman answered leaning down and catching the
teacher’s mouth in a soft lingering kiss.
“Wow.” Helen sighed when she pulled away. “Now let’s see if I can manage to
walk after that.” she teased.
Torrance caressed her cheek lightly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The blonde nodded. “Good night, Torrance.”
“Bon soir, mon cherie.” Torrance stood on the sidewalk until Helen
disappeared into the building. Getting into the limo again, she gave a
content sigh.
“Well, you certainly have yourself quite a woman, Torrance.” her father
stated.
“Oh yeah.” dreamily she replied taking one last look at the hotel.
As soon as Helen went up to the suite she was sharing with her parents, she
banged on their bedroom door loudly. Her father opened it far enough that
the blonde admitted herself in a fury. Going right up to her mother, she
yelled, “How could you have done that to me, Mom? Your behavior embarrassed
the hell out of me! How could you have been so rude?”
“How dare you address me in that tone, young lady! I am your mother!”
“You knew how important this was to me, and it was if you went out of your
way to be as impolite as possible! Do you even know how much that dinner
cost her father?”
“Helen, I don’t even know why I agreed to this! I don’t care how much it
cost him! He’s an arrogant asshole, concerned more with his image than
anyone else I’ve ever met! All he wanted to do was show off! And Torrance
was just as bad with the way she kept introducing us to everyone like you
were some sort of prize! She treats you like a trophy, and she wouldn’t keep
her damn hands off you the entire night! How could you let that woman treat
you like some sort of high-priced call girl?” the older woman vented.
Helen’s lower lip began to quiver as the tears streamed down her face. To
have her own mother think of her as no better than a prostitute left her
with a shattered heart. There was silence for a few moments before she spoke
again. “Well, I guess I’ll be going to Torrance’s now to be the harlot you
think I am.” she muttered before turning to go.
“Helen, wait.” her father called out in concern as his daughter rushed
passed him, obviously crushed by her mother’s words. He hurried to catch up
with her as she got to the door of their room. “Baby.” he whispered pulling
her into consoling arms.
In the comfort of her father’s arms, Helen wept as her whole body shook
uncontrollably. “Daddy, how could she say that to me?” she sobbed.
He didn’t answer instead just rocked her back and forth until she calmed a
little. Lifting her face from his chest, he wiped it and kissed her on the
forehead. “Go to Torrance’s. I know it’s only her comfort you need. Your
mother and I need to have a talk.” He pulled away long enough to go into her
room and get her bag for her. Putting it across her shoulder, he instructed,
“Call me in the morning.” Helen nodded. He dug into his pocket and pulled
out his wallet. “Here.” he stated trying to hand her a few bills.
“Daddy, I don’t need any money.”
“Just let your old man pay for the cab. It’s the least I could do. Please.
Pacify me.”
With a resigned nod, Helen took the money and stuck it in her purse before
leaning to hug him. “I love you, Dad. Thanks for understanding.”
“I love you too. Talk to you in the morning.” Just as she turned to go, he
said, “Helen, if it means anything to you, I think Torrance is wonderful. I
can tell she adores you.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Torrance had just settled down into bed that night when her phone rang.
When she answered it, it was the lobby attendant stating that Helen was
there and asked if she was allowed to come up. Instantly Torrance was
panicked and quickly requested that the blonde be granted access. Hurrying
out of bed, the photographer grabbed her robe and put it on as she raced
down her stairs. She dashed out of the loft down to the elevators to wait on
the teacher’s arrival. As soon as the doors opened, she noted immediately
that something was terribly wrong. Helen was completely silent, looking at
her with such a pained expression. Without even a word, Torrance simply
opened her arms to the younger woman, who collapsed into them and started
weeping uncontrollably. The photographer took the model’s bag off her
shoulder and put it on her own before picking the smaller woman up in her
arms and taking her back to the apartment. Slowly they made their way up to
the master bedroom where they fell into bed. Sliding her arms around the
blonde, Torrance held to her tightly as Helen wailed in emotional agony. The
pain emanating from the younger woman was so overwhelming to the
photographer that she too began to cry for her beloved until exhaustion put
the teacher to sleep. Once she was passed out, Torrance took Helen’s clothes
off and put her into her pajamas, but she was too angry to fall asleep. She
figured that Helen’s mother was behind the blonde’s anguish even though the
young woman hadn’t said a word, and she wondered how they were going to get
through this.
The following morning Torrance was up first. She was just sitting in the
kitchen drinking coffee and reading the paper in her pajamas when there was
a knock on her door. Looking up at the clock and seeing that it was almost
ten, she wondered who it could be but got up to answer. Opening the door she
came face to face with Helen’s father standing alone outside her door with a
suitcase in his hand.
“Oh, I’m sorry I got you out of bed.” he apologized awkwardly.
“No, I was up. Please come in.” she said. “Could I take your bag?”
“I’ll just leave it here if you don’t mind.” he answered setting it on the
floor in the foyer by her entry table.
“Could I get you a cup of coffee?” Torrance offered pondering why her
girlfriend’s father had dawned her doorway alone.
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
Torrance led the way into the kitchen and poured the beverage for him.
“There’s cream and sugar if you’d like any. I’m just going to run upstairs
and let Helen know you’re here. She’s still asleep.”
“No, don’t wake her. I’m sure she had a long night, and she needs her
rest.”
“All right. Well, then I’ll just quickly change clothes. Please help
yourself to something to eat, bagel, fruit, whatever. I’ll be right with
you.” she stated before heading up to her room. A few minutes later she came
back dressed in jeans and a nice shirt. John was seated at the kitchen table
looking at the paper, so Torrance joined him there. “So, to what do I owe
this visit? I thought we were going to meet you.”
“Well, I had to take Helen’s mother to the train station this morning and
then check out of the hotel. I figured you wouldn’t mind if I dropped by.”
he stated hesitantly.
“I don’t mind at all. You’re always welcome here, John. May I inquire as to
why Mrs. Melbourne left this morning?”
“Well, as you already know, she was terribly rude last night, and I must
apologize for my wife’s behavior. That was inappropriate, but after what
happened with Helen, my wife and I both thought it best that she go home
while I escort Helen back to Philadelphia alone to get our car.”
“I see.” the photographer stated taking a sip of her coffee.
After a moment John asked, “How is my daughter, Torrance? Things got pretty
ugly last night.”
“Well, I have to be honest with you, John. I’ve never seen such pain
before. When she arrived her last night, she was like a wounded dying
animal. The agony coming out of her was almost more than I could even bear
to see. I wish I had been there to protect her from that.”
“Diane was just upset. She’s having such a difficult time with this,
because you’re a woman, but I don’t honestly think she meant what she said
to Helen.”
“What did she say?” the brunette asked.
“Helen didn’t tell you?” he inquired in surprise.
“She couldn’t even hardly breath she was sobbing so badly. She didn’t say
anything.”
John stared out the window for a moment before answering, “Diane sort of
inferred that you were using Helen as a toy, and because you were wealthy,
she was no better than a prostitute for accepting your attention.”
Torrance’s heart hurt for her girlfriend at John’s confession. “I see. Let
me guess that if I were a man however, your wife probably be more inclined
to accept and encourage this relationship.”
“I’m sorry, Torrance. I don’t agree with my wife’s assessment of the
situation. I’ll admit that I even had my own doubts, but I always wanted to
be supportive of Helen’s feelings for you. However now that you and I have
met and spent some time together, I realize that I have nothing to fear as
far as your intentions toward her. I’m thoroughly convinced that you love my
daughter more than anything else in life.”
Torrance gave a smile as a slight blush rose in her face. “Your assessment
of the situation couldn’t be more correct, John. Helen means everything to
me. I’d give anything to have her be apart of the rest of my life.”
“Not too sound patronizing, Torrance, but you haven’t been dating that
long. How do you know that with certainty?” he curiously asked.
“Because I’ve been in love with her from almost the moment we met two years
ago, and even though we went through a period where we didn’t see or talk to
each other, those feelings were still there and as strong as ever. My heart
has made a permanent commitment to her, and my greatest wish is that someday
she might feel like making things permanent as well.”
“If that’s what Helen wants too, then I would stand by you two. I hope you
know that now.”
“I think I do. In the meantime though, we’re going to have to figure out
what to do about Mrs. Melbourne. She doesn’t like me. That doesn’t really
bother me except for the fact that she’s taking it out on Helen. I don’t
care what you’re wife thinks about me as a person, but I’m seriously upset
on Helen’s behalf.”
“You have a right to be, and I’m upset for her too. I honestly don’t know
what’s going to happen, Torrance. I’m afraid that she may not ever come
around, and I don’t want to lose my daughter. You telling me that you’re
having thoughts of marriage confirms just how serious this relationship is
and how permanent it can potentially become, so it’s not like she can just
out wait you and hope all will make itself right again.”
Torrance gave a nod in understanding. “Well, I’m fortunate, John, in that I
have two supportive parents, but it wasn’t always that way. My father had a
problem with me at first. Now it wasn’t to the degree Helen is having, but
we had to work through some things. There’s always a chance that she’ll come
around given enough time.”
“I’m not sure there is enough time, Torrance. What if you and Helen do want
to get married in the near future, and Diane refuses to come to the
ceremony? That is something that can cause permanent damage to a
relationship. I don’t want this rift in my family.”
“I know, but there is nothing you can really do about it except talk to
your wife. Helen is going to do what Helen wants to do. I know that much
about her, and there is no one that can stop her once she sets her mind to
something.”
“That much is true.” John stated with a small smile. “I know if a time
comes between choosing her mother or you that you will be on the winning
end. I just don’t want her to turn her back on the rest of her family.”
A few minutes passed before there was noise on the staircase. Looking up as
the person entered the room, they were both surprised to see Melissa instead
of Helen. “Hey, what are you doing up so early?” Torrance asked checking her
watch.
“Oh, Aunt Maria is taking me shopping and out to lunch. I promised at be at
the house by noon. Hi, Mr. Melbourne.”
“All right. You be careful, though. Don’t get lost going over there.” the
photographer stated, referring to Melissa’s former sordid past problems.
The teenager came to her cousin and gave her a tight hug around the
shoulders. “Don’t worry, Torrance. I know the way, and I’m not going to
stray any more. I promised you. Remember?”
“I remember, and I’m going to hold you to it. Now when are you going to be
back?”
“I don’t know.”
“By ten?”
“Torrance, it's summer and the weekend. I’m not a kid.”
“But you are still on a very short leash. You know the rules. You live
here, you play it my way.”
“Yeah, I know. How about ten unless I am still with and Uncle Thomas and Aunt
Maria’s?”
“Fine but as long as they bring you back themselves. I don’t want you
taking the subway alone after that, and if you leave there, you have to call
and tell me where you’re going.”
“All right. It’s a deal. Tell Helen I said hi. I’ll see you later.”
Both adults watched the teenager bounce her way out of the room before
looking back at each other. “Melissa lives with you?” John asked.
“Yeah. I’m sort of her guardian. She’s been having difficulties with her
parents, and we all thought it would be best if she stayed with me for
awhile, until she goes to college anyway. Don’t let her pretty looks deceive
you. That girl can be a hellion.”
“I know the kind. My middle child was that way. That certainly is kind of
you to take her in though.”
“She listens better to me than her parents.” Torrance looked at the kitchen
clock and noted it was almost eleven. “I think I better go check on Helen.
She’s been asleep for an awfully long time.” Going up the stairs, the
brunette went into the bedroom. Since the blonde’s back was to the door, she
couldn’t tell if the teacher was awake or not, so she climbed onto the bed
and put her arm on Helen’s shoulder. “Hey, you awake?” she whispered.
“No.” the model mumbled.
“Well, I think you need to get up. You have a visitor.”
“Send them away. I’m not moving.” she stated burying her head deeper into
the covers.
“He’ll be so disappointed. He’s been waiting close to an hour already,
because he didn’t want me to wake you.”
Helen turned over onto her back and frowned up at the older woman. “Who is
it?”
“Your father.”
“Daddy? Just him? Where’s my mother?”
“On her way back to Maryland as we speak.”
“What?” she asked sitting up quickly. Grabbing for her robe, she threw it
on as she went racing out of the room. Torrance followed hastily. “Daddy?”
Helen called out as she ran down the stairs.
Both women stopped in the kitchen to see John trying to act casual as he
sat at the breakfast table. “Morning, baby girl. I would’ve thought you had
outgrown this sleeping late business by now.” he joked standing for a hug.
Torrance went to get Helen coffee as the blonde took a seat at the table
with her father. “What are you doing here, Daddy?”
“Well, I was homeless for a couple of hours, but Torrance took me in.” he
teased lightly.
“Here, sweetie.” Torrance said putting Helen’s coffee in front of her and
caressing her fair head affectionately for a moment.
“Thanks.” she mumbled taking a sip. “Dad, what are you really doing here?”
“Well, I had to check out of the hotel earlier than I expected, but since I
knew we had plans, I just came over. Torrance assured me that it was fine.”
“It is, but why are you alone? Why did Mom go home?”
John took his daughter’s hand and squeezed it. “She needs more time, honey.
That big clash you had was more than either of you could deal with, so we
decided she just needed to go.”
“Oh, Dad, I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, Helen. However being that it’s just the
three of us, I was wondering if you two were still up for going out and
doing something?”
“That sounds good to me. What about it, angel?” the older woman inquired.
“If you’re sure, Dad.”
“Of course.”
“All right. Well, I guess I need to get dressed then.” she stated.
“Me too. We’ll both be right back.” Torrance said before both of them
headed back up stairs to dress for the day.
Continued Part 8
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