Father of the Bride – Chapter 4
By Littlepinkbook
DISCLAIMER – Must I do this every time? Oh all right, these characters aren't mine; I acknowledge this so please don't sue me!
Authors Note - You all must really hate me, I do take ages in between new chapters, I admit it and I'm trying but I only write when inspiration hits and lately my muse is really being a bitch!
Helga sobbed softly on the stoop of Arnold's boarding house. She looked up at the night sky, speckled with a myriad number of tiny, silver lights. Its beauty comforted her slightly as she let bitter tears roll rapidly down her flushed cheeks. The moonlight illuminated the depths of her eyes giving her a melancholy beauty.
She had sent Arnold away to control the parents, she had wanted to be alone and Arnold of course silently respected this.
She simply could not believe what her father had done, what a fool she was. She had actually trusted him to keep a promise. Nothing huge, just one dinner…and he couldn't even grant her that.
Well, bottom line was she was marrying Arnold and she would rather walk down the aisle unescorted than on the arm of her father.
As she thought about everything that had happened her tears dried on her cheeks leaving salty stains streaking her face. Her sadness was drying up just like the tears and she was becoming numb, feelings towards her father were leaving her as though someone had opened a trap door on the top of her head and they were fluttering free like doves into the night. All the resentment, the hurt, the anger…disappearing and being replaced by a void. This was the ultimate damage Bob could do, Helga was emotionally separating herself from her father so that he could never hurt her again.
So deep was this emotional process that she did not hear the door opening behind her…
*
Aw man, you've really blown it this time Bob! You promised the girl one thing and that proved impossible! You can't keep one stinking promise to your own little girl? Bob, you are scum!
She was just sitting there, alone and silent, in the moonlight. She looked so small and vulnerable. It was then that I saw her, not as the strong, independent woman she had become, but as the scared, angry little girl who had only ever wanted love that she had always been, my little girl, my little girl who was deprived of the love she so deserved. An overwhelming need to hold her suddenly washed over me but I held back, I'm pretty sure that if I even went near her right now she'd slap me with a restraining order. I simply sat beside her on the stoop. She was instantly cold towards me, which chilled me more than the night air. She remained silent as I struggled to find something to say. Then the idea hit me…I found myself laughing quietly at the memory.
Helga eyed me with contempt; her eyes were raw and inflamed from her tears. This sight invoked such pain in me that I had to quickly look away before I started to bawl myself.
"I remember when I met Miriam's parents"; I began, hearing Helga scoffing softly but I continued regardless "That was the worst night of my life!" Was that a little laugh? This topic seemed to have caught Helga's attention.
"Your Grandparents were both real smart, went to Harvard you know. I dunno if anyone ever told you but your Grandma was a writer". I glanced over at my daughter; my last comment had definitely struck a chord in her. Her eyes were now on me with a light of interest instead of hate, I was relieved for the change.
"Yeah, and your Grandpa practised Law. Both real well respected in the community too! Anyhow, they wanted your mother to follow in their footsteps and go to Harvard, and let me tell you, she would have been accepted in a second. Miriam has always had the ability to do anything she wanted to do". She's still listening intently; I turn to her slightly but kept my eyes averted from hers for fear of seeing the coldness and the hate waiting there for me.
"Your mother had a spark, Helga. Something in her so fiery, so intelligent and so wonderful it took a persons breath away. She had a lust for life that I simply could not resist…" I smile as I remember my Miriam of those days. The young, vibrant creature I fell in love with. However, my smile dies on my lips as I remember that it was me that squashed that spark in Miriam. This thought stung so badly it mentally wounded me, I lost my train of thought and was about to plunge into a pit of bottomless sorrow when I felt a gentle tug at my sleeve. I turned and finally meet Helga's eyes and was shocked to find no anger, no hurt just expectance and the first blossoms of understanding. Behind all this I caught a glimpse of the burning flame of passion for life I had so long ago extinguished in Miriam. It was the same spark; I reached out gingerly to touch her soft golden hair and was relieved to find she didn't pull away.
"You are so like your Mother, Helga", I saw Miriam for instant as I looked at her and smiled warmly "You have her spark…and her beauty".
I was so elated when she smiled at me, a warm beautiful smile full of gratitude. Delighted to see that I was on my way to mending the damage I had caused, a chance I had let slip with Miriam. Dammit, I was determined not to make the same mistake with my beautiful little girl.
"Your Grandma and Grandpa hated me because I knocked up your mother and ruined everything. Ruined her chances!" I spat bitterly, closing my eyes in shame. They never forgave me and I'm not sure if Miriam has". I pause, clenching my eyes shut to block out the memory, the pain. I let the pain disperse, back into the dark caverns of my mind and out of the way and then shook my head in determination. I open my eyes and suddenly turn to Helga, taking her face in my hands gently, surprise splashing into her eyes.
"Helga, I swear I'll do better. I promise, and this promise I will take to my grave, I promise to not make the same mistake with you. I will do everything in my power to see that you're happy and that the spark in you will never die, and I'll start by making sure you have the most beautiful and perfect wedding!" I could feel tears beginning to sting my own eyes now and my voice crack, I was gonna blow in a minute, I was pleading with her to give me just once more chance. I know I don't deserve it but I just want to prove myself.
"I love you so much, Helga. You're my daughter, my little girl and I love you!"
I was so ecstatic and relieved when she grinned and wrapped her arms around me, her tears soaking my shirt. "Thank you, Dad…thank you!" She whispered, and I knew I was forgiven, I had been blessed with one last chance. Someone up there likes me.
To be continued…