Okay, so I'm a sucker for this story. I like it, the people who've read it like it, and so I want three for each chapter. That means at least three for this one, or I'm just going to cut it. Now, don't make me do it! Oh, um, don't worry I like this piece of work! By the way, I HAVE uploaded the 16th chappie of Explanations, okay? Well, anyway…
Remember that thing I said in the last chappie about something sad…well, I put it in here. Tell me if you absolutely hate it, okay?
I don't own Hey Arnold, even though I do dream about many different episodes with a twist. Well, it was one time!
POV-Deana~~~
I looked down to the ground as I heard Mom rattle through her room, closet, and drawers. I knew what she was doing. I may be eleven, but I'm not stupid. Actually, I'm pretty smart, even though I'm music crazy.
Mom was packing her clothes into her suitcase. Dad was still looking at the door where Helga had left. What was Dad thinking, possibly falling for Helga? Sure, it would be cool if she was my mother to begin with, but I don't want a replacement! I love my mom and my dad, and I don't want that to change! I don't want my mother to go away, and I knew that that was what she was thinking about.
Mom came down from the second floor, and as I expected, she was carrying a suitcase and a cosmetic baggy.
When Dad saw her, he stood up and held her arms. "Where are you going?"
Mom stood her ground and held her head high. Come, on, Mom, it isn't that serious. He doesn't love her, no way. She was being drastic, wasn't she? Well, wasn't she?
"Arnold," she said, "I have been trying to believe that you were just interested in meeting an old friend, but, but…" She trailed off and I knew that she felt hurt. "I just can't live in the same house as a man who's acting like a little boy with a crush, all right? I saw that look in your eyes, and…"
Dad held up is hands with a really, really surprised look on his face. "Honey, listen, okay? I do not have a little crush on her, okay? I was surprised to see her, that's it. I'd be surprised if I saw Gerald or Sid pop up in my living room, too, okay?"
Mom set down her bags for a second, but I had a feeling it wasn't because she was staying. "Look, Arnold, I saw it in your eyes, okay!" She walked up to him and was about three inches in front of his face. "I know that look! I saw it in all of my friends' eyes when they met the man that they would eventually marry, okay? By experience, I can tell that something you used to have for this girl is coming back up, and I can't live with you until either you realize it and come to your senses or I'm proven wrong. Above all else, I would like it to be the latter."
Daddy walked forward. "Francesca, why are you saying this? I don't have a crush on her! That's just insane! I don't like Helga! Well, I like her, kind of, but not like that! I don't even know her that well, even after she said all of that stuff!"
Mom pursed her lip. I knew she didn't want to do this, but then why was she doing it? Finally, she said the words I didn't want her to say. "Good-bye, Arnold. I have to make sure, okay?" With that, my mother picked up her bags and opened the door. "Tell Deana I love her."
I never would have thought that my family would be split, even temporarily, because of a stupid CD.
POV-Arnold~~~
With that, the woman I loved was gone.
Why would she say that? Of course I don't have a childish crush on Helga Pataki! My child tormentor, who disappeared in the later years of school? Yeah, I never expected her to be so complex, but still, just because I learned something totally and completely different from what I had believed didn't mean I suddenly fell in love with it!
I had no idea what gave her the impression that I liked Helga. She said it was something in my eyes? Since I'm a psychiatrist, I should know these things.
Oh, wait. Bad example, I guess. But…I can see some things. Especially when they have to do with me.
Suddenly, I heard a choking sound from behind me. It sounded like someone…crying.
I gasped. Deana!
I turned around and there she was, my daughter, standing in the kitchen doorway trying to hold back tears. It wasn't working. Oh, Deana. I walked over to her and knelt next to her. My arms went around her and I hugged her with dear life. The person the two of us loved most had just walked out on us…actually, she left because of me, but I still don't know why!
Why does life have to be like this? I don't even know what's going on because it went by so quickly.
Right now I have to worry about Deana. Now she needs someone. But for some reason I feel like she knows more about this then I do.
I'm sure I'm sounding very confusing now, aren't I? Maybe a day's sleep will bring me to my senses.
Suddenly I felt Deana move out of my arms. I looked at her questioningly and she looked at me with a mixture of feelings. I didn't blame her for having all of those. She said, "Dad, it's not your fault." She wiped a tear from her face. "It's not Mom's fault either." I almost smiled, but then she said something that tore through my heart. "It's mine. If I didn't make such a big deal about you being Anonymous, none of this would have happened."
Before I could even say a word, she ran up to her bedroom and slammed the door. I knew I'm supposed to tell her that it's nobody's fault, but I felt like she needed some time alone.
POV-Helga~~~
"I'm not…anymore!" Good! I just finished writing the last words to one of the latest songs I'll be playing at the concert. Oh, I'm so excited! I've had to tweak the words to this song I just finished with, because I saw him! I talked with him!
Of course, now that I think about it, I think I seriously wreaked Arnold's family life. You should have seen how Francesca Tiller ran out of the room and into the bedroom.
Great. Now I don't know what I did! I don't know if I didn't do anything, or if something happened with Arnold, or if that Francesca woman is furious, or what! Agh. Great.
Well, anyway, at least I'll be seeing them all at the Hometown concert. Maybe then I'll be able to get some things straightened out. I'll be able to see all of my old friends! Well, the gang, at least. Some of them weren't exactly my best friends. But still…
I fell back down on my pillow. Hey, being rich was really pretty cool. After those years of hanging in the background, look where I am! Plus, I get a lot of cool stuff! Great, I sound like a kid again. Sometimes I fall back into what I was like when I was ten, always thinking that objects were amazing. Of course, I didn't exactly start singing for that, and I still don't. Sometimes fame just strikes me. It's common, okay?
Well, anyway, I have to show these to the band. I just have to tell them and everyone else to keep it out of Mr. Disturb-Et Cetera's ears.
Anyway, about Arnold…. I remember when I was in fourth grade, how I had always tried to defy Arnold of all of his crushes, and now look at me. I'm worried. Well, I guess its different when the guy is married and I've changed so much.
Well, anyway. I better get this to the band and see what they can do.
POV-Francesca~~~
Oh, I didn't want to do what I had done, but it was the only way to be positive that he was still loyal to me…and yet a voice kept nagging in the back of my head. It kept saying, "Is that all you care about? Was there anything else?"
Great. Now I keep thinking about that voice. Is it true? Was the only reason I married Arnold because I thought he was loyal and sweet? Well, was it? I'm consequently baffled by the question. The only reason why I was going, actually, was to see if he was loyal, not to see if…if…
Oh, the guilt. Was this what had kept me to him for so many long years? Perhaps that's why Arnold is now seemingly fawning over this woman…because I haven't ever truly loved him. Have I just admitted something? I have, haven't I?
Perfect. Now I might as well be leaving him for that reason. Maybe I should file divorce?
No! Not measures that drastic. I'm not even certain yet. I do believe I love him…he is the father of my child. We have lived with each other for so long and not once have we fought. He is so sweet and gentle and understanding…and at some points as empty as a bucket, but still.
When I was in my younger years, I had had many boyfriends…and each one of them ended up cheating on me or just wanted me for the physical me. Arnold was the first one to ever love me for myself. Actually, he was the first the first male to ever really talk to me about real, important stuff. Is that basically why I was so attached to him? It's been known to happen.
I could really use a guy like Arnold right now. I need a psychiatrist.
I pulled into a gas station and called a friend from the elementary school faculty. I was planning on staying at her house tonight. I reached her after trying her house phone three times and her mobile twice and she said that she'd be glad to let me stay. I left the gas station in relief.
I walked out into the parking lot and saw some fraternity boys walking out and jumping into their car. There were some beer cans in their cup-holders, but what was I supposed to do? Give them a lecture on drunk driving?
POV-Deana~~~
It was my entire fault. If I hadn't made such a big fat freaking deal about the stupid CD and the stupid songs and stupid anonymous people, none of this would have freaking happened.
I was sitting on my bed, partly reading a book and partially watching the ten o' clock news. I got bored really quickly and walked out into the hallway. I could hear Dad listening to the news, too, sitting in his big Lay-Z-Boy chair and looking at something in his hand. He kept looking back and forth from it to our family portrait and my school picture.
He looked up when he saw me walking down the stairs. He had tears in his eyes. My father wasn't ever really ashamed of crying, and for some reason, I was proud of that.
I whispered quietly to my dad, "I' sorry."
He whispered back. "It's no one's fault, Dee. None of us meant to do anything. Don't ever think that, honey." He held out his arms and I walked into them. He gave me a great, big hug. "This will pass by quickly, okay? Don't worry about it."
I leaned back and looked at him. "Daddy, how do you know? Okay, Mom is totally convinced that you've got a thing for Helga. I really like her and everything, but Mom is more important. You know mom. She sometimes likes to test things, and she's never told me why." I looked at his right hand, which was clutching something. "What's that?"
He took the hand off of my shoulder and opened it. "You're mother forgot her driver's license."
Suddenly, a loud dinging sound came from the television.
POV-Helga~~~
I was watching the local news when a news bulletin came on. A picture of a car wreck was on the screen.
POV-Arnold~~~
(It'll be painful for me to write this…sorry, everyone, but I felt like it had to happen. Yell at me later, okay?)
On the screen was a picture of two cars practically entangled with each other outside of a gas station. One was an old convertible, like from 1999 or something, and the other was covered in flames wherever there would be definite features. There was a sense of familiarity over that vehicle, though.
A woman's voice came on over the television. "We are coming to you live from a recent car wreck outside of a gas station on Main Street and Fifth Avenue in Hillwood, Washington, which involved two cars. All bodies reachable have been retrieved, and so far there has been one death, that of Jonas Hangler of twenty years of age, and three severely wounded men of the same age.
"I have just been informed that there are screams being heard from the other vehicle. These seem to be the ones of a woman, and after clearing some of the flames, we have found that the driver's side has been badly burned and has been slammed hard by the other vehicle. Twisted metal is preventing any immediate rescue for the woman. There are some people saying that the unidentified person may not be retrieved in time, but many are hoping otherwise. We will have more on this story after a short commercial break."
Deana looked from the television screen to me. "Dad?" She sounded like she was on the verge of tears. "Dad, isn't Mom's license plate number D14-6GY?"
My eyes widened as she said this. I understood why she was saying this. "Honey, how could you have seen-?"
"A flame moved and the frame glittered, and I just say it. I'm not sure, but I think that's what it said."
I looked back at the television where a commercial for a new shampoo was being advertised.
Francesca?
POV-Helga~~~
Well, I wonder who that person was. I hope that they'll be all right.
All of a sudden, my cell phone rang. It was my bodyguard. So I'm the nosiest person on Earth, I wanted him to follow Frannie since I thought I'd done something. He hasn't called since I left, so I still have no idea where she is.
Anyway…
"Hello? Cody! So, have you…. Oh, man, I feel terrible…. Stopped at a gas station, anything else? …What? … Are you sure it was…. Oh, Criminy! This is horrible! …No, I can't do that! Yeah, whatever, I know I'm tough, but I can't…. Look, I'm going over there right now, okay? No, I'm going. Shut up, Cody, I'm already walking out of the door. See ya."
I hung up the phone. Now I think that me going over to his house was possibly the biggest mistake I've ever made.
I had my keys in my pocket and I was running down the stairs to the lobby. I had a place to go, and nothing would stop me, not even a busted elevator.
POV-Deana~~~
It was my mother's car. Well, at least I think it was, but how many license plates in the tri-county area start with D14-6 and something that looks like a G?
If it was my mother, than I don't care what my father says, it was my fault. Entirely mine, no one else's, not no one's, but mine! I wouldn't be able to stand the thought. But what are the chances of it being my mother?
Uh, duh. License plate.
But still, my eyes could have deceived me. They better have deceived me! If they didn't, I won't be able to live with myself.
I can tell that Dad is worried, too. He is the optimistic type, but of course he gets worried! Every human being gets worried!
Suddenly, the news breakage clip came back on during an advertisement for Frank's Frankfurters.
"Hello, we're back with some news of the car accident in front of a local gas station, with two breaking samples of news. First, officials have told me that the woman's screams have weakened, and they are making little progress in retrieving her. There is not much hope for this unnamed person, but fire fighters are trying to rescue her. The other piece is that singer/songwriter and author Helga Pataki has been seen at the site."
WHAT!?
I think that Dad's eyes and mine grew three times the normal size at the exact same time.
"What is she doing there?" Just to let you know, we said this at the exact same moment.
I looked at him and then back at the screen. The woman placed a hand on her ear and said excitedly, "I have just been informed that the fires surrounding the vehicle have been extinguished! The paramedics and fire fighters are now going into the wreckage to retrieve the last person in there."
Dad and I glanced at each other. Oh, please, oh, please.
Suddenly, while the camera was zoomed on to the rescuers, a faint voice yelled out, "Arnold!"
POV-Arnold~~~
"Arnold!"
Did I just hear my name?
"Arnold, if you're watching this, it's me, Helga!"
Helga?!?!
I did a double take as the camera pulled back from the wreckage and back to the newscaster. In the distance was, in fact, Helga Pataki. She was running up to the camera, with a muscular man behind her. She was waving her arms at the camera to get the guy's attention. Well, she got mine. The newscaster turned around and practically ran marathon toward her. "Helga! Helga Pataki!" When she finally caught up to her, with her cameraman behind her, she didn't even look out of breath.
Deana's face was fixed on to the television, and I suppose mine was, too. I really wanted to hear what she had to say to me if it was so important she had to do it here. I wonder what it would be.
Helga's face looked like she really didn't want to say this. She looked worried, but I still had no idea what it was about.
"Miss. Pataki," said the newscaster, "what brings you to a sight like this, and why exactly do you want to address Arnold Tiller?"
Great. That just lets you know how widespread I am now. Is that good or bad, I don't know. Anyway…
Helga started trying to wrestle the microphone out of the woman's hand. "Give me…that…now, okay?" She finally pulled it out of her hand and looked back at the camera. She seemed to be mentally preparing herself for whatever she was about to tell me. "Arnold, look, first of all, I'm sorry. I'm sorry from the pit of my soul, okay? Second, I…I…" She looked like she was about to choke. "Arnold, I'm having trouble saying this, but it's because I've got too much guilt to handle with."
There was now a split scene; half of the screen was picture of the officials finally pulling out the woman's body! The other side was of Helga trying to tell me something.
The newscaster held her hand to her ear once again. She grabbed the microphone away from Helga. "Oh, wait a minute. They are searching for any identification on the woman…the license plate has melted in the flames and we have found a wallet, but no such form of identification. The woman is alive, but she is working on short breaths. Paramedics are putting her in an ambulance as we speak."
Helga was trying to get the microphone back, but the newscaster was being protective. "Hey, lady, I know who the person is!"
I heard Deana gasp. I felt my heart skip a beat. How did she know who the woman was?
The newscaster stared at her for a moment and then rammed the microphone to Helga.
She gladly took it and gave the woman a look. Then she seemed to bounce back into the mood she had been in earlier. She looked at the camera, and you could tell that she was trying to look at me. "Arnold…" Her voice sounded so somber. It was very unlike her…but then again, I hadn't- "Arnold, I just have to say it. I-I had my bodyguard sort of follow Francesca…."
Deana jumped up and started walking away from the screen. She kept whispering, "No, no, no, no, no…"
"Arnold…it is Francesca. I'm sorry Arnold, it's all my fault."
I started breathing hard. No…it can't be…. Francesca! No, no, no, no, no…
"NO!" Dena was in frenzy and was sobbing. "No! That's not Mom! It is not Mom! I don't believe you!" She was crying so hard I thought she would burst. Then I felt the tears on my face. I realized that I was crying almost as hard as she was. I looked back at the television and so was Helga.
"Arnold, it is all my fault. I should have never have gone to your house. I'm sorry I caused you so much grief. Just to let you know, I'm hoping she gets better soon.
"I have to go now, Arnold. Tell Deana I said I'm sorry."
Then she ran back to her bodyguard and left.
Dena started jumping in emotion. "You're not sorry, you don't care, and it's my fault, not yours!"
"It is NOT anybody's fault!"
Did I yell that?
Deana pretty much didn't talk, but her sobs were as loud as mine were.
The love of my life may be gone soon. She was in the hospital
I stood up and took her I.D. card from the table. I grabbed my coat and Deana's. "Get in the car."
She wiped her eyes. "Why?"
I opened the door and took the keys of the hanger. "We're going to the hospital." When she didn't move I said, "Now."
She nodded and took her coat from my hands.
Well, was it too sad? Is it going to be too sad? Or are you feeling how I feel? I won't tell you how I feel, but…. Well, anyways, tell me, okay? Or you could tell me if you basically like it or not, if that's easier. Well, anyways, see ya!
Briana LFBH
