Love me when I'm gone

Chapter 6:

So sad. So Sad. What Love will make you do.

~Ashanti, Foolish

Helga was in her room reading when there was a knock on the door. She went downstairs but Chad and Bob were so absorbed in the football game that they couldn't hear anything.

" Hi Phoebe." Helga said smiling.

" Hi Helga. Gerald and I are planning an Engagement party for Harold and Rhonda for tonight. I was wondering if you…" she paused as Chad walked up and wrapped his arms around Helga.

" I thought you were watching the game with my dad."

" Half-time."

" Oh… Sorry Phebs what were you saying?"

" I was wondering if you and your boyfriend could make it."

" I would love to come. Do you want to go Chad?"

" Sounds like fun…. Sure we'll be there."

" Great. It starts tonight at 9:30. See ya then."

She nodded to them then walked off. Gerald was in the car waiting for her. " Dear God Gerald. I wish you could've seen her."

" I saw her…he messed her up bad."

" I just don't understand why she won't leave him…."

" I don't either Phoebe, I don't either."

***********

" Come on Chad the party starts in 20 minutes we should already be leaving…." Helga shouted up the stairs.

" I'm coming." He said coming down the stairs.

He gave her his award-winning smile. He looked so handsome in the bright light. He stood in front of her. " So what do you think?"

" I think I'm in love with you," she said kissing him.

" So that's what you earthlings call it."

She laughed, " Come on we are going to be late."

" Helga wait. Do you remember what I told you to tell them if they ask about…"

" Yes I know. Tell them I fell."

" Good now we can go."

He took her hand and they left. As they neared Phoebe and Gerald's house Chad stopped her, " Stay where I can eye on you."

She nodded. She ranged the bell. Gerald greeted them.

" Hey Guys I'm so glad you could make it." he stepped aside so they could walk in. He cast a worried glance at Helga, which she caught.

" Go mingle. Meet people."

" What are you going to do?"

" I'm going to find Phoebe."

" Okay…"

" Have fun." she kissed his cheek.

He watched her walk towards the front door were Phoebe standing.

" What kind of stunt do you think you're pulling?" she demanded.

" What are you talking about Helga?"

" I saw the way Gerald was looking at me. He was giving me that worried look. Is that only reason you invited me?"

" No…. Helga I'm just worried about you…"

" Not you too. Look I am 25 years old. I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself."

" Helga looks at your face…. Is letting Chad beat you taking care of yourself?"

Helga's bottom lip quivered slightly, " He doesn't mean it…. It's my fault."

" Why are trying to justify his actions? You know as well as I do that this isn't your fault."

Helga hung her head in defeat. " You're right…He always apologizes and I think maybe this time he'll change. Things get better for…. a while. Then he'll find something wrong with whatever I do and the cycle will start all over again"

" Helga let us help you…"

" Don't you know how badly I want to breakup with him?"

" Then why don't you?"

" For one thing I love him…. I try to give him another chance after he apologizes. Guess I gave him one too many huh?"

Phoebe nodded. Then out of nowhere Chad grabbed Helga's arm, " Let's go." he hissed in her ear. He yanked her out the door. In his haste to leave they ran into Arnold.

" Helga…" He said surprised.

Chad pulled her past him. She glanced back at him with fear in her eyes.

Phoebe stood beside Arnold. " We've got to help her," she murmured.

" We can't if she won't let us."

***********

About 12:30 in the morning Phoebe was awakened to a pounding on the front door. She put her glasses on and looked at Gerald. He was dead to the world. She stumbled down the stairs and answered the front door. " Helga…What is you doing here?"

She looked at her, " Phoebe…. I need help," she whispered helplessly.

" Come on in your cloths are soaked."

In the dark Phoebe couldn't see Helga clearly. But the minute she turned on the light she gasped loudly. Helga's entire body looked like it had been through a war. Her hair was matted to her head. Her torn shirt hung limply around her shaking shoulders. Blood dripped from her previous wounds as well as new ones.

" Oh my god. What happened?"

" Chad heard me talking to you earlier. He dragged me back to my parent's house and went crazy."

" Weren't you're parents there?"

" Nope they were out with Olga."

" Here sit down and I'll get you some new cloths."

Helga complied and Phoebe disappeared upstairs. She picked up a picture frame and stared at the picture. It was Gerald and Phoebe. They were at Disney World. They were wearing those ears.

" Here. There's a bathroom upstairs first door on the right."

" Thanks Phebs."

After about 5 minutes Helga came back down and Phoebe handed her a mug. " I made you some tea while you upstairs."

" Thanks…. So how did you Gerald get together?"

"As you know we dated all through high school. And through college. After you and Arnold left for our senior year he proposed."

" Why didn't you call and tell me you were getting married?"

" To be honest we eloped. Our parents wanted a big expensive wedding and we didn't. So we just went to a justice of peace. Needless to say our parents were pretty ticked off but then they let go. So what's your story? How did you and Chad meet?"

" We met at a dinner party. His brother Derek and my friend Elena were getting married. Elena introduced me to Chad. And I guess you could say we hit it off."

Helga chuckled quietly. " What?"

" I remember when we first started dating. On our first date he took me to this awesome fireworks show. The first six weeks were wonderful…."

" When did he start…"

" Hitting me? Oh that started after we had been dating for about month. The first time it happened I broke it off. But he charmed his way back into my life," she said chuckling again, " Did you know he broke my collar bone?"

" How did he do that?"

" We were at his brother's house for a barbecue. And I had always talked to Derek before without Chad getting angry and by then Derek was already married. But Chad still got mad at me. He took me upstairs. His brother was really into golf. Anyway Chad threw me on the bed and beat me with a golf club and broke my collar bone."

" What did you do?"

" At the hospital he was so sweet but I told him it was over. He told me if I tried to leave him he would kill me. Can you believe I fell in love with that? It's like one minute he and I are laughing and talking then the next he's threatening to kill me. He pulled a gun on me once. He stuck it in my ear and pulled the trigger. Lucky for me there were no bullets but I nearly died from fright."

" I don't understand why…."
" Phoebe I can't take it anymore. Please help me."

" Do you really want my help?"

She nodded with tears in her eyes.

" Then listen carefully to what I have to say.