1999
DISCOVERY
Part Five: Observations
(This fic is written entirely from Arnold's point of view. I really tried to get into his head, even as HE tries to understand Helga.)
Arnold's confrontation of Helga had one benefit. At school, she stopped demanding unreasonable things of him. At her home she would give him a verbal list of the day's chores and then disappear somewhere.
Now, Arnold had a tolerant, forgiving nature, and a few days of decent treatment from Helga did much to restore his usual good humor.
Without Helga's constant harassment, Arnold really began to notice things around the Pataki household. Like the way Helga's parents treated her--and each other.
Mr. Pataki was always yelling--at the t.v., into the telephone, at Helga or her mother. Mrs. Pataki was more affectionate, but she was always either asleep or walking around in a daze. And both parents showered an unfair amount of attention on Helga's older sister, Olga.
"It's incredible, Gerald," he said to his best friend as they lounged around Arnold's room one evening. "They've got an entire video library devoted to Olga, but not ONE of Helga. There's a whole room full of trophies that Olga's won, but not one of Helga's. I always thought Helga was exaggerating when she said her parents care more about her sister than they do about her."
Arnold paused thoughtfully. "Grandma and Grandpa may not be the ideal parents, but at least I know they love me. I mean, half the time her own FATHER can't even remember her name. He either calls her 'Olga' or just plain 'girl'. It's like she's invisible. If I were Helga, I'd feel really bad about it."
Gerald looked up from the Purdy Boys mystery he was reading. "So what's your point?"
"My point is that I'm starting to understand why Helga acts the way she does. So loud and pushy. She HAS to be in order to get any attention at all from her parents. I mean, they talk about Olga, who's not even living with them anymore, more than they do to Helga when she's in the same room! "
The next day something happened that gave Arnold another glimpse into that inner Helga. Arnold was mopping the kitchen floor when he overheard Helga, in the living room, asking her dad for some money. To buy a new 'journal'.
"Whadda ya need it for?"
"Daaad! " Her voice held a note of protest. (Apparently her dad had plucked her old journal out of her hands.)
"What's this? Poetry?! I've told ya before, writing poetry's a waste of time and paper. What good is it? Is it gonna help you land a job?" Mr. Pataki bellowed. "Support a family? How many rich poets have YOU heard about lately, huh?"
Eventually Helga managed to get her dad to give her some money. She left the house, slamming the door hard.
So Helga writes poetry! I never would have guessed. Arnold thought, returning to his mopping. Then again, it DOES sort of fit the mental picture I'm getting of a fierce, high-strung, unhappy girl whose parents don't understand or appreciate her. Not that Helga makes it easy for them, with that attitude of hers.
Still, Arnold felt kinder toward Helga after that. He knew a lot of kids from broken homes who were happier than she was, with both parents.
* * *
The last day. Arnold sighed, looking around the cafeteria. After today Helga can get her own lunch. The thought cheered him.
He spotted Helga sitting with Phoebe at one of the little tables. As he approached them, he noticed that at the next table, Harold was eating lunch with Patti again.
Arnold smiled and waved at them. Patti smiled back, nodding her head in a hello. Patti sure seemed a lot nicer--and happier--since Harold made friends with her. She smiled a lot more, and always said hello to Arnold when she passed him in the hall.
Sometimes Arnold couldn't believe that the Harold who sat next to Patti, laughing and joking, was the same Harold who used to be such a bully. Oh, he still acted like a bully sometimes, but it had taken a lot of courage to defend Patti and admit that he liked her in public like that. And at his Bar Mitzvah...well, he had really grown up a lot in the past year. He was even doing better in class. It made Arnold feel really proud of his friend.
Still smiling, Arnold surprised himself by saying jokingly to Helga, "And what will be Madame Helga's choice for luncheon today? Macaroni and cheese? Spaghetti? Duck a l'orange with a side of pattie de foie gras, perhaps?"
Helga looked at him in surprise. Then, seeing his cheerful grin, she seemed to catch his mood. In a mock-haughty manner (with a small smile) she said, "I WOULD prefer the duck, of course, but I suppose I shall have to settle for a hamburger."
"Right away, m'lady." Arnold bowed and walked away. He stifled a grin as he noticed that Harold, Patti, and a lot of other kids were watching them.
As he was returning, Arnold saw Phoebe looking at Helga as if she wanted to say something but didn't quite dare. It made him want to laugh. He placed Helga's tray on the table and bowed again.
"Your hamburger, m'lady."
"Thank you, Arnold. Now, be off with you." Helga gestured with a flick of her wrist. "I shall signal if I require your services again."
"As you wish, m'lady." Arnold bowed a third time and went over to sit with Gerald.
As he walked away, he thought I'd forgotten what a great actress she is! I just had this sudden impulse to joke around, but the way she reacted, you'd think we rehearsed it! I wish she were friendly like that more often...
Gerald was looking at him in amazement. "What was THAT all about? Helga's makin' you BOW to her now?"
"No," Arnold replied. "I just felt like jazzing up my regular service. This is the last day, and after all, she DID save my life."