Love me when I'm gone

Chapter 3

"Something's not right about that Chad guy." Arnold said to Gerald as they tossed a baseball back and forth.

" You just met the guy 3 hours ago give him a chance."

" I don't know Gerald. Did you see the way he snatched her up I think he beats her."

" Oh come on Arnold that's a serious accusation. It's probably all in you imagination."

" Yeah." he mumbled but Arnold wasn't so sure He knew something was wrong and he had to find out what.

************

Helga and Chad was strolling down the sidewalk hand-n-hand. As they walked up the steps Helga turned to him and said, " Okay the things you are about to see may confuse and even frighten you but just to let you know as soon as you walk through that door you've given up all rights to sue me."

" Oh just go."

She smiled and opened the door, " Mom….dad?"

" Oh look Miriam it's Olga."

" Sorry dad it's me Helga. H-E-L-G-A."

" Well…. It's our other kid."

Helga shook her head, " Dad this is my boyfriend Chad, Chad this is my dad Big Bob Pataki."

Bob shook Chad's hand, " come on there's a killer football game on."

" Yeah I'll just go help my mother in the kitchen."

She wandered into the kitchen where her mother was fast asleep.

" Mom….MOM! Miriam!"

Helga crossed her arms and looked at the table. Spotting two pot lids, she picked them up and banged them together. Miriam woke with a start, " Oh Helga what are you doing here?"

" You invited me."

" Now I remember. Helga dear could you stir this gumbo? I've got to go to the store and get a cake mix for dessert."

" Uh Sure mom."

" Thanks sweetness. I'll be back in 2 minutes.

Miriam walked out. Chad wrapped his arms around Helga's waist, "mmm….That smells good. What is it?"

" It's my mom's gumbo. It's about the only thing she could ever cook right."

Chad chuckled as Helga ruffled his brown hair.

" Mommy Daddy I'm home."

" Helga who's that?" Chad asked.

" It's Olga my ever wonderful sister." she answered her voice dripping with sarcasm.

" Introduce me to her."

She took his hand and led him to the front door.

" Is that my baby sister? Come give me a hug." Olga threw her arms around Helga and squeezed her tight.

She cringed as Olga pressed her bruises. " Please Olga let me go."

" Sorry it's just been so long since I've seen you. Who is this."?

" This is my boyfriend Chad. Chad this is Olga."

" Oh my Baby sister has told so much about you."

" She's told me about you too."

Olga tucked her arm underneath his and they headed for the living room. For the next 2 hours Chad spent his time with Olga. " Chad I need to talk to you."

"Not now Helga."

" But…"

" I said not now."

" Yeah I bet you'd rather spend all your time flirting with my sister."

" What did you say?"

" Forget it!" she shouted stomping upstairs.

" Oh dear I better talk to her."

" No Olga let me do it." Chad said.

" She's probably in her room. Last door on the right."

Chad went up the steps and opened the door to Helga's room.

She was pacing the floor. She looked up and Chad glared at her angrily. He shut the door behind him and locked it.

" What's wrong with you?" He demanded.

" Nothing what's wrong with you?"

He grabbed her by her shoulders and threw her to the floor. He picked up by her hair and shoved her against the wall.

" Got something smart to say now?" he growled.

" Chad please let me go."

He banged her head against the wall. Her face hit a stray nail causing a cut right next to her eye. " Chad please…"

" Shut up."

He bent her right arm up behind her back and grabbed a hand full of hair then pulled her head back.

Back downstairs Olga could hear strange banging noises despite the blaring TV. She stood to go investigate but Chad was already coming back.

" We uh talked it out and everything is fine now." he adjusted his shirt and sat down.

" Where's Helga?"

" She's still in her room."

Olga when upstairs and knocked on the door. When no one answered she opened it. Helga was on the bed her knees hugged close to her chest. The cut on her face was bleeding as was her nose and another cut across her cheek. " Helga what happened?"

" It was an accident I fell."

" What really happened?"

" I told you."

" Helga… I didn't want to say anything but I noticed your black eye."

" You did?"

" Yeah. You're make up isn't doing a very good job of hiding it. Chad did this to you didn't he?"

" No…Yes. But it was my fault."

" Your fault? How could you say that?"

" Because I always say or do something that ticks him off."

" How long has been this going on?"

" About 2 and half years. And I deserved every bit of it."

"No baby sister. No one ever deserves this." Olga said stroking her cheek gently.

" Olga…"

" Yeah?"

" You've got to promise me you won't say anything to anyone."

" But…"

" Promise me…"

" Helga I can't…"

" Promise!"

" All right I promise."

Helga smiled faintly as the door opened.

" Dinner's ready." Chad said.

Olga stood, " are you going to be all right?"

Helga nodded and Olga whispered " evil bastard." as she walked past Chad.

He stepped forward and sat on the bed. Helga buried her head into her knees.

" Helga I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

When she didn't respond he picked her head up and brushed away her hair.

" I love you Helga. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

" I love you too."

" Then you forgive me?"

" Don't I always?"

He smiled and hugged her.

" Come on I'll clean you up."

He took her arm and placed it underneath his. They walked to the bathroom and Helga leaned against the sink He wet a washcloth and pressed it against her face. She tried to ignore the stinging as water dripped into it. " Ouch."

" It's stinging?"

" Yeah a little."

" Sorry." he said kissing her gently.

She smiled, " Ready to eat?"

He nodded. She took his hand and they walked down stairs. Everyone was already eating. Olga looked at their hands. " She took him back." Olga thought to herself. As they sat down Bob asked, " Geez Helga what happened?"

" I…fell."

Helga looked at her sister who was giving her that 'stop lying' look.

Chad squeezed her had gently. She glanced at him and he grinned at her.

" So Chad what do you do?" Miriam asked?

" I'm vice president in my dad's bank."

" Well looks like you're taking care of yourselves." Bob said.

" Yeah we have a great apartment." Helga said.

" I do believe your parents were talking to me." Chad said squeezing her hand harder than before.

" Sorry."

He let her go. " May I be excused?"

" But Helga you just got down here." Miriam said.

Helga pushed her chair back and ran upstairs to her room. She locked the door then sat down and cried.