CHAPTER TWO : ARNOLD
Arnold was just finishing up his paperwork when the phone rang and he grabbed it off the hook without looking up from the computer.
"Hello?"
"President please..."
"It's me Gerald" Arnold laughed before clicking off his computer and reclining in his large computer chair behind the giant mahoganey desk.
"Man, You have a secretary why are you answering your own phone?"
"I gave her two weeks off...Christmas is in seven days"
"Yeah that's what I was calling about I wondered what you were doing"
"I'm closing a business deal...why?"
"Phoebe and I would like you to spend Christmas with us and the children"
Arnold sighed looking around the huge and somewhat cold looking office. Since his grandparents passed away he often spent Christmas working.
He was a multi-millionaire with his own company and nobody to share any of it with
"Thanks Gerald but I gotta close this deal"
"Alright, Well I got to tell you something can we have lunch today?"
"Sure. Where do you want to meet?"
"How about Lous that new diner down by PS118?"
"Sounds good...what's going on?"
"Well, It's about that deal you want to clsoe I was looking over the paperwork and we might have missed something little"
Gerald was Arnolds vice president and he trusted him with the most important matters so if Gerald said something needed looked at it must be important.
Arnold walked into the tiny crowded diner and looked for Gerald he saw his best friend at a booth in the far right corner and waved before making his way to sit down.
"Hey Gerald...what's up?"
"Well Arnold I was looking at the profile we got on this Mr..."
"Gerald..Why were you looking anyway? I gave to time off to be with Phoebe and the kids" Arnold interrupted and Gerald made a waving gesture.
"Anyway...Mr Jones only does business deals with family men...and when was the last time you had a girlfriend?"
"I don't know"
"Exactly well...Mr Jones wants to spend Christmas with you...all seven days.."
"That's fine I have plenty of room"
"He wants to meet your family"
"What family?"
"The one I told him you had" Gerald winced.
Arnold sat staring at Gerald wondering what to say he was about to speak when a tall attractive blonde walked up to their table.
"What can I get you?" Arnold turned to face her and froze.
"Helga?"
"Arnold?" She blushed and backed up like she was about to run Arnold caught her arm pulling her back.
"Wow, Helga you look...great" It wasn't a lie she had filled out nicely since last time he was her.
"Thanks Arnold" Helga looked at her arm where his hand gripped it and he let go she was beyond emberassed that he saw her working here.
"So...what can I get you?" She took a deep breath and pulled out her pad and pencil.
"I want a turkey sandwhich" Gerald ordered and Helga nodded before writing it down.
Arnold was about to order when a little girl jumped off one of the stools at the counter and came running across the diner to Helga waving a picture she had obviously drawn.
"Mommy! look what I did"
It all happened fast but Arnold still managed to see the horrified look on Helgas face before she turned and caught the girl in her arms seconds before she reached the table.
She lifted her and quickly shoved her pencil and pad back in her pocket before rushing off Arnold couldn't stop watching.
She sat the girl back on the stool kneeling down to her level she felt the girls forehead before handing her a pill she smiled at the drawing and then told the little girl something before walking back to the table. Her face was red.
"I'm sorry about that...Arnold...what can I get you?"
"MISS PATAKI!" A booming voice made Helga jump and she winced before turning to the large man storming towards her.
"How many times have I told you not to bring you kid to work"
"Please Mr. Sikes...I can't afford a babysitter...please...please"
"No, You've been warned finish your shift and don't come back" He turned and stormed away Helga sighed then turned back to Arnold.
"Well? what can i get you?"
After Arnold ordered and Helga walked away Gerald spoke up.
"That's it Arnold get Helga to pretend to be your family for the week"
"Are you crazy?"
"No, just listen...she obviosuly doesn't have much money she just lost her job and Phoebe said that kids father has been MIA for years...it's perfect you got plenty of money and plenty of room come on man after you close the deal you pay her and she moves out"
Arnold glanced at Helga who was smiling and talking to a baby in a highchair and he decided that he couldnt do much better.
Helga was gathering hers and Gacies things and trying to hold back the tears when she felt a warm strong hand on her shoulder and she turned.
"Arnold?" She wiped her eyes quickly.
"Helga...I have...a proposition for you"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Well it appears you need a job and I...need a wife and a daughter for one week I'll pay you...14 thousand for the week" She stumbled back a step.
"you want to pay me 14 thousand dollars to pretend I'm your wife for a week?"
"Well, Yeah..."
"Why?"
"Because...you need the money."
"I don't need your pity Arnold or your money"
"Well I need a wife and a daughter...what do you say Helga?"
She stood staring at him before glancing at Gracie and taking a deep breath.
"Ok, We'll do it"