The arms of an Angel

Chapter 13:

Better pack your bags and run or stay until the job is done or maybe you can sit and hope that providence will fray the rope…and sink like a stone or go it alone and isn't enough for you.

~ Enough, from the movie Enough

It took a long while for Arnold to finally accept that he and Helga were not together anymore. And it took him even longer to accept that Helga had taken back her husband. " Maybe everyone is right. Maybe he isn't that bad." he thought to himself as he watched Chad and his family from a park bench. Jenna was on a swing and screaming for her father to push her higher. Helga was on blanket just behind them with her arms wrapped around Trent. A smile was plastered across her face although she didn't really feel much like smiling. They had had another argument the night before and his attack and been very vicious. She was actually in a great deal of pain but f course she wasn't about to show it. And she made sure her clothing covered every mark he had put on her. She didn't feel like getting the third degree from anyone. Arnold sighed and walked up to them.

" Hey everybody. Um Chad tomorrow is Gerald and Phoebe's Anniversary and we're gonna have a barbeque here. I just wanted to let you guys know. It's tomorrow at 12:30."

" Thanks."

" Listen about what I said earlier the whole I'm watching you thing…can you blame me for being a little suspicious? Well anyway I just wanted to say I was sorry."

" Apology accepted." he said giving off his award winning smile.

Arnold nodded then glanced at Helga. He noticed the dark circles under her eyes and despite the warm smile she gave him he could see she was hurting. As he turned and walked away he tried pushing out all of his suspicions. " Nothing is wrong. She's just tired." he scolded himself but that little inkling lingered in his mind.

*****

They had arrived at home Chad had each of his children tucked underneath his arms. His wife walked behind him with her head hung low. This wasn't a rule but he seemingly loomed over her just waiting to hit her if she held her head up high. After the kids had disappeared up stairs to wash for lunch Helga mad her way to the kitchen to fix lunch when Chad caught her arm. She gasped and cringed thinking she had done something wrong. " I just wanted to make sure you were feeling all right dear. You seem very quiet."

" Yeah I'm fine. I'm just tired."

" Try getting some more sleep."

She nodded and turned her back to him. As she headed for the kitchen she mumbled, " I wouldn't be tired if you didn't spend half the night yelling at me."

Unfortunately she said louder than she meant to. " HOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!!!" Chad roared the color in his face turning scarlet red.

He grabbed her arm and threw her to the floor. Kicking her in the ribs and back he began yelling, " You're nothing without me! Do you hear me bitch! You're nothing but a piece of trash and your lucky I still love you! NO one will ever want you!"

She cried and begged for him to stop. He laughed scornfully at the obvious pain she was in. Grabbing a hunk of her hair he pulled her up until she was eye level with him. Her face retracted with pain. Then she felt it; a wad of spit landed on her face. He threw her to the floor. She held her stomach as tears spilled out of her eyes. " Arnold please help me." she whispered.

Hearing this made his anger each a boiling point. He kicked her face and yelled, " Don't you ever mention THAT name in MY house again! You think that football headed freak wants you? No one wants you!" he yelled, " DO YOU HEAR THAT BITCH! No one wants you! You better be glad I still do! Because no else will!" finally he stopped.

She was curled up tight. Her face was nothing but a bloody mess but surprisingly nothing was broken. She coughed and tried standing. She leaned against the couch breathing heavily. As soon as she was stable she began walking toward the stairs. " where are you going?" he said from the couch.

" To the bathroom. To clean up so I can fix the twins' lunch."

He got up and walked over to her, " Why do you make me hurt you like this?"

Her head hung low, " You know I love you Helga right?"

" Yes sir."

" and you know you have to punish people you love right?"

" Yes sir."

" See if you stopped being so disobedient I wouldn't have to do this," he said running his hand through her matted hair, " Now listen I don't want you going near him anymore are we clear?"

" Yes sir."

" good. It's better this way. I'm afraid he's trying to steal you from me and I can't… I refuse to live without you. Now go get cleaned up." he released her and she went up with steps. She went into the bathroom and locked the door. She slid down until she was on the floor and she cried.

*******

Author's note: don't own the movie Enough.