Helios Beginnings (The Helios Chronicles #0.5)

by Tawa M. Witko

  “So what the fuck is happening at county now-a-days?”

  “What?” Andrew asked in utter confusion.

  For the next twenty minutes Jamal asked Andrew several questions about what he did in prison, who he knew, and what guards were still there. Apparently, Jamal knew Guard Reeves, which was probably a good thing considering Reeves was a cool guy that seemed to like Andrew. After Mr. Lewis was done quizzing him about county, he asked him the hard questions. What he was planning to do about life outside of prison and what kind of jobs he will be looking for. Andrew answered as best as he could, but internally he was still fuming at what Jamal had said earlier. When he was finished, he marched out to the car and closed the door; thankful that Aaron didn’t ask him any questions.

  “How did it go?” Olivia asked as the two men entered the house.

  Andrew ignored her and stormed down the hallway towards his room. Once inside he slammed the door shut. He immediately began pacing the small bedroom, his right hand firmly set on his left forearm, moving over the track marks.

  “Fucking Jamal!” Andrew muttered angrily.

  He could hear his aunt and her husband mumbling outside his door as she asked him what had happened. Andrew almost groaned when he heard his aunt telling Aaron to talk to him. Andrew let out a loud sigh when the hesitant knock came and the door cracked open, just a tad.

  “Andrew, it’s Aaron, may I come in?”

  “It’s your house; you can do whatever you want, can’t you?” Andrew asked sarcastically.

  “Well, not really. You have a right to privacy just as much as the next man.”

  Andrew didn’t mean to but he couldn’t help it, he huffed rather loudly wondering if Aaron really believed that. Aaron walked passed him and took a seat on the bed while Andrew continued his erratic pacing. He couldn’t figure out how he was supposed to start over when everyone kept bringing up his past. Not only was he a convict but he was an addict as well. He felt as if no one would ever give him a chance.

  “I take it things didn’t go so well with your probation officer?”

  Andrew stopped pacing and glared at him. Aaron didn’t seem to mind and continued talking as if everything was alright.

  “You were real quiet on the car ride back here. Would you like to talk about it?”

  “Look. I know that my aunt was the only one willing to take me in. I appreciate it, please don’t think that I don’t, but you don’t have to be nice to me,” Andrew said somewhat annoyed at Aaron’s fatherly gestures. “In fact, it would probably be better if I just go to the shelter out in LA. I know she feels guilty and all, but she owes me nothing and neither do you!” Andrew finished with a great deal of anger in his voice.

  “There is no need for you to go to the shelter. Your aunt and I want you to stay with us. We are your family and if you give it a chance, you may be able to start over here,” Aaron replied with a gentle voice that Andrew was not accustomed to.

  “Yeah, well, Aaron, I’m sorry to burst your utopia bubble here, but ya know, in my world, there are no second chances, there are no happily ever afters, and there are definitely no new beginnings. That’s just the way that it is. So this caring act you got going on is not necessary and honestly, it’s a completely wasted gesture on me.”

  Andrew was trying to hold back the venom of his words but couldn’t seem to get a grip on his emotions. Aaron regarded his crossed hands contemplatively and then took a deep breath before looking back up and watching as Andrew continued to pace.

  “Andrew, have you ever heard the legend of the Phoenix?”

  Andrew stopped pacing and looked at him confused. “Is that that bird that catches on fire?”

  “Yes,” he said with a smile. “Legend has it that the Phoenix was the most beautiful bird you could ever see with all these colorful feathers and these piercing eyes that could look straight through you. They say that it was so beautiful that people couldn’t help but admire it; they were unable to look away. Now some legends say that this bird had mystical powers ranging from healing others to making people immortal but the real interesting thing about the Phoenix was that every 1000 years when it was close to death and its life as it knew it was over, it would burst into flames. Some legends even say that it built its own pyre and then would throw itself in the fire.”

  He watched Andrew to see if he was making the connection. Andrew stared back at him confused as to how this story pertained to him. Aaron smiled, realizing he needed to clarify his thoughts.

  “So the Phoenix basically had to die so that it could be reborn again. It got another chance at life,” he said thoughtfully. “Don’t you see?”

  Andrew shook his head.

  “You are like that Phoenix. You reached the end of your life as you knew it when you were in prison. At that time you went up flames and this is your opportunity to be reborn, to become more than who you were before. It’s your second chance at life again, but only if you want it, it’s your choice, Andrew, to take or to squander,” he said with more sincerity than Andrew had ever witnessed.

  Aaron took a deep breath and stood up. He walked over to Andrew and removed the death grip that he had on his arm. He gently ran his fingers along Andrew’s track marks and took another deep breath. He looked up at him and Andrew was taken aback. The expression on Aaron’s face was the look a loving father might give to his son.

  “This is not who you are.” He then took Andrew’s hands in his and ran his thumbs along his calloused knuckles, still looking at him, “This does not define you.”

  Andrew could feel that his eyes were beginning to water, which confused him. His heart constricted as he fought back the tears. Aaron squeezed Andrew’s hands and looked him directly in the eyes.

  “But you have to believe that,” he said letting go of his hands.

  Andrew was breathing hard; his heart was racing. No one had ever talked to him like that. No one had ever believed in him or cared enough about him to give him sound and loving advice. Aaron didn’t know him, yet he saw him, saw something that Andrew couldn’t see. He saw the person he should be, maybe could be, and in that moment there was a glimmer of hope in Andrew’s heart.

  “If you want to talk, I’m here for you,” Aaron finished before walking towards the door.

  “Thank you,” Andrew mumbled just as he opened the door.

  “You’re welcome, Andrew.”

  Andrew swallowed as Aaron stepped out and finally sat on the edge of his bed. His hands worked their way through his hair as he contemplated what Aaron had told him. Was it possible for someone like him to get a second chance at life?

  ~*~

  “I think I’ve decided on this one.”

  “That’s really good,” Aaron replied, looking at the sketch.

  “Oh, Andrew, that is wonderful. You really are quite talented,” his aunt added.

  Andrew smiled. After Aaron had talked to him about the legend of the Phoenix he had decided that he wanted to cover up his forearm with it in the hopes that he could indeed rise above his past as Aaron had told him he could. He had sketched several designs but settled on the last one he played with.

  “What time is your appointment?”

  “In twenty minutes.”

  “Well, we better head out then.”

  Andrew nodded and followed Aaron to his car. As they drove to the tattoo parlor Andrew noticed the Harley dealership. He had always wanted a motorcycle, but he couldn’t imagine every being able to have one. He did like to dream about it though.

  “I was thinking that since you enjoy motorcycles that…”

  “What makes you say that,” Andrew interrupted.

  Aaron glanced at him and smiled. “Every time we pass one you get a look in your eyes.”

  Andrew furrowed his brows angrily. “What are talking about? I don’t get any look.”

  “It’s nothing bad, Andrew. But it made me wonder if maybe you would like to learn how to work on them.”

  “Oh,” Andrew replied startled. H
e hadn’t expected that response. “I don’t know Aaron. I’m not that smart.”

  Now it was Aaron’s turn to furrow his brows. “Don’t talk like that, Andrew. You are very smart. You just weren’t given the same opportunities as others have. It doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Besides, I can help you if you need it.”

  Andrew smiled slightly. Aaron was a teacher at the local high school and firmly believed that everyone could be more than what they were. Andrew admired that quality even if he didn’t believe it was true for himself.

  “I saw an ad in the newspaper this morning,” Aaron continued. “It was about classes being offered at the tech school in town that would allow you to get a degree as a mechanic. What do you think? Is that something you’d like to do?”

  Andrew had never considered going to college of any sort. He knew that he needed to get a job; that was certain; unfortunately no one seemed to be hiring. Of course, the minute he put down that he had been in prison, help miraculously was no longer needed any way. It had been a long time since he was in a school setting. He had gone for only a few years after he was placed in the system, but took off before completing. He wasn’t sure that he could actually do school or not.

  “Ummm, I don’t know,” he finally said.

  “Why don’t we swing by the school after we’re done? You can check it out and see if it’s something you would like.”

  “Even if it is, I can’t afford to go to school. I assume it cost money to go to college and if you haven’t noticed, no one will hire me.”

  “Andrew, the right job will come around. Besides, getting your certificate could help with that and don’t worry about the money. That isn’t a problem. Olivia and I have already discussed this and we want to take care of it for you.”

  “I think you guys are already doing enough for me. You’re providing a roof over my head and food every day. Not to mention things like this,” he motioned to the tattoo parlor that they had just stopped in front of. “I can’t keep taking your handouts.”

  Aaron put the car in park and touched his shoulder. “It’s not a handout. We’re family and we love you.”

  Andrew cringed and his forehead creased with worry. They didn’t know him so they couldn’t possibly love him. Just the thought of someone caring for him in that way made him want to run for the hills, but if he did that, he would end up in prison again. That was something he never wanted to experience again.

  “Andrew, we want to help. We have money put aside for a rainy day and frankly, we have no qualms about spending that on you.”

  Andrew inhaled sharply at the realization that they were spending what he presumed was their savings on him. He’d never be able to repay them and it bothered him greatly that they were investing so much time and money into him.

  “Andrew,” Aaron said in a softer voice causing Andrew to look at him. “Olivia and I have always wanted children but were never blessed with them. But if we did have them, we would want at the very least to take care of their education. Please, let us do this for you. It would mean the world to both of us if we could help you in this way.”

  Andrew stared at him for a long time. He could tell by the expression on his face that he was being sincere. “All right; I’ll consider it.”

  Aaron smiled brightly. “Wonderful.”

  Andrew smiled and shook his head, glancing down at the picture he had drawn of the Phoenix. Maybe he was going to rise again. Things definitely felt different this time around. He took a deep breath, not wanting to get his hopes up to high. For now, he would enjoy the life that Aaron and Olivia were giving him for however long it lasted.

  ~*~

  Andrew was surprised at how rapidly he picked up on all the nuances of working with motorcycles. He was a quick study, not wanting to waste Aaron and Olivia’s money on him. In just ten short months he had been certified as a general motorcycle mechanic and had just finished his specialty certificate to be able to work on Harley Davidsons, which was his motorcycle of choice. In that time period he had also taken the coursework to get a certificate in general automotive repair as well. That was Aaron’s suggestion and he was happy he had done it. He felt accomplished, something that he never thought he would.

  Andrew was sitting on the curb, his final class completed. He stared down at his certificate and grinned. He still couldn’t believe he had done it. He had gone to school and gotten a trade. He glanced up, looking around. He was waiting on his aunt and uncle to arrive. They pulled up and parked a little ways away from him. Andrew quickly walked over to where they were and slid into the backseat.

  “Do you have a preference for dinner, Andrew?” Olivia asked.

  He shook his head. She was always asking him what he liked or didn’t like. She never seemed to grasp the concept that he didn’t care. Whatever they wanted to do was fine with him. Of course, he wasn’t exactly sure why getting a certificate was cause for eating out but he wasn’t going to question it. Aaron and Olivia were quirky that way.

  “How about ribs?” Aaron suggested.

  “Sure, that sounds good,” Andrew replied.

  The three of them made their way to the local restaurant that boasted the best ribs in town. Andrew ordered a full rack along with mashed potatoes and corn, the same as Aaron. When the food arrived at their table the two men raced to see who could finish first. Andrew won. He always did. By the time they headed home, everyone was laughing and joking around. He did notice however that Aaron and Olivia kept looking at each other in the front seat, giving each other knowing smiles. As they pulled up to the house Andrew sat up straight.

  “Who’s here?” Andrew asked, noticing that there was a motorcycle parked in the driveway.

  “No one,” Aaron said causally.

  “Did you buy a Harley?” Andrew asked, flabbergasted that he would do such a thing.

  Aaron and Olivia both turned in their seats to look at him. “You bought one.” Andrew opened his mouth to say something but Aaron quickly began talking. “A friend of mine was selling his Harley. I bought it, but I know you don’t want us doing that kind of thing so I’m selling it to you, it’s a loan. Once you start working, then you can start making monthly payments on it. It’s in great shape and…”

  “And…” Olivia interjected. “We both know that you need a way to get around. You can’t stay cooped up in your room all the time, Andrew. You need to get out, so we,” she glanced at Aaron who continued.

  “We thought if you had your own transportation, then you could not only look for work on your own, but you could also take some drives around, get some fresh air, and see what’s around. Pacific Coast Highway is absolutely breathtaking.”

  Andrew stared at them. He had no words and he was sure his face displayed the shock he was experiencing. He must have misheard them. This couldn’t be his. Who does things like this for other people? He looked between his aunt and uncle and realized with certainty that he was in the company of the most caring people around.

  “Andrew,” Olivia asked, stealing a quick glance at her husband who simply shrugged his shoulders.

  “So this bike is mine?” Andrew questioned.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “I… I don’t know what to say. This is…” he closed his eyes for a moment hoping the right words would come to him.

  “Say you’ll be careful on it,” Olivia said with a smile.

  Andrew grinned and lowered his head. This was insane to him. He almost expected someone to pop up and tell him it was just a joke. In truth, he had been expecting Aaron and Olivia to show their true colors for the past eleven months, but that had never happened. They were still as kind to him as they were the day he arrived. Maybe that was their true colors. He finally nodded and then smiled widely as Aaron dropped the keys in his hand.

  “Thank you both for this.”

  Olivia touched his shoulder and smiled happily. “You’re welcome.”

  “I’ll be back in a little bit,” he said exiting the vehicle.

  Andr
ew walked over to the motorcycle, which was a 2005 Harley 883XL. He grinned as he kneeled down to inspect it. It was a sweet bike that was well maintained. He saw that it had an Evolution engine and nodded as he thought about the amount of horsepower it had. It wasn’t as powerful as some of the bigger Harleys, but it was a great starter bike and one that he would be able to pay for. He would definitely pay them back for it.

  “You gonna take it out?” Aaron asked coming up to him.

  “Yeah,” he said shaking his head. “I still can’t believe you did this.”

  Aaron chuckled as he tapped his shoulder. “Enjoy, Andrew.”

  Andrew stood up and straddled the bike, laughing as he started it, feeling the rumble beneath him. He carefully backed out of the driveway and gunned it down the quiet street. He wasn’t sure where he was going to go but he desperately needed to drive it. He headed towards the small highway that led out of town and followed the road up towards Kern River Canyon. His heart beat wildly as the wind blew his hair back. Halfway up, he felt a sense of déjà vu, so he pulled over and parked in a small section off the main road.

  “Holy shit!”

  He stepped off his bike and turned his whole body around. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. This looked like the place he had drawn while in prison. Some of the details weren’t exactly the same, but it was close enough to make him feel as if he had been there before. He turned the bike off and shoved the keys in his pocket as he walked to the edge of the canyon area. He took a deep breath as he observed the beautiful scene before him. The colors were magnificent. He would need to come back with his sketchbook because there was no way he would remember it all. When the sun finally started to set, he took that as his sign that he needed to leave, knowing that he would be coming back to this spot many times.

  ~*~

  “Andrew, that’s good work,” Matt said, kneeling down beside him.

  “Thanks.”

  Andrew wheeled himself out from under the vehicle he was fixing and wiped his dirty hands on his coveralls. He had been working for Matt for almost a month and he loved it. He liked the idea of making his own money. His first check he got he simply handed over to Aaron and Olivia, but they refused to take it all, insisting that he needed to have his own money. They had settled on them taking fifty percent of whatever he earned.