Hey Arnold: Life Changes
Fanfiction Summery: Arnold is in college now in Wendale, Texas. During his senior semester he reunites with Helga who is different from what he remembered. But everyone changes since high school. This is the transitional stage where people figure out who they are. They establish a career, find the one, get married, and start a family. Arnold is trying to figure all of that out.
Rating: T for not but it will change to M for later chapters due to adult content.
Author's Note: Nieve's birthday is December. This chapter is a Helga and Miriam chapter. The perks to having a fic set in the 90s is that I characters can meet celebrities from the past. Olga is about in her early 30s.
Chapter 10: #1 Mom
Chapter Summery: It's Nieve's birthday and Helga wants everything to go right. When Olga shows up with two guests (Miriam and her 'boy toy' Zeke) everything goes wrong!
#1 Mom
-1994, Wendale, Texas
December 2nd - 3rd
Patty was blowing up balloons. Her face was red and she felt like she was going to burst. She pulled the balloon away from her lips. Patty tied a ribbon at the end into a not and release the it, Adding to the twenty other mylar balloons that floated up to the ceiling.
Patty grabbed another deflated balloon but paused before she put it to her lips.
"You know this could be easier if we used an helium tank," Patty said, breathless. Behind her on a step stool was Helga. She was hanging up the streamers over the balcony's slide glass door. Helga looked over her shoulder at her.
"Yeah right, like I'm made of helium tank money," Helga scoffed. "I saved up all of my money for the decorations and food."
"Well, how many of these do you want?" Patty asked frustrated.
"I dunno, about fifty," Helga shrugged.
"I am not blowing up thirty more of these," Patty announced.
The blonde scowled. "Yes you are," Helga demanded.
Patty responded by yanking down one of the balloons and squeezing it until it popped in her hands, all with a grim expression on her face.
"Twenty is good," Helga eeped automatically.
While Patty and Helga were preparing decorations, Nieve was in front of the TV watching MTV Tr3s' music videos. She loved it when her favorite idol would come on the screen.
Nieve spun around trying to imitate the beautiful pop star on the television.
"Bidi bidi bidi bidi bidi bom bom. Bidi bidi bidi bidi bidi bidi bom,"Nieve sang along, doing the washing machine around the living room as the music played."Cada vez Cada vez que lo oigo hablar."
Nieve grabbed her plush Wuzzle and pretended it was a dancing partner. She held onto its arms and salsa danced with it. When the song was over she climbed back onto the couch.
Just then Phoebe walked into the apartment holding a box.
"Hello everyone!" She beamed.
Nieve kicked her feet up and down as she channel surf with the remote. Phoebe stopped in front of her and greeted, "Hi, Nieve. Excited about tomorrow?"
"Mmm, Aunt Fi Fi I can't see!" She moaned, trying to look over her aunt to the television.
Phoebe shook her head but smiled and moved on.
Helga smiled when seeing her. She hopped down from the step stool and walked over to her friend.
"Hey, Pheebs. You got the—"
"Right here," Phoebe said lifting the box up for emphasis. "One vanilla cake with buttercream icing."
Helga rubbed her hands together excitedly. "Prefect!"
Helga followed Phoebe into the kitchen where she set the bakery box down on the counter. Helga opened the box and inspected the cake. It looked neat and had an beautiful rose design.
Helga's smile soon fell to a frown when she noticed one detail on the cake.
"Damnit, Phoebe, they spelt her name wrong," Helga groaned.
"Huh?" Phoebe hovered over the cake.
"There." Helga pointed. "They used an 'e' instead of an 'i'."
"Gosh Helga, I didn't notice," Phoebe said apologetically.
Helga sighed. She rubbed her temples. "It's okay. I just gotta think of something." After a second she then got an idea and dove for the bottom cabinet.
Luckily Lila's sudden house warming gift was finally going into some use. Helga ripped open the box and pulled out the cake decorating icing pen.
"Ah ha!" She said raising it up.
Helga never thought she would use such a gift.
"Oh my Helga. I had such a good time at Christian's art show. Before I leave back to Wellington I want to give you a belated house warming gift." The auburn haired woman held up a box.
Helga blinked.
"Oh, um thanks Lila," Helga said flatly taking the box. "I always wanted cooking supplies."
"You and Nieve can bond while bakery. Isn't that just ever so cute?" Lila smiled, clapping her hands together.
"Adorable." Helga could remember the sarcasm in her own voice.
Lila's crummy gift saved her a trip from taking the cake back to the bakery. Helga was good at changing a letter to look like something else. She did it often with her and her own sisters grades when she was younger. Helga took a knife and scrapped off part of the e. Though she was unfamiliar to using the frosting pen she was able to fix the letter.
"Wow Helga you sure are going all out for Nieve's party." Phoebe commented looking at Patty placing the balloons. There were also streamers on the kitchen ceiling and bags of confetti, noisemakers on the table.
Helga smiled satisfied with her work. She gently closed the box.
"This party is going to be prefect. Nieve's last birthdays were kind of crummy being that it was too cold to do anything." Helga admitted as she put the cake up in the refrigerator.
"But now that we're in Texas Nieve's birthdays are gonna be prefect."
Nieve rushed into the kitchen. "Mommy!"
She tugged at her mother's pant's leg. "Oh Mommy! Mommy!"
Helga looked down. "Huh? What is it?"
"C'mon look," she exclaimed now pulling onto Helga's hands.
"Look at what?"
"The TV!" Nieve shouted. "Hurry!"
"Alright, alright." Helga exclaimed allowing herself to be pulled into the living room. They stopped in front of the TV.
"Oo mommy I want my hair like dat!" She pointed to the screen.
Helga looked at the TV. The channel was Unvision. El Show de Cristina was on and she was interviewing the tejano singer.
The interviewee's dark hair was in a curly updo.
Helga blinked.
"Selena's?" Helga asked raising an eyebrow.
"Please. Please!" Nieve begged jumping up and down.
"Okay, okay. I'll see what I can do." Helga laughed. "Maybe I can make a last minute appoint with Kat."
Nieve cheered.
Suddenly the doorbell rang. "Gesh, I thought my baby was turning four, not fourteen." Helga said to herself as she went over to the door.
She looked through the peek hole. Her eyes widen in horror. On the other side of the door stood Olga smiling and waving with none other than Miriam.
She braced herself before opening the door. Olga did what was expected, tackling Helga into a tight hold.
"Oh there she is! My baby sister!" Olga squealed happily hugging Helga.
Helga growled in her arms. She eyed their mother.
She looked so different. She was dressed about 20 years younger than her age. Her hair was dyed blonde to hide the grey and she wore makeup.
"Um, hi Helga," Miriam said timidly. She had her hands together.
Helga frowned.
Phoebe and Patty walked into the room. "Hey, who was at the door—"
They froze.
The family turned and looked at the two women.
"Olga? Mrs. Pa—" Patty bite her tongue, catching her mistake. "Um, Helga's mom!"
Phoebe gave them a forced smile and awkward wave.
"Oh Helga's friends." Miriam smiled. "You're here too?"
Phoebe nodded her head a little too many times. "Y-yes! We're here. We're um..."
"Busy!" Patty said fumbling for an excuse. "We got some work…to do… in the kitchen… So we better get back to it then!" Patty pushed Phoebe away from the family and into the kitchen.
Helga turned back to her mother and sister.
"Didn't think I would be seein' you two," Helga said harshly, pushing Olga away from her.
"Of course we're here silly," Olga said cheerfully, tapping the tip of Helga's nose like she was nine years old again. "It's Nieve's birthday!"
"Yeah well, the most I was expecting from you was a cheep Hallmark card in the mail." Helga frowned.
Miriam smiled standing in her safe distance from. "It's good to see you again Helga."
"Hmmm, it's a treat seeing you too Miriam," Helga said looked away from her. Bitterness stained her tongue.
A man walked through the door. "Um, hi Helga," he said, giving her his charming grin.
"Whoa, what the hell is he doing here?" Helga exclaimed, pointing at Miriam's 'boy toy'. His name was Zeke Coleman. He was handsome, wealthy, and half Miriam's age. He was the reason why Miriam left Big Bob.
Zeke frowned.
"Now Helga be nice," Miriam said firmly. "Zeke wanted to come along and wish Nieve a happy birthday too."
"Why?" Helga asked staring Miriam right in the eye. "It's not like she means anything to him and apparently Nieve's doesn't mean anything to you if you all could just forget about us in Hillwood."
"Oh, you're still upset about Thanksgiving?" Miriam frowned. She pushed her hair back. "Honestly, honey it was a mistake. We miscommunicated."
Helga snorted.
"Daddy wanted to see me," Olga cried. "It was really short notice. Please don't be mad baby sister." Olga hated when they all would fight so she would always try to avoid it.
"He never came to see me," Helga muttered under her breath, so low that no one heard her.
Miriam nodded. "And Zeke and I were having Thanksgiving in—"
"Moscow," Helga finished. "So I've heard."
"Yeah, um, my family all decided to take a trip there," Zeke spoke up putting an arm around Miriam's shoulder. Helga could almost gag.
"Woopty doo," Helga sarcastically said.
Miriam frowned.
"Well we're all here now," Miriam said. She stood straighter and held her gift prouder. "I want to see my granddaughter."
Helga raised an eyebrow. She said that like she was Mary, the Queen of Scots.
"Yes, this isn't about us. We're all here to see the birthday girl," Olga chirped.
Helga sighed in frustration. She turned her head around towards the living room area. Nieve was still sitting by the TV.
"Nieve, your grandma and aunt are here to see you. Move your butt away from the TV and get over here!" she called.
"Oh Mommy," she moaned.
"Now," Helga demanded.
The little girl came into the room.
Miriam's face lit up. "Oh there goes my granddaughter!"
Miriam got down on one knee to get a better look. "Well don't be shy, sweetie. Come here," she said with open arms.
The little girl stood in her place with her fingers to her mouth, hesitant.
Miriam beg her to come forth. "It's okay. I won't bite."
"Can you blame her, Miriam? She hasn't seen you for nearly a year," Helga snorted.
Miriam frowned.
Nieve finally walked over to her grandmother. Miriam held Nieve's hands. "You're so pretty," Miriam complimented.
Zeke leaned forward and reached his hand for a handshake. "Hi, there little lady."
Nieve stared at his hand.
"Who are you?" Nieve asked.
"A boy toy," Helga chirped automatically.
Zeke uncomfortably laughed. "Ha, ha. I'm a friend of your granny. You can just call me uncle Zeke, right?"
Nieve made a face. "…No."
"I got you a gift," he said showing her the small wrapped gift.
Nieve smiled. "Yay!"
Just then an ad came on the TV that caught Nieve's attention. Nieve dashed to the TV, hands on the screen.
"Don't miss Selena's fashion show and Selena y Los Dinos' concert in San Antonio on the December 3rd," the male voice said. "Tickets sell fast, so don't wait!"
The little girl's eyes widen. Helga and the other adults joined her in the living room.
"Selena! Selena!" Nieve shouted pointing at the screen.
"Hey, it's funny. I have a story at Selena's concert. They say she is breaking barriers. If you want, I could get us all tickets for the concert," Zeke said. He was a journalist that had to travel a lot.
"Oh that's a great idea honey!" Miriam said excitedly, holding Zeke's shoulder. "Would you like to see Selena live, Nieve?"
Nieve jumped up and down happily. "Yupe!"
Olga folded an arm to her chest and pressed a finger to the side of her cheek in thought. "Well we were going to stay at a hotel and leave tomorrow night but it would be more fun to just stay a bit longer to take Nieve to San Antonio."
Helga frowned. Who do they think they are suddenly changing my plans? Helga thought.
"Concert? No, we're having a barbeque!" Helga protested. "Patty was gonna be on the grill. Phoebe was gonna help cook the vegetables and she already picked up the cake. I got the balloons, streamers, and everything!"
Helga felt a tug at her pants' leg. She looked down at her teary eyed daughter.
"No. Selena mommy. Selena!" Nieve whined.
Helga frowned. "But we were gonna have burgers and hotdogs. Nieve, you love burgers and hotdogs!" Helga exclaimed.
"I wanna see Selena!" Nieve hollered, starting to go into a tantrum.
Helga blinked. Was this seriously happening?
"It looks like Nieve really wants to see Selena," Olga observed.
"C'mon let the child go to the concert," Zeke lightly pressed.
Helga looked around. Nieve was crying. Everyone was pushing her to go to San Antonio. She narrowed her eyes at Miriam. Helga couldn't help but wonder if Miriam was trying to make her look like a strict mom. Helga remembered that this wasn't about her it was about Nieve.
Helga shook her head and finally caved in.
"Alright. If it's Selena my little girl wants then Selena it is!" Helga said determinedly.
"Yay!" Nieve cheered.
Miriam walked up to Helga.
"Oh this is going to be a great road trip. Just like old times, honey!" Miriam smiled.
Helga forced a smile for Nieve's sake but was far from happy.
.~.
It was early Saturday morning and they were on the road in Zeke's van. Zeke was on the wheel with Miriam in the passenger seat. Olga and Nieve sat in the first backseat row and Helga and Phoebe sat in the last.
"We're gonna see Selena," Olga cheered clapping her hands.
"Yay!" Nieve clapped her hands too and kicked her feet.
"You're hair style is very cute." Olga complimented.
"Uh-huh." Nieve said. Helga had got Kat to do Nieve's hair that night.
Helga nodded at Phoebe. "Thanks for comin' Peebs."
She smiled. "It's not problem. I would love to go to Selena's concert especially since your stepfather was so generous to get last minute tickets."
Helga's face twisted up into a scowl.
"He's not my stepfather. He's just some guy Miriam is dating. Criminy, me and him could have been in the same kindergarten together!" she yelled.
"Okay!" Phoebe yelped, taken aback by Helga's outburst. "Not stepfather."
.~.
Helga was groaning in the back seat. Phoebe looked over at her.
"What's wrong?"
"Them!"
The radio was blasting. Amor Prohibido was playing and Nieve, Olga, and Miriam were singing along together. They were all very chummy.
"Nieve I had no idea you spoke Español," Olga gasped in-between the song. Nieve beamed.
"She doesn't." Helga informed loudly over the radio. "All the Spanish she gets is from watching MTV Tr3es and Spanish soap operas."
"Still that's very impressive for a girl her age to learn Español just from watching TV," Zeke spoke up. He beeped the horn heatedly. "Pick a lane for Christ's sake!"
Miriam looked over at the back of the car.
"Well she needs to learn Español, Helga. I know a thing or two from my dance sessions with Carlos. Remember? Me and Suzie used to go out for dance lessons from time to time." Miriam said going to memory lane.
"Yeah I remember Miriam," Helga grunted.
"You know, Suzie is devoicing Oskar."
"Oh my!" Phoebe gasped.
"Already knew," Helga said, unbothered.
"Whose Suzie?" Zeke asked.
"My friend who was in a bad marriage with that Czechoslovakian immigrant." Miriam said. "She lives in a boarding house with that nice boy from Helga's class."
"Oh yeah. The one with the curly blonde hair." Zeke said. "I remember."
"We should really go visit her soon," Miriam told him.
Helga rolled her eyes.
Miriam, Nieve, Zeke, and Phoebe continued to sing together when a Spanish language Jon Secada song came on the radio. Nieve knew the words by heart.
Miriam looked in the mirror and saw that Helga was remained quiet. "Why don't you sing too Helga—Oh! That's right." Miriam remembered. "You were never good at it. You failed Spanish class, didn't you?"
Nieve paused from singing and looked back at her mom. "You don't know how?" she asked with innocent eyes.
Helga blushed and averted Nieve's gaze and looked at Miriam. "I didn't fail Spanish because I couldn't do it. I just didn't do the work," she said defensively.
Phoebe heard something. It was a clanging or banging sound. "What's that banging sound? Is it the car?"
"Now that you mention it I hear it too." Olga said.
"Don't worry." Zeke said unbothered. "This old thing does that from time to time. It's nothing to worry about."
As if on cue the car stopped in the middle of the road and it went up in smoke.
Helga groaned.
.~.
"I can't believe the car broke down," Helga grunted. They all were out of the van. Phoebe and Helga were sitting in the trunk with their legs dangling from the edged. Nieve was placed in Helga's lap. Olga was still in the back seat. Miriam was leaning against the side of the van. Zeke had the hood up inspecting the engine.
"I'm hungry," Nieve complained.
Phoebe's stomach growled. She held her tummy and blushed. "You and me both," she muttered.
"Ugh, we've been seating here for nearly an hour! Where the heck is the tow truck?" Helga exploded.
Luckily when the car stopped they were close enough to a gas station that Zeke walked to and used the pay phone.
"He said he'll be here in about 50 minutes," Zeke signed, slamming the hood shut.
"Yeah? Well, that was about 70 minutes ago," Helga grunted.
"Well, there's nothing I can do," Zeke said. Helga could hear his voice losing it's patience.
Helga removed Nieve from her lap and handed her over to Phoebe before getting up to her feet. She walked around the van to her mother. "Nice going Miriam."
"Huh?"
"If we just had the barbeque like I said Nieve would be having her birthday by now. But no, we are stranded on the road and we're probably are going to miss the concert," Helga said bitterly.
Nieve frowned. "No Selena?" She started to cry.
"Nice going mom," Helga repeated.
Miriam frowned and lowered her head feeling guilty. Just then something caught her eye. It was the field of galloping horses in the distance.
"No we're not," Miriam said determinedly.
.~.
Miriam rod the horse skillfully down the road. Nieve was seated in-between her.
"Hold on sweetie," Miriam told her.
"Kay!"
Phoebe and Olga were also on horses. Zeke stayed behind. He didn't want to leave his van in the middle of the road. He said he would meet them at the concert as soon as the tow truck came.
Miriam looked behind her.
Helga was having a hard time with her horse. It was kicking and running in circles. She found it very difficult to hold on.
"Ahhhh!"
"Oh Helga don't let the horse lead you. You lead him. Show him whose boss." Miriam called out.
Just then when Helga pulled on the reins the horse stopped abruptly and sent Helga flying off. Fortunately, Helga fell into the bushes, cushioning her fall.
.~.
At the end Olga had insisted Helga ride on the back of her horse.
"See. That wasn't so bad baby sister," Olga said as they rode into San Antonio.
Helga only grunted. Her hair was a tangled mess, she was covered in branches, and leaves and her jeans had grass stains. She was not happy at all.
"Wow, thank you, grandma for dat pony ride," Nieve said as Miriam helped her off the horse.
"You're welcome, sweetie." Miriam chirped.
Phoebe noticed Helga scowling at the scene.
"It looks like we actually got time to kill," Miriam said looking at the time of the ticket and her watch. "Any sights you girls wanna see?"
"No," Helga said automatically.
"Ooh, the River Walk!" Olga exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "I heard so many good things about it."
"That sounds good," Phoebe agreed.
"The River Walk it is then." Miriam said.
"Great. I guess I'm invisible." Helga said under her breath.
.~.
After they left the horses with a hansom cab driver in a park they went to a restaurant. They all sat at the outdoor booth along Paseo del Río.
The waiter set down the drink on the table. "One fresa smoothie."
"Oh thank you." Miriam smiled to the waiter before he left.
"Hmm, still on the smoothies I see?" Helga said flatly. Her chin rested in the palm of her hand.
Miriam eyed her.
"Actually Helga it's just a regular smoothie. I've been completely alcohol free for a whole year now," Miriam said proudly.
"Oh mommy that's wonderful!" Olga cheered. "I'm so proud of you!"
"A whole year? That's very impressive, right Helga?" Phoebe asked.
Helga only grunted, clearly unimpressed.
A boat passed by and the passengers waved at them.
"Let's go on the boat!" Nieve said excitedly.
"Alright." Miriam said getting up with everyone else. Helga remained seated.
"You all can go without me." Helga said.
Nieve blinked. "Mommy, you don't wanna come?"
Helga shook her head.
"Oh c'mon Helga." Miriam pressed. "Don't you want a little excitement?"
"I think I've had enough excitement for today, Miriam," Helga grunted folding her arms to her chest.
Miriam looked disappointed but smiled anyway. "Oh."
"Shoot yourself," Olga sang. Phoebe paused from following them and went back to the table. Miriam and Olga noticed this.
"Actually I think I'll stay here and keep Helga company," she said seating back down.
"Oh okay. We'll be right back," Olga said.
As the three of them left, Nieve held hands with Miriam happily skipping along. Helga clenched her teeth looking at them in disgust. Who the hell does Miriam think she is?
"Are you okay?" Phoebe asked, concerned.
"I'm fine!" Helga snapped.
Helga looked at the drink Miriam left behind. She pulled it over to her, took a straw, and angrily sipped on the smoothie.
.~.
A few moments later Helga coughed. She started scratching her elbow.
Phoebe looked up from her magazine. She blinked looking at Helga.
"Helga, your face is going red," Phoebe observed.
"That's the problem with being a really pale person in Texas," Helga scuffed continuing scratching.
"No, I mean you're red. I think your breaking out," Phoebe said putting her magazine down.
In just moments Helga felt her throat starting to close up.
"Helga, you're having an allergic reaction!" Phoebe panicked jumping out of her seat.
"No doi Phoebe!" Helga yelled in a strain voice.
Helga was sweating, coughing, and hacking. Phoebe asked a waiter for a glass of water.
"Try to hold on Helga," Phoebe said in a calm voice as she fanned her with the magazine.
The waiter came with the pitcher of ice water. Before he could refill her glass Helga snatched the pitcher from his hands and chug.
Phoebe fished for anything to help inside her purse. "Here Helga take a Benadryl. I always carry some with me on account of pollen makes me sneeze." Phoebe said handing her the package of pills. Helga popped the two pills in her mouth and gulped down the rest of her water.
"I am so sorry Ma'am for this." The waiter said.
She lowered the pitcher from her lips.
"What was in that drink?!" Helga barked at him.
"The fresa smoothie?" he asked. "Well fresa of course. You know, strawberries along with mango…"
Helga's eyes widen in rage. Strawberries? "MIRAIM!"
.~.
Helga was storming towards a bus stop. Nieve was bawling her eyes out as Helga pulled her along. Miriam, Olga, and Phoebe were begging, and pleading behind her.
"C'mon Helga we came all this way!"
"Don't spoil it now!"
"I already said we're going home," Helga declared.
"Helga, I'm sorry you had an allergic reaction!" Miriam cried. Helga then paused and Miriam and the others had to quickly stop themselves from crashing into her. Helga whipped around and glared at Miriam with red eyes.
"This is all your fault Miriam!" she spat. The swelling in her throat had gone down but her face was still red and her throat still felt swore.
"Well Helga I didn't tell you to drink my smoothie," Miriam gasped defensively.
"This whole trip has been horrible," Helga screeched. "The car broke down, I was thrown off a horse, and I nearly died from a allergic reaction! I had enough! Me and Nieve are taking the bus back home."
Helga, still holding Nieve's hand, walked her over to the bus bench. There was a pay phone next to it. "Sit down."
With eyes full of tears the little girl obeyed.
Helga looked back at Miriam. "I'm calling Patty to go fire up the grill so we can celebrate what's left of Nieve's birthday."
Helga went over to the payphone, picked up the phone, and started dialing.
"Oh Helga have a heart. This isn't about you. Think about Nieve," Olga said calmly from behind her.
Helga paused mid dialing. She could hear Nieve crying, pleading to let her stay and see Selena. Helga closed her eyes and counted to ten, trying to get rid of her anger. She took a deep breath before setting the phone back on the hook.
She turned around and looked at everyone. "Fine."
Phoebe sighed in relief.
.~.
When they arrived at the Hemisfair Arena it was very crowed. Police cars were handling the crowds. If they had a car they were sure it would hard to park.
"Miriam! Hey!" a voice said followed by a horn honking.
Miriam looked up.
She saw Zeke waving in the van from the parking lot.
"Ah, you made it!" Miriam called.
"Yeah. I'll meet up with you soon!" he shouted.
"Okay I'll see you later, honey. Love ya!" Miriam scream.
"Ugh, could you say it any louder?" Helga said in annoyance.
Miriam looked over at Helga.
"Huh? You think he didn't hear me?" Miriam asked completely clueless.
.~.
Since Zeke was writing an article for the newspaper he didn't stay with the group all that much which was to Helga's liking.
After the fashion show Zeke popped back in with the group. He told them Selena was signing autographs outside the arena before the concert. Nieve naturally was eager to get one.
The line for autographs was longer than anyone expected. As they waited their legs became like jelly and their backs slouched.
Before they were even close to the beginning of the line the guards came out. "Okay folks that's all the autographs for now. Selena is done signing autographs. Please, the concert will start shortly."
"Looks like we won't be getting that autograph." Olga sighed.
Nieve frowned.
"I'm sorry Nieve but we'll get to see Selena perform." Phoebe said. "That's exciting."
.~.
Helga wasn't all that of a fan. It wasn't that she disliked the music; she just couldn't understand it. She never was good at speaking Spanish plus she was more of a rock and metal kind of girl.
She looked to the side at her daughter. She was in Helga's arms. Her tiny hands clinched onto her jacket. Her eyes were sparkling with amazement and she seemed to have cracked her dimples' dimples. Helga formed a small smile.
"Are you having fun, Birthday Girl?" She asked through the music.
"Yupe!" Nieve said cheerfully.
The singer danced around on stage in her white outfit. The band played behind her. Lights flashed. The audience swayed and cheered. Helga was just happy Nieve was enjoying her birthday.
After the show Miriam went to the lady's room and left the women plus Nieve waiting in the crowded hall. Zeke had went off somewhere for more things to write about in the paper. Nieve was still a little disappointed she didn't get an autograph.
"Don't worry Nieve mommy will get you that autograph." Helga said.
Olga blinked. "But Helga—"
"I will." Helga said. "I promise."
Nieve lit up. "You will?"
Helga nodded. "Just leave it to me. It'll be a snap." Helga snapped her fingers for emphasis.
Before anyone could question how she was going to pull off such a thing Helga dashed outside.
.~.
Helga creep to the back of the arena. She kept herself hidden behind a dumpster. At the back door there was only one security officer guarding it. If she could pass him she was sure she could find the Tejano singer's dressing room and get the autograph.
"Helga?"
She turned around. "Ah! Miriam why the heck are you sneaking up—"
"Nieve had told me about your plan." She interrupted, smiling. "If you want Helga I could get you backstage passes. Zeke is doing a short interview with Selena and the band right now so it's no problem at all."
Helga's eyes widen then narrowed.
"Oh no you don't. I know what you're doing, mom. This whole trip you've been trying to be all nice and prefect just to make me look bad in front of Nieve!"
Miriam's eyes widen. "What? No I'm not. Helga, that's crazy!" Miriam gasped.
"Oh now I'm crazy?" Helga asked defensively.
"Helga, I'm just trying to help—"
"I don't need your 'help' Miriam. I am fully capable of doing this myself. I'm getting that autograph by myself so just stay out of my way," Helga barked.
Miriam frowned and walked away. Once she was out of sight Helga looked back at the door. The security guard was occupied having a casual conversation through the walkie talkie. He had his back turned to her. Helga made her move…
.~.
Helga was in front of Nieve and the others outside the arena underneath the trees. Her hair was a mess again. She had a black eye and a bruised arm from being slammed into a wall when she didn't corporate with the security guards.
Helga rubbed her bruise arm. "Yeah Nieve about that autograph… well, the guards are really strict about their job and… Selena is a very busy person—"
"You didn't get it?" Nieve frowned.
"Well… no," Helga said bluntly.
"Why?" Nieve asked.
"Because the security guards wouldn't let me."
Nieve clenched her fist. "But you promised," she said harshly.
Helga's face became red from embarrassment then she quickly scowled. "Nieve, stop being so spoiled—"
"You said you could!" Nieve snapped and pointed at Helga. "You lied!" Nieve suddenly pushed pass Phoebe and Zeke and ran away in tears.
Helga gasped at her daughter's sudden action but quickly harden.
"Nieve! Get your butt back here!" Helga ran a few steps after her but soon stop, realizing Nieve disappeared into the crowd of people.
.~.
The group split up and looked for Nieve.
Miriam had found her. When Helga and Phoebe made it to the both of them she saw that Nieve's face was buried in the woman's lap. She was crying.
"Nieve there you are. How dare you run away from me like that! Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?!" Helga yelled.
"No. You lied." Her voice was muffled behind the cloth of Miriam's pants.
Phoebe frowned.
"Nieve be easily on your mom. She tried her best," Phoebe said trying to approach the dilemma without making it worst.
Nieve continued to cry.
Helga didn't understand why Nieve was acting this way. She bent down in front of her.
"Nieve, I got a fucking black eye trying to get that autograph." Helga spat, pointing to her bruise. "Doesn't that count for something?"
Nieve shook her head.
Helga frowned. That answer surprised her.
Miriam rubbed the back of her head gently shushing the child. "It's okay, Nieve."
Helga stood up to her feet and took a step back. She felt hurt. Her efforts didn't matter and it honestly hurt. It didn't make sense to her. She shouldn't have to feel like that and Miriam didn't have to comfort Nieve. Helga balled up her fists and scowled.
"Well fine Nieve, be that way!" she yelled. "Since you think grandma is so perfect why don't you just live with her!"
"Helga!" Phoebe and Miriam gasped.
Nieve continued to sob in her Miriam's lap not looking up once. Nieve came to Miriam for comfort. Miriam, the worst mother of the decade. Miriam, who didn't even support Helga when she told her she was pregnant, was suddenly Nieve's go-to-person. That made Helga even more pissed.
"Ugh, I'm outta here!" Helga turned around and stormed off. Tears formed in her eyes.
.~.
Helga ran to the parking lot to blow off some steam. She leaned against a bus and sulked.
The sun was going down, painting the sky orange and yellow. The longer she stood alone the more she thought about what just happened with Nieve. The more she thought about it the sadder she felt.
It was getting cooler. She zipped her jacket up and held herself. She was so upset she could cry. She felt very much like a kid again. She felt pushed aside, lonely. She hated it.
She titled her head back on the bus. She really missed Eduardo. Helga wanted him to just hold her like he used to. She wanted to hear his voice call her a crybaby and make her laugh with some stupid joke. She wanted him to be here. She wanted to raise Nieve with him as a team instead of being alone. Helga felt her stomach going tight. A lump crawled up her throat. Burning tears fell down her cheeks for the second time that day. She couldn't keep it in. She was crying. She covered her hand over her mouth. "Shit," she cursed. She felt like an idiot.
"Um, excuse me?"
Helga jumped. She turned her head to side and saw a woman with long, dark hair and ruby lips standing there with a group of smiling faces behind her.
The woman blinked then smiled. "You're blocking our bus."
Helga quickly wiped her eyes before they could notice her tears. Her face was bright red. "Oh. Sorry!"
She moved back away from the bus. She leaned on a convertible as the group walked passed her and pilled into the bus.
The longhaired woman paused and looked back at Helga.
"Hey? You okay?" she asked approaching her.
"Oh I'm fine besides the fact that my kid hates me and my mother is ruining my life," Helga bitterly said keeping her focus on her shoes and not the woman in front of her.
The woman frowned. She looked down in thought.
"C'mon we gotta go," the man from inside the bus.
She looked back at him "Hold on a sec, dad," she called. The long haired woman looked at the chubby woman still waiting at the outside the bus. She was holding a camera.
"Hey, sis, c'merre." She said to her.
"What?" the sister asked.
"C'merre."
The sister stepped off the stairs of the bus and walked over to them.
Helga eyed them.
The longhaired woman smiled. "I want you to take our picture." She said cheerfully.
Helga waved her hands in protest. "Oh no that's not—"
"Don't be silly. It's fine." The longhaired woman waved off. She looked back at her sister.
"Take a picture."
The chubbier woman rolled her eyes jokingly.
"Hurry, Suzette," she pressed.
"Alright. Alright," Suzette said readying the camera. "You two ready?"
The longhaired woman huddled closer to Helga and hooked her arm around Helga's arm.
Helga forced a small smile despite not feeling all too smiley.
"Say cheese, you two." In moments a flash came from the camera along with a snapping sound.
The photo instantly came out of the camera. The sister gave it to the longhaired woman.
The longhaired woman walked back to Helga. "Here you go. I hope you and your family work things out and keep smiling." The woman said giving Helga the photo. It was still black.
Helga took the photo. "Thanks."
Three long hanks came from the bus. "C'mon you two! Let's go!" The people said from inside the bus.
The chubby woman pulled her sister's arm. "You heard them. We gotta go!"
The longhaired woman smiled and waved one last time before being dragged onto the bus laughing.
Helga watch the bus pulled off.
She looked back at the photo. The photo had become visible. Helga stuffed it in her jacket's pocket and walked through the parking lot.
.~.
When Helga left Miriam decided to be the one to go looking for her. Miriam finally found Helga sitting on the hood of Zeke's van. She had a cigarette in her mouth.
Miriam's eyes widen. "I didn't know you smoked."
"I don't. Not cigarettes at least," Helga said exhaling the smoke. She paused and looked at her mother. "I don't do it in front of Nieve," she added.
Miriam shifted.
Helga stared at Miriam.
"Just because I have a kid doesn't mean you get to start over and become the world's greatest grandmother." Helga spat.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Miriam said with equal anger in her voice.
"All you've done is show off. Look at me I have a boyfriend that's half my age that takes me around the world. He can even get you tickets to an exclusive concert. Look at me I can speak Spanish and ride a horse. Look at me I've been sober for a whole year now!" Helga mocked.
Miriam glared. "What? I can't be a better person?" she asked angrily.
"You can, but don't act like that cleans you from everything you've done in the past!" Helga yelled. "If Nieve saw who you were before, trust me, she wouldn't be so impress."
Miriam gasped. Miriam looked at Helga with confusion as she puffed her cigarette.
"What do you want me to say Helga? That I was a bad mother?" Miriam asked.
"Yes!"
Miriam scuffed in annoyance and started pacing in a circle. Helga eyed her.
"Yes. Why can't you admit it?" Helga asked leaning towards her. "You would have never done any of this stuff for me when I was Nieve's age. You always forgot my birthdays and you were never sober expect for special occasions—"
Miriam stopped on her heel. "I made mistakes! Excuse me Helga for being human!" Miriam yelled at her.
"You didn't make mistakes, mom. To make a mistake requires effort," Helga barked back. Her eyes were like ice glaring at Miriam.
Miriam had enough.
"Oh, fine! I WAS A BAD MOM!" She announced at the top of her lungs. Some people passing by stopped and looked at her like she was a crazy person. "YOU HEAR ME WORLD? I, MIRIAM, WAS A BAD MOM!" She looked at her daughter who still had an angry look on her face "There, I said it. Do you feel better now?" Miriam said in surrender.
Helga rolled her eyes. She lay down on the van and closed her eyes. Her hand carefully held the cigarette up. "…No."
The two were silent. Miriam leaned her back on the side of the van's hood and sighed.
"You were a bad mom." Helga repeated. "Only to me." Helga sat up and looked at the back of Miriam's head. "Miriam, why did you always treat Olga better?"
Miriam raised an eyebrow and looked over her shoulder at Helga. "I never treated Olga better than you."
Helga rolled her eyes. "Cut the crap. The only time you would sober up was when Olga would come home. You would gloat about her all the time and you and dad gave her most of the attention. You never did that for me. You could hardly remember to pack my lunch."
Miriam was quiet for a moment. "…I didn't realize," she muttered into the wind. There was a pause before she spoke again. "Things were complicated with your father."
"Why didn't you treat me like you did Olga?" Helga asked again, softer this time.
Miriam got up, and turned around to face Helga.
"…I don't know," Miriam honestly said. She crossed her arms. "I… when Olga was born things were easier for your father and me. By the time you were born things had gotton shaky. Olga was doing so well in school and in extra curricular activities. She reminded us of the good times and we sort of forgotten about you." Miriam looked at Helga straight in the face and said with the most sincerity, "Helga… I'm sorry."
Helga looked away and took a drain from the cigarette. She took in her mother's words. It was strange. She always wanted her mother to admit her bad parenting. She wanted her to apologize. It was finally happening and all Helga could feel was empty. Apologizing didn't make the hurt go away any more nor did she feel like prancing around gloating that her mom finally admitted to be a horrible mom. She didn't feel like hugging it out with Miriam and saying "I forgive you" either. She didn't know what to feel.
Helga exhaled smoke. "You wanna know why I hated this trip? The truth is I didn't like this trip because I was jealous of you."
Miriam eyed her.
"Jealous?"
Helga didn't reply to that. She took another drain of the cigarette before speaking again.
"Why do I feel like I made every mistake a mom could make in one day?" Helga asked suddenly. "Nieve knows I can't speak Spanish. I can't ride a horse. I'm very sensitive to strawberries. I couldn't even get her Selena's autograph like I promised her I would. And with how things are going today I wouldn't be surprise if she ran over here and caught me smoking. I feel Superman having all his weaknesses being revealed to his arch nemeses."
"It's not easy having your daughter call you out on your flaws, is it?" Miriam asked in a soft voice.
Helga eyes her. Strangely enough Helga couldn't sense any hint of bitterness in her words.
"Helga, as a mom you're going to make mistakes," Miriam continued. "It's so easy when they are young. They idolize everything you do. Until one day you're little girl isn't going to be so little. She's going to realize you don't have all the answers and that you can't do everything and they won't idolize you like they did when they were small. They start to praise pop stars and put their posters on their bedroom wall. But at the end you are still their mother and you still are there for them."
Helga frowned. She sighed exhaling the smoke watching it dance into the air. There was just a tiny bit of sun left.
"Mom, even though you sucked as a mom—like really, really sucked—I guess I… well, I didn't make it any easier. I never realized how hard I was on you until now." Helga scratched the back of her neck. "And well I guess I'm…um… sorry about that." She muttered the last part.
"Huh? What was that?" Miriam asked.
Helga blushed. "I said I'm… sorry."
"Helga, you're mumbling," she teased with half-lidded eyes.
"I SAID I'M SORRY GOD DAMINIT! Criminy!" Helga exploded.
"…Oh," Miriam said, smiling.
Helga dropped the cigarette on the ground and stomped it with her foot as she stood up. She looked at her mother seriously.
"Miriam… There's something else I gotta know. What about when I was pregnant with Nieve? Why didn't you and dad support me then? Why are you here now?" Helga asked.
Miriam sighed. "Because it was like looking into a mirror in more ways then one."
Helga was going to ask her what she meant but was interrupted.
"Hey!"
They looked behind them and saw Zeke and the others waving from the distance. Nieve was holding Phoebe's hand. She was done crying and was now just quiet.
.~.
They pilled into the van.
"Did you finish your story?" Miriam asked Zeke from the passenger's seat.
Zeke smiled.
"I did! All I have to do is type it when we get home." Zeke said looking over his notepad. "They all are nice person."
As Helga squeezed into the back the photo fell out of her pocket onto the seat. Olga picked it up behind her. "Helga you dropped something." Olga said as she went into the van. She looked at it and blinked. "Ohmigosh!" she gasped.
Helga jumped in surprise. "Criminy, Olga what's gotten into you—"
"You met Selena?!" Olga yelled showing Helga the photo.
Helga made a face. "No, that's just…"
Her eyes widen from realization. She shot forward. "No way! It couldn't be." She snatched the photo from her sister's hands and glared at it. It was Selena. "Holy shit!"
"What happened? What's going on?" Nieve asked perking her head up.
"Your mom took a picture with Selena and didn't even know it." Phoebe said.
"Lemme see!"
Helga handed her the photo. "It's yours, kid."
Nieve looked at it with wide eyes. "Wow, you met Selena," Nieve said in awe.
Helga smiled. "Happy birthday."
Nieve held the photo close to her and grinned at Helga. "Thank you, mommy."
Helga looked up and caught Miriam's glaze in the rearview mirror. Miriam winked. Helga smirked in response. The van carried them back to Wendale.
.~.