"Sorry I'm late dear. I had errands to run, artifacts to gather. You understand," Helena said as she set her things down one by one. A large paper bag, her backpack, and a book. The wind picked up only enough to help gravity move the hair upon her forehead, but otherwise it went unnoticed. "Alright, I'll keep on talking, and you will forgive me for my tardiness." When Helena was met with more silence she shrugged. "Alright," she said again. Slowly, she opened the bag, holding up each item for inspection. Running for one's life did make for a squished lunch sometimes, but the meager meal of two sandwiches remained quish free. the two stacked plastic cups that had been hastily put in there that morning also remained intact. Helena set the sandwiches on her knee and opened the backpack next. A long necked bottle came into view. "Now you forgive me?" She snorted as she again went unanswered. She opened the wine bottle and poured each cup about a quarter of the way. After this, she placed one sandwich and cup at her side, and the other before her. "I know you've read all of Jane Austen's novels, but I am in the mood for something a little lighter today, if you don't mind?" Helena asked, opening the book and scanning the first page. Then she began to read.
"Over an hour later, Helena looked up from the book, startled to see Claudia a few feet away. How long the younger woman had been there was Helena's guess, so far into the novel was she. "I thought I would find you here."
"I'm not the Hide and Seek champion I once was," Helena responded.
"How long have you been sitting out here?"
Helena glanced at her watch. "I got here an hour ago."
"You've gotta let 'er go, HG," Claudia said softly and not unkindly. Seeing as this wasn't the first time the two of them have had this conversation since Helena was released from psychiatric care seven years ago. Thinking back on it, Pete could have found a kinder way to tell her that the only person she loved in this time was dead, but hindsight… Claudia let Helena stay at the bed and breakfast and as an inside person for some of the missions, but the new Caretaker was aware that she was no longer suitable as a Warehouse agent. Still, she knew what it was like in a psyche ward and she didn't want that for a fragile mind such as Helena's. Still, there were moments, and this was one of them, that Claudia was forced to deal with personally.
"It's her birthday. Don't say that on her birthday."
Claudia took a few steps closer to the plaque as Helena finished off what was left of who knew which cup she was on of the wine. "Helena, do you remember the last time I found you here, what I said to you?"
"Don't speak to me like a child, Claudia. Or like I am crazy. I know she is dead. I know she isn't coming back, but it is her birthday." Helena tapped the plaque for emphasis. "And she deserves a nice birthday."
"I'll be damned, it actually is her birthday this time," Claudia murmured. Helena hummed in agreement.
"Care for some? Already poured the other."
"One of us has to take the Prius home," Claudia reasoned. "And, you know, paper work. The Warehouse isn't going to take care of itself. It tried that once with nasty results."
"Yes, I remember. I was there."
Claudia nodded. She remembered. She took off her jacket and placed it on Helena's knees. "It will get colder before you get to the good parts, and I know she would love the good parts. See you at home?"
"In a bit, Darling," Helena responded. Helena's nod was small, but it was enough to assure Claudia that the inventor would at least make her way home later that night some time. Claudia just had to remember to leave a couple of lights on for her.
"Happy Birthday, Myka," Claudia said before she walked back to the Prius and drove back to the Warehouse. Only then could she cry for her older sister in a way she hadn't done since Myka Bering's death many years ago.