Chapter 2
A Plague on the Soul
Sunday May 9th, 2021, Mother's Day. The sun has been up for a few hours and Arnold and Helga are still asleep in bed. His arm firmly secured around Helga's waist. The soft silk of her short nightgown on top of her even softer and very warm skin feels great to him. It's going on 8:30 in the morning. Suddenly Arnold opens one eye to see if Helga is awake. He can't help but smile at his sleeping beauty as he very carefully creeps out of bed so as not to disturb her. Quickly and quietly he throws on pair of shorts and a t-shirt as he leaves the bedroom. As he closes his door he sees Helen leave her bedroom as well.
"Good morning Daddy."
"Morning sweetie, are you ready to make breakfast in bed for Mommy?"
"Yes sir."
"Okay but remember we need to be as quiet as we can. Mommy is still asleep."
"Alright."
"That's my girl."
Quietly, Arnold and a five year old Helen make their way down to the kitchen when sounds coming from the living room stop them. Already up and watching TV is Danny, one of the many boarders that would call the boarding house home over the years.
"Good morning Danny." Helen says happy to see him.
"Morning Helen."
Though he was currently working his way through college, Danny had proven himself to be a great babysitter and had become a surrogate big brother for Helen.
"Morning Mr. Pataki."
"Morning Danny, you sleep okay? You're not usually up this early."
"Yeah I did but then again I'm between semesters right now so I'm trying to get as much sleep as I can when I'm not working."
"Plus I've been asleep since five in the afternoon yesterday, so I figured I oughta get up." Jimmy says laughing.
"Things going okay in school?"
"Yes sir."
"That's good to hear."
"What are you guys doing?"
"We're making breakfast in bed for Mommy." Helen tells him excitedly.
"You are. Well that's very thoughtful of you."
"Yeah Helen wanted to surprise her Mother this year."
"Well I know she'll love it."
"Come on Helen, we don't have a lot of time and Mom will be up soon."
"Okay Daddy, bye Danny."
"See ya Helen."
Finally in the kitchen Father and Daughter can decide on what to make for Helga.
"So Helen, what do think Mommy would want for breakfast?"
Helen thinks this over for a minute.
"How about some eggs, and bacon, and toast."
"That sounds great."
"And some fruit as well, but no strawberries right Daddy."
"That's right munchkin."
"Mommy's allergic to strawberries."
"Yes she is, now you go grab the eggs and I'll get the stove going."
"Okay."
Helen eagerly walks over to the fridge and grabs the eggs from the fridge, struggling with them as she hands them to her father.
"Thank you Helen."
"Hey Daddy."
"Yeah sweetie."
"Can I go pick some flower from the garden?"
Arnold looks down from the stove at his little girl.
"Of course Helen, pick some real pretty ones okay."
"I'll pick the prettiest ones I find."
"I know you will."
Helen quickly leaves the kitchen and immediately walks to the greenhouse in the backyard to pick her Mother some flowers that she would love. All the while Arnold is busy at the stove preparing breakfast for his beloved wife. A few minutes later Helen returns to the kitchen with a lot of flowers in hand.
"What do think Daddy?"
What she has picked were a few daisies, a couple of irises, some tulips, and in the center of it all was the biggest and reddest rose from the greenhouse.
"That's very beautiful sweetheart, she'll love it."
Helen just simply giggles and smiles at her Father's response. She can't wait to give them to her Mother.
"Alright Helen, the eggs are close to being done and now we need the bacon."
"I'll get it."
Again Helen eagerly walks over to the fridge to retrieve the bacon for Arnold.
"Here Daddy."
"Thank you Helen."
"I almost forgot." Helen says as she starts to leave.
"Where are you going sweetie?"
"I left something in my room, I'll be right back."
"Okay just remember to be quiet."
"I will."
Right as Arnold finishes cooking the eggs and bacon Helen reappears in the kitchen with a piece of paper in her hand.
"I made a card for Mommy, do you think she'll like it Daddy?"
Arnold looks at the handmade card his Daughter has made for Helga. It's the kind of crayon drawn personal card that no Mother anywhere would pass up. It reads, 'Happy Mother's Day Mommy I love you, Love Helen.'
"Helen, I know she will love it, because you made it for her." Arnold says as he kisses his Daughter on the cheek.
Again Helen just giggles and smiles at Arnold's response. Like the flowers she can't wait to give them to her Mother.
"Okay the bacon and eggs are done."
"What kind of fruit do you think Mommy would like Helen?"
Helen once again returns to the fridge to see what they have. She very excitedly holds something up to her Dad.
"Peaches."
"Alright, peaches for Mommy it is."
Arnold goes about peeling a couple of peaches as he readies the tray to make the trip upstairs.
"All we need now is a glass of orange juice and some toast."
Very quickly he puts a couple of slices of bread in the toaster. He reaches into the cabinet and grabs a glass. As he turns around Helen is standing just a few feet behind him with the carton of orange juice in hand. Seeing his Daughter like that he can't help but smile.
"You know what Helen."
"What?"
Arnold sets the glass on the table, takes the carton from Helen and picks her up.
"You my dear are just the sweetest little girl in the world." Arnold says as he kisses his little girl again.
"I am."
"Yes you are little lady. I am so proud that you're my Daughter."
"Really."
"Yep, Mommy and I are so proud of you."
"Thank you Daddy." Helen says as she hugs him.
"You're welcome sweetie, you ready to take Mommy her breakfast?"
"Can I carry it to her?"
"You sure can."
"Yay."
Arnold quickly plates everything on the tray, pours a glass of orange juice, and finds a vase for the flowers that Helen had picked. Carefully he hands her the tray.
"You got it?"
"I got it."
"Okay, let's go upstairs."
Her Father right behind her Helen carefully climbs the steps towards her parent's bedroom. They stop just as they reach the door.
"You ready?"
Helen just simply nods and smiles. She's about to burst with anticipation. Arnold opens the door just as Helga is waking up.
"Morning Mommy, Happy Mother's Day."
"Happy Mother's Day Helga."
"Good Morning you two, what smells so good?" Helga says wiping the sleep from her eyes.
"We made you breakfast in bed." Helen says as she hands her Mother the tray.
Helga sits up on her bed to get a better view.
"You did, well thank you so much."
"Don't thank me; it was all Helen's idea."
"It was, well thank you very much sweetie." Helga says as she pulls up her little girl and sits her on her lap.
"Have you had breakfast yet Helen?"
"No not yet."
"No."
"Well I'm gonna need someone's help to finish all of this food."
"You will."
Helga just nods and smiles to her Daughter as Arnold sits down on the foot of the bed. As Mother and Daughter begin to eat Helga notices the vase of flowers along with her food.
"These are very pretty, did you pick them Helen?"
"Mm hmm, I got them from the greenhouse, I hope that's okay."
"Of course it is sweetheart. They're very beautiful, thank you so much honey."
"I also made you a card." Helen hands Helga the card she made.
As she looks at it she almost cries tears of joy right there.
"Thank you Helen, this is the best Mother's Day card I've ever gotten."
"It is?"
"Yes it is, and because you made it that makes it even more special." Helga said as she kisses her little girl on the head.
"I'm glad you like it Mommy."
"I love it sweetie, thank you so much." Helga says as she hugs Helen with all her might.
"So is anyone else up Arnold?"
"Danny's downstairs watching TV."
"Is he okay, he's usually not up this early?"
"That's what I said, but yeah, he's fine. I guess he just got enough sleep is all."
"Okay, I just hope he isn't sick or something."
"No he's fine."
"So Helga."
"Hmm."
"This is your day, what do you want to do today? Money is no option, whatever you want to do, we'll make it happen."
Helga thinks this over for a minute.
"Well, how about we go to lunch and a movie, and then stop my parent's house."
"I want to wish my Mom a Happy Mother's Day too."
"That's sounds great Helga."
"How about it Helen, does that sound like a good plan?"
"We're going to see Grandma and Grandpa?" Helen asks excitedly.
"Yes we are."
"Yay."
"Well I think that is a resounding yes." Helga says as she kisses her Daughter again.
Arnold just laughs and smiles at his little girl. Helga and Helen both continue eating and Arnold is overcome with an immense sense of pride and happiness. He can't hold back his joy as he gazes at the women in his life. His joyful and happy Daughter who is the light of their life and wants nothing more than to please her Mother and Father. And of course there is his wife. The woman he loves most in the world. Her beauty is unmatched, her caring nature never ceases to amaze. She is the woman he was made for. He could not have wished for anything more. He had everything he needed. The woman of his dreams, and the best Daughter any Father could ask for. His life is perfect. Helga catches him staring at her.
"Everything okay Arnold?"
Arnold continues to gaze at his lovely wife.
"Yeah Helga, everything is perfect."
While her parents talk, Helen is still eating.
"You look beautiful."
"Arnold I haven't even gotten out of bed yet."
"And yet you are still incredibly beautiful."
"Oh Arnold."
This catches Helen's attention.
She doesn't fully understand the meaning behind their conversation so she just silently watches her parents. Suddenly Helen breaks the conversation between them.
"Mommy, aren't you going to eat?"
"I'm full honey."
"Can I have a little more?"
"Of course Helen, ask your Father if he wants any."
"Do you want any Daddy?"
"No thanks Helen, I'm not really hungry."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure sweetie, you go ahead and eat."
"Okay Daddy."
Helen resumes eating and her parents change their spoken conversation to a silent one. Just a few minutes later Helen tells them, "I'm done."
"Did you get enough to eat honey?" Helga asks her.
"Mm hmm."
"Alright then."
Helga once again turns her attention towards her husband. She eyes every inch of him. Suddenly she feels an all too powerful and familiar urge building inside of her. She has an incredibly subtle yet obvious look of passion in her eyes. Arnold looks up at her and immediately knows what she's thinking. Helga turns her attention from Arnold to Helen.
"Hey Helen."
"Hmm."
"Why don't you go downstairs and watch TV with Danny for a little bit."
"Are you sure Mommy?"
"Yes sweetheart…Daddy and I need some alone time, okay."
"Okay Mommy."
Helen gets down from her Mother's lap and picks up the tray.
"I'll take this downstairs." She said as she started for the door.
Arnold gets up off the bed and opens the door for his Daughter.
"Thank you sweetie." Helga tells her.
"You're welcome."
Arnold fully opens the door for her.
"You got it?"
"I got it Daddy."
"Alright Helen, we'll be down in a little bit okay."
"Okay."
Helen fully out of the room Arnold slowly closes the door. He hears Helga get his attention in a hushed seductive tone.
"Arnold."
Arnold slowly turns and sees that Helga has shifted from her side to the center of the bed, propped herself up with a few pillows, and pulled up her silver nightgown exposing her long beautiful legs and the panties she is wearing. Her panties are the same silver as her nightgown. Again in a hushed seductive tone Helga tells him only one thing.
"Lock the door."
Arnold happily does as he's told and climbs back into bed positioning himself on top of her as they go into an intense make out session. Helga slides her hands under his shirt and lifts it over his head as he throws it down on the floor. Their intense make out session continues as Arnold slides his hand under her gown and removes it from his wife. Helga lets him up for air and throws the gown on top of shirt smiling at him the entire time. Time and time again they have gone through this ritual. But to them, something about it feels new every time. They love being in each other's company like this. It's both emotionally and physically stimulating for them. And for two people so deeply in love…it's just natural, and a whole lot of fun.
An hour later Arnold is fully dressed and downstairs at the boarding house phone. He's wearing a light blue dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up and pair of khakis and his hair is combed back. He picks up the receiver and dials a long distant number. Patiently he waits as the line rings. Finally someone picks up on the other end.
"Hello."
"Hey Mom."
"Hey sweetie how are you doing?"
"I'm fine, how are you guys doing?"
"Were doing just fine, we're thoroughly enjoying our retirement."
"That's good to hear Mom, how's Dad?"
"He's doing good, but you know how he is."
"He's always injuring himself while working on something." Stella says to him while she laughs.
"Yeah I know."
"So how are the girls doing?"
"They're just fine; in fact we were getting ready to take Helga out for Mother's Day."
"Is that right?"
"Yeah, and I also wanted to wish you a Happy Mother's Day as well Mom."
"Thank you honey."
Arnold's conversation with his Mother is temporarily interrupted by Helen running down the stairs.
"Mommy says she's almost ready."
"Okay sweetie."
Helen tugs on his pants leg.
"Who are you talking to Daddy?"
"I'm talking to Grandma, you wanna say hi?"
"Ooh gimme gimme." Helen says as she happily takes the receiver from him.
"Hi Grandma."
"Hi Helen, how are you doing sweetheart."
"I'm good; we're getting ready to take Mommy to a movie."
"You are."
"Mm hmm, and guess what."
"What?"
"Me and Daddy made breakfast in bed for Mommy today."
"You did, well that was very thoughtful of you sweetie."
"Happy Mother's Day Grandma."
"Thank you Helen, you're such a sweet little girl."
"Thanks Grandma."
"You're welcome Helen."
"Well I hope you all have fun today."
"We will."
"Let me talk to your Daddy again honey."
"Okay bye Grandma, I love you."
"I love you too Helen."
Helens hands the phone back up to Arnold.
"She wants to talk to you."
"Okay, hey, go tell Mommy I'm ready whenever she is."
"Okay."
Helens runs back up the stairs to the deliver the message to Helga as Arnold resumes the conversation with his Mother.
"Hey Mom."
"Hey Arnold, so are you just going to a movie or what?"
"We're also gonna take her out to eat."
"It depends on if we see the movie first or not."
"I see."
"Well I'll let you go dear; I don't want to take up too much of your time."
"That's okay Mom."
"Again I want to say Happy Mother's Day."
"Thank you Arnold. I'll tell your Father you said hello."
"Thanks Mom. I love you."
"I love you too sweetie."
"Hey, when are you and the girls coming down to see us again?"
"We'll probably head down there for Thanksgiving this year."
"That sounds great, can't wait to see you."
"Me too Mom."
"Alright I'll let you go Arnold."
"Okay, bye Mom."
"Bye sweetie."
No sooner than he placed the phone back in its cradle Helen is running back down the stairs excited about something.
"Daddy, daddy."
"What, what?"
"You should see Mommy, she looks so pretty."
Arnold picks her up.
"She does."
Arnold walks over to the bottom of the stairs just as Helga is joining them. Arnold takes one at her and is left speechless. Time slows down for Arnold as Helga descends the stairs. She is wearing a figure flattering, full length, solid white satin dress. She is also sporting a pair of white open toed heels. Her lipstick is a light shade of pink, much like the bow she wore when she was a child. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail which has become Arnold's favorite look on her. And of course around her neck is Arnold Valentine's Day gift. The solid gold heart with red, pink, and white diamonds, the inscription on the back which speaks Arnold true feelings about her, 'Yours Eternally'. All Arnold can manage to say is, "Wow."
Helga reaches the bottom step and stares at her husband for a minute. Finally he turns to Helen.
"Yeah, she is."
"But you know what Helen."
"What?"
Arnold turns back to his lovely wife. She is gazing at him with the same love in her eyes that Arnold feels for her. He sets his little girl down on the floor and turns back to Helga.
"Mommy's always pretty."
Without saying a word Helga leans in for one of Arnold's favorite things in the world. It's one of her trademark powerfully passionate kisses that he has received from her since they first started dating. Arnold revel's in the kiss from his wife as he wraps his arms around her, and she wraps hers around his neck. They finish their kiss and just stare in each other's eye. Very softly Arnold tells her, "You look absolutely beautiful."
"Thank you Arnold, you look very handsome as well." Helga says as she steals another quick kiss from him.
"What about me?" Helen says feeling ignored.
Helga looks down and lovingly smiles at her Daughter in her little pink dress.
"You look very pretty as well sweetie." Helga says as she picks her up and kisses her.
"Did you call your Mom yet?"
"I just got off the phone with her."
"Good, how are your parents doing?"
"There doing just fine."
"Mom says they're thoroughly enjoying their retirement."
"Well that's good to hear."
"So, you ready to go?"
"Yep, you ready Helen?"
"Mm hmm."
Hand in hand all three of them head for the garage and load up in the car to take Helga out for Mother's Day. Their first stop of the day is at the aquarium. Since it was still pretty early in the morning it wasn't quite time for lunch. But nevertheless they all enjoyed themselves, especially Helen. Two hours later Helen made it very clear to her parents that it was time for lunch. Arnold drove them all to one of their favorite restaurants, Chez Paris, a place that holds special meaning for Arnold and Helga. Lunch finishes up and they all head for the theater. They all pick one of the many animated films that are appropriate for Helen to see. Another two hours later and it's going on three in the afternoon. They make their way toward their last stop for the day, Bob and Miriam's home. As soon as she gets out of the car Helen races up the steps and anxiously knocks on the door. A few seconds later it opens revealing Helga's parents standing there.
"Hi Grandma, hi Grandpa."
"Hello Helen." They both say.
Miriam picks up her granddaughter.
"Oh you're getting so big."
"How's my favorite Granddaughter?"
"I'm your only Granddaughter Grandpa."
"Hi Mom, hi Dad."
"Hello Helga, oh sweetie you look beautiful."
"Thanks Mom." Helga hugs both of her parents as Miriam sets Helen back down.
"How you doing Helga?" Bob asks her.
"I'm good Dad, everyone's fine."
"Good to see you Arnold."
"Good to see you too Bob."
"How have you been Arnold?"
"I've been fine, thanks for asking Miriam."
"We just wanted to come by see how you guys were doing."
"We're just fine honey."
"And I wanted to wish you a Happy Mother's Day as well Mom."
"Thank you Helga." Miriam says as she hugs her again.
"Well don't just stand there, come on in."
Slowly they all enter the house and sit down in the living room. For the rest of the afternoon they just talk and laugh. About past Mother's Day's, day to day life, and the nonstop bundle of joy that is Helen. They all stay for dinner and afterwards just talk some more. Helen had sat down in Helga's lap when she finally settled down after dinner. It only took one yawn from her for Arnold to look at his watch. It's almost eight o'clock in the evening.
"I think it's getting close to your bedtime little lady."
"Do we really have to go?"
"Yes we do."
"Awwww."
"I know you wanna stay but we don't want impose on Grandma and Grandpa too much."
"Okay."
Disappointed she has to leave she gets down off of Helga's lap when Miriam stops her.
"Helen, you are welcome to come over any time you like dear."
"Really."
"Of course."
"Thanks Grandma."
"You're welcome honey."
"It is getting late. We should probably head home." Helga says as she gets off of the couch.
"Thanks for stopping by Helga."
Helga walks over and hugs her Father.
"You're welcome Dad."
"Thanks for having us."
"Don't mention it Arnold, like I said you all are more than welcome to come over any time."
"Come on Helen, it's time for you to go to bed."
"Okay." Helen says with a big yawn.
They all walk to the main foyer of the house when Miriam stops them once again.
"Hang on I want to get a picture of you three."
Miriam quickly disappears and returns with her camera.
"Okay, say cheese."
Helga quickly picks up her little girl as Arnold wraps his arm around her.
"Cheese."
The flash of the camera goes off returning Arnold to the dry dusty space of his attic. He takes a slow look around the attic and back down at the picture. Alone, he has only one thought on his mind.
*I can't believe it's been ten years.*
"It seems a lot longer than that."
As he looks at the picture that same sense of sadness overtakes him and he quietly cries to himself. A few minutes later he wipes the last of his tears away, takes the poetry book and picture, and walks downstairs to the living room and collapses on the couch. He looks up at the clock on the wall. It's almost noon.
"I guess I could take a nap." He sets the book and picture on the side table and very quickly drifts off to sleep.
A few hours later he's awoken by the sound of the grandfather clock chiming at the top of the hour. Five o'clock in the evening. As he leans up and stretches the sound of the front door opening catches his attention.
"Dad I'm home."
"I'm in here kiddo."
Helen walks in and sits down beside him on the couch.
"Did you guys have fun today?"
"Yeah we did."
"Tommy couldn't meet up with us though."
"Sorry."
"Yeah, me too, he really needs to relax more often."
"So what did you and Lily do today?"
"We just went to see a couple of movies. What about you?"
"I've pretty much been sleeping on the couch since noon."
"Okay, well I'll be upstairs if you need me."
"Alright Helen."
Arnold leans over and hugs his daughter just before she gets up.
"Just let me know if you need anything."
"I will Dad." Helen says as she gets up.
Alone once again Arnold turns on the TV. Sitting there on the couch he just channel surfs for an hour when he realizes what time it is. He starts walking upstairs to a rather familiar room. He knocks before entering.
"Come in."
Arnold enters what is now Helen's room. The same room that he once called his own when he was young. Other than the fact that Helen has decorated it to her liking the room hasn't changed much. Arnold turns to see her sitting on the edge of her bed, her knees drawn up to her chest. In her hands is one of the pictures of Helga from the box they found earlier.
"Hey Helen."
"Yeah Dad?"
"Any idea on what you want for dinner?"
"I'm not really hungry tonight Dad." Helen says sounding more forlorn than earlier.
"Yeah I'm not really hungry either."
Arnold takes another look at his daughter and he can see that something is bothering her. Slowly he walks over and sits down on the bed next to her.
"What wrong sweetie?"
Helen looks at the picture of her Mother and then up at Arnold. She can't take it anymore and breaks into tears as she hugs her Father.
"I just miss her so much Dad."
Arnold consoles his grieving daughter as he cries and hugs her as tight as he can.
"I know you do princess…I know you do."
"I miss her too."
For the next few minutes Father and Daughter try to comfort each other over the loss of someone very dear to the both of them.
"Helen."
"Yeah."
"Just remember what I told you this morning."
"Your Mother loved you with all her heart and soul and she would have done anything for you."
"I know Dad."
"I just miss her so much."
"I know kiddo. We all miss her."
"I know this must be hard on you Helen, being a teenager and Mom not being here."
Helen releases her grip on her Father and looks up at him.
"Just know that if you need to talk about anything, I'm here for you sweetie." Arnold says as he kisses her on the head.
Helen wipes away the last of her tears.
"I know." Again she hugs her Dad with all her strength.
"Thanks Dad."
"You're welcome honey." Arnold returns the hug back to her and pats her on the back.
He releases his hold on Helen and faces her once more.
"Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?"
"No thanks Dad, I think I'm just gonna go to bed."
"Are you sure?"
To her Father, Helen looks like she's feeling a little better.
"I'm sure, thanks anyway Dad."
"Alright Helen just help yourself to anything in the fridge if you change your mind."
"I will."
"Hey Dad."
Arnold faces her once more as he gets up.
"Yeah." Again Helen hugs him as tight as she can.
"I love you."
He hugs his little girl back.
"I love you too sweetheart."
"Just remember, I'm here if you need someone to talk to."
"Okay."
"I know."
"Goodnight Dad."
Arnold kisses his Daughter goodnight.
"Goodnight Helen. Sleep tight."
Arnold leaves his Daughter's room and walks back downstairs to the living room. He watches TV for a few more hours before he starts to get tired. Remembering he left the picture and book on the side table he picks them up and takes them with him to his room. Once he's changed into his sleeping clothes he puts the book in the drawer of his nightstand, and the picture next to the other one of him and Helga. He sets his alarm for five a.m. the following morning. As he climbs under the sheets he has a hard time falling asleep. In one way he doesn't want to sleep because he knows what he will see. But soon his body and mind override his willpower and he's out cold. Again the nightmare resurfaces. Only this time…it's much worse than before.