Hey Arnold doesn't belong to me.



Chapter Three: Playing The Fool

Arnold felt better after he talked to Phoebe. She made some valid points about Timberly. He didn't want to worry about it anymore. What he did have to worry about was work. One of the Green Party candidates, Michel Etchegaray in Oakridge had run for a position on the water commission and won. Many voters wrote in the candidate's name incorrectly. The incumbent commissioner demanded a recount so Michel Etchegaray was relieved of his duties as water commissioner. Now, it was Arnold's job to organize a campaign to raise awareness and funds to support this candidate in his court battle.

Passion filled Arnold when he worked for regular Joes like Michel Etchegaray. He loved his job. He could change the world ...or at least try. Frustration overwhelmed him; he could change the world but he couldn't change his girlfriend.

He diligently typed letters to colleagues to inform them of the Green Party's next move. Letter after letter began to pile up on the desk. Arnold was on a roll. By two o'clock, Timberly walked in. Arnold didn't look up; he continued his work. "Hey Sweetie Pie," she cooed. She pranced over to Arnold and placed a big, fat, wet kiss on his cheek. She enjoyed manipulating him to get things. Arnold still didn't acknowledge her. "Alright, I know you're mad. Don't you think that I should be mad too?"

Arnold blew up, "Timberly, why should you be mad? What did I do wrong?"

"Nah uh, don't even play that with me! First, you flirt with that female right in front of my eyes. I had to pry you away from her. And then you embarrass my poor brother with that lame speech! You were drunk, Arnie!"

"Don't freakin' call me Arnie! I hate that! Secondly, Helga is an old friend. I haven't seen her since high school so excuse me if I acted excited to see her. I've know her almost as long as I've known Gerald."

"Oh, so it's suppose to be okay with me? Do I know her? Should I like her huggin' on my man?"

"I am committed to you but you sure as hell don't own me! Maybe you should get to know her, she's like you sister-in -law's best friend! She's an alright person."

"Well tell me AR-NOLD about this fabulous HEL-GA!"

"You'd like her...she went to law school." Arnold countered passive aggressively.

Timberly's tone relaxed, "Hmm, well I think we should get to know this Helga then. I got her number let's go out tonight, Baby," She said sarcastically.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Sid was talking about his gig tonight, at Club Vogue, I want to go."

Arnold laughed, "Darling, you know I hate dance music."

"I am doing this for you. You want me to give your little friends a chance. Let's go out. Let me get to know this Helga. Maybe she could be a good influence on you," She said coyly.

Arnold glared at Timberly as she stood to the left of him leaning back on her left leg glaring right back at him. "You act like you're so goddamned perfect, Timberly. You hang out with Gary, you were flirt with him and you act like I am evil. I'm not stupid!"

"So what do you want me to say? Oh yeah, I am fucking Gary! Whatever..." She walked into the bedroom and slammed the door behind her.

"Would you fuckin' stop slamming the fuckin' doors!" Arnold screamed and rested his head down at his desk. He felt drained. He decided that he should try to make up. He lifted his head and walked over to the door. He knocked. "I'm sorry." He opened the door.

Timberly was folding some of her clothes. She looked at him, "I need to get away from here. You're not happy. I am not happy. It's ridiculous. I am going to Jamie O.'s and Maria's house."

"When are you going to come back?"

She sighed. "I don't know." A black bag was at her side as she left. Arnold stood by the bedroom door watching her. It was the beginning of the end. He went to the fridge and grabbed a beer and sat down in front of the television but he didn't turn it on. What had happened? Who had he become? He used to be such a sweet and thoughtful person. Had Timberly just brought out the worst in him? He downed the beer and fell asleep on the couch.

Phoebe went home after spending most of her Saturday at the office. She decided to call Helga. She hunted for the number and found it in the bottom of her purse. She dialed the number.

"Helga Pataki speaking."

"Helga, it's Phoebe. I didn't get to speak to you too much at the party yesterday."

"Oh, I know I wanted chew the fat with ya a bit. Things seemed really awkward. What's going on over here?"

"It's such a long story but the short version is that Gerald and Arnold don't talk because of the Timberly situation."

"Enough said. I gotcha. I just couldn't believe that was Arnold. He just seemed so different, so disillusioned."

"The poor guy is. Timberly isn't a good match for him. When Gerald told him that, they got into a fight. A really bad fight and they apologized but things haven't been the same. That was seven months ago."

"I can't believe that! Arnold would have never let anything get between them before. By the way, Timberly jumped on me when I was talking to him. She was really rude. I blew it off though. Like I give a crap what that girl thinks." Helga laughed, "It's so weird to see everybody, Pheebs. I swear the guys were acting like I was someone else. They're such maroons!"

"I know Arnold was awfully curious about what you had been up to."

"Yep, that sounds like the old Football head. He's always into everybody's business. That poor sap, someone really needs to snap some sense into him."

"I talked to him today about her."

"What did he say?"

"He asked if he should break up with her. I told him, 'Probably'. He has really changed."

"Is Gerald there?"

"Yes, why?"

"Lemme talk to him."

"Hold on... Gerald! PICK UP THE PHONE." A quiet voice in the background asked who wanted to speak to him.

"Hello?" Gerald greeted.

"Hey Geraldo."

"Helga G. Pataki"

"That's MS. PATAKI to you." Helga laughed, "Hey man, what's the problem with you and Arnold?"

"No problem woman!"

"Gerald, we need to talk." Helga stated curtly. They spent the next hour talking about how he felt Arnold had betrayed him. Gerald thought Arnold deserved whatever he got from Timberly and his only current concern was the wedding. Helga rarely talked to Gerald but they relationship had grown closer since Phoebe and him had begun dating. Helga wasn't the easiest person to get to know but Gerald had learned to appreciate her frankness. She was generous especially with Phoebe. Helga suggested that Gerald start acting more like a friend to Arnold because he could use one right now. After they got off the phone, Helga called a cab and headed downtown.






I felt I had to write something down here because I get questions on the reviews and I don't know which place I should answer them. I tried to proof read this but there might be some weird things. I am in the process of moving right now and don't know when I'll have access to a computer again. This is not the last chapter. It is only the end of chapter three. This series will probably have a lot of chapters because I really want to develop these characters and talk about specific issues. Timberly and Arnold, why not? They are of age in this story and sometimes people fall in love when they've known each other for a while. Little sisters sometimes get crushes on their brothers' friends. Thanks for reading and keep reading. I am trying to write something worth reading. If you think this story sucks fine, if you like it great (you're my new best friend...hehehe). But please Review.