This idea stemmed from my story, Mother No More. Helga's relationship with her parents has been so complex, that I wanted to write another story about it.

Summary: It's been ten years since Miriam walked out on her husband and children, and in those ten years, a fiery resentment in Helga towards her mother was born. However, Miriam finally returns, intent on establishing a relationship with her youngest daughter, and to right the wrongs she did to Helga. But, will Helga accept?

Rated: M for swearing, alcohol and tobacco use. By the way, Helga is about 19 in this.

Chapter One: Miriam's Return

"Aww man! They raise the bus fare another ten cents again!" A tall lanky boy named Stinky Peterson fumbled around in his pocket, and then dropped a dime into the coin collection box.

"Whoopdee-freaking doo!" Helga Pataki also put in a dime into the coin collection box. She was tired from a six hour day at the Hillwood Community College, and just wanted to get home, relax and watch some TV.

Helga's best friend Phoebe walked with Helga to the center left row of the bus, their usual seat. It suited them just fine, as it wasn't the front of the bus where it was near impossible to get a seat unless you left class five minutes early. Too bad no teacher ever allowed such a thing. However, it wasn't the bumpy as hell back of the bus either, where you were very likely to get thrown up on.

"So Helga," Phoebe said as they were sitting down, "Do you want to see a movie tomorrow night? There's this new French art film that looks positively wonderful."

Helga merely rolled her eyes. The idea of sitting through a two hour art film, especially one in a different language, didn't suit her much. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate culture, there were just a million other things she would rather do.

"Ugh, no thanks Phoebes. Besides, I'm working tomorrow, 8-9 PM."

Helga had gotten a job at the local smoothie shop. It wasn't very great, paid $8.75 an hour, but it was still something Helga could do to keep her from getting bored.

But, I think I'm free the day after," she then said, "I'll have to check my work schedule. No promises though, my stupid boss loves to schedule me every day of the week, even though nobody ever comes in there. Sure as hell hope he doesn't make me stay overtime."

It was the month of December, and she had been scheduled to work practically every day of that week. Seriously, who gets a smoothie in the middle of winter?

As Helga reached her stop, she told Phoebe she would get back to her on possibly hanging out Sunday night. She walked off the bus, and saw something very strange:

A bright red car was parked outside her house.

'Olga probably has some friends over,' she thought.

About three years ago, Olga had moved back in with Bob and Helga, after their mother, Miriam, had packed her bags and left without so much as an explanation, or a goodbye. At first, Bob was against it, preferring that Olga continue to live life the way she wanted it, and he and "the girl" were doing just fine. But, after months and months and months of coaxing from his oldest daughter, Bob finally agreed.

Helga walked into the house.

"Olga, Bob, I'm ho….." She was instantly cut off at the sight in the family living room.

Bob and Olga were all sitting down. Bob sat in one chair, and Olga sat in the one opposite Bob. Bob looked as if he really didn't want to be there, and Olga's expression was that of complete and utter nervousness.

But the one person that really caught the younger blonde's eyes, was the woman sitting on the couch. Her blonde hair was curled, a clue cap sat on her head. In fact, she was wearing all blue, save for her black purse which she clutched in her lap.

"Hello, Helga," the woman said quietly.

Suddenly, Helga's eyes narrowed dangerously. Suddenly, the entire house got cold, very cold. Suddenly, time seemed to have come to a screeching halt. Suddenly, Helga wanted to punch right through the living room wall, turn on her heel, run out the door, keep running, and never look back.

"What the hell is SHE doing here?!"

And BAM! Miriam has returned to the Pataki family, and Helga is not happy about it. How will this interaction go between a mother and her two estranged children? Stay tuned for chapter two to find out!