I Wish Only the Best for Her...
I got really good comments on the previous installment, and even a request for the backstory, so here it is: Arnold's view. I had this in mind since I began the story, but I didn't think you'd really be interested. This also counters Olivia's argument that Arnold's actions in the previous installment were out of character.
At 8:00 on Saturday night, Arnold went out to get his mail. What he found was a big surprise. It was a wedding invitation to Helga's wedding.
Helga. Helga was getting married. He was happy to have been invited, but somehow it didn't seem right. He had always hoped that he would be marrying her, not some – what was his name? Tom Mann. No, Helga Mann did not sound good. But what could he do?
In a situation like this there was only one thing to do: talk to Gerald. He went to the phone.
"Hey man, what's up?"
"Gerald, I have a problem. Did you check your mail?"
"Yeah, Helga's getting married! That's weird, we always figured it would be you."
"It should be me."
"Then tell her how you feel, man!"
"No, I can't do that!"
"Why not?"
"Hello! She's getting married. She obviously loves this – what's his name? - Tom Mann very much. She's not the kind of person who would rush into one of these things."
"Your point?"
"If I told her how much – well – how I feel, it could ruin their entire wedding. How would you like it if some piece of scum came and tried to come between you and your true love? I couldn't stand to see her unhappy. She means everything to me."
"You still have to tell her. She has to know."
"No, I don't and she doesn't. Thanks for the advice, though, Gerald." He hung up.
Weeks later, Arnold was still trying to find the perfect wedding present. Nothing was good enough for his love, nothing deserved her. Not even her future husband. Not even Arnold. Then he remembered what Gerald had said. And personal gifts are the best of all, right?
He took his treasured locket and bought an expensive box to put it in. Then he wrapped it in box after box, so that it wouldn't seem so out of place at the wedding. It seemed so weird, giving it away; it had been almost a part of him for the last fifteen years.
Kind of like Helga. He was giving her away, too, after fifteen years of love. He sat down on the largest box, put his head in his hands, and cried.