When Men Betray by Webb Hubbell Read Free Book Online

things get sorted out, don’t talk to the press or even your friends about what you’ve told me, and especially not about the note. Blame me if you have to, but don’t say anything to anyone. Don’t even answer the phone. It’s too easy to get trapped. Do you have friends who can stay with you and handle the phone?”
    â€œThey’ve all offered. I tell you, it’s like a funeral. It’s like Philip died.” This time, the pent-up emotions came rushing. I held her and let the tears over the last days’ events flow.
    After a time, she pulled away and looked at me with swollen eyes. “Now look what I’ve done. Your shirt is soaking wet.”
    â€œIt’s fine, Helen.” I smiled. “It’s okay—God knows I’ve cried on your shoulder more times than I can remember. It’s my turn to get wet.”
    Helen smiled at that. “Why don’t you ask Mabel about taking the phone messages? I want to talk to Beth. She reminds me so much of Angie.” She patted my arm and smiled. “How are you, anyway?”
    â€œWell, you know, some days are better than others. I have Beth, except now she’s away at school.”
    As we walked out of the study, she held my arm and whispered, “Well, now you have me again … and Woody.” Before I could say a word, we were back in the living room.
    Beth looked concerned. “Everything all right?”
    I nodded, and Helen asked, “Beth, will you help me upstairs?” Beth looked a little uncertain but let Helen take her arm.
    Mabel and I went to the kitchen, where she had saved a piece of pecan pie for me. Helen must have told her it was my favorite. I was hungrier than I thought, so I grabbed a plate and helped myself to the honey-baked ham, fresh biscuits, and cheese-grits casserole on the counter. I didn’t even notice that she had opened a bottle of wine until we both sat down.
    She placed a full glass and the bottle in front of me and, with a wink, said, “I hope this wine is okay. I found it on the shelf.”
    I looked at the label and choked. It was a Château Margaux—purchased by miserly Woody two nights ago? I’d been poured one of the world’s best wines to drink with my ham, biscuits, and cheese grits. I started to protest but thought, why not? Why isn’t it exactly the right wine? Some things weren’t right, for sure, but there was nothing wrong with the wine.
    I returned Mabel’s wink and said, “It’s very nice. Thank you.”
    Mabel, nobody’s fool, poured herself a glass.
    â€œHere’s the drill,” I told her. “It’s a lot, so please let me know if you’re not up for it. First, don’t let Helen be here alone for the next few days.”
    She nodded.
    â€œDon’t let her answer the phone, and don’t let anyone you don’t know into this house. They may beg to use the bathroom or use thephone, but don’t let them in. The media has a hundred tricks to get in the door. Even if someone tells you he’s a policeman or an attorney, he’s not to come inside the house. Have them call me.” She took a sip of wine and gave me a nervous smile as I fished in my wallet for my business card. “Don’t worry, I don’t think anything will happen—that mob will wear out in a day or so. Helen’s lucky to have a friend like you. Thank you.”
    â€œNo,” Mabel said, “thank
you
. We’ve all been the beneficiaries of Helen’s kindness. We’ll be here as long as she needs us. It’s your being here that makes the difference.”
    Smiling, she left the kitchen to arrange shifts for handling the phone and staying with Helen. I poured myself a little more wine. No sense letting it go to waste. The woman who had already been handling the phone brought me the log she was keeping. There were calls from news-show producers asking Helen to appear on
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