Review Responses:

Nep2uune

Thank you very much for reviewing.

Yes, Helga does have very good reasons to hate Miriam. I wanted to make Helga's overall attitude towards her mother to be very negative, because in real life, I thought it would be unrealistic for a child to automatically forgive a parent for doing the things that Miriam had done.

acosta perez jose ramiro

Thanks for the review.

Yes, Phoebe's parents would probably help her buy a car, but Helga's would not. They probably bought Olga her car though, because Olga.

I thought that Helga made good points as well. Like she voiced in the last chapter, she understands that being a mother is hard work, and that you do need to take breaks and have time to yourself. Helga doesn't see a mom, or even a father, wanting a break from the kids for a bit every now and then as selfish, but that walking out on your family, and forcing them to go through emotional and psychological hell, just so said parent can have the life they want, is what's selfish. I think Helga said it perfectly when she said that her mom may not have asked to feel depressed and trapped, but she (Helga) didn't ask to be abandoned, either.

Nairobi-Harper

Thanks for reviewing.

I think Phoebe is one of the most understanding, and non judgmental people in the entire series (aside from Arnold, probably). She knows why Helga is mad at her mom, but also knows that it is not her right to tell Helga that she should talk to her mom, or even begin to forgive her. Phoebe wants to support Helga, but she also knows how Helga deals with Miriam is none of her business.

Chapter Thirty Five: And So It Begins….

Helga pulled into the parking lot of the court house, slips on a pair of black flats (she had driven bare foot), rushed out of the car, and ran towards the court house. It was 9:45 AM.

Despite looking very refreshed, Helga was exhausted. She had only had four hours of sleep last night, and so had to borrow some under eye concealer from Phoebe. Although Helga wasn't one for makeup, she didn't think looking like crap would fly in a court house. She had even applied some mascara and very light pink lip gloss, courtesy of Phoebe.

Her attire was appropriate enough: black skinny slacks that ended at her ankles, a high neck-purple tunic top and thick black belt. Her hair had been combed and pulled back into a low ponytail, and she had borrowed a black headband from Phoebe, to keep frizzies and fly-aways tamed. In fact, Phoebe had helped Helga pick out her entire attire, claiming that, "what you wear does matter in court, Helga, and while you aren't the one with the case, you still have to look appropriate and presentable."

Helga had to admit it, she did look pretty presentable, if she did say so herself.

As she entered the court house, she noticed both her parents standing outside of a room. They were not together, though. Standing at least twenty feet apart from each other, her dad was talking to, what Helga assumed was his lawyer, and her mom was doing the same.

Bob looked up to see his daughter walking towards him.

"Glad you could make it, kid." He patted her shoulder with his large hand.

Bob was wearing a black business suit, and his hair was neatly combed.

Helga nodded, and then proceeded to ask her father is there is a chance that she would be called up to testify. Bob shrugged.

Probably, but I wouldn't worry about that right now."

Bob then turned to his lawyer.

"So, Rick…you're SURE this will work? I don't want some funny written, half-assed argument. You do whatever needs to be done to make sure I get my divorce."

Bob's lawyer, Rick Harding, nodded, and patted his briefcase.

"Trust me, Bob. I did what you asked. I dug up a lot of dirt on your wife. If you don't mind, I already asked the judge if we could allow one of your daughter's to testify, it's Helga that I want. Her testimony will be valuable to us."

Bob nodded, indicating that he was pleased with Rick's statement. He also knew that Helga would be ready to testify, if she had to.

Meanwhile, Miriam, who was wearing a purple skirt suit, her blonde hair curled, and conservative white heels on her feet, was going over stuff with her lawyer, a woman named Diane West.

"Now, you just let me do all the talking. Whenever I ask questions, answer them to the best of your ability, truthfully, and honestly. I've read over your file and statements, and I must tell you, this will be a difficult case to win, but I will do my best. "

"Thank you."

"Also, I forbid you to talk to your husband during this whole proceeding. Any outbursts from you will only make you look worse."

Miriam nodded in understanding, but in reality, she was quite worried. Would her reasoning's for trying to fight the divorce be enough?

Deciding she didn't want to think about the matter until she was in front of the judge, Miriam made her way over to her daughter, who was sitting on a bench.

"Hell….hello, honey."

Helga looked up at her mom, but didn't bother to say anything.

Miriam continued to try and spark up conversation with the much younger blonde.

"It's…uh….it's very nice to see you."

Helga sighed, and got up from the bench.

"Don't bother wasting time with friendly talk, Miriam. You know exactly why I'm here."

Miriam nodded

"Of course I do, but I wish it didn't have to come to this, sweetheart, I…."

Helga held up a hand, silencing her mother.

"Ok….do not call me sweetheart, or honey. You have no right to call me any of those things. Furthermore, you're right, it didn't have to come to this, but, you made it happen."

Helga looked around to make sure no one was listening. Then, she continued speaking to her mother. Her voice was now in a low whisper.

"All dad wanted you to do, was sign the divorce papers and leave. That's what I wanted you to do, Miriam. But, you just…couldn't. Oh sure, you leaving us for ten years was bad enough, but then you have to go and pull this crap on everybody. You know something? Sometimes I wish you had never come back, that you had just stayed gone. Everything was fine until you came along, and now things have gone from bad to worse. Dad and I shouldn't have to deal with this in the first place, but because of you, we are!"

Miriam's eyes widened, as she searched in her mind, an answer that would hopefully appease her daughter.

There were none.

"This is the last time you will see me, Miriam, because after this, I don't want to see you or hear from you ever again."

And with that, Helga walked into the court room. Her words were harsh, but she needed to tell Miriam exactly how she felt. And it was true, she didn't want to see her mom, or hear from her ever again. Helga had already decided that if Bob lost the case, she would move out. She would not live with Miriam, ever again.

Helga took her place on a bench in the back of the room, making sure to sit as far away from Miriam as possible. She noticed that her parents and their lawyers were making their way in as well.

Helga pulled out her cell phone from her purse, and looked at the time. 9:57, it read. It was almost time. Helga shut off her phone, so as not to let it go off in the middle of the session. That would not earn her any brownie points at all!

After a couple of minutes, a bailiff walked in, and stood by the podium.

"All Rise! The Court for Hillwood City is now in session, the honorable Judge Edward Phillips presiding."

A middle aged judged walked in. His well combed brown hair sported flecks of grey here and there, and glasses decorated his face. He looked stern.

"Please be seated."

"What is the case I am presiding over?" Judge Edward asked.

"A divorce case, your honor. Miriam Anne Shelton Pataki vs. her husband, Robert David Pataki, II."

"Are both parties present? Who is representing them?"

Diane stood up.

"Both parties are present, your honor. With your permission, I would like to give you a briefing of the case."

You may."

"Thank you, your honor. As you were informed, this is a divorce hearing. My client, Mrs. Pataki, had some issues in her life that led to leaving her family for ten years, before deciding to return to Hillwood. She had informed me that her husband desires a divorce, but my client believes that she deserves a second chance, on grounds for regretting some of her actions, and I am here to represent her on this matter."

Then, Rick Harding stood up.

"And I am representing Robert David Pataki, II, your honor. My client seeks a divorce from his wife, on grounds for emotional and mental devastation, and I am here to represent him."

"Very well. Ms. West, I will allow you to go first."

"Thank you your honor."

Helga watched with anticipation, as Diane West made her way to the podium.

Diane turned towards the audience in the court room, her eyes glistening with determination.

Helga held her breath. The hearing had finally begun.

The court battle will go on for a few chapters. I'm still researching divorce in court, but I'll do the best I can.

If anyone has any awesome ideas on what kind of dirt Bob and Miriam can use against each other, feel free to let my know in your reviews (I'm running a blank on this one). Just remember, the ideas have to help their sides.

Chapter 36 will hopefully be up this weekend, but no promises.