Hi, everybody!! Thanks so much for your encouraging reviews and the constructive criticisms. They are all duly noted by this beginning author. Ah, whenever I've lost my inspiration you guys always bring it right back. Sorry if I'm being mushy. Anyway…
Before I go on, I forgot to say in the Interlude that I got the idea of Arnold and Helga having an exchange of roles (Arnold playing a girl, Helga a boy) in Card Captor Sakura. I think it's one of those advance episodes.
DISCLAIMER: Hey Arnold! is not mine.
Chapter 6
Taking Care of the Baby
Hills and trees pass by as Helga drive back to her hotel from her sister's home. She took a quick glance at her passenger in the rearview mirror. Muriel smiled a toothless smile and waved her arms at her. Helga gave a small smile then focused on the road again. There wasn't much traffic this early in the morning so it wasn't any danger at paying a bit more attention to her passenger.
She directed her attention on the road but her mind was recollecting the scene were she showed up in her brother-in-law's house to pick up Muriel.
~A while ago
Helga stepped off her Beetle in front of a mansion. Around the mansion there were greenery everywhere. This was the home of her brother-in-law, Michael. He was a producer and a philanthropist. He met Olga during one of her cases as a district attorney.
As soon as Helga stood up to survey one of her sister's houses, the huge door opened and an older blonde walked out briskly carrying a bundle in her arms. She still looks a bit pudgy from pregnancy. Later a gray-haired man followed her carrying two bags that seemed ready to burst. She smiled at Helga as she went near. "Hello, dear baby sister!"
Helga just nodded as Olga gave Muriel to her arms. Olga tenderly stroked Muriel's face. "Mommy has to visit grandma, sweetie. Auntie Helga will take good care of you."
Helga gazed at Olga and her child. She felt a pang of loneliness and sadness but she buried it.
Olga then faced the gray-haired man. "Wilson, in the back, please." She then happily kissed her both her baby sister's cheeks and subsequently pulled away. "Thank you so much, baby sister. You know how Melissa doesn't like babies I had to leave Muriel behind."
She seemed sad but quickly cheered up. "Besides she needs to get to know her aunt like Erin and Eric. And you do a greet job at handling babies. I couldn't leave Muriel at better hands."
Olga smiled again, "Well, we're leaving in a few minutes. See you in three days. Arrive anytime during the day. We'll be already here from the visit."
They both heard a "Papa, look what Erin did!"
Olga smiled and waved then quickly walked back inside the mansion. Wilson, the butler, followed suit.
~Now
BEEP! She got startled and focused back on the road. It seems that she slowed down and the car behind her seemed to be in a hurry. Helga rolled her eyes and turned to the rightmost lane.
When the car has passed her she took a glance to see if there were other cars. When she found none, she looked at Muriel who still seemed happy. She then returned her focus on the road.
She was about half an hour's drive away from her neighborhood when she saw a familiar green Packard on top of a hill. What would he be doing here in the middle of nowhere? "Muriel, I'll just see if my friend is over there, okay? Then we'll go to the hotel."
Helga looked at the road and saw no car so she made a U-turn and made her way to the next hill. "It'll just be simple spying game."
She parked the car behind a large tree so that no one from the road could see. She took Muriel and whispered, "Be a good girl and please be quiet. Just for now, okay?" The baby gurgled in reply.
Helga walked briskly yet quietly to the next hill to where she saw the Packard. She glanced around to see if anyone was near and found no one. She climbed the short but huge hill and began to look for him. There wasn't any sign of him. All through out this, Muriel made only soft cooing noises. Helga smiled at her niece and began searching for him again.
As she went up she noticed the familiarity of the place and stopped. This was the cemetery. Arnold would only be here if…
She suddenly felt weak. She held Muriel against her as if to draw strength. It couldn't be true. Maybe he just came to visit another person. It can't be them.
She slowly stood up and began to search for him again. All she saw where green grass, tree, flowers and tombstones. More and more tombstones. He wasn't here.
Her sharp eyes directed him from behind some trees. He was just standing there. She walked to him but still keeping quiet. When she was behind the trees she took a peek and saw him talking. Her eyes widened and her heart gave a lurch. He was talking to two tombstones on the ground.
Whether Muriel knew something Helga didn't or it was just a coincidence, Muriel started making a fuss.
"So I went back after receiving mail that we had a reunion. It was a rare occurrence that my mail would catch up on me and it was piled really high. It's a good thing that I received my mail at that time because I would have missed another reunion."
"Anyway, the reunion was really great. It surprised me to see all the changes on all my classmates. Remember Eugene…"
He stopped as he heard a small noise. It was like a baby was here. A baby?
He turned around to look for the source and found a tall blonde woman wearing a long peach skirt and a white blouse. Her hair was braided and she was holding a child. She didn't seem to have noticed his gaze for she was making the child stop fussing.
"Don't worry, Muriel. If this place gives you the creeps we'll leave now," Helga softly said to Muriel. But she made no move to leave.
Arnold went closer to the two. When he was only a few feet away from them he noticed that the two had a few similarities. The baby and Helga both have the same deep blue eyes and same mouth. Brown fuzz was seen on top of the child's head.
A feeling of longing went into his heart. Is this how a mother held her child? With each touch and words, love was expressed? Was this how his own mother held him? Did she also comfort him when he felt alone or sad?
His eyes misted as a sad smile came to his lips. Is this a child of Helga?
"You have to be quiet, Rie. Please just for a minute. I have to find out if what I think is true. That…"
"It's true, Helga. My grandparents passed away six years ago," a broken voice said.
Helga glanced up, surprised. She saw Arnold giving her a smile, a sad smile. Then she noticed he suddenly looked at his grandparent's tombstones. Was he purposely avoiding her to see his face? "Do you want to see them?"
He didn't turn to look at her but she replied. "Okay." Unconsciously she held Muriel close to her again.
They went to the tombstones. Sure enough there was his grandparents' names. She felt a slight disappointment for there were no last names engraved.
"How…how did they die?" Helga quietly asked.
Arnold was a little bit beside her. "Old age. My grandparents are as healthy as horses but they can't beat old age. My grandfather was the first who weakened and my grandmother followed. I think it was because grandma loved grandpa so much she couldn't live without him so she didn't."
Even though it was a long time ago, Arnold still cries whenever he remembers how they died. He clenched his hands. They never even saw him graduate.
He remembered that he wasn't alone and faced Helga. He was shocked to see her cry. He had never seen her cry before and it made him a bit delighted that she loved his grandparents. Maybe she loved them as much as he did.
She wiped her tears with one hand because she was holding the child with the other. Darn it! She should have been at the funeral! She should have been there!
"It's okay, Helga. My grandparent's knew you loved them just the same even if you weren't there."
Helga narrowed her eyes at him. How did he know what she was thinking? "What do you mean, Arnoldo?"
He shrugged. "You're crying and I've never seen you cry before…"
"Is it a crime for me to cry? I'm human too, football head."
"It's not that. What I mean is that you really cared for my grandparents so I assumed that you were thinking you should have been at the funeral to say goodbye. Well, that's what I would think if the roles were reversed."
She glared at him one last time then sighed. "Was it peaceful?"
"It was. They died in the boarding house holding hands."
Helga gazed at both tombstones remembering the past. She smiled a little at all the memories and discovered something. In all the times that she'd been caught by either of them they never told Arnold. Her heart both lightened and saddened at this realization. She will greatly miss those two.
But then Arnold is truly alone. He doesn't deserve to be alone unlike her. She sneaked a peek at him and found he was smiling at something. 'Probably some memory,' she thought.
She remembered how he acted ever since the reunion. He seems happy but his grandparents died years ago. Could he have something in still in his life worth living for? She then remembered his chosen profession. Yes, that must be why he still is happy, he still has his hope that he will find his parents.
She also remembered they're own former classmates. They, too, must be another reason. But they're also her own classmates and they seem to like her now. Then they must be a reason for her to further enjoy her life.
She worked because she wanted to do something for her life but now she had some semblance of truly living. Yes, she had a grasp why he was happy despite all his misfortune but Helga still was afraid to be hurt. She knew, but she can't let go of her barriers.
"Helga?"
She turned to face him and as she did all her previous thoughts were temporarily buried. She then noticed he became uncomfortable again. "What?"
He became even more flustered, "Is the child a boy or girl?"
Oh. He was ill at ease about the child. She smiled teasingly at him but quickly hid it. "A girl. Her name is Muriel."
He began to reach out but stopped. "Could I?"
Without replying she gave Muriel to him. He held her first as if he was holding a bomb but slowly he grew into it and held her close. "The last time I held a child was when Mr. Kakoshka's nephew was over at the boarding house. I helped him take care of little Oskar."
"Or more like you took care of Oskar while Mr. Kakoshka watched." She watched Arnold stroke Muriel's left cheek. Muriel giggled and waved at him. "She likes you."
"Yeah." He stopped playing with Muriel. He then looked at Helga and asked, "Muriel is your daughter?"
She stared at him. Was he jealous? Nah. "Yes, she is," she 'sarcastically' said.
Arnold suddenly felt cold as he held Muriel. "Oh."
Helga smirked. "You looked like somebody… I mean, you looked like you've seen… you looked shocked," she finally said.
He looked at her, confused.
"I was joking, football head! Jeez! One of these days you're going to have a coronary."
He was confused at first but then brightened.
"Like I said before, I'm not married. How am I suppose to have a baby when I'm single?"
"Well, there are people who sleep…"
Helga cut him off. "I'm not that kind of a girl."
"Woman."
She was now the one looking at him who was confused. "Excuse me?"
"You're a woman now, Helga." He blushed as he realized what he just said. Helga stopped and just stared at him.
Utter silence.
Both couldn't think of something to say. Arnold tried to focus all his attention at Muriel and Helga looked at the tombstones of his grandparents.
Helga decided to leave a moment later and said, "We have to go now Arnold. You must have some things to do." She began to take Muriel from him but Muriel clutched his shirt.
"Rie please let go. He has other plans." She looked at him, pleading. "Right, Arnold?"
"Actually, I don't have anything planned for today. I could spend it with you guys."
Helga scowled but stopped taking Muriel. She immediately stopped protesting. "Traitor," she whispered to her.
She took a deep breath and gave a forced smile at Arnold. "So where do you want to go? Muriel doesn't want to stay in this place anymore. I think this place gives her the creeps."
"Who wouldn't be? This is a cemetery, Helga."
She glared at him. "I was just curious as to what you were doing here. I just planned on checking up on you and then leaving. I didn't plan to stay long."
He wasn't fazed but just kept on playing with Muriel. "You didn't have to spy on me."
"SPYING?!" She was about to go on but she looked at him and Muriel for a second. She forced herself to stop and took a deep breath. In a much quieter tone she asked, "I think we should go somewhere quiet. Her naptime is drawing near."
He looked at her a bit surprised but answered, "Sunset Arms will do. I mean if it's okay."
"Sunset A-arms? Can't we just go to my hotel room?"
"She is getting sleepy, Helga. And if you don't want her to be cranky later on we should go to the nearest place and that's Sunset Arms."
She began to panic but made herself calm down. "A-are you sure? We might disturb some of your boarders."
He shook his head. Muriel giggled. "No, all our borders are senior citizens now. We made Sunset Arms into a retiring home. And we will be either on my room or on the roof so we won't disturb them."
She still didn't want to go but he seemed adamant. "Well, okay." She went to Arnold and began to take Muriel. "Here let me take Muriel. You don't have any baby car seat. I'll just meet you there. And besides you're spoiling her."
He reluctantly let Muriel go but Muriel still held onto him. "I'll walk you to your car and then get the baby car seat. I think she wants to be with me a little bit more."
She looked at Muriel. 'You're up to something. Even though you are a 5-month-old baby I know you're very shrewd. Just you wait until you grow up.' She hid a smile. 'And I'll talk to Vickie about getting you a job.'
"Oh, all right! Let's go, football head!" she cried out.
Both of them left to the direction of Helga's car.
As they felt the breeze began to pick up. It twirled around the two tombstones were the three were.
"It's working, Pookie! I can't believe that that little tike helped us in our plan."
"Yes, Phil. You know what, I always thought that sweet little girl was perfect for our little Arnold."
"You're just saying that because you were like her when we we're young."
The female voice became stern. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, Pookie. You teased, insulted and even framed me."
"Well, how was I supposed to get your attention? You were as dense as Arnold."
"Oh, Pookie… Grandpa, what should I do?"
Another male voice was added. "Never eat raspberries."
"What kind of advice is that?!"
The wind became calm again but you could still hear the three voices arguing.
Helga enjoyed the cool breeze that seemed to wrap around her. She felt great and relaxed. Maybe she could ask Arnold to leave for a few minutes. She could go to the park and do some t'ai chi. She badly needs some exercise and it was still morning. How about right here and now? Arnold is busy taking care of Muriel so I could do it here in his roof.
She opened her eyes to see if the coast was here but she found him staring at her near his skylight window. Her eyes narrowed, "What do you want?"
He became startled when she opened her eyes and now his face paled. "Y-you looked peaceful. I've never seen you looked that way before."
She faced him and leaned at the edge of the building. "First it was crying now it's relaxing. Do you think that I'm only a heartless bully?"
"No, I knew that there were more to you before but I never knew you would be a much kinder person."
She scoffed. "Please, Arnoldo, I don't need one of your make-other-people-feel-good speeches. She calmed down and asked, "How's Muriel?"
Arnold gave a grin. Helga was confused as to why he was grinning but didn't ask. "Sleeping."
She went to him and past him. She went down to his room to check up on Muriel. Muriel was sleeping peacefully in one of those portable cribs that her parents bought her. Maybe she could just watch her. She could wait until she wakes up and then leave even if it means taking Muriel off crying.
Helga sat down in Arnold's sofa and looked across at Muriel.
Arnold gazed down at Helga who was staring at her niece. He sighed and mentally scolded himself. It was after all, his fault. It was dangerous to daydream when someone is with you. Especially if the one you're daydreaming is the one you're with.
He moved away from the window and moved to the edge of the building a bit near to where Helga was before. He couldn't help himself. It was like Muriel was their own daughter. When he fixed Muriel's crib and settled her there it felt like she was his own.
He smiled as he recalled when Helga asked her how Muriel was doing. It was similar to one of those family drama shows where the mother asked the father how their children were sleeping. It was like they were a family. And it felt really good to have his own.
His smile faltered. At the rate his going, he might never get one. He faced the window he knew Helga was under and sighed.
Helga carefully held one of Muriel's hands. She was still sleeping but Helga grew tired of watching. So she decided to hold one of Muriel's hands.
'He thought you were my own, Rie. My own. Could you believe that?'
'I guess he was right. As always. He was right that I'm not just a bully that bossed other people around. I do care for other people and I care more for you.'
'I don't want you growing up like me, little Rie. If by some chance your parents doesn't love you as much you could always count on me. I'll give you all the love and care that you need and then some. I could teach you Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu and all the other Martial arts. If you're parents approve, that is. Oh, what the heck! Even if they don't approve I'll still teach you. Every girl must learn to defend yourself, you know.'
'And of course if you can't get a decent job I could introduce you to Vickie. You have some great skill that we could use at the organization. You're a…'
"Helga, she's staring at you," a gentle voice broke through.
Helga blinked and faced a wide-awake Muriel. He was right. She was looking straight at her and holding tightly the finger that was touching her hand. And she seemed… listening? Nah.
Helga gently removed her finger and faced Arnold, who was sitting on his bed. "Thanks for letting us in, Arnold, but we have to go home."
"It's already lunch, Helga. Why don't you stay after eating with us? Mr. Green makes a great bouillabaisse."
An eyebrow rose. "Mr. Green?"
He nodded. "Yup. He's the one in charge of the building while I'm gone." He smiled. "Do you know that he got married eight years ago to a widow? She already has a grown-up son."
"Married? At his age?"
"Love isn't based on age, Helga You should know. You wrote about in on…" He stared at some place in his ceiling. "Faith."
She looked at him, quite amazed. "I thought you were into Purdy Boys?"
He waved at her. "Not anymore. I've read and collected every single volume. The appeal was gone."
"I thought you'd never tire of those books. It seemed like those books were like a bible to you and Geraldo."
He shook his head. "So, will you stay?"
She was uncertain and what was even worse he was giving her that pleading look. Darn him! "Oh okay. Why is it you wanted us to stay longer?"
He shrugged. "I just wanted both of your company."
Helga glared at him. "Okay, okay. So I had an ulterior motive. I wanted to find out why you are so distant to the others…"
Her anger flared up. "I am not distant to the others! We are getting along fine! It's all in your head, Arnoldo!"
He shook his head. "It's not." He went near her and she backed up so he stopped approaching her. "Years ago you pushed everybody away and you're still doing it now although much more subtle. You isolated yourself but I don't know why." His voice softened. "Is it your parents?"
Helga clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. "It's not my parents, you little shrimp. And you have no business of prying into my life!"
He was hurt but he kept on. "Then why do you push everyone away?"
"I don't! Ask Phoebe or Rhonda, or Patti. Criminey! Ask Lila. They are my friends."
His voice was gentle but he was still hurting her. "I know they are but they don't know you as much as I do. And I know something is wrong with you Helga and I'm just trying to…"
She stomped to where he was standing. He just stared at her as she grabbed the collar of shirt. Before she would pull him upward but now since he was almost half a foot taller than she is, she pulled him down to her eyelevel. "I am not one of your cases, Arnold. I changed all right? Now, when I want you to lay off me, I really want you to lay off me! I can't be cured by one of your usual speeches. Got it?"
She released him and immediately went back to Muriel. Through all this she was silent. Something both of them was thankful for. She quickly packed their stuff while he watched her. He wanted to help her but he had never seen Helga this angry before.
All he could do was say a silent apology as she left. When she finally closed the door he dropped to his bed and sat down. He buried his face in his hands, berating at himself.
FBHelga: Nah, I would really appreciate it if you tell me what's wrong. It's just that if there was some way that I could send it to you beforehand… Oh, and thanks for tips on comma use.
B.18: I'm sorry but I can't write more about the play. I can't fit it in the story line. But I'm really glad it was as good as the show. And I just read the story that you liked and you were right. I liked it.
Did I make the story too long? Grammatical errors? Scene transitions not clear? Reviews and constructive criticisms are very much welcome!