Hey guys, so this is my third Hey Arnold short. It came to me after watching the episode, "Beeper Queen." I wondered after Miriam's speech about wanting to be a better mon, if that had stuck and what might have prompted her to fall back into drinking. What were Helga's feelings about this? Casue she does put on a tough shell, but we all know she wants to be loved by her parents. So, thus this little short was born. I own nothing as both these characters belong to their respected owners. Anyway, onto the story. I hope you like it.
In fact, the only thing that is important to me, Honey, is you. How she wanted to believe it. As Miriam had pulled her into that tight hug right there on the street, Helga had allowed herself to live in that moment. In the deepest part of her heart, she had dared to hope that things might actually change for the better at home. And it had….at least for a little while.
The next few days after Miriam had gotten Bob off his butt and back to work, she had made a good sized lunch that satisfied the hunger that Helga had become accustomed too before. The once tomb silence had vanished as Miriam tried to keep her promise with lunches made and some time to talk with her. Yet as the days went by the hunger and eerie silence of the house returned. In the back of her mind, Helga had known it wouldn't last, but still her heart broke. Each time she thought about that night on the bridge, her hands curled into fists. Why wasn't her mom strong enough?
Laying her bed, Helga rolled over on her side and turned on the radio to drawn out the burning pain inside of her. Did Miriam even remember that promise?
XxX
I've only got right now to be a better Mom. In those few moments or hours of sobriety those words haunted her. How she wanted them to be true. She wanted to be the strong, independent mother her daughter deserved. She had even begun to look for a new, less time consuming job to keep her promise. Yet, each job she looked at required a college diploma and skills she no longer possessed.
Some part of her mind told her to start easy with simpler jobs, but after running a large empire, all those jobs seemed so meaningless. Yet, her world class swimming and bull riding championship days had long passed. The doubts began. Was her success only because she was the wife of the boss? Why had she been so stupid to drop out of school? What were the options left to her? The smoothies were right there, uncaring about the level of education or skill levels. Maybe just one….two, three….what number is it?
She lay on the couch, with the half emptied glass in her hand that distant yet familiar feeling of a blackout began. Those ten little words swirled through her mind along with her youngest daughter's face. Her daughter was always the strong one of the family. Tears of regret slid down her face just before the darkness overtook her. I'm sorry, Helga.
Well, what did you think? Please review and let me know. :) Oh and I have a longer peice that should be coming out soonish so keep your eyes open for that.