Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold or its characters. They are properties of Nickelodeon and Viacom.

"Miriam Pataki gets a Permanent Job."

By TwilightSparkle3562

Chapter 1

Miriam Realizes Her Destiny

It had been a day since Miriam Pataki ended her brief run as head of Big Bob's Beeper Emporium. During that time, she felt like the person she used to be: fun, happy and seemingly enjoying her life. However, she threw that all away when she married her husband, Bob. As she saw her husband walk out the door on his first day from his back injury, she told him that a few colleagues from his work were sharks. As she shut the door, her youngest daughter Helga, turned to her.

"Mom," asked Helga, as she and Miriam walked away from the door. "Do you think you'll try to get another job?"

Miriam was surprised at this question. You see, Miriam's time at the beeper emporium almost ruined her relationship with Helga, but she promised her that she would always be there for Helga.

"Honey, I've been considering it," Miriam replied as they walked into the kitchen. "But, I want you to remember that I am still going to be there for you, and what I said last night is something I will take back."

Helga smiled at this, knowing that what Miriam the night before when she told Helga to buzz off from the Beeper Emporium was taken back.

"I know, mom," she said. "Before you took dad's place, you were always moping around the house, feeling sorry for yourself. I always called you 'Miriam' because I felt like there was no mom around for me. When you went to the Beeper Emporium, I saw the mom I used to know back."

Miriam picked up a smoothie from the fridge and sat down at the table.

"I'm glad you feel that way, honey," she said, taking a sip of the smoothie as Helga picked up her backpack for school . "Working at the Beeper Emporium showed me that I need something in my life to succeed at and because of it, I can be the leader that I have always wanted to be: working with company leaders and customers, it will be dreams coming true for us."

"Well, maybe you should start looking now," suggested Helga.

"A job doesn't come in a day you know. Besides, who wants to sit around and watch soap operas all day? See you later."

Helga kissed Miriam and walked out the door for school.

As soon as the door closed, Miriam picked up a newspaper from the living room and sat down to read the want ads. She knew that she needed something a little smaller than her Beeper stint, something that involves dealing with customer relations and selling similar products. She then realized that she had a few friends working at the retail giant, Wal-Mart.

"I've already proven to B that I can work," Miriam said to herself. "What I need is something like a few days a week, just anything."

Later that day, Miriam went to the public library and filled out an online application. Now, she had to wait for the phone call to set her up for an interview. When the Pataki's sat down for dinner that night from his first day back, Miriam told Bob about applying for work. As expected of him, Bob was not very happy about hearing that his wife was applying for a job.

"Miriam, I thought you were going to stay home and be a housewife," he flounced. "You had your fun filling in for me; now get back to what you used to be doing."

Miriam wasn't affected by what he said at all, neither was Helga.

"Dad, I think mom is happy to be working," Helga said, trying to stand up for her mother. "When she filled in for you, I saw a different person in her."

Miriam smiled at this. Of course, Bob was still not impressed by what was being said in front of him.

"At the same time," Helga continued. "Her brief leadership role also saw a change in me."

Bob was very surprised at this remark. Normally, Helga was always grumpy, always feeling like the black sheep of the family. Now, Miriam's stint was somewhat seeing a change in her.

"That's right, Bob," Miriam added, taking another sip of her smoothie. "Have you ever seen the TV show 'All in the Family'?"

"Of course I have," Bob replied. "Archie worked and Edith took care of the house."

Miriam took yet anothersip of her smoothie and brought her dinner to the kitchen sink.

"Maybe you haven't seen all the episodes," she said, turning the water on. "Edith eventually got a job at a retirement home and she was happy being around the inhabitants there. But most importantly, she felt like she was making a strong contribution to society and her family."

Bob was surprised at how his wife and daughter were acting in front of him. It seemed to him like there was something in them he had not seen before in his life. After a few moments, Bob responded to what his wife said.

"Hey, if it's that important to you," he said. "Then you should get a job and prove me wrong about what I said about you being a housewife."

Bob then had one more question for his wife.

"Where is this job you are looking at anyway?" he asked. "The job market isn't what it is cracked up to be."

"I am applying for a job at Wal-Mart," Miriam responded. "They sell items of all sorts, it's a union job and many of the customers are regulars."

Just then, the telephone rang and Miriam got up to get it.

"Don't get up," she called over to Bob and Helga. "It's for me." Miriam walked over and answered the phone.

"Hello?" she began, listening to the person on the other line. "Yes, this is Miriam. You read my application? That's great, when do you want to have an interview? Tomorrow morning at 8:00am? I'll see you then, thank you very much."

Miriam hung up the phone and smiled happily.

"I got an interview," she cheered. "Tomorrow morning at 8:00am."

"That's great mom," Helga replied happily. "We're so proud of you."

Helga hugged her mom, but Bob did not respond to the news lightly. All he did was sit at the table silently and watch his wife and daughter celebrate. However, Miriam nor Helga were so excited over the news that they didn't even pay any attention to him.

"Oh, there is so much to do," Miriam said excitedly. "What am I going to say? What am I going to wear?"

Helga placed a hand on her mom's shoulder and it quickly calmed down Miriam's nerves. "Don't get excited mom," she reminded her. "Why don't I offer you my support and help you get ready for your interview tomorrow? We have all night you know."

"All right, you can help me," Miriam said happily as Helga and her went up to Miriam and Bob's Bedroom.

As they headed upstairs, Bob looked up and saw his wife and daughter happily being around each other for the first time in a long time. Although he seemed bitter about it at first, deep down, he had never seen his wife this happy since they married almost 20 years ago. But, it was going to take time and a whole night to show for it. For as his family knew, Bob was always showing his outer personality.

"Miriam, I hope you prove me wrong about what I said," he thought to himself as he saw his wife and daughter happy for the first time in a long time. "Soon, you will probably be begging to come back as a housewife."