"The Love Docter" By Anne Anime (AnneAnime@aol.com) and Cecile (CarmHelga@aol.com).
Meanwhile Arnold had made it back to the boarding house. "Maybe she isn't as nice as I'm trying to make her. Maybe since Lila doesn't like, like me I'm just desperate for someone who understands me. Oh well I see Dr. Bliss tomorrow, I'll ask her what I should do."
The next day, Helga went into Dr. Bliss's office and sat there five minutes not talking at all.
"What's wrong Helga?"
"Arnold was starting to like me as a friend.... and I scared him off"
"How did you do that?"
"This kid named Harold was annoying us, so I punched him, and Arnold, being the wonderful, nice, helpful, Arn...
"What did he do?"
"He left, he doesn't want to hang out with me if I'm mean."
"Then why don't you be kind? Make another bracelet, or try an other hobby so that you can vent your anger on, instead of on other people"
"I can try, but I don't think Arnold will give me another chance..."
"Why did you punch Harold in the first place?"
"Because he was teasing Arnold about having a crush on me."
"Then perhaps you should talk to Arnold."
"What?!?! Me to talk him? My beloved? He won't ever see why. He'll just think I'm a big, mean bully. That's all he's ever thought about me, and I've tried but I can't change, it's all because of him."
"Who Helga?"
"My dad, he's always been so harsh to me, and I....I....I always take it out on Arnold, I hate it, I hate it so much!"
"Helga I think you should tell Arnold this, about your Dad."
"Maybe, if Arnold will even talk to me still."
"Helga, I want you to clear you mind of this for right now, think positive thoughts."
"Okay, well Arnold and I were starting to get along quite well, but I blew that."
"Helga, come on, be positive. Think, something good can come out of this if you try."
"So you really think I should tell Arnold that I was doing it for him?"
"Yes I think Arnold is mature enough to understand that you have different ways of showing your emotions."
"Okay Dr. Bliss, I hope you're right. I just hope Arnold doesn't hate me."
"I don't think he does. Maybe he was just feeling mixed up inside and didn't want to do something he regretted."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. My beloved, angelic Arnold would never falter from his sense of right and wrong. His action may prove noble in time, and I just hastily taking it now. My love would never do anything irrational, he must have had a good reason. Arnold being so smart and intelligent. Arnold being wise beyond his years. My Arnold, standing up against oppression of the weak and downtrodden like me. Yes my Arnold will never desert me. His heart too kind and caring to betray a simple soul like me. Yes I shall talk to my beloved, his understanding of my predicament will make everything all right. Arnold...."
"Helga, calm down, our time is up."
"Okay Dr. Bliss, I'll talk to Arnold." Helga walked outside the office and bumped into Arnold, sending both of them crashing to the floor.
"Watch where your going.... I mean, sorry Arnold"
"It's fine Helga, why where you in such a rush to leave anyway?"
"Uh.. no reason" and with that Helga left.
Arnold continued into Dr. Bliss' office. "Hello Arnold, how have you been?"
"Not very good"
"Why's that?"
"Well, I did what you said with Helga, I invited her to walk around the park with me."
"That seems nice, what happened on the walk?"
"Well we where getting along fine until Harold came along"
"What did Harold do? Make fun of you again?"
"Yes, I was going to say "You can think whatever you want Harold" but Helga punched him before I could say a thing."
"Do you think you know why Helga punched him?"
"Because she has her "reputation" to hold up"
"Maybe, next time you talk to her, you should tell her you think she's a much better person without a reputation to hold up, maybe she'll listen."
"I don't know, maybe I really don't like Helga, and I'm just desperate because I finally figured out that Lila is never going like me, like me."
"I don't think it's that, you seem to enjoy spending time with Helga, I think your just confused about if you like her, or you like her, like her, and your afraid about what the other kids will think if you do"
Arnold was speechless at this, then he said, "Maybe"
"Well Arnold, maybe you should talk to Helga."
"She probably never wants to talk to me again."
"How do you know? I think Helga just overreacted that's all. I bet she's regretting it."
"Yeah maybe I should talk to her, I mean the worse she can do is pound me."
"I don't think she'd do that Arnold, but you do need to talk to her."
"I just wish Helga could be herself without always having to keep up her reputation."
"Perhaps Helga had another reason for punching Harold."
"What?"
"Just talk to her Arnold."
"All right."
Arnold walked down the street trying to think what to say to Helga. Then Phoebe came running up.
"Arnold, have you seen Helga?"
"No why?"
"I haven't encountered her all day, and I was beginning to feel quite apprehensive about it."
"Hmmm, Phoebe can I talk to you, in private."
"I presume so Arnold, I have no other activities scheduled for the rest of the day." Arnold pulled Phoebe into the closest alley.
"So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Well... I... I" Arnold struggled for the right words, then he found them and sped along,
"I think I like Helga, but I don't know if I only like her, or if I like, like her, but I don't even know if either of them is true because everytime she punches someone or puts them down..."
"You like Helga?" asked Phoebe quietly.
"Um.. yeah" said Arnold nervously, He was about to continue but he saw Phoebe teetering on her feet. Before she could fall though, Arnold caught her.
"Helga will be utterly surprised to hear that bit of information"
"No! You can't tell her! I want to, but I don't know when I could or even if I could, or if she'll pound me when I do."
"Well I see your predicament Arnold, your mixed emotions causing inner turmoil. So why did you want to talk to me?"
"See Helga punched Harold the other day, and I was wondering if you knew why she did stuff like that."
"Oh, Helga's anti-social actions are quite easily explained if you understand the upbringing and social life, Helga had led. You see she has never had many friends and it has caused her to become severe and rough, perhaps imitating her father's haughty example."
"Um...sure Phoebe, so what should I do?"
"I think talking out you misgivings with Helga is the best contrived solution to the situation at hand."
"Okay Phoebe, come on, we have to find her."
"Yes Arnold we need to determine Helga's location before you can communicate your anxieties to her."
Meanwhile Helga was storming down the street, when she ran into Gerald.
"Hey tall hair boy, where's the football head?"
"And why do you care?"
"Hey it's a free country Geraldo, I can talk to Arnold if I want to."
"Well I haven't seen him all day. What do you need to tell him, maybe I can talk to him?"
"No Geraldo, this is between me and him, no you in the picture."
"This doesn't happen to involve you flooring Harold does it?"
"What? How did you....?"
"Arnold told me Helga, don't have a fit. So you want to pound Arnold now too or something."
"No Gerald I don't! I just want to talk is that a crime."
"Oh I see, you are gonna apologize and you're embarrassed aren't you?"
"Why I ought to pound you...you little."
"I guess Arnold was right you do have a soft spot."
"What? Arnold said that about me?!?!"
"Yeah, don't have a hernia over it."
"Okay Gerald, keep this under your hat. Yes I'm apologizing to Arnold, maybe for different motives, maybe not. And if you tell anyone, I'll pound you so hard....." Helga said pinning Gerald against a wall.
"I won't tell Helga, I swear."
"Good, now run along hair boy, and don't squeal." Gerald ran off, hoping that Arnold wouldn't get flattened before the end of the day.
After wondering around a bit, then deciding to sit in front of Arnold's house to wait, Helga saw Arnold walking up the street, staring at his feet.
"Hey Arnold!"
"Huh? Oh, Hi Helga"
"I just wanted to say I was sorry"
"Sorry for what?"
"For flooring Harold yesterday"
"It's nice of you to apologize to me, but you should be apologizing to Harold."
"Pink boy doesn't mind! I punch him al the time!" Helga realized too late that this wasn't the thing to say.
"Why do you do it though? I really wish I could understand why you punch Harold all the time. Sure, he get annoying sometimes, but that doesn't mean you have to punch him, you could always ignore him."
"It's not like that...!" Helga started.
"It's exactly like that, it must be much easier too punch someone than it is to tell them to stop, bye Helga, I'm going to get something to eat."
"Fine! Be that way!" and Helga stomped off
'Oh that was a great way of "communicating my anxieties"' Arnold thought as he walked inside.
Helga was really mad, she tried, but Arnold wouldn't listen.
"He's right I'm a big bully and I shouldn't let people like Harold bother me. Then again I wouldn't be hiding my secret from the world if Harold hadn't teased me. Even in preschool pig-boy made my life horrible. But who can I talk to, my parents don't care, Phoebe tries but she just doesn't understand, Arnold is mad at me....wait a minute, that's who I can talk to." Helga said running off down the street.
She knocked on the door. Dr. Bliss answered.
"Helga what are you doing here?"
"Look I know I shouldn't bother you at home, but I really need someone to talk to, and well you are all I have."
"Come on in Helga, I don't mind helping you out."
"Thanks Dr. Bliss, I knew you would understand."
"So what's the problem?"
"Arnold hates my guts."
"Why?"
"Because the whole Harold thing, I tried to tell him why but he just kept saying excuses why I was wrong. I don't know what I did, Arnold just didn't seem himself."
"Well maybe he was having a bad day, I mean you don't know, maybe something bad had happened and he was upset about that."
"But what can I do, I want to talk to him, but he doesn't want to have anything to do with me."
"Have you asked any of your friends about Arnold?"
"No why?"
"Well perhaps they know why he was upset."
"Hey that's it, I can ask Pheebs to ask Gerald, can I use your phone?"
"Sure Helga" Helga dialed the number and waited for Phoebe to answer.
"Hello?"
"Pheebs, can you do me a favor?"
"What Helga?"
"Well I want you to ask Gerald if anything bad happened to Arnold today."
"Helga I don't think I'll have to ask Gerald."
"Why not?"
"Because the situation I believe you are questioning about occurred while Arnold was with me."
"WHAT!?! He was with you?"
"Yes he was doing some soul searching regarding a friend of his."
"Did anything bad happen that upset him perhaps?"
"Well Arnold did become quite angry when someone called him an orphan."
"WHO?"
"Well I can tell because it will reveal information I was told not to give out."
"It was Bob wasn't it, the little...."
"Yes Helga it was your father"
"That's it, I'm going to go talk with Bob, thanks Pheebs." Helga said slamming down the phone.
"I'm going now Dr. Bliss."
"No you're not, yelling at your Dad won't help any Helga."
"Yeah I guess not, but what should I do?"
"Go talk to Arnold."
"But he doesn't want to have anything to do with me!"
"Helga, you are the only one who can help him now, he needs your support regarding your father."
"Well, I guess I can try, thanks Dr. Bliss." and Helga headed off towards the boarding house.
Meanwhile Arnold had made it back to the boarding house. "Maybe she isn't as nice as I'm trying to make her. Maybe since Lila doesn't like, like me I'm just desperate for someone who understands me. Oh well I see Dr. Bliss tomorrow, I'll ask her what I should do."
The next day, Helga went into Dr. Bliss's office and sat there five minutes not talking at all.
"What's wrong Helga?"
"Arnold was starting to like me as a friend.... and I scared him off"
"How did you do that?"
"This kid named Harold was annoying us, so I punched him, and Arnold, being the wonderful, nice, helpful, Arn...
"What did he do?"
"He left, he doesn't want to hang out with me if I'm mean."
"Then why don't you be kind? Make another bracelet, or try an other hobby so that you can vent your anger on, instead of on other people"
"I can try, but I don't think Arnold will give me another chance..."
"Why did you punch Harold in the first place?"
"Because he was teasing Arnold about having a crush on me."
"Then perhaps you should talk to Arnold."
"What?!?! Me to talk him? My beloved? He won't ever see why. He'll just think I'm a big, mean bully. That's all he's ever thought about me, and I've tried but I can't change, it's all because of him."
"Who Helga?"
"My dad, he's always been so harsh to me, and I....I....I always take it out on Arnold, I hate it, I hate it so much!"
"Helga I think you should tell Arnold this, about your Dad."
"Maybe, if Arnold will even talk to me still."
"Helga, I want you to clear you mind of this for right now, think positive thoughts."
"Okay, well Arnold and I were starting to get along quite well, but I blew that."
"Helga, come on, be positive. Think, something good can come out of this if you try."
"So you really think I should tell Arnold that I was doing it for him?"
"Yes I think Arnold is mature enough to understand that you have different ways of showing your emotions."
"Okay Dr. Bliss, I hope you're right. I just hope Arnold doesn't hate me."
"I don't think he does. Maybe he was just feeling mixed up inside and didn't want to do something he regretted."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. My beloved, angelic Arnold would never falter from his sense of right and wrong. His action may prove noble in time, and I just hastily taking it now. My love would never do anything irrational, he must have had a good reason. Arnold being so smart and intelligent. Arnold being wise beyond his years. My Arnold, standing up against oppression of the weak and downtrodden like me. Yes my Arnold will never desert me. His heart too kind and caring to betray a simple soul like me. Yes I shall talk to my beloved, his understanding of my predicament will make everything all right. Arnold...."
"Helga, calm down, our time is up."
"Okay Dr. Bliss, I'll talk to Arnold." Helga walked outside the office and bumped into Arnold, sending both of them crashing to the floor.
"Watch where your going.... I mean, sorry Arnold"
"It's fine Helga, why where you in such a rush to leave anyway?"
"Uh.. no reason" and with that Helga left.
Arnold continued into Dr. Bliss' office. "Hello Arnold, how have you been?"
"Not very good"
"Why's that?"
"Well, I did what you said with Helga, I invited her to walk around the park with me."
"That seems nice, what happened on the walk?"
"Well we where getting along fine until Harold came along"
"What did Harold do? Make fun of you again?"
"Yes, I was going to say "You can think whatever you want Harold" but Helga punched him before I could say a thing."
"Do you think you know why Helga punched him?"
"Because she has her "reputation" to hold up"
"Maybe, next time you talk to her, you should tell her you think she's a much better person without a reputation to hold up, maybe she'll listen."
"I don't know, maybe I really don't like Helga, and I'm just desperate because I finally figured out that Lila is never going like me, like me."
"I don't think it's that, you seem to enjoy spending time with Helga, I think your just confused about if you like her, or you like her, like her, and your afraid about what the other kids will think if you do"
Arnold was speechless at this, then he said, "Maybe"
"Well Arnold, maybe you should talk to Helga."
"She probably never wants to talk to me again."
"How do you know? I think Helga just overreacted that's all. I bet she's regretting it."
"Yeah maybe I should talk to her, I mean the worse she can do is pound me."
"I don't think she'd do that Arnold, but you do need to talk to her."
"I just wish Helga could be herself without always having to keep up her reputation."
"Perhaps Helga had another reason for punching Harold."
"What?"
"Just talk to her Arnold."
"All right."
Arnold walked down the street trying to think what to say to Helga. Then Phoebe came running up.
"Arnold, have you seen Helga?"
"No why?"
"I haven't encountered her all day, and I was beginning to feel quite apprehensive about it."
"Hmmm, Phoebe can I talk to you, in private."
"I presume so Arnold, I have no other activities scheduled for the rest of the day." Arnold pulled Phoebe into the closest alley.
"So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Well... I... I" Arnold struggled for the right words, then he found them and sped along,
"I think I like Helga, but I don't know if I only like her, or if I like, like her, but I don't even know if either of them is true because everytime she punches someone or puts them down..."
"You like Helga?" asked Phoebe quietly.
"Um.. yeah" said Arnold nervously, He was about to continue but he saw Phoebe teetering on her feet. Before she could fall though, Arnold caught her.
"Helga will be utterly surprised to hear that bit of information"
"No! You can't tell her! I want to, but I don't know when I could or even if I could, or if she'll pound me when I do."
"Well I see your predicament Arnold, your mixed emotions causing inner turmoil. So why did you want to talk to me?"
"See Helga punched Harold the other day, and I was wondering if you knew why she did stuff like that."
"Oh, Helga's anti-social actions are quite easily explained if you understand the upbringing and social life, Helga had led. You see she has never had many friends and it has caused her to become severe and rough, perhaps imitating her father's haughty example."
"Um...sure Phoebe, so what should I do?"
"I think talking out you misgivings with Helga is the best contrived solution to the situation at hand."
"Okay Phoebe, come on, we have to find her."
"Yes Arnold we need to determine Helga's location before you can communicate your anxieties to her."
Meanwhile Helga was storming down the street, when she ran into Gerald.
"Hey tall hair boy, where's the football head?"
"And why do you care?"
"Hey it's a free country Geraldo, I can talk to Arnold if I want to."
"Well I haven't seen him all day. What do you need to tell him, maybe I can talk to him?"
"No Geraldo, this is between me and him, no you in the picture."
"This doesn't happen to involve you flooring Harold does it?"
"What? How did you....?"
"Arnold told me Helga, don't have a fit. So you want to pound Arnold now too or something."
"No Gerald I don't! I just want to talk is that a crime."
"Oh I see, you are gonna apologize and you're embarrassed aren't you?"
"Why I ought to pound you...you little."
"I guess Arnold was right you do have a soft spot."
"What? Arnold said that about me?!?!"
"Yeah, don't have a hernia over it."
"Okay Gerald, keep this under your hat. Yes I'm apologizing to Arnold, maybe for different motives, maybe not. And if you tell anyone, I'll pound you so hard....." Helga said pinning Gerald against a wall.
"I won't tell Helga, I swear."
"Good, now run along hair boy, and don't squeal." Gerald ran off, hoping that Arnold wouldn't get flattened before the end of the day.
After wondering around a bit, then deciding to sit in front of Arnold's house to wait, Helga saw Arnold walking up the street, staring at his feet.
"Hey Arnold!"
"Huh? Oh, Hi Helga"
"I just wanted to say I was sorry"
"Sorry for what?"
"For flooring Harold yesterday"
"It's nice of you to apologize to me, but you should be apologizing to Harold."
"Pink boy doesn't mind! I punch him al the time!" Helga realized too late that this wasn't the thing to say.
"Why do you do it though? I really wish I could understand why you punch Harold all the time. Sure, he get annoying sometimes, but that doesn't mean you have to punch him, you could always ignore him."
"It's not like that...!" Helga started.
"It's exactly like that, it must be much easier too punch someone than it is to tell them to stop, bye Helga, I'm going to get something to eat."
"Fine! Be that way!" and Helga stomped off
'Oh that was a great way of "communicating my anxieties"' Arnold thought as he walked inside.
Helga was really mad, she tried, but Arnold wouldn't listen.
"He's right I'm a big bully and I shouldn't let people like Harold bother me. Then again I wouldn't be hiding my secret from the world if Harold hadn't teased me. Even in preschool pig-boy made my life horrible. But who can I talk to, my parents don't care, Phoebe tries but she just doesn't understand, Arnold is mad at me....wait a minute, that's who I can talk to." Helga said running off down the street.
She knocked on the door. Dr. Bliss answered.
"Helga what are you doing here?"
"Look I know I shouldn't bother you at home, but I really need someone to talk to, and well you are all I have."
"Come on in Helga, I don't mind helping you out."
"Thanks Dr. Bliss, I knew you would understand."
"So what's the problem?"
"Arnold hates my guts."
"Why?"
"Because the whole Harold thing, I tried to tell him why but he just kept saying excuses why I was wrong. I don't know what I did, Arnold just didn't seem himself."
"Well maybe he was having a bad day, I mean you don't know, maybe something bad had happened and he was upset about that."
"But what can I do, I want to talk to him, but he doesn't want to have anything to do with me."
"Have you asked any of your friends about Arnold?"
"No why?"
"Well perhaps they know why he was upset."
"Hey that's it, I can ask Pheebs to ask Gerald, can I use your phone?"
"Sure Helga" Helga dialed the number and waited for Phoebe to answer.
"Hello?"
"Pheebs, can you do me a favor?"
"What Helga?"
"Well I want you to ask Gerald if anything bad happened to Arnold today."
"Helga I don't think I'll have to ask Gerald."
"Why not?"
"Because the situation I believe you are questioning about occurred while Arnold was with me."
"WHAT!?! He was with you?"
"Yes he was doing some soul searching regarding a friend of his."
"Did anything bad happen that upset him perhaps?"
"Well Arnold did become quite angry when someone called him an orphan."
"WHO?"
"Well I can tell because it will reveal information I was told not to give out."
"It was Bob wasn't it, the little...."
"Yes Helga it was your father"
"That's it, I'm going to go talk with Bob, thanks Pheebs." Helga said slamming down the phone.
"I'm going now Dr. Bliss."
"No you're not, yelling at your Dad won't help any Helga."
"Yeah I guess not, but what should I do?"
"Go talk to Arnold."
"But he doesn't want to have anything to do with me!"
"Helga, you are the only one who can help him now, he needs your support regarding your father."
"Well, I guess I can try, thanks Dr. Bliss." and Helga headed off towards the boarding house.