Chapter 4: Need A Ride?
It was Tuesday morning, and the idea of having to get up and go to work after a long night's workout almost made them miss the thought of school. Arnold got off of Helga, having slept in the same position he passed out in all night long. Stretching his arms a moment as he sat on the edge of the bed, he heard his wife ask "So, what do you think you and normal looking you will be doing today?" Helga asked.
Arnold raised an eyebrow at her, as he replied "What do you mean, normal looking me?"
Shrugging her shoulders, she replied "Hey, you've both got blonde hair and green eyes. Only one of you has a head shape that's completely out of proportion. You two should apply for Evil Twin 5!"
"Whatever you say Helga." Arnold sighed as he headed for the kitchen. It's too bad there's no one here to already have breakfast sitting on the table for us.
As he thought this to himself, Helga walked in behind him to reach for the cereal on top of the fridge.
"Don't you ever get tired of that stuff?" he couldn't help but ask her.
"Well doi! I mean it's not like I've been fixing it for myself every day since I was three! Sheesh!" she exclaimed as he shook his head at her wittiness.
"Why don't I make you some scrambled eggs?" he offered as she glanced at him moving closer.
"You don't have to do that. I'll be fine." she insisted, although that didn't stop him from making himself a plate.
Helga sat at the table, staring at her bowl, thinking about Arnold's words What if you end up growing interested in Jason?
Being lost in her thoughts, she hadn't noticed Arnold sitting down with his plate. "Are you okay Helga?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. I was just thinking about work." she insisted, hoping he would believe her.
"What are you going to be doing there today, do you think?" he asked as she continued stirring her cereal as opposed to eating it.
"Eh, I think she's just starting me off with some basic office assignments. Computer work, filing papers, organizing supplies, just to get an idea of how things work around there." she explained, not looking up at him.
"Sounds interesting." he replied as he watched her set her full bowl into the sink. "Yeah, well I should get going. Good luck with Good Twin." she smirked.
"So now my nickname has gone from football head to Evil Twin? By the end of the day, I'll have one for you." he warned her as she walked out rolling her eyes.
It's not like her to let me have the last word. I hope everything's okay. He thought to himself, as he too began to grab his things and head for the door.
On his way out the door, he saw Sid and Stinky walking towards the arcade.
Guess they don't have to worry about a job since they still live with their parents. WAIT A MINUTE! I can ask if they have Helga's ring! But I can't be late for work? I guess I'll just have to wait until the day's over…
Arnold thought to himself as he headed for the medical center. When he arrived, Jason wasn't waiting outside. I guess he's already inside.
Meanwhile, Helga had decided to stop at The Donut Cafe.
"I'll have two large extra hot lattes and a box of double fudge doughnuts." Helga said to the cashier.
Standing there waiting, she thought to herself Man I haven't even made it to the office and my boss already has me running errands for her! Work of an intern I suppose!
"Here you are sweetie! Enjoy your day!" The cashier said, handing Helga the doughnuts and coffee.
"Uhh yeah, thanks." she replied, thinking to herself Now I just gotta get this stuff the new few blocks without spillin' it!
As she approached the door, she wondered Crimity! Where am I going to get an extra set of hands?!
No sooner had she thought that, she heard "Here, let me get that for you!"
"Oh thaaaa…." she began, until she saw who the door was being held by.
"Careful, wouldn't want to drop those." the boy said, as he saw Helga tempted to drop her doughnuts.
"Uhh yeah. Thanks." she whispered, finding her words.
When the two realized they were blocking the doorway, they stepped outside the cafe.
"You don't remember me do you?" he asked, as Helga continued to stare at him.
She wasn't sure if she should be honest and tell him not only was she married, but that he was working with her husband, or just act as though there was nothing to be concerned about. Maybe Phoebe had it all wrong? Maybe he didn't actually have feelings for her. They only spent one night together.
"Uhhh yeah, I do." she admitted, feeling her heart begin to pound.
A smile formed on his face as he added "I'm Jason, from the night we spent together at the Hillwood Homeless Shelter."
Her knees began to weaken as she thought to herself Crimity, maybe I shouldn't have said anything!
Kicking herself inside, she began to nod her head at his memory.
"I guess it doesn't matter now, but I was a little disappointed when I woke up and you weren't there beside me the next morning." he admitted, scratching the back of his head as sweat began to form on her face.
"Uhhh sor-sorry about that. I ki-kinda had someplace to be." she said, hoping he wouldn't be looking for further information.
"I see. I guess we both have someplace to be this morning to. I'm taking these doughnuts to the people I work with." Jason said as Helga looked down at her watch petrified.
"Oh Crimity! I'll never make it there in time!" she thought out loud to herself.
"Do you not have a car?" he asked as she began to blush. "Uhh no. I walk pretty much everywhere I go."
"Let me drive you!" he insisted as she nodded her head.
I'm just getting a ride to work. I'm not cheating on Arnold or doing anything to make me interested in Jason.
Stepping into the car, Jason said "So, where exactly did you need to be the next morning?"
Helga was petrified to make eye contact. Like Arnold said, the truth would come out eventually. Should they keep it a secret as long as possible though?
"I uhh. I mean well…" she began as Jason noticed her shaking.
He placed his hand on her leg to rub it, hoping it would calm her down. Instead, her eyes widened with fear as she thought to herself Oh man, what's Arnold going to do when he finds out this guy's had his hands all over me!
Forgetting about his question, she then looked out the window to see City Hall. "Well, this is my stop! Thanks again for the ride! See ya!" she exclaimed, jumping out of the car.
Jason watched her race away, thinking to himself Maybe she just doesn't like me?
Back at the medical center, Arnold was getting his things ready for what would be his first individual counseling.
"So, how does this work exactly?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
Dr. Bliss placed a hand on his shoulder as she replied "We'll be sitting in their listening to one patient at a time describing whatever problem they may be dealing with at that point in their life. You'll do your best to show as much positive support as possible by giving your full attention to their story. Every once in awhile, you'll get a chance to give some advice on what you think could help them with a problem they may be experiencing."
As Arnold was listening to this, they heard the door opening behind them.
"Hello Jason. We were wondering when you would be making it here." Dr. Bliss said as she walked towards him to help with the doughnuts.
"I'm sorry it took longer than expected. A girl I ran into at the cafe needed a ride to work." he explained as Dr. Bliss smiled.
"That was very thoughtful of you! Now Jason, I can't have both you and Arnold in the room with the client with me together. Why don't you go over to the training room for the Group Counseling. Then when Arnold's session is over with this client, we'll switch." Dr. Bliss suggested as Arnold grew nervous about his first session.
Meanwhile, Helga was getting reacquainted with Mayor Dixie's office. "Here's your coffee. Hope you don't mind I picked up some doughnuts to go with it." Helga pointed out as Mayor Dixie smiled.
"Not at all. So, are you ready to get started?" she asked as Helga shrugged her shoulders. "I'm assuming I'll just be sorting and filing a bunch of random supplies according to that 'general office assignments' task."
"Well it's just to get you familiar with the area. You can't walk before you learn to crawl." she insisted as Helga rolled her eyes thinking to herself Something tells me these next three months will be just as infuriating as the previous eight months!
Helga's frustration with the time it would take to gain real power in her position was almost accurate to the anxiety Arnold felt from the pressure of giving the wrong advice to an innocent child.
"So, umm. It says here your name is Hilda and you're in 4th grade. What kind of things are you interested in?" he asked as could him his hands shaking around the notepad.
The girl sat with her legs crossed over the chair, glaring as she asked "What's it to ya?!"
Arnold's eyes widened at the sound of this. Looking over at Dr. Bliss, he had a facial expression that read How do I respond to that?
After not receiving more than a smile of encouragement from her, Arnold replied "I uhh just thought we could start by you telling me a little about yourself."
"Pttss...what's there to tell?" she scoffed as Arnold stared at her thinking to himself I think I found Helga's twin.
"What types of things are you interested in?" he continued to try, hoping to reach her.
She crossed her arms, rolling her eyes as she replied "Sports, wrestling, comics, junk food… pretty much anything a 'normal' girl wouldn't be interested in."
Not knowing if he was stepping out of bounds by asking her this, he couldn't help but question "What do you mean by normal?"
Throwing her arms in the air, she exclaimed "What do you think I mean?! Makeup, jewelry, heels and all that other fancy smancy pants stuff girls do that you guys can't help but go gah gah over!"
Arnold began to take into consideration how much more noticable her cry for attention was after comparing her to Helga.
"You know Hilda, not all guys care about girls like that." Arnold smiled as he set aside his notepad.
"Pttss...how would you know?" she scoffed as Arnold sat there thinking to himself Well it's not like I AM a guy?
"You actually remind me a lot of my wife." he began to blush as she raised an eyebrow at him.
"Excuse me?"
"My wife is just like you. She's never cared about dressing up and has always enjoyed sports. She has a pretty rough exterior, but is actually the sweetest person I've ever known." Arnold explained as Hilda turned to blush.
"I'm sure you enjoy a lot feminine activities you're just not comfortable sharing with people." Arnold began to push her as she whipped her head around.
"Are you kidding? Don't be ridiculous?! What kind of feminine crap would I be interested in? I'm sittin' here in a pair of worn out jeans, a black shirt and tennis shoes as old as this building. What makes you think for a second I'd have any feminine qualities?!"
"Just because you don't enjoy dressing up or looking your best doesn't mean you're not the type of girl a guy would like. I'm sure you have plenty of interests." He began, forgetting Dr. Bliss was even in the room.
"Such as?" Hilda smirked.
"Well, there's listening to music, drawing pictures, writing about your feelings." Arnold listed these traits as Hilda's eyes widened.
Seeing her squeeze the edge of the chair, he asked "Do you like to write about your feelings?"
"Uhh no? Why would I need to write about my anger when I could just go find the person I'm angry at and scream it at them?!" she exclaimed.
Arnold was no longer nervous. It was as if he had been sitting there talking to his wife for what had almost been an hour.
"It doesn't have to be something you're angry about. My wife writes to express her sensitive side. You have to let your feelings out in one way or another." Arnold explained as Hilda rolled her eyes.
Arnold continued to smile at her until the two of them heard Dr. Bliss say "Well, we're out of time Hilda."
Feeling a bit disappointed, he reached out to shake her hand "It was nice to meet you Hilda."
Rather than shaking it, Hilda sneered "Yeah, yeah, see ya next time!"
Arnold stood up from the couch with his notepad he hadn't bothered to take any notes on. "So, how did you enjoy that?" Dr. Bliss asked while Arnold couldn't help but admit. "I actually felt like I was talking to Helga the entire time."
Although she didn't feel it was her place to give her opinion, Dr. Bliss knew exactly what he was talking about.
Meanwhile, Helga was sitting in Mayor Dixie's office organizing papers, trying not to think about what had happened that morning. Crimity! What am I going to tell Arnold! Maybe it would be best just to tell Jason about us.
Her thoughts were then interrupted as Mayor Dixie walked in "So, how's it going in here?"
"Huh? Oh everything's fine! I think I've just about got everything organized." she pointed out as the Mayor said "That's great! Dino said you'd be a good recommendation!"
"Oh yeah, he and Arnold are pretty close I guess it's a good thing Arnold chose him to be the entertainment at our wedding. Not that I didn't still have to spend an unbearable eight months of planning out everything else for it." Helga said, placing the papers on the desk.
"What happened to your wedding ring?" Mayor Dixie couldn't help but ask, as she looked down at Helga's finger.
Helga held her finger, keeping silent as she thought to herself What am I supposed to do? Tell the mayor I bet it away in an underaged beer chuggin' contest? That'll make me look good here!
"I'm not sure. I just woke up one morning and it uhhh was gone. Hehe." Helga laughed, hoping she would too.
Placing a hand on Helga's shoulder, Mayor Dixie replied "Don't worry, I'm sure it'll turn up eventually."
Helga smiled as she continued holding her finger, thinking to herself I hope things are going well for Arnold.
Arnold had just made his way towards the group counseling room when he saw Jason on his way out.
"Hey, how'd it go in there?" Arnold asked.
"Basically what we'll be doing is meeting with a small group of people once a week for an hour to discuss how they can improve self-esteem and coping skills." Jason explained as Arnold smiled. "Sounds great!"
Stopping him before he could enter the room, Jason asked "Oh, did you want me to show you that milkshake tonight?"
"Uhh…" Arnold thought to himself I guess it doesn't matter. Helga and I both know about him. He seems nice enough to not try anything funny.
"Sure…" Arnold finished as Jason's eyes lit with anticipation. "Great! Should I just meet you outside after work?"
I was going to go find Sid and get Helga's ring back, but I guess I can do that another time.
"Yeah, that sounds good." Arnold replied as the two went their separate ways.
Arnold then took a seat in the room. It wasn't a normal classroom with tiny desks and hard wood chairs. Their were couches and cushioned seats where he listened to the teacher say to him and a few other interns that they would need to expect dealing with anxiety, depression, and other stress related issues. The thought of this made Arnold think of the issues he had always faced when it came to dealing with his grade school friends' dilemmas.
Then the counselor pointed out some great skills to benefit from this would be learning to communicate with others more comfortably, identifying inner feelings, being open and honest with one another, becoming sensitive, learning closeness and intimacy. This all made him think about the warm connection he had built with Helga.
After everything had been discussed, Arnold headed for the front door, nearly forgetting about Jason.
"Hey Arnold! Ready to make those shakes?" Jason asked as he saw approaching the doorway.
Arnold replied "Uhh I guess. What all do we need for them?"
Jason smiled as he said excitedly "Milk, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and vanilla extract...and a couple straws to enjoy them!"
Arnold began to scratch his head as he replied "Oh well, I've only got chocolate ice cream at my house. I don't even know what vanilla extract is?"
Leading Arnold out the doorway, Jason explained "It's a solution made by macerating and percolating vanilla pods in a solution of ethanol and water."
Arnold nodded, pretending to understand while thinking to himself Sounds like HE knows a thing or two about cooking.
"We can run by the store and grab some. You and your wife can never have too much ice cream either." Jason winked at him as Arnold gulped.
"Uhhh right. We can go to The Corner Store. It's not too far from my apartment." Arnold suggested, as the two headed to the store.
Meanwhile, Helga had just made it home from work. "Hey football head, ya home?" she called out, not receiving a response.
Crimity! How could a bunch of pesky kids keep him out this late two nights in a row! Guess I'll go microwave myself one of those 'oh so delicious' TV dinners!
As she was leaning against the counter, thinking about how her dream job started had her starting off feeling more like an office clerk, Arnold and Jason made it to The Corner Store.
"If you've got the milk at home already, we won't need a basket. That is, unless you're one of those shoppers who walks in, says they're here for one thing, than makes it to the counter with fifty items in their arms?" Jason couldn't help but ask.
"I actually don't shop that much. Helga and I didn't move out until just a few days ago, so I never had a reason to." Arnold replied, not realizing the slip up he had just made.
"Helga?" Jason asked as he grabbed the extract, having only known one girl with that name.
Arnold saw the anticipation in his eyes. The look that cried Please let it be who I think it is!
With that, he thought to himself Maybe I shouldn't be taking him back to the apartment.
"Uhh yeah…" he replied, not sure of where to go from there.
"I've only known one girl with that name. I met her at the homeless shelter." Jason explained as he and Arnold got in line together.
"What did she look like?" Arnold asked, trying to play along.
"Golden blonde hair, sapphire blue eyes, light pink lips, a unibrow. I asked her to get ice cream with me that night, but she was gone the next morning." he frowned as Arnold began to feel some sympathy forming.
"So, you never saw her again?"
"Believe it or not, I saw her this morning!" Jason's face lit up with excitement as Arnold's eyes lit with fear.
"What?! I mean what are the chances of that happening. Hehe." Arnold corrected himself, tugging at his shirt.
"I know! She needed a ride to work, so I dropped her off." Jason began as Arnold anxiously butted in.
"You mean she let you take her?! I..I..I mean that's cool." Arnold said, trying to remain calm as they set the groceries on the counter.
"Yeah but when I asked why she ran away that night, she kind of did the same thing this morning." Jason continued as he faced the cashier with his card.
"That's going to be $12.99" The cashier informed him as Arnold paid them no attention.
He obviously still has SOME type of interest in her. I don't know what made Helga give into the idea of riding to work with him, but I'm sure that didn't help decrease his interests in her.
"So, let's get this stuff back to your place and make those shakes!" Jason insisted as Arnold began to sweat.
"On second thought, do you think we could make them at my grandparents house?" he asked as Jason raised an eyebrow.
"Okay? I thought we were doing this for your wife though?" he pointed out as Arnold tried to think of a solution.
"Oh well...she's home and I just thought it would be cool to be able to surprise her one day this week and show her I could make one myself. Plus, I know how much my grandpa loves sweets."
"Well okay then. Where do your grandparents live?" Jason asked, letting Arnold lead the way.
"They actually live with my parents in the Sunset Arms Boarding House. It's not far from here." Arnold explained as Jason's face lit at the description.
"Oh yeah, I remember this eccentric kid from the homeless shelter who kept comparing the shelter's laundry room lint to the kind he said was back at the boarding house."
Arnold rolled his eyes as he saw no harm in letting out this secret. "Uhh yeah, that was my cousin Arnie. He had to live there a few months."
"Hmmm...come to think of it, Helga made us stay as far away as possible from that kid when we slept together. It's as if she knew him personally?" Jason thought back to the night as Arnold began to tense. He didn't know what was upsetting him more. How close Jason was to finding out about him and Helga or knowing about how Jason really felt about Helga.
"Yeah, well anyway, this is it." Arnold pointed out, not taking the time to consider knocking.
As Jason headed up the steps, Arnold exclaimed "WAIT!"
"What is it?" he asked nervously.
"A huge swarm of animals is going to fly out the door when we open it, so you'll want to stand back." Arnold insisted as Jason planted his feet behind Arnold. Once the door swung open, Jason watched the sea of animals go by. "Do they really take care of that many pets?!"
"It's not just my family. Other people live here to help take care of them." Arnold pointed out as he invited his coworker in.
Entering the kitchen, they saw Pookey. After seeing Pookey chopping watermelon, Arnold thought to himself Maybe I should have warned him about the way things progress around here.
"Ah grasshopper! Where's Eleanor?" Pookey wondered as she saw Arnold entering the kitchen.
Jason gave a confused look as he asked Arnold "Who's Eleanor?"
Arnold began to blush as he tried to reply "Ohh...she uhh…"
Soon his mumbling was interrupted by "She's his wife! How ya doin' there shortman?!" Phil asked, entering the kitchen.
"Your wife? I thought your wife's name was Helga." Jason asked, trying to get his facts straight.
Arnold turned him to the side as he said "It is, my grandma's just got goofy nicknames for everyone. She has a bit of demensia."
"Pttss… 'a bit.' Way to be polite shortman! So whatcha boys got goin' on this afternoon?!" Phil insisted on knowing as Arnold realized he hadn't properly introduced them yet.
"Oh umm, grandpa this is Jason. We work together at the medical center. He's going to show me how to make a chocolate shake for Helga." Arnold explained as the two shook hands.
"Well okay. What's wrong with your kitchen? That Pataki character made quite a deal about the shiny penny he paid for that place!" Phil pointed out as Arnold rolled his eyes.
"I just wanted to surprise Helga after I learn how to make them myself." Arnold blushed.
"Hmm...well alright, but you're not leavin' without makin' me one!" Phil exclaimed
"Uhh right grandpa. Come on Jason. You can set the groceries on the table while I grab the blender." Arnold insisted
"Okay, you'll need some measuring cups and spoons as well." Jason pointed out as he began going through the drawers.
After getting everything they needed together, Jason couldn't help but ask "So, who's Pataki?"
Arnold whipped his head around to ask "Who's who?"
"Your grandpa said someone named Pataki couldn't stop bragging about the money he spent on your apartment." Jason reminded him as he measured the ingredients.
Leaning against the counter, Arnold felt sweat forming on his face. "Oh, uhh that's actually my wife's name." he admitted, hoping Helga had never revealed her last name to him.
"Helga Pataki? Dr. Bliss mentioned her. She said she was quite an astute child." Jason explained as Arnold looked away "Yeah, she's always been pretty smart."
"Now that we've got the ingredients measured, we simply dump them in the blender and stir for a few seconds." Jason demonstrated as Arnold couldn't help but smile.
"Do you have any glasses for us?" he asked as Arnold went to grab them. Before he could pull them out of the cabinet, his phone beeped.
"Who was it?" Jason couldn't help but ask.
"It's uhh my wife. She's wanting to know where I am. I guess I should have let her know I would be home late. I didn't really stop to think when I said we should come here instead." Arnold pointed out, as he got down the glasses.
"Well, we can give these to your grandparents. That way you can get home to her, and now you'll know how to make her one when you feel like it." Jason suggested.
"Sounds great. Let me take these to them then we can get going." Arnold said happily as he left to go find Phil.
"Hey shortman! Is that an extra large triple chocolate shake?!" Phil asked as Arnold rolled his eyes. "Did Helga teach you that?"
"She sure did! Now maybe you can teach her a thing or two about cookin'!" he exclaimed.
"Actually, I think we're going to take a cooking class together." Arnold said anxiously as Phil raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, it's your life."
Shaking his head, Arnold replied "See you later grandpa."
"See ya shortman!" Phil exclaimed.
When Arnold made it back to the kitchen, Jason was prepared to go. "So, are you just going to leave your ingredients here?"
"Well, I guess I could take the chocolate syrup and extract with me. I don't think the ice cream will last on the way home." Arnold thought out loud.
The two then exited the boarding house as Arnold said "Thanks for your help Jason. I'll see you at work tomorrow!"
"Sounds good!" he replied, heading in the opposite direction.
Arnold headed towards the apartment, wondering what all had gone on in the car between Jason and Helga. Did he make her accept the ride? Did he do anything to make her feel uncomfortable during it?
Making it home, Arnold opened the door to hear "Crimity! What is with this thing?!"
Rushing in, he asked "Helga? Is everything alright? What's going on?"
"I'm trying to sign us up for a freakin' cooking class on Saturday, but this stupid website won't let me! Sheesh!" she scowled as Arnold leaned over her.
"That's because it says it's full." he pointed out, hoping she wouldn't be too angry. Not because it was full, but because he had pointed out something so simple.
"Oh forget it! I'm too tired to care anyway!" she scowled, walking towards the couch.
"What happened? Was your day bad?" he asked as she leaned her head back against it.
"No, like I said, it was just going to be a bunch of stupid organizing tasks. Crawl before you walk according to her. Pttss...please!" she scoffed.
"Well it's true Helga. You can't expect to just march in there and be handed over a high powered position with no knowledge of it whatsoever. Everything worth doing is hard." Arnold assured her, as he sat beside her rubbing her leg. She leaned her head against him, letting out a deep sigh.
"So where were you? You never texted me back?" she asked as he stopped rubbing her leg.
"I was with...Jason." he said hesitantly as her eyes widened.
"Oh...doing what?" she wondered.
"I took him to the boarding house so he could show me how to make those milkshakes. At first I was going to bring him here. Then he said he saw the girl from the homeless shelter, this morning…" Arnold explained as Helga gulped.
"I uhh kind of needed a ride to work. The mayor decided to make coffee runs part of my imperative learning list!" she began as she crossed her arms, looking the other way.
"So he just dropped you off when he saw you were going to be late? He didn't 'do' anything to you?" Arnold felt nervous for asking. He knew how both rough and sensitive she was.
Turning slowly towards him, Helga admitted "He might have placed his hand on my thigh when he saw how nervous I was. I don't know what made him think a stranger inappropriately touching you would suddenly put your mind at ease? Sheesh!"
Arnold began to rub her leg again as he replied "I think I know something that will make you feel better."
Turning to see him pull their chocolate ice cream out of the freezer, her face began to melt.
Oh Arnold my love! Each day you prove your love to me by finding a new gesture. No matter how small the size of it, the meaning behind it is excuisit!
Her thoughts were then interrupted by "Uhh I guess I won't need this vanilla extract if it's chocolate ice cream? Then again, we were using vanilla ice cream earlier to make a chocolate shake?" Arnold turned to think as Helga rolled her eyes, heading into the kitchen.
"Oh crimity! What is this you're using?" she scowled.
"It's uhh vanilla extract." he pointed out as she cocked her brow. "Vanilla what now?"
"Extract. They're like some form of vanilla pods." he hoped to be clear, rubbing his neck.
"And why would we need that if it's a CHOCOLATE shake?" she pointed out, while he stood unable to come up with a logical explanation.
"The syrup turns it into a chocolate shake."
"Arnold, if I wanted fake chocolate, I'd just dump a bowl of vanilla ice cream into a bowl and drizzle the syrup on top of it." she scoffed.
"Well, that's how Jason said to make it!" he snapped, not meaning to sound so offended.
"And what is he? Mr. Chef Boyardee? Gimme a break!" she scoffed as she pulled out their new blender. One of their lovely wedding shower presents, which to Helga's dismay, had been all cooking attire.
"Step back extract boy! Hand over the ice cream!" she demanded as he rolled his eyes. "How am I supposed to hand you something if I'm being told to step back?"
"Zip it hairboy! Or you're not gettin' a shake!" she scowled as she scooped the creamy chocolate dessert into the blender.
After the milk was added, she saw Arnold reaching for the lid to place on the blender. Grabbing his hand, she snapped "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Umm no? What is it?" he asked as he saw her begin to add the chocolate syrup.
"Helga, it's chocolate ice cream. What do you need that for?" he couldn't help but ask as she smirked "Pttss...why do you think they call them TRIPLE chocolate shakes, Arnoldo?!"
Shaking his head at her, he replied "Whatever you say Helga."
Once their ingredients were mixed, Helga wasted no time grabbing the glasses. "Oh man, it's too bad no one at that wedding shower gave us a box of straws to go with that monstrous mess of kitchen appliances!"
Turning around with their glasses, she saw her beloved holding a pair of straws in front of her. "You can thank Jason." he hated to admit, but was also just happy to see her happy.
"Pttss...thank him for what? Making you come home late? Yeah right!" she scoffed, anxiously placing her straw into her chocolate treat.
Arnold sat a moment to think about her question Thank him for what?
"Hey football head! I'm at the bottom of my shake and you're just eyeing yours like its inedible!" she scowled as her laughing voice at last got his attention.
"Huh? Oh sorry Helga. I was just thinking…" he began as she finished his sentenced
"Thinking about how pointless it was to go to that joker for chocolate shake making advice when you live with the queen of them!"
"Actually, I was thinking you do actually have a lot to thank him for." he admitted as she cocked her brow.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, he made you feel comfortable at the homeless shelter, he gave you a ride to work, and he took the time to show me how to make a shake for you...even though you kind of ended up being the one to make it for me." he explained as he began to scratch the back of his head. Dropping his eyes to the counter, not ready to meet her sure to be angry ones.
Not having received a response, Arnold looked up to see Helga had walked over to the sink to put her glass away.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you." he said, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Really? Because it sounds now like not only are you friends with him, but I should 'appreciate' the fact that you are?! After you made me feel like crap for doing what you're always ranting on about me needing to do...being honest with you! Tell me, did YOU steal my ring to propose to his sorry ass with?" she scowled as Arnold grabbed her hand.
"Helga, I'm sorry! Just thinking about those things he did for you made me think about…." Arnold paused when he realized exactly what they made him think about.
"Think about WHAT footba…" she started to scowl, but was interrupted. Pulling her head against his tight, pressing their noses together firmly Helga stood there wondering what he could have gotten so worked up about.
It was just nice Jason did those things for her because someone was taking care of her. That someone wasn't me though! I can't let that happen! Arnold thought to himself as he pulled her in tighter.
Breathing heavily against her, the force behind his jealousy lead him to shove her against the fridge.
"Crim..." she began to let out, unable to finish with his tongue wrapped around hers. Moving his hands from her hand to her waist, he pressed their parts together. Rubbing harder as he grew angrier at the idea of having her thank him for doing his job.
When Arnold's rage began to fade he noticed Helga shaking. Releasing her tongue, he said "I'm sorry about that."
Watching her breathe heavily, unresponsive, as she continued staring with her sapphire eyes, he explained "I thought it was nice he was taking care of you. Then I was again reminded of how jealous I feel when anyone other than me does it."
Rolling her eyes at his pleading ones, she replied. "You just can't accept that you have a rough side can you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, holding her against the fridge.
"It means hairboy, that everytime you feel the need to stand up for yourself, you think about your opponent! How badly will my actions affect them. News flash Arnoldo! They're your opponent! You're actions are SUPPOSED to affect them….BADLY! Instead, you were asking me AKA your WIFE to APPRECIATE what your opponent may do for/TO me?! Sheesh!" she exclaimed as he took in her words.
Kissing her softly, leaving his lips against hers, he whispered "Speaking of opponents, I found your twin today."
Cocking her brow at him, she asked "So, am I the good or the evil one?"
Turning his head to think a moment, he replied "I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know? Need me to grab ya a dictionary and define the differences between what a good and bad person would do?" she scoffed
"I don't know because you two seemed like the same person. Not because of the way you looked, but the way you acted." he explained as Helga smirked "She have and alcoholic mom and a money grubbin' dad, too?"
"I don't know? We didn't really talk about her family." he shrugged while the two headed for the bedroom.
"What did you talk about then? Helga smirked.
"She told me she's not interested in anything feminine, and enjoys outdoor activities. Although she wouldn't admit it, something tells me she expresses herself through writing." Arnold smiled, as he got undressed and into bed, waiting for his wife to join him.
"Eh it's possible." Helga shrugged her shoulders, sliding under the covers. Not facing Arnold, she could feel his eyes beating down on her. Turning to face him, finding an enticing smile spread across his face, she listened to him say "You of all people know it is."
Kissing her good night, with his arms wrapped around her, his face pressed gently beside her, Helga felt the comfort she knew could only come from Arnold trying to take care of her. It took their whole lives to get her to open up. When she finally did, the comfort she felt showing it with him was as amazing as knowing her love for him was requited.
