The arms of an angel
Chapter 8:
I know you want to leave me but I refuse to let you go.
~The Temptations, Ain't too proud to beg
Today was a happy day. Today was the twin's fifth birthday. With much coaxing Helga managed to hide their present, a golden retriever named Rocky, at her parent's house. Phoebe and Gerald had taken the twins to the park giving Helga, Arnold, Bob, Miriam, and Olga time to plan the party. " Okay we've got the cake, balloons, party hats, confetti, and presents from everyone. When the guests get here send them to the kitchen. The twins shouldn't be back for another 30 minutes."
" Where are you going Helga?"
" I need a nap. I've been up since 5:30 this morning." Helga said disappearing up stairs.
After a while there was a knock at the door. Bob answered, " What do you want?"
Chad smiled, " Today is my kids' birthday. Plus I need to talk to my wife."
" Helga says you beat her. Tell me why would I let you in?"
" She told you what? Oh pop I admit I did push her but it was only in self-defense. She came after me with a knife."
" If you ever touch her again I'll snap you in half."
" Okay so I lost my cool once, but come on pop you can't look me in the eye and tell me you've never lost your cool before. Just let me in to talk to her. I want to tell her I love her."
" You've got five minutes."
" Thanks."
He walked up stairs, as Olga came out of the kitchen, "Why did you let him in?"
" He wants to talk to Helga."
" He wants to kill her."
" He won't try anything. Not while I'm here."
Upstairs, Chad opened the door to Helga's room. She was lying across her bed. Her hair fell around her eyes revealing fading bruises on her neck. He stepped inside and shut the door quietly. He pushed her hair out of her face, " Hey sweet heart. Come on get up we're going home."
She opened her eyes, " Forget it Chad I'm not going anywhere."
" Don't make this hard…"
" DAD!"
His hand quickly covered her mouth, " Don't do this Helga. Just get up and…"
Slowly the door open, it was Jenna. " Hey princess." he said moving his hand slightly.
" JENNA, go get Grandpa hurry."
" No Jen come back here." he ran after the girl but she was already down the stairs. He shut the door and locked the door. She got up and walked toward him, " Please don't do this…"
He grabbed her shoulders and threw her across the bed, " why do you have to make everything so hard!" he yelled.
He held down and began hitting her in her head and face repeatedly. Bob and Arnold rushed up the stairs. " Miriam call the police." Bob yelled.
" Already did B."
" Chad open this door." Arnold yelled.
Inside Helga was curled into a tight ball. She was bleeding very badly. Chad was standing with his hands in his hair. He could the people outside trying to break the door down. " All right I'm coming." he said unlocking the door. The police pushed it open and shoved a gun in his face. " Pop this isn't what you think. She made me do this."
An officer sat down beside her, " Can you move your head from side to side?"
Carefully she moved her head. " Can you move your jaw?"
she opened and closed her mouth. " do you think anything is broken?"
She shook her head. Arnold walked over to them, " Is she okay?"
" yeah. Do you want to press charges?"
Arnold helped her to her feet, " You bet."