The Arms of an Angel

Chapter 3:

I gotta leave you alone.

~ J-Lo, All I have

" Are you all right?" Phoebe asked.

" Yeah, yeah," she said quickly, " what are you guys doing here?"

" We remembered your invitation for us to come out here so we took you up on it. What happened to you?"

She covered her face with her hand, " Clumsy."

" Oh looks like somebody tied the noose," Gerald said pointing to the ring that rested on her left ring finger.

" Oh yeah it'll be four years next week."

Arnold stared at her bewildered. Now what was he to do? She was married and probably deeply in love. " We have to see the pictures."

" Uh sure come on in. Your going to have to excuse the mess I haven't had a chance to clean up. Trent come and get your toys."

" Trent?"
" Yeah he's my son."

The boy appeared and began picking up his toys. " If I didn't know any better I would say that kid looks a lot like Chad." Arnold whispered to Gerald who agreed. " Now where is that photo album…. Oh there it is." Helga said picking up the white book.

Phoebe began flipping through it. " Oh Helga you are so pretty," she pointed to a photo of Helga with her father, mother, and sister. Where are the pictures of you and the groom?"

" In the back."

Phoebe turned to the back of the book and stared at the first wedding photo. " Helga…who is this?"

" That's my husband."

" I know that but what's his name?"

" uh…Chad." she said muffling her voice.

" Excuse me did you say Chad?"

" Yeah."
" Helga G. Pataki! I don't believe you."
" What? He said he would get help."

" And you believed him? Look at your face. Isn't it obvious that he isn't getting any help?"

" I just have to give him a chance that's all."

" Helga…god haven't you learned anything?"

" I'm sorry. He talked me into getting back with him.

" Don't say sorry to me…"

" Look Phebs I seriously don't want to talk about this."

They stood to leave. " wait…Look I'm sorry. But Chad and I had a fight and…

" And he beat you." Phoebe said her hands on her hips.

" And I'm not in the mood to talk about it. There's going to be a party on the beach later tonight. Around 6:00. You guys want to come?"

The group glanced at each other and finally agreed.