Brie Newman's POV...the final part!

The buzzer went off on Dad’s desk. It startled us both.
‘Mr. Newman.’ Cami’s voice boomed from the speaker.
‘Helen Harper is here to see you...um..she’s already on her way back.’
Dad jumped a little and looked startled.
I thought for a second, he was going to ask me to hide.
‘There you are Dex Newman.’ Helen playfully scolded him. ‘We were supposed to meet for lunch, remember?’
‘Helen, I’m so sorry, I’ve been bogged down here with some scripts and well...some family matters came up.'
Dad quickly made an introduction.
'Helen this is my daughter, Brie.’
Wow, Helen Harper in person! I’ve been a fan since Midget the Surfer Girl.
‘I know who you are, Ms. Harper. I’ve been a fan forever. You’re also married to my friend, Reg.’
The only other person besides Sasha that had ever been kind to me.
Reg only looked mean and had a grumpy demeanor, but he was a real softie inside.
I saw a cloud pass over Helen’s pretty features.
I couldn’t help but wonder if Dad didn’t have something to do with that.
The predatory way, he hovered over Helen, reminded me of how he acted with Sasha.
I also had to explain when I saw Helen’s concern that I just had plastic surgery done.
I was surprised to see disapproval in her eyes.


‘I tried to tell her, she was perfect the way she was.’
Dad also noted her displeasure.
‘Kids these days, they never listen.’
I almost burst out laughing.
Dad and his shabby comments about my looks, were the biggest factor in my decision to change them.
‘Well, I’m glad you’re here.’ Helen told me. ‘You’re father has missed you so much. He’s been really bummed about that big fight you had. Believe me, I understand what it feels like when your father disapproves of your boyfriend. However; sometimes you have to give your parents the benefit of experience...sometimes I wish I had.'
A strong emotion passed behind her large brown eyes. She quickly changed the subject.
'I also wished you had went to church with us when your father asked, but Dex explained that weekends were the only time you could hang out with your friends.’
I actually lost it then and giggled.
I couldn’t wait to find out what else Dad told Helen about me!
Dad mutely pleaded with me to agree and play along.
He actually beamed on me when I told Helen.
‘Daddy, was right when he said Abner was a troll. He really wasn’t good enough for me.’
I noticed that to play this popular Brie, Dad created, I spoke in the affected manner the snobby girls at my school did.
‘Daddy and I were just talking. He thinks we should try and work on our father/daughter relationship. He’s asked that I move in and work part times here in his office.’


The look on Dad’s face was truly priceless.
I looked pointedly toward his shrine room.
‘Isn’t that right, Daddy?’
Where was this courage coming from?
‘I live right next door.’ Helen told me, blissfully unaware that my father was turning all sorts of funny colors.
‘You can come over anytime you like.’
‘You bet I will. I’m sure we will have sooo much to talk about.’


‘Now Brie,’ Dad croaked out. ‘We haven’t worked everything out quite yet.’
As furious as he looked, I also saw something else in his eyes.
He knew I could ruin things between him and Helen.
It was suddenly clear to me that Helen was always what he was after.
Stuart had tried to warn Reg that Dad never took anyone under his wing that he wasn’t going to screw over later.
‘You can’t stay with me or work in this office, if you’re going to the Academe La Tour this semester.’
We locked eyes. He was serious.
He’d foot the bill for my dream, if I just help him bag his latest victim.
I gave him a slight nod and he rewarded me a satisfied smirk.
‘In the mean time, it looks like my daughter will be a guest in my home.’


When Helen went to go freshen up before we all went to lunch, Dad grabbed my arm.
I thought he was going to shake me, but he gave me a grudging smile instead.
‘Turns out you’re a true Hackenbush after all.’
He didn’t know the half of it.
I had no intention of letting that innocent girl get caught up in his snare.
Helen reminded me too much of Sasha.
Someone had to look out for Reg too.