Disclaimer: *looks around* Nope, I still don't live in a mansion. Which is
almost a sure sign that I still don't own Hey Arnold. *sigh* Oh, how I wish
I did...
CHAPTER 8
Madeline stopped at the entrance to the glass-enclosed waiting room, Michael clutching her hand. Her gaze search out and found the blond, oblong- headed young man that was the object of her examination. Rather than pace, as he had been doing before the doctor allowed Miss Pataki visitors, the young man was currently seated on one of the uncomfortable metal chairs that had been placed for the convenience of family members stuck there. His head rested on his hands, and his elbows rested on his jean-clad knees in the eternal position of a person who has grown weary of the burden of grief on his or her back. Madeline knew it well; working in a hospital afforded one interesting insights into body language. In respect to the grieving persons within the room, Madeline bent down to her grandson's level and pointed towards Arnold, whispering, "That young man is the one in love with your angel, Michael." Madeline knew this because she had been the nurse who had the fortune, or misfortune, to gaze into his piercing blue eyes and fall captive to the exquisite anguish in their depths, anguish that only comes from loving someone.
Arnold peered out of the corner of his eye when he sensed someone sit down next to him. He was shocked to see, rather than the 6-foot black man he had expected, a considerably angelic-looking, amber-eyed little boy gazing at him expectantly.
"Yes?" Arnold said in a deep and rough voice, when the boy's piercing gaze began to make him uncomfortable. "Did you want something?"
The boy's mouth opened, and in the same melodious voice that had haunted Helga, the boy asked the only question Arnold was unprepared to hear.
"Are you in love with my angel?"
Arnold looked dumbfounded. Angel? What in the world was the kid talking about? Who was this kid, disturbing him with stupid questions while Helga could be dying.
Madeline, waiting by the door, saw storm clouds forming on the young man's countenance and she hurried over.
"I'm sorry my grandson is bothering you, but I thought you might enjoy talking to someone about Miss Pataki, and I know Michael still needs convincing that the young lady isn't a fallen angel. But, we shouldn't have disturbed you. I'm sorry again." Madeline grabbed Michael's hand and was about pull him away, when Arnold stuck his hand not to stop them.
Arnold was still reeling from the idea that this young boy thought Helga was an angel. He didn't want Michael, as the nurse had called him, to leave just yet, though. He wanted to know, driven by the insatiable curiosity that he had always had about Helga, to know why the boy seemed to be convinced that Helga was an angel. He might be in love with the woman, but he also knew that she wasn't perfect, and was nowhere near angelic. She was often mean and rude and abrupt, but, then again, most people were at some point.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have got upset. I just didn't understand what he was talking about when he asked me if I was in love with his angel. Where did you meet Helga? And why do you think that she is an angel? I might be in love with her," he said softly, "but I have also known her since preschool. She has never been angelic."
Michael looked at him in shock. Madeline, realizing that the two males should be fine together, quietly left them alone as her grandson began to get upset. "What do you mean, she isn't angelic? My Nana said that angels were the most beautiful creatures on Earth, so my angel would definitely qualify." The little boy looked defiantly at Arnold, as though daring him to deny that Michael's angel was beautiful.
Arnold was amazed. Michael reminded him of himself: a little boy who had looked harder to see the something everyone else missed in a sad and lonely little girl.
"Where did you meet Helga?"
"At church. My Nana was playing the piano, and then my angel walked in and sat down." Michael's eyes rose to meet Arnold's. "She was crying and sad, so I thought she was an angel that had fallen from Heaven, and couldn't find her way home." And Michael proceeded to tell Arnold all about his encounter with the angel.
For the rest of the afternoon, Arnold and Michael sat in the waiting room, talking about Helga. Arnold shared stories about his childhood, about the woman he watched Helga become, about the woman he had only truly come to know in the past months through her writing. It was dusk, the room darkening a bit from the lessening light before Arnold stood up, took Michael's hand and led him back to Madeline.
"Thank you, Ma'am. What you did, allowing me to speak with your grandson, even thinking about the friends of a patient, that was really a blessing. I hope God blesses you for what you do. And I hope you will let Michael come back to see Helga. I am sure she would love it." Michael's face bloomed into a smile at this.
Madeline smiled, blushing a bit. "It was quite fine, young man. My little grandson here is the blessing. He was the one who spoke to Miss Pataki. I only thought that it would convince him she was not an angel if he spoke to one of the people who cared for her, who knew her." She leaned over and whispered to him, trying to keep Michael from listening. "My youngest daughter, Michael's mother, was killed in a car accident. Now, whenever I see someone hurting from an accident, I am reminded of her, and how blessed my family would have been had a nurse cared about her. So I try to care and to always remember how the family or friends must be feeling, and be considerate of them. I know Michelle is looking down, smiling because of it." Madeline's eyes were shimmering with unshed tears as she pulled back. "I am sure Michael would love to come back and see his angel again. Are you leaving, Mister..." She trailed off when she realized she didn't know his name.
"Arnold. Call me Arnold. Everyone does. And, yes, I was going to leave for a bit. I need to go home and speak with my grandparents, take a shower, feed my pig, and get some sleep. I will be back in the morning, though." Arnold looked around curiously. "Would you happen to know where I can leave my number for someone to call me if she wakes up tonight? I don't want her to be alone if she wakes up, but I am worried about my grandparents, and my friends had to go home. Their parents didn't want them spending the night in the hospital."
Madeline smiled and nodded. "Follow me. The nurses' station at the end of this hall will take your number and be sure to notify you." With that, the three headed off towards the end of the gray hallway and the swinging doors that signaled the end of the intensive care unit.
Later that night, Arnold, having been to the boarding house to make sure that only the normal craziness was occurring, decided that he needed to have some solitude and peace. He was currently walking through the park, watching the stars twinkle above him. O God, what a beautiful night you have created. He smiled, a sad, tearful smile. If only she could be here, walking with me. Talking to me...allowing me to bask in her beauty. O Lord, please let her recover. Please let her wake up, so I can show her everything I love. So I can show her what she really means to me. Please, Lord, let me have one more chance. Tears were pouring down Arnold's face as he fell to his knees in the little grove of trees that Helga had used as her sanctuary. But, Lord, if You choose to take her from me, if You, in Your almighty wisdom decide she is needed by Your side far more, please give me the strength to understand and accept it. Please give me the strength to continue on, God, because it is through Your wisdom and mercy that my life is worth anything. Give me strength, my Father. I need You now.
Arnold bowed his head in surrender, realizing the possibilities of Helga never returning to him grew with every moment that passed. His tears fell from his cheeks and watered the newly green grass. His very soul felt as though it was being ripped from his being, and Arnold knew that only through the shelter and strength of his Lord would he ever manage to continue on if his angel died. He had realized that there was a grain of truth in what Michael had labeled Helga, because her real self appeared when it was most needed, just like an angel. He also knew that she would forever remain his angel, the one who protected him and watched him, even if she did die.
Arnold stayed kneeling in the grove for a while longer. The peace and quiet of the night, with only the occasional chirp of a cricket, had been a balm to his soul, as if God had reached down and laid His healing hand upon Arnold's head. Feeling soothed enough to return home, Arnold slowly got up from his humbling position, and glanced around the grove. He smiled slowly at the few cherry blossoms that had started to grow on the trees, recognizing the sign that life was still progressing as it should. He moved unhurriedly out of the grove and headed toward home, and the sweet release sleep would bring.
A/N: Hm...I wonder if Helga is going to die? I wonder what will happen? Why do you leave me here?!? *growls at monkey* Stupid muse! Why did you leave it there?
To my ever-faithful reviewers: You guys are wonderful. So awesome. Thanks so much for all the compliments.
IceSugarHigh: I didn't know that about ICU nurses, thanks for telling me! I actually modeled Madeline after my grandma, who was a nurse in surgery at the hospital where I was born for thirty years. She still talks to half the people she had as patients. So I thought she would be a wonderful model for a caring, considerate nurse.
Tinánia Leoglinde: *gasp* I don't know when we will see from Helga's POV again. (lol). Ok, well, actually I do. But I can't tell you. Thanks for the review!
Harpiebird: Actually, Helga was only in a coma for like a day and a half – so far. Thanks for the compliment, though!
RuffMaster: Thanks! I am actually impressed too. I am not quite sure where any of this comes from. Like I said, the story writes itself, I just type it out ( ;-) )
PopStarOE: Thank you soooooo much for your reviews. I had to name him, I was getting sick of calling him "the boy". Way too annoying to type out. I lost track of what I was writing about. I debated calling him Gabriel, but decided Michael was a better fit, as it means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. Thanks for the suggestion, anyways!!
Brat Child2: I am so glad I haven't left you with any questions so far! I am quite happy to report that I too hate having questions when I read something. Drives me mad. So, naturally, there can be no questions within my story, correct? (lol) Thanks for reading and reviewing!
I love you all!! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review!! Until next time...sleep well!! Kisses and hugs from Queen Artemis and her purple monkey!
CHAPTER 8
Madeline stopped at the entrance to the glass-enclosed waiting room, Michael clutching her hand. Her gaze search out and found the blond, oblong- headed young man that was the object of her examination. Rather than pace, as he had been doing before the doctor allowed Miss Pataki visitors, the young man was currently seated on one of the uncomfortable metal chairs that had been placed for the convenience of family members stuck there. His head rested on his hands, and his elbows rested on his jean-clad knees in the eternal position of a person who has grown weary of the burden of grief on his or her back. Madeline knew it well; working in a hospital afforded one interesting insights into body language. In respect to the grieving persons within the room, Madeline bent down to her grandson's level and pointed towards Arnold, whispering, "That young man is the one in love with your angel, Michael." Madeline knew this because she had been the nurse who had the fortune, or misfortune, to gaze into his piercing blue eyes and fall captive to the exquisite anguish in their depths, anguish that only comes from loving someone.
Arnold peered out of the corner of his eye when he sensed someone sit down next to him. He was shocked to see, rather than the 6-foot black man he had expected, a considerably angelic-looking, amber-eyed little boy gazing at him expectantly.
"Yes?" Arnold said in a deep and rough voice, when the boy's piercing gaze began to make him uncomfortable. "Did you want something?"
The boy's mouth opened, and in the same melodious voice that had haunted Helga, the boy asked the only question Arnold was unprepared to hear.
"Are you in love with my angel?"
Arnold looked dumbfounded. Angel? What in the world was the kid talking about? Who was this kid, disturbing him with stupid questions while Helga could be dying.
Madeline, waiting by the door, saw storm clouds forming on the young man's countenance and she hurried over.
"I'm sorry my grandson is bothering you, but I thought you might enjoy talking to someone about Miss Pataki, and I know Michael still needs convincing that the young lady isn't a fallen angel. But, we shouldn't have disturbed you. I'm sorry again." Madeline grabbed Michael's hand and was about pull him away, when Arnold stuck his hand not to stop them.
Arnold was still reeling from the idea that this young boy thought Helga was an angel. He didn't want Michael, as the nurse had called him, to leave just yet, though. He wanted to know, driven by the insatiable curiosity that he had always had about Helga, to know why the boy seemed to be convinced that Helga was an angel. He might be in love with the woman, but he also knew that she wasn't perfect, and was nowhere near angelic. She was often mean and rude and abrupt, but, then again, most people were at some point.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have got upset. I just didn't understand what he was talking about when he asked me if I was in love with his angel. Where did you meet Helga? And why do you think that she is an angel? I might be in love with her," he said softly, "but I have also known her since preschool. She has never been angelic."
Michael looked at him in shock. Madeline, realizing that the two males should be fine together, quietly left them alone as her grandson began to get upset. "What do you mean, she isn't angelic? My Nana said that angels were the most beautiful creatures on Earth, so my angel would definitely qualify." The little boy looked defiantly at Arnold, as though daring him to deny that Michael's angel was beautiful.
Arnold was amazed. Michael reminded him of himself: a little boy who had looked harder to see the something everyone else missed in a sad and lonely little girl.
"Where did you meet Helga?"
"At church. My Nana was playing the piano, and then my angel walked in and sat down." Michael's eyes rose to meet Arnold's. "She was crying and sad, so I thought she was an angel that had fallen from Heaven, and couldn't find her way home." And Michael proceeded to tell Arnold all about his encounter with the angel.
For the rest of the afternoon, Arnold and Michael sat in the waiting room, talking about Helga. Arnold shared stories about his childhood, about the woman he watched Helga become, about the woman he had only truly come to know in the past months through her writing. It was dusk, the room darkening a bit from the lessening light before Arnold stood up, took Michael's hand and led him back to Madeline.
"Thank you, Ma'am. What you did, allowing me to speak with your grandson, even thinking about the friends of a patient, that was really a blessing. I hope God blesses you for what you do. And I hope you will let Michael come back to see Helga. I am sure she would love it." Michael's face bloomed into a smile at this.
Madeline smiled, blushing a bit. "It was quite fine, young man. My little grandson here is the blessing. He was the one who spoke to Miss Pataki. I only thought that it would convince him she was not an angel if he spoke to one of the people who cared for her, who knew her." She leaned over and whispered to him, trying to keep Michael from listening. "My youngest daughter, Michael's mother, was killed in a car accident. Now, whenever I see someone hurting from an accident, I am reminded of her, and how blessed my family would have been had a nurse cared about her. So I try to care and to always remember how the family or friends must be feeling, and be considerate of them. I know Michelle is looking down, smiling because of it." Madeline's eyes were shimmering with unshed tears as she pulled back. "I am sure Michael would love to come back and see his angel again. Are you leaving, Mister..." She trailed off when she realized she didn't know his name.
"Arnold. Call me Arnold. Everyone does. And, yes, I was going to leave for a bit. I need to go home and speak with my grandparents, take a shower, feed my pig, and get some sleep. I will be back in the morning, though." Arnold looked around curiously. "Would you happen to know where I can leave my number for someone to call me if she wakes up tonight? I don't want her to be alone if she wakes up, but I am worried about my grandparents, and my friends had to go home. Their parents didn't want them spending the night in the hospital."
Madeline smiled and nodded. "Follow me. The nurses' station at the end of this hall will take your number and be sure to notify you." With that, the three headed off towards the end of the gray hallway and the swinging doors that signaled the end of the intensive care unit.
Later that night, Arnold, having been to the boarding house to make sure that only the normal craziness was occurring, decided that he needed to have some solitude and peace. He was currently walking through the park, watching the stars twinkle above him. O God, what a beautiful night you have created. He smiled, a sad, tearful smile. If only she could be here, walking with me. Talking to me...allowing me to bask in her beauty. O Lord, please let her recover. Please let her wake up, so I can show her everything I love. So I can show her what she really means to me. Please, Lord, let me have one more chance. Tears were pouring down Arnold's face as he fell to his knees in the little grove of trees that Helga had used as her sanctuary. But, Lord, if You choose to take her from me, if You, in Your almighty wisdom decide she is needed by Your side far more, please give me the strength to understand and accept it. Please give me the strength to continue on, God, because it is through Your wisdom and mercy that my life is worth anything. Give me strength, my Father. I need You now.
Arnold bowed his head in surrender, realizing the possibilities of Helga never returning to him grew with every moment that passed. His tears fell from his cheeks and watered the newly green grass. His very soul felt as though it was being ripped from his being, and Arnold knew that only through the shelter and strength of his Lord would he ever manage to continue on if his angel died. He had realized that there was a grain of truth in what Michael had labeled Helga, because her real self appeared when it was most needed, just like an angel. He also knew that she would forever remain his angel, the one who protected him and watched him, even if she did die.
Arnold stayed kneeling in the grove for a while longer. The peace and quiet of the night, with only the occasional chirp of a cricket, had been a balm to his soul, as if God had reached down and laid His healing hand upon Arnold's head. Feeling soothed enough to return home, Arnold slowly got up from his humbling position, and glanced around the grove. He smiled slowly at the few cherry blossoms that had started to grow on the trees, recognizing the sign that life was still progressing as it should. He moved unhurriedly out of the grove and headed toward home, and the sweet release sleep would bring.
A/N: Hm...I wonder if Helga is going to die? I wonder what will happen? Why do you leave me here?!? *growls at monkey* Stupid muse! Why did you leave it there?
To my ever-faithful reviewers: You guys are wonderful. So awesome. Thanks so much for all the compliments.
IceSugarHigh: I didn't know that about ICU nurses, thanks for telling me! I actually modeled Madeline after my grandma, who was a nurse in surgery at the hospital where I was born for thirty years. She still talks to half the people she had as patients. So I thought she would be a wonderful model for a caring, considerate nurse.
Tinánia Leoglinde: *gasp* I don't know when we will see from Helga's POV again. (lol). Ok, well, actually I do. But I can't tell you. Thanks for the review!
Harpiebird: Actually, Helga was only in a coma for like a day and a half – so far. Thanks for the compliment, though!
RuffMaster: Thanks! I am actually impressed too. I am not quite sure where any of this comes from. Like I said, the story writes itself, I just type it out ( ;-) )
PopStarOE: Thank you soooooo much for your reviews. I had to name him, I was getting sick of calling him "the boy". Way too annoying to type out. I lost track of what I was writing about. I debated calling him Gabriel, but decided Michael was a better fit, as it means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. Thanks for the suggestion, anyways!!
Brat Child2: I am so glad I haven't left you with any questions so far! I am quite happy to report that I too hate having questions when I read something. Drives me mad. So, naturally, there can be no questions within my story, correct? (lol) Thanks for reading and reviewing!
I love you all!! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review!! Until next time...sleep well!! Kisses and hugs from Queen Artemis and her purple monkey!