When Dreams Fade 3
Author's Note: The song that's in this story, is an original song. I wrote it because I'd thought it would be a nice touch for the story.
Disclaimer: The only thing that I own in this story is the song. So read it already.
Arnold was sitting in the taxicab, noticing on how much his old neighborhood had changed. He reflected on all of his old friends, and how many of them went on with their lives.
His best friend Gerald moved to Los Angeles, where he became a police officer. His knowledge of the streets, and his many informants had helped with the arrest of over 2,000 known felons. Even though Arnold and Gerald lived miles apart, they still kept in contact.
Phoebe had moved to California, where she became a well-known psychiatrist She has helped many people with their problems, such as Matthew Perry and Mariah Carey.
Brainy moved to Florida, where he is now a molecular biologist specialist, and he met and married an equally smart woman by the name of Eunice.
Curly moved to New York, where he went to work as a telemarketer. A few months later he was locked into a mental institutional ward, because he claimed that he could see dead people. He has been locked up every since then.
Eugene Moved to New Mexico, where he died a horrible death. He wanted to try his hand at bull fighting, but he ended up tripping and was trampled to death by the bull.
Iggy moved to England, where he was a huge celebrity, until they found out that he wore bunny pajamas. He then moved to Rome hoping to restart his career. When that didn't follow through, he started moving from city to city, waiting for his next big break. Nobody has heard from him since.
Lila moved to Kentucky, where she became the owner of a small bookstore.
Rhonda became an over the top fashion model. The last thing anybody heard was that she was about to marry a well-known clothing designer.
Sid moved to Ohio, where he became a horror graphic novel writer. He's the one that George Lucas calls when he's in need of another monster for one of his movies. So Sid will create a monster and get paid millions for doing so.
Stinky moved to New Jersey where he is now homeless. He tried moving back to his old hometown, but he didn't have enough bus fare.
Helga G. Pataki is another well-known author, She writes children poetry, and is quite successful. She has also opened a small club, where poetry reading on stage is allowed. It is very successful. Arnold hadn't thought about her since he moved to England, and he wasn't about to start now.
Last but not least there was Harold. He became a famous football player. He not only won three super bowl rings, but he made royalties for every sports commercial that he ever did. To say the least Harold had came a long way from the big fat bully, who would go running to his mommy if he were in trouble.
Things had surely changed, but Arnold was ready to go back home. There wasn't very much left to go home to anyway. It had been years since his Grandpa and Grandma had passed away. Many of the residents moved after they had died. So now Arnold had a large boarding house, with no occupants left. He decided that once he was settled in, then he would re-open the house and rent out the rooms.
The yellow and black taxicab stopped in front of the desecrating old apartment. He paid the cabbie, and got out of the car. He stood looking at the old building, hoping that it wasn't going to cost too much money to repair. He walked up to his old apartment, unlocking the door for the first time in years. It immediately sent a wave of nostalgia, and grief through his body. How many times did he walk up these stairs, knowing that there was always going to be someone on the other side? How many times did he see a smiling face, wherever he turned? However those days are gone, and all that's left are the memories. He was grateful that they were all good memories, well all except the memory of when he left. His eyes began to water and the tears began to fall. He didn't want to remember that day, but his mind just wouldn't shut off the memories that were once comforting, but now painful. He slumped down to the floor, holding his head in his hands. So much grief and pain rushed over him, like an over run dam.
He must have been sitting there for hours in tears, because when he finally looked up the daylight had surrendered to night. He wiped the tears from his eyes, and combed down his hair as he stood up. He grabbed his suitcase, and took it to his old room. Sure he could sleep in his grandparent's room, which in any case was bigger than this room. However, it was going to take some time for him to get readjusted in the old house.
It was kind of ironic that his grandparents were the only real family that he had. Then again he always had his doubts. His grandparents claimed they were his biological relatives, but whenever he asked about his mom and dad, they quickly changed the subject. Sure Arnold was a little naïve, but he wasn't dumb. It really hurt him to know that he had no one. He was alone, and there wasn't anybody left that he could talk to.
He began to unpack his clothes, and hanged them in his closet. Then he unpacked a bunch of old pictures that he had collected over the years. One was of his grandparents holding hands near a river. Then he had one of Gerald. Then he had one of the entire gang from his old school, which had everybody from Gerald to Helga.
Helga. Now that's one person he tried his hardest to forget. She was the very epitome of evil. She had not one caring bone in her body. For years she had tormented and ridiculed him on a daily basis. Even when they became grown adults, she still found time to make him feel as if he were less than a man. He hated her; of that much he was sure. He stole a glance at her in the picture, and became so enraged that he threw the picture into the wall. Glass splattered in all different directions, and Arnold flinched as the glass sprayed him in a fuzzy instant. Feelings of the past haunted him, and he became twelve years all over again.
"I hate you! I hate you Helga G. Pataki!"
He fell on the bed, and became entangled in a flurry of bed sheets. He cried and cried, until he fell asleep. While he dreamed, he realized that most dreams do come true, but rather dreams eventually fade.
Helga sat in her living room, waiting for Harold to arrive. She had butterflies in her stomach, which rarely happened to her. It had been a long time since she was this nervous. She jumped when she heard the doorbell ring. She stood up, smoothing out her long gown. She opened the door, and her mouth dropped to the ground. She looked at Harold, and noticed how handsome he looked in a suit. Normally he liked to wear gym shorts and t-shirts. Even when they went out for dinner, he'd wear long kaki pants and a white shirt. However, seeing him actually dressed up like this, confirmed her suspensions about the reason why he asked her out.
Harold on the other hand looked at Helga, admiring the beautiful young woman that she turned out to be. She looked so beautiful, that he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her as if there was no tomorrow. So he did.
Helga wasn't expecting Herald to kiss her, but when he did she surrendered into the kiss. They continued on for at least five minutes before they came up for air.
"You look so beautiful. I will be honored to have you by my side Helga G. Pataki."
"Thanks Snoogums. Look at you! You're handsome. Mel Gibson look out cause my man is in the house."
"I love it when you call me that."
"What? Snoogums?"
"No you're man."
"Well you are my man silly, and that's the way it's going to stay."
"Forever?"
"Until my very last breath."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Man I'm so lucky."
"Luck had nothing to do with it, it was you all along."
"Whatever it is, I'm grateful for it."
"We better get going, before we miss our reservation."
"Sure thing. Let's go honey bunch."
Herald extended out his arm, and Helga slid her arm right through, and held on to his bulging arm muscles. She kept thinking about how much he was getting in shape, and she loved the fact that he was taking better care of himself.
He escorted her toward the car, and opened the front door. Once she was in the car, Harold went to the driver's side and started the car. On their way to the restaurant, they made small talk about nothing in particular.
Once they made it to the restaurant, Helga noticed how upscale it was. This wasn't the type of restaurant that they went to. She smiled to herself, when Harold spoke to the Mater D.
"Hello Sir and Madame Do you have a reservation?"]
"Yes we do. It's under Herald and Helga (Whatever's Harold's last name.)
"Yes we have that right here. You're seated at table twenty-five. If you'll please follow me, I'll show you to your table."
"Thank you."
They walked until they came to a beautiful table, bathed in the soft lights of neatly arranged candles. Harold pulled out Helga's chair, and she slid in the chair as gracefully as she could.
Harold took his seat, and reached his hand out, and grabbed Helga's hand. They were soft to touch, which was odd. Helga's hand used to be rough like a boys, but since her time with him everything about her had changed. She was more feminine in everything that she did.
He looked into her eyes trying to figure out what it was that she liked about him. Just as he was about to ask Helga, their waiter arrived. He seemed a little too chipper for Harold's taste, but he wasn't about to let him ruin his night.
"Hello, my name is Ian, and I'll be your waiter tonight. Here's your dinner menu, and your desert menu. Is there anything that you'd like drink or snack on while you wait?"
"I'll have a cup of red wine. Helga is there anything that you want?"
"Some water would be fine."
"She'll have a cup of water, and that'll be all."
"O.K. One cup of red wine, and a cup of water will be coming right up."
When the waiter left, Harold picked up Helga's hand, and brought it up to his mouth. He kissed it lightly, and looked into her eyes.
"So have you decided what you're going to eat yet?"
"No, have you?"
"Steak well done."
"I guess I'll eat the baked chicken platter.
"Sounds good. So how was your day today?"
"Other than trying to find something to wear for tonight, it's been good."
"I thought that was a new dress."
"It is. I couldn't find anything to wear, so I went shopping and found this."
"It's beautiful on you."
"You told me that already."
"Only because I mean it."
"Didn't anyone ever tell you that flattery would get you everything that you could ever want?"
"Is it working?"
"You bet. I think it's working a little too well, if you want my honest opinion."
The waiter interrupted their intimate conversion, when he brought them their drinks.
"Ok Red wine for you sir, and water for the Mrs. Have you decided on your order yet?"
"Yes we have. I'll take the steak platter, well done, and a bottle of your finest wine. After dinner I'll have a slice of cherry pie."
"And you Miss?"
"I'll take the baked chicken platter, and after dinner I'll have a slice of apple pie."
"O.K. So that's one steak platter, and one baked chicken platter. One bottle of our finest wine, and might I suggest our 1965 white wine. After dinner you want a slice of cherry pie, and one slice of apple. Is there anything else that you'd like before I place your order?"
"No that'll be all. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Your order will take about thirty to thirty-five minutes before it's ready. Enjoy your stay at Lamoure's Restaurant."
As the waiter walked off, Harold grabbed Helga's hands once more.
"So where were we?"
"You were telling me how beautiful I was."
"Oh yeah, I was wasn't I?"
"Yes you were. Go on."
"You know we've been together for a while now, and I just want you to know that I love you."
"I love you too."
The night wore on, and they whispered sweet nothings to each other. The dinner finally arrived, and they enjoyed the food immensely. Once they were done with their main course, they moved on to their desert. The pie was sweet, and they both realized that they were both full.
Harold grabbed both of Helga's hands, after they finished their meals. He looked into his eyes, and cleared his throat. It was obvious that he was nervous, but he held his head up high and proud.
"Helga, I brought you here, because I have something very important that I want to ask you. Now you know that you mean everything to me, and that I truly love you with all of my heart. I don't want to ever lose you. You are my reason for living, and you make me such a better person. I'd be lying if I said that you didn't. You have changed me into a better person, and I'm grateful for that.
Now it's time for the good news. You know much I love the Dallas Cowboys, and how I always root for them, even though I play for another team. Well as it turns out, I'm through playing with the Mavericks. I've been drafted to play with the Cowboys, and I've decided to move to Dallas at the end of this month. I want you to come to Dallas with me. Helga you are what I waited my whole life for, and I hope it's the same way for you."
"It is. Believe me it is."
"Good I'm glad to hear that. I've arranged for something special for you."
Harold waved his hands to the Mater D, and a small band walked up to their table. There was a short lady wearing a white dress, and she began singing.
"Look into my eyes,
And tell me what you see?
Am I everything?
That you'll ever need?
There's no reason to hide,
No don't you be afraid
You have no reason to fear,
Because we've got it made
So I'll be there,
With open arms
To guide you and protect you.
I'll keep you safe from harm.
With open arms,
I'll be all that you need.
But first, But first,
Will you marry me?"
Helga's mouth fell, and she couldn't believe what she heard. Her heart was beating too fast, and sweat began to fall. She tried speaking, but the words were lost in her throat.
"I wrote that song for you, and I wanted to know if you'd honor me by becoming my wife?"
"Y.. Y.. Yes I'll marry you!!!"
Helga must have screamed, because ople were staring at her. Everyone applauded the moment Harold put his arms around her waist, and kissed her. Helga knew that he was going to ask something big. She didn't expect two big announcements. She did love Harold, but moving to Dallas wasn't something that she anticipated. Regardless, hey were now engaged, and she would follow him to the end of the earth, if that's what he wanted. Right now all she was concerned with was calling her mother and tell her the good news. She would be spending the rest of her life with a man that she loved more than life itself.
Author's Note: The song that's in this story, is an original song. I wrote it because I'd thought it would be a nice touch for the story.
Disclaimer: The only thing that I own in this story is the song. So read it already.
Arnold was sitting in the taxicab, noticing on how much his old neighborhood had changed. He reflected on all of his old friends, and how many of them went on with their lives.
His best friend Gerald moved to Los Angeles, where he became a police officer. His knowledge of the streets, and his many informants had helped with the arrest of over 2,000 known felons. Even though Arnold and Gerald lived miles apart, they still kept in contact.
Phoebe had moved to California, where she became a well-known psychiatrist She has helped many people with their problems, such as Matthew Perry and Mariah Carey.
Brainy moved to Florida, where he is now a molecular biologist specialist, and he met and married an equally smart woman by the name of Eunice.
Curly moved to New York, where he went to work as a telemarketer. A few months later he was locked into a mental institutional ward, because he claimed that he could see dead people. He has been locked up every since then.
Eugene Moved to New Mexico, where he died a horrible death. He wanted to try his hand at bull fighting, but he ended up tripping and was trampled to death by the bull.
Iggy moved to England, where he was a huge celebrity, until they found out that he wore bunny pajamas. He then moved to Rome hoping to restart his career. When that didn't follow through, he started moving from city to city, waiting for his next big break. Nobody has heard from him since.
Lila moved to Kentucky, where she became the owner of a small bookstore.
Rhonda became an over the top fashion model. The last thing anybody heard was that she was about to marry a well-known clothing designer.
Sid moved to Ohio, where he became a horror graphic novel writer. He's the one that George Lucas calls when he's in need of another monster for one of his movies. So Sid will create a monster and get paid millions for doing so.
Stinky moved to New Jersey where he is now homeless. He tried moving back to his old hometown, but he didn't have enough bus fare.
Helga G. Pataki is another well-known author, She writes children poetry, and is quite successful. She has also opened a small club, where poetry reading on stage is allowed. It is very successful. Arnold hadn't thought about her since he moved to England, and he wasn't about to start now.
Last but not least there was Harold. He became a famous football player. He not only won three super bowl rings, but he made royalties for every sports commercial that he ever did. To say the least Harold had came a long way from the big fat bully, who would go running to his mommy if he were in trouble.
Things had surely changed, but Arnold was ready to go back home. There wasn't very much left to go home to anyway. It had been years since his Grandpa and Grandma had passed away. Many of the residents moved after they had died. So now Arnold had a large boarding house, with no occupants left. He decided that once he was settled in, then he would re-open the house and rent out the rooms.
The yellow and black taxicab stopped in front of the desecrating old apartment. He paid the cabbie, and got out of the car. He stood looking at the old building, hoping that it wasn't going to cost too much money to repair. He walked up to his old apartment, unlocking the door for the first time in years. It immediately sent a wave of nostalgia, and grief through his body. How many times did he walk up these stairs, knowing that there was always going to be someone on the other side? How many times did he see a smiling face, wherever he turned? However those days are gone, and all that's left are the memories. He was grateful that they were all good memories, well all except the memory of when he left. His eyes began to water and the tears began to fall. He didn't want to remember that day, but his mind just wouldn't shut off the memories that were once comforting, but now painful. He slumped down to the floor, holding his head in his hands. So much grief and pain rushed over him, like an over run dam.
He must have been sitting there for hours in tears, because when he finally looked up the daylight had surrendered to night. He wiped the tears from his eyes, and combed down his hair as he stood up. He grabbed his suitcase, and took it to his old room. Sure he could sleep in his grandparent's room, which in any case was bigger than this room. However, it was going to take some time for him to get readjusted in the old house.
It was kind of ironic that his grandparents were the only real family that he had. Then again he always had his doubts. His grandparents claimed they were his biological relatives, but whenever he asked about his mom and dad, they quickly changed the subject. Sure Arnold was a little naïve, but he wasn't dumb. It really hurt him to know that he had no one. He was alone, and there wasn't anybody left that he could talk to.
He began to unpack his clothes, and hanged them in his closet. Then he unpacked a bunch of old pictures that he had collected over the years. One was of his grandparents holding hands near a river. Then he had one of Gerald. Then he had one of the entire gang from his old school, which had everybody from Gerald to Helga.
Helga. Now that's one person he tried his hardest to forget. She was the very epitome of evil. She had not one caring bone in her body. For years she had tormented and ridiculed him on a daily basis. Even when they became grown adults, she still found time to make him feel as if he were less than a man. He hated her; of that much he was sure. He stole a glance at her in the picture, and became so enraged that he threw the picture into the wall. Glass splattered in all different directions, and Arnold flinched as the glass sprayed him in a fuzzy instant. Feelings of the past haunted him, and he became twelve years all over again.
"I hate you! I hate you Helga G. Pataki!"
He fell on the bed, and became entangled in a flurry of bed sheets. He cried and cried, until he fell asleep. While he dreamed, he realized that most dreams do come true, but rather dreams eventually fade.
Helga sat in her living room, waiting for Harold to arrive. She had butterflies in her stomach, which rarely happened to her. It had been a long time since she was this nervous. She jumped when she heard the doorbell ring. She stood up, smoothing out her long gown. She opened the door, and her mouth dropped to the ground. She looked at Harold, and noticed how handsome he looked in a suit. Normally he liked to wear gym shorts and t-shirts. Even when they went out for dinner, he'd wear long kaki pants and a white shirt. However, seeing him actually dressed up like this, confirmed her suspensions about the reason why he asked her out.
Harold on the other hand looked at Helga, admiring the beautiful young woman that she turned out to be. She looked so beautiful, that he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her as if there was no tomorrow. So he did.
Helga wasn't expecting Herald to kiss her, but when he did she surrendered into the kiss. They continued on for at least five minutes before they came up for air.
"You look so beautiful. I will be honored to have you by my side Helga G. Pataki."
"Thanks Snoogums. Look at you! You're handsome. Mel Gibson look out cause my man is in the house."
"I love it when you call me that."
"What? Snoogums?"
"No you're man."
"Well you are my man silly, and that's the way it's going to stay."
"Forever?"
"Until my very last breath."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Man I'm so lucky."
"Luck had nothing to do with it, it was you all along."
"Whatever it is, I'm grateful for it."
"We better get going, before we miss our reservation."
"Sure thing. Let's go honey bunch."
Herald extended out his arm, and Helga slid her arm right through, and held on to his bulging arm muscles. She kept thinking about how much he was getting in shape, and she loved the fact that he was taking better care of himself.
He escorted her toward the car, and opened the front door. Once she was in the car, Harold went to the driver's side and started the car. On their way to the restaurant, they made small talk about nothing in particular.
Once they made it to the restaurant, Helga noticed how upscale it was. This wasn't the type of restaurant that they went to. She smiled to herself, when Harold spoke to the Mater D.
"Hello Sir and Madame Do you have a reservation?"]
"Yes we do. It's under Herald and Helga (Whatever's Harold's last name.)
"Yes we have that right here. You're seated at table twenty-five. If you'll please follow me, I'll show you to your table."
"Thank you."
They walked until they came to a beautiful table, bathed in the soft lights of neatly arranged candles. Harold pulled out Helga's chair, and she slid in the chair as gracefully as she could.
Harold took his seat, and reached his hand out, and grabbed Helga's hand. They were soft to touch, which was odd. Helga's hand used to be rough like a boys, but since her time with him everything about her had changed. She was more feminine in everything that she did.
He looked into her eyes trying to figure out what it was that she liked about him. Just as he was about to ask Helga, their waiter arrived. He seemed a little too chipper for Harold's taste, but he wasn't about to let him ruin his night.
"Hello, my name is Ian, and I'll be your waiter tonight. Here's your dinner menu, and your desert menu. Is there anything that you'd like drink or snack on while you wait?"
"I'll have a cup of red wine. Helga is there anything that you want?"
"Some water would be fine."
"She'll have a cup of water, and that'll be all."
"O.K. One cup of red wine, and a cup of water will be coming right up."
When the waiter left, Harold picked up Helga's hand, and brought it up to his mouth. He kissed it lightly, and looked into her eyes.
"So have you decided what you're going to eat yet?"
"No, have you?"
"Steak well done."
"I guess I'll eat the baked chicken platter.
"Sounds good. So how was your day today?"
"Other than trying to find something to wear for tonight, it's been good."
"I thought that was a new dress."
"It is. I couldn't find anything to wear, so I went shopping and found this."
"It's beautiful on you."
"You told me that already."
"Only because I mean it."
"Didn't anyone ever tell you that flattery would get you everything that you could ever want?"
"Is it working?"
"You bet. I think it's working a little too well, if you want my honest opinion."
The waiter interrupted their intimate conversion, when he brought them their drinks.
"Ok Red wine for you sir, and water for the Mrs. Have you decided on your order yet?"
"Yes we have. I'll take the steak platter, well done, and a bottle of your finest wine. After dinner I'll have a slice of cherry pie."
"And you Miss?"
"I'll take the baked chicken platter, and after dinner I'll have a slice of apple pie."
"O.K. So that's one steak platter, and one baked chicken platter. One bottle of our finest wine, and might I suggest our 1965 white wine. After dinner you want a slice of cherry pie, and one slice of apple. Is there anything else that you'd like before I place your order?"
"No that'll be all. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Your order will take about thirty to thirty-five minutes before it's ready. Enjoy your stay at Lamoure's Restaurant."
As the waiter walked off, Harold grabbed Helga's hands once more.
"So where were we?"
"You were telling me how beautiful I was."
"Oh yeah, I was wasn't I?"
"Yes you were. Go on."
"You know we've been together for a while now, and I just want you to know that I love you."
"I love you too."
The night wore on, and they whispered sweet nothings to each other. The dinner finally arrived, and they enjoyed the food immensely. Once they were done with their main course, they moved on to their desert. The pie was sweet, and they both realized that they were both full.
Harold grabbed both of Helga's hands, after they finished their meals. He looked into his eyes, and cleared his throat. It was obvious that he was nervous, but he held his head up high and proud.
"Helga, I brought you here, because I have something very important that I want to ask you. Now you know that you mean everything to me, and that I truly love you with all of my heart. I don't want to ever lose you. You are my reason for living, and you make me such a better person. I'd be lying if I said that you didn't. You have changed me into a better person, and I'm grateful for that.
Now it's time for the good news. You know much I love the Dallas Cowboys, and how I always root for them, even though I play for another team. Well as it turns out, I'm through playing with the Mavericks. I've been drafted to play with the Cowboys, and I've decided to move to Dallas at the end of this month. I want you to come to Dallas with me. Helga you are what I waited my whole life for, and I hope it's the same way for you."
"It is. Believe me it is."
"Good I'm glad to hear that. I've arranged for something special for you."
Harold waved his hands to the Mater D, and a small band walked up to their table. There was a short lady wearing a white dress, and she began singing.
"Look into my eyes,
And tell me what you see?
Am I everything?
That you'll ever need?
There's no reason to hide,
No don't you be afraid
You have no reason to fear,
Because we've got it made
So I'll be there,
With open arms
To guide you and protect you.
I'll keep you safe from harm.
With open arms,
I'll be all that you need.
But first, But first,
Will you marry me?"
Helga's mouth fell, and she couldn't believe what she heard. Her heart was beating too fast, and sweat began to fall. She tried speaking, but the words were lost in her throat.
"I wrote that song for you, and I wanted to know if you'd honor me by becoming my wife?"
"Y.. Y.. Yes I'll marry you!!!"
Helga must have screamed, because ople were staring at her. Everyone applauded the moment Harold put his arms around her waist, and kissed her. Helga knew that he was going to ask something big. She didn't expect two big announcements. She did love Harold, but moving to Dallas wasn't something that she anticipated. Regardless, hey were now engaged, and she would follow him to the end of the earth, if that's what he wanted. Right now all she was concerned with was calling her mother and tell her the good news. She would be spending the rest of her life with a man that she loved more than life itself.