Chapter 13: The Whole Story

The first chunk of this chapter is told from entirely Helga's POV and is sorta flashback-y. Then it goes back to a more broad POV.

I had just got home from graduation. I threw my cap and gown over the banister of my staircase and began to search for my parents since they had been missing in action at the ceremony.

"Bob? Miriam?", I called out with no answer in return.

I gently tapped on my mother's bedroom door and heard a soft mumble behind the walls. I couldn't really make up what she was saying, but I opened the door anyway to find her still in bed surrounded by empty bottles of hard liquor. Many of these bottles were old. I could tell from the layers of dust on top of the glass. My mom wasn't the type to clean up after herself. However, it was also clear that many of those bottles had just been opened that day. Despite her drunken stupor, I tried to talk with her anyway.

"Hi, Mom. I just got home from graduation. I'm so glad to finally be done with that place and start fresh at university." I had gotten into NYU a few months earlier. All I had to do was send in the payment, then I was off to New York. It was the proudest I'd ever been of myself and I only hoped my parents would be too, but of course they weren't. "You know, I really wish you and Dad could have made it to my ceremony."

"Oh that's right, your father...", Miriam finally replied. "He's...uh... out of town on business. Remember? He's extending his chain of stores. He's in...uhm...oh God, what town was it again?"

Surprise, surprise. Dad missed my graduation for something business related. Shocker. It's also typical that I'd be completely left out of the family loop, knowing nothing about this trip.

"Whatever. It doesn't really matter. Maybe he explains everything in this letter", Miriam concluded, as she reached over to her nightstand and pulled out an envelope from underneath a bottle of whiskey which caused the it to fall off the nightstand and shatter onto the wood floor. Miriam didn't pay much mind to the mess and handed me the envelope. "Your father told me to give this to you", Miriam said before falling back into a drunken coma.

I looked at the envelope. It had my name written in my father's handwriting on the front. At first I was overwhelmed with joy. For starters he had gotten my name right for once. Also, even though my Dad couldn't be at my graduation, he at least bothered to give me a card which would hopefully prove that there's at least a small part of him that does love me. I eagerly ripped open the envelope and found a letter inside. I unfolded it and began to look it over. It read:

As you know, I'm expanding my empire to Pennsylvania which is why I won't be attending your ceremony. This weekend we are beginning the construction of the new store which I had to be there for. Unfortunately the business has been a little tight on money lately. This was a problem because I needed to pay the workers in advance. I'm writing to let you know that I took the money from your college fund to pay for my new store. I knew you wouldn't mind, being that sending you to college would have been a waste of time and money. Anyway, what I'm really writing to tell you is that now that you're 18 and out of high school, I don't think it's appropriate for you to be sponging off of us anymore. By the time I get back from my trip I'd expect that you've moved out.

Big Bob

PS- Don't take anything that belongs to the family. That includes the car.

I felt like I couldn't breathe. In just over a hundred words my Dad managed to take what little I had away from me, and he didn't even have the audacity to do it in person. I almost didn't believe it. All that hard work for nothing. What was I going to do now?

Without a word to my mother I left her bedroom and walked into my own, or at least what was my room for the time being. I took two suitcases and filled them with as much as I could. I took all the money I had in savings and left right then and there.

By this point I really had no reason to stay in Hillwood. Hillwood had become a town that symbolized everything I hated. I needed to get out. I used some of my money and bought a train ticket. I got off a few towns over and wandered around until I found myself in front of a bar. I knew with my mother's history it probably wasn't the smartest idea, but I went in anyway. I needed something to numb the pain, and since it'd worked for my mom for all those years it might help. I got into the bar with no problem, but when it came to getting a drink the bartender needed an ID. This was the test I failed.

"Great, I don't have family, friends, a house, or anything, and now I can't even bum a drink", I grumbled as I picked up my luggage and hobbled out the door. A few steps out of the building I heard a voice calling out for someone, and it sort of sounded like it was calling out for me. I stopped shortly and turned to notice a man quickly heading in my direction. He was maybe in his mid-30s or early 40s. He had long black hair that was thick and wavy, and it was tied back in a low pony tail. He had a goatee and a thin mustache, and despite the fact that it was dark, he still had on a pair of sunglasses. In all honesty, he was a bit sketchy at first.

"Hi. My name is Mark", the man introduced as he stuck out his hand.

"I'm Helga", I said, shaking his protruding hand.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help but hear that you have no place to sleep tonight. My roommate just moved out so I have a spare room if you're interested", Mark politely offered.

My better instincts told me not to go with him. There are horror movies and rape plot lines that start out this way, but I really had no other options. I agreed and he drove us both to his apartment where I unpacked and settled down in the spare bedroom. Before heading off to bed I found Mark in his kitchen and slapped $300 onto the counter.

"Here. This is all I have, but I hope it'll cover rent for a few nights at least. Thank so you much, and I promise you that I'm hitting the classifieds tomorrow bright and early."

"So what? You're planning on getting some lousy fast food job?"

"Or something like that, yes. At least until I can figure out something better to do with my life."

"What if I were to tell you I have something a little better", Mark said with a smirk as he eyed me up and down.

I quickly jumped to conclusions. "I don't care how much you'd pay me, I will not sleep with you", I scolded.

Mark threw his hands up in the air. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, who said anything about sex? I'm talking about something a bit more...artistic, if you will."

"I'm not really following."

"Remember that old roommate I mentioned earlier?" I nodded, then he continued. "Well, he was a buddy of mine. We owned a gentleman's club together down on Elmont Ave. That was at least until he fell in love with one of our dancers. He quit the business and the two ran off together. Now not only am I short a partner and a roommate, but he also left me short a dancer in our line up. You've already solved one of those problems, so how about you solve another one?"

"Listen pal, I know we just met and you don't really know me all that well, but I'm not really into that whole thing. No offense, but Helga G. Pataki does not strip. Sorry."

"But do you realize how beautiful you are? I bet you're a natural."

"Even if I was a natural, it's just not in the cards for me. I want to be a writer, not a dancer."

"But how is being some cashier at McDonald's getting you any closer to that dream? At least this way you'll have an outlet to be a little more creative. Not to mention you'll make a hell of a lot more with me than you would at some shitty minimum wage gig."

I thought about how much I needed the money. Sure, I could have taken any old job, but I needed the money now. "How much are we talking here?"

"It all depends on how good you are, but I can guarantee it'll be more than a crappy $7.50 an hour."

I thought for a moment before answering, then I hesitantly responded, "Fine. I'm in."

"Oh my God! Thank you! You're really saving my line up, you know. I promise you wont regret it."

"Yeah, well, we'll see about that."

The next morning Mark took me to work early in the AM. He introduced me to another dancer named Candace. She gave me a crash course on what to do. I originally had no intentions of going on that night, but Mark and Candace thought I had talent and that I had what it takes to go on right away. Just like that, twelve hours later I was on stage performing for dozens of men. Candace had even created a stage name for me to go by. She said Helga sounded a lot like Hell Girl and went with that.

At first I thought I'd hate it and quit right away, but I didn't. For once in my life I felt loved and accepted. Not only did I feel supported by my co-workers, but I felt appreciated and wanted by the men I performed for. I had been so used to feeling unwanted at home that I quickly became hooked on the attention I got when I was onstage. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before. At least until Arnold showed up 5 years later. He reminded me of my real dreams and also made me feel important and worthy of the life that I truly desired. It was hard to leave my dancing job because it had been my family for so long, but it was time to let that go and become the person that I was really meant to be.

...

As Helga wrapped up her story, the four members of her audience all stared at her in silence. They weren't sure whether to feel sorry for her hardships, glad that she was able to find some sort of happiness stripping for all those years, feel bad for pulling her away from her makeshift family, or to feel happy that that part of her life is behind her and she's now beginning to pursue her writing. Despite their conflict, Arnold knew exactly how to feel. He was proud he could be one of the people who didn't let her down. One of those people who made he feel good and was able to give her the strength and courage to take a chance on herself.

"Wow, Helga, I had no idea. I can't be surprised though, you've always been strong enough to get through anything", Phoebe said, finally speaking up.

"Thanks, Phoebe", Helga said to her high school best friend, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"So anyway, on the way over Gerald and I thought it'd be nice to take you all out to celebrate Helga's return."

"I said no such thing", Gerald interjected.

Phoebe shot Gerald a stern look as if she were saying shut up with her eyes. She then returned her attention to her friends and laughed. "Gerald's just joking around. Come on, let's go. Our treat", Phoebe insisted as she motioned for everyone to get up. As they all began to head for the front door, Gerald grabbed onto Phoebe's arms and whispered into her ear.

"Phoebe, we're already paying for the apartment, schooling, and our everyday expenses. We can't afford to pay for this."

"Come on, Gerald, she was my best friend. I want us to be as close as we used to be, and what better way to start than by doing something nice for her. It seemed to work for Arnold and Lila. Please", Phoebe begged.

"Okay, okay, fine. Let's just hope they pick a place that's moderately priced."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you, Gerald!"

"I love you too, Phoebe", he said, kissing her on the top of her head. Phoebe then grabbed his hand and led him toward the exit.

Arnold held the door open for everyone as they poured out of the boarding house and headed to their individual cars. Helga was the last one to leave the boarding house and as she passed Arnold she looked up at him with wide eyes and gave him a small smile. Arnold smiled backed as the tall, blonde girl made her way outside and over to Lila. He watched as the two most important girls in his life stood together as he locked up the front door and ran over to meet up with them.

Mehh the ending of this chapter was kinda terrible. Oh well. Hope you liked it :)