Current trends in dancing were seeing a departure from traditional ballroom dancing. Helen's generation was gravitating away from the beautiful, but restrained partnered dances their parents and grandparents enjoyed and moving toward more upbeat styles such as swing and rock and roll. Still, Alexandra hadn't found it too difficult to find a club that still catered to ballroom dancers.

Helen had been exposed to ballroom dancing through her mother whose passion for it inspired her to teach lessons for the fun of it. The young woman always enjoyed watching her mother dance and had even learned some of it herself, but in this case she felt almost desperate to. She knew it was because this time it was her mother and father and not just her mother. But what was she hoping to see? Her mother often said that "in dance the body tells no lies" so perhaps she was hoping to glimpse whether or not her parents still had feelings for each other. They seemed comfortable with each other in all their interactions so far. Well, except for the other day when her father moved her mother into Perry's law library to continue their disagreement in private, but still that hadn't seemed uncomfortable between them, just more intense.

Still, why did she care so much if they still felt anything for each other. After 18 years, it seemed ridiculous and unrealistic to hope that their feelings for each other hadn't changed or even died completely. Sure, they'd insisted several times in the last few days that they wanted some alone time soon, but Helen was sure it was just to catch up and talk about what was best for her. Even though it would thrill her to no end for her parents to get back together, Helen was convinced it wouldn't happen and so she hadn't interpreted their desire for time without her to be anything romantic.

Helen excused herself to the ladies' room before they relocated to whichever club her mother had managed to ferret out. When she emerged to wash her hands, she found Della waiting patiently with that sisterly air about her. Even at her young age, Helen could tell when someone wanted to discuss something sensitive with her even if Helen herself wasn't sure what about. Helen didn't wish to be rude, but she'd found that most of the time in these instances the other person fumbled for the right words and she found that what often worked to get things going was to just admit she knew sort of why they were there.

"What am I doing wrong?" She asked bluntly, but without attitude coloring her voice. She lathered her hands in soap and thrust them under the faucet she'd turned on, enjoying the hot water for a long moment.

Della's eyes widened in surprise, but she did let out a little breath in relief.

"I wouldn't call it wrong exactly," Della said gently. "It's just… well, Helen, you're very young and I'm not sure you're realizing what's happening between your mother and father. I know that you just met your father and you want to spend all your time with him right now, but they're asking for some time alone so they can explore things between them as a couple too. They just need a little space, Helen."

Tears clouded Helen's blue eyes and she cast her gaze downwards at the hands she'd been washing for much longer than necessary. She was always hard on herself when she had to be chastised, especially when she didn't realize she was doing anything wrong or inappropriate.

"I guess I'm not seeing what you are. I want to," she said, fighting valiantly to blink back the tears that threatened. She hated it when people saw her cry. "I guess I'm afraid to. I've dreamed about it for so long that I guess I'm afraid to see it. What if it doesn't work out or it's just my imagination or something?"

Della pondered her response, wanting desperately to reassure the young women. She understood that this was a very emotional, highly vulnerable time for Helen so she didn't want to offer her empty promises. Still, she needed to raise Helen's spirits and offer some measure of comfort.

"Helen, no one can guarantee what's going to happen in the future. What I can tell you is that watching your parents the last few days, I see nothing but love and affection between them. Even Perry and Paul have noticed it. Your parents just need a little time alone. I know it's hard because you want to be around your father a lot right now, but a little time to themselves may pave the way for a deeper, more permanent arrangement if things work out."

Drying off her hands, Helen mulled over what to do about that evening. She knew Della didn't mean to make her feel this way, but now she felt extremely uncomfortable accompanying them to the dance club. Without realizing it, Helen had tried to fit in where she didn't belong; like a square peg in a round hole. As usual. She hadn't meant to crowd her folks; she just wanted to be with them. She supposed it was partly due to loneliness. Her high school friends were back in Idaho or moved on to other colleges and she was new to Los Angeles and working on being accepted to a local law school. She was sure she'd make a few friends once she started school again.

"You're right, Della. Thanks. I think I'll go home after all. I have a headache anyway."

"Helen, wait," Della stopped her with a hand on the young blonde's arm. "They said you were welcome to go with them. Why don't you go since you want to? I only wanted you to consider that they might be trying to see each other romantically, that's all."

"I know, Della, and I appreciate that. I just don't comfortable going now is all. I hope everyone has a great evening though," Helen said, leaving the ladies' room and a perplexed Della Street in her wake. Della didn't usually question the wisdom of her actions, but in this case her good intentions hadn't produced the desired effect. She certainly hadn't meant to discourage Helen from going out dancing with the group after dinner.

She sighed, not knowing how she was going to explain Helen's disappearance when she went back to their table.