Better than myself Part 25

(Sequel to As a Man)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, I'm not making any money, and all the wonderful characters belong to the lovely JE. I would borrow Ranger for awhile, though.

Warnings: language

Helen's POV

Stephanie's fault, my life is falling down around me and it all leads back to her. She has been nothing but a thorn in my side from the moment she was born. I only had another child because I wanted to give Frank a son, every man wants a son. What was my payment for the right thing? Another daughter, a child who could not take simple direction. Who had no interest in anything that normal females wanted.

I bound myself to Frank forever to be disappointed at every turn. I married because it was what was expected of me. I wasn't naive enough to believe that Val's father would ever leave his wife. And I don't think I would want a man who would leave his wife for another wife, what would prevent him from doing the same to me.

Back to Stephanie, I need to fix this situation quickly. Not her, I don't think there is any help for her. But it is unacceptable that she is influencing my mother and Frank to move to Georgia with her and those men she lives with. I was sure after Frank figured out what Stephanie was "paying" for her room and board; he would come home with his tail between his legs. And now Valerie is going to work there. What they are not happy to ruin my youngest daughter, they want to ruin the reputation of my oldest daughter too.

Valerie won't even discuss it; all she will say is that they need the money. Thing are hard enough and are just going to get worse with the new baby coming. Albert needs to step up and take care of his family, so his wife doesn't have to lower herself to work, especially with those outsiders. When I heard that Albert was no longer sleeping at home, I was mortified. I don't really know the story of what is going on between Val and Albert, but I know it has to go back to Stephanie. Everything that goes wrong in this family has to go back to her.

I have tried to get Stephanie committed again, but every lawyer I spoke to either says I do not have a case or refuses to go against Rangeman's lawyers. I know she needs to be locked away; she isn't capable of making good decisions. Just like the last time that crazy girl needed to be committed, I will never understand her lack of self control.

Since I cannot find outside help that way, I had to come up with another idea. If she died, which is always a threat in her current position, everyone would close ranks around me. They would mourn with me and then take me back into the fold. No one should have to bury their child and all of those who are now shunning me, will feel awful for me and do anything to make sure I can get through the tragedy.

I need to find someone to take care of her for me; I have put feelers around town, looking for someone to take care of her for me. I am looking for any enemies she has and I know she has to have a lot. The replies I keep getting are not promising. No one wants to mess with "Manoso's woman", this just confirms what I already knew about that man- what is he into that the most hardened criminals fear him? I know it has to be more than anything Joseph could have done. The wrong person is sitting in a jail cell. What does that say about society that a good man like Joseph will spend the next 10-15 years of his life behind bars and a dangerous man like Ranger is walking free?

Running out of options, I finally contact Stephanie's old friend, Lula, as much as I don't to associate myself with a former hooker, her profession could come in handy. She is bound to have some unsavory contacts that are not afraid of Ranger. At first she is reluctant to help, but I offer her $5,000 to find someone, that seems to change her mind and she says that she does know a guy.

Good finally someone to help me. A couple of days later a Mexican guy shows up, he does look scary with his gang wear and tear-drop tattoos on his face. He introduces himself as Muerte*, he has broken English, but I think we get the point across. I advise that I want to be there when it happens, so I have no unanswered questions. We come to an agreement, $5,000 now and $5,000 after the job is done.

A few hours later I get a note telling what time to arrive at Rossini's. I look in the window and there she is, with my mother and husband (I wonder where her precious Ranger is tonight, too bad he won't be able to witness this). They are laughing and having a great time, with no concern that my life is crumbling around me. The look so happy without me, making plans that do not include me, without a second thought of my well being or all of the sacrifices I have made for them.

Muerte walks up to me, we exchange as many words as we can and gets out his gun. I brace myself, I have never witness anyone being shot before. Instead of pointing the gun at Stephanie – he turns it on me.

What? What is going on?

I look around and Ranger appears from nowhere, also with a gun pointed at me, Lula is standing behind him. I was double crossed!

Frank and my mother have walked out of the restaurant by this time.

"Mother, I don't know what is wrong with these men. I just wanted to say good bye to you. Tell them to let me go."

"You are no daughter of mine; you wanted Stephanie killed, why? Because she didn't bow to your will? I am ashamed to have given birth to you. You learned nothing from me, you are nothing like me and I don't wish you dead, I feel sorry for you."

I have never seen such hatred in her eyes before, doesn't she understand that I was trying to fix things? She walks away without looking back and Frank follows her.

"Wait," I cry, "What is going to happen to me?"

Frank stops and then turns around. "I thought that you should rot in a jail cell, next to your precious Joseph, but Stephanie didn't want the police involved. You are going to be committed; I do agree that you need help. You should thank Stephanie for not being dragged through the court system. We have everything on tape from the time you met Hector, until right now. There would be no trouble getting you locked up, think about that?"

He walks away and leaves me with Ranger and Hector.

Committed?

A/N: Thank you christibabe for your inspiration in writing this story. I didn't have a direction and you gave me one. Also thanks to Margaret fowler and Danababy1076 for always believing in my writing and encouraging me.

We are closer to leaving, I promise. Please leave reviews, suggestions sometimes bring great inspiration.

* Muerte = death