A Helping Hand (Sneak Peek) (Patreon)

Author's Note:

Here's a new old bastard story I'm writing!

I provided the muse for this story's character. I used this one before, but I like her too much.

Muse is subject to change depending on how I feel.

Muse:

Adriana had always enjoyed taking care of the elderly. Something was rewarding about making their day a little easier, listening to their stories, and giving them the care they needed. That’s why she was in this line of work. 

The agency she worked for on the side had been rather honest with her from the start when she was offered a new assignment. “Mr. Lampert can be rather unpleasant,” her supervisor told her during the briefing. “Two caretakers have already quit in the last few months. He lives alone, and his family tries to help, but he refuses most of their offers. He’s as stubborn as they come, so you can probably understand we stress caution with this one.”

Adriana was a bit skeptical. The warnings were as clear as day based on the reports she read. But the pay bump was significantly better than her usual shifts at the hospital. She could use the extra money since she and her husband, Daniel, just bought a new house. 

Later that evening, she sat across from Daniel at their kitchen table. He was scrolling through his phone while absentmindedly eating his dinner. 

“So… I picked up an extra job,” she said just before taking a bite from her fork. “You know that side job I do, caretaking for the elderly? I just took on an assignment.”

Daniel looked up from his phone with a curious expression. “Oh? Didn’t know you still did that. Is your job not paying enough?”

Adriana shrugged. “Hm, it’s just something to earn some extra money. And I’ve been trying to work a few shifts less at the hospital. Oh, did I mention the pay is pretty good? Very good actually.”

Daniel hummed quietly to himself and suspiciously arched his brow. “There’s a catch, isn't there?”

She let out a long, resigned sigh and leaned back in her chair. “Yeah… His name is Vick Lampert. Apparently, he’s a bit… difficult. I heard stories floating around him from previous caretakers.”

He crossed his arms and studied her for a moment. “You sure about this? You don’t have to take it if it’s going to be stressful.”

Adriana smiled softly and reached for his hand across the table. “I’ve dealt with worse. This is way easier than working night shifts at the hospital. Handling disgruntled old people is what I’m good at.”

Daniel nodded slowly, though he still looked a little unsure. “Hmm… Alright, if you say so. Just be sure to be careful. No amount of money is worth the stress.”

She squeezed his hand. “I know. Thank you.”

After dinner, Adriana settled on the couch with her laptop and opened the file the agency sent her about Vick. She wanted to get a better sense of what she was walking into. 

The file was fairly detailed. The man was sixty-five years old and lived alone in an older two-story house on a quiet side of town. He had high blood pressure, and he often complained about stiffness and pain, especially in the lower back. However, she noticed a pattern in the comments from the previous caretakers. Both had written that his “arthritis” seemed convenient. One wrote, “He claims it acts up whenever he doesn’t want to do something for himself.” The other added, “Suspect he exaggerates his pain to make the job harder or to test new caretakers.”

Adriana raised an eyebrow as she contemplated to herself. So he might be playing it up… Hmm, this might be harder than I thought.

She checked the weekly schedule next: Four days a week, three to four hours per visit, mostly mornings or early afternoons. Light housekeeping, meal prep, medication reminders, and assistance with his back when needed were expected. The agency recommended massages for his “stiffness.”

Adriana closed her laptop and let out a slow breath. It didn’t sound too bad. A bit challenging, yes, but nothing she couldn’t handle. If worse came to worst, she wasn’t afraid to put the old man in his place if needed. 

-

The next morning, Adriana got ready for her first day. She slipped into a comfortable, but professional pair of fitted light-blue medical scrubs. The top gently hugged her full breasts and trim waist, while the pants accentuated her curvy hips and toned legs. Her caramel-toned skin glowed warmly with the soft blue fabric. She brushed her long, dark, wavy hair and pulled it back into a neat ponytail, with a few strands framing her pretty face. After adding a touch of makeup, she grabbed her bag.

Just before leaving, she found Daniel in the kitchen finishing his coffee. She walked over and wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder. 

“I’m off to my new job,” she said softly. “Wish me luck with the grumpy one.”

Daniel turned around and smiled, returning the hug. “Alright, good luck, babe. Try not to let him get to you.” He leaned in and kissed her tenderly while his hand drifted to her waist. The kiss lingered for a moment before he pulled back. “Love you.”

“Love you too,” Adriana replied with a sweet, warm smile. She gave him one last quick kiss on the cheek and headed for the door. 

When she arrived at the old two-story house, her supervisor was already waiting outside with a clipboard in hand. The woman gave her a quick smile and led her up the porch steps. 

“Well then… Ready?” she asked with a slight, uneasy undertone. “Just remember what we talked about. Stay professional and don’t let him get under your skin. He’ll listen… eventually.”

Adriana nodded and followed her inside. The house smelled like menthol, old wood, and faint medicine. They walked down the hall until they found Vick Lampert sitting in his worn recliner in the living room, wearing a faded gray bathrobe. 

He was a short, wiry old man, balding on the top of his head with only a thin sliver of hair on the sides. His pale, wrinkled skin and sharp, beady eyes gave him a perpetually grumpy appearance. Adriana's hazel eyes widened slightly, but not in surprise. He’d look exactly how she thought he would based on the things she heard about him. 

He glanced over at the approaching footsteps, not even giving them a proper look before returning his attention to the television ahead. 

“Good morning, Mr. Lampert,” her supervisor greeted lightly. “How are you feeling today?”

Vick groaned loudly and waved his hand dismissively at them. “Augh, can’t you people just leave me alone already? I’m doing fine on my own. I don’t need another babysitter hovering around me.”

The supervisor just let out a resigned sigh, gently guided Adriana by the arm, and presented her to him. “Well, fortunately for me, that is not up to you,” she said gently. “This is Adriana, your new caretaker. She’ll be coming four days a week to help out. Try not to make this one quit, she’s a good one.”

Vick reluctantly lifted his gaze. His beady eyes widened slightly the second he saw her, moving slowly up and down her body. His grumpy expression shifted almost immediately, and a crooked smirk crept at the corner of his thin lips. 

“Oh? Well now…” he muttered, his sour tone changing completely. “This is definitely an improvement.” He leaned forward a little in his chair, giving Adriana another take. “Way better than those dried-up old hags they sent. Much nicer to look at. I might enjoy this.”

Adriana could only smile awkwardly. The man was definitely as crude as they said. Her supervisor cleared her throat loudly. “Ahem, please, Mr. Lampert. Mind your manners.”

The old man just chuckled before settling back into his chair, his eyes never leaving Adriana’s alluring figure. He hungrily licked his lips. “So… Adriana, is it?” he began, his tone low and devious. “Come here so I can get a better look at you.”

Before Adriana could respond, her supervisor stepped in smoothly.

“Let me give you a quick tour of the house first, so you know where everything is,” the woman said, motioning Adriana to follow her. “Mr. Lampert, we’ll be back.”

Vick grunted but didn’t protest as the two women moved through the house. The supervisor showed Adriana the kitchen, pointing out the cabinet above the sink where Vick’s meds were kept. “Blood pressure pills in the morning, arthritis medication in the evening. They’re all labeled clearly. There’s a notepad here for any notes or changes. He usually eats around noon. Keep it light. And if he asks for fast food, don’t give him any.”

They continued through the main floor, with the supervisor pointing out the bathroom and explaining his general routine and preferences. Adriana took it all in, nodding along as they went. 

Once the short tour was finished, the supervisor gave Adriana an encouraging smile. “You got this. I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Call the agency right away if you need anything. We’re happy to assist you in any way.”

With that, the woman offered one last farewell to Vick before heading out the front door, leaving Adriana with her latest assignment. 

Vick’s beady eyes fixed back onto her as she returned to the living room. His lecherous little smirk returned. “Finally. Just you and me now.” He shifted in his recliner and winced. “Could you be a sweetheart and grab me something to drink?”