Chapter 5
"That was unnecessary dad." Helga said, standing.
"It's the truth. I've seen you." he said pointing to Arnold, "You work in that diner over on 12th street don't ya?"
Arnold nodded even though he wasn't quite sure what was going on.
"Yeah I didn't expect Helga to do any better than a waiter." He sneered, "Actually I didn't think she would get a man at all." He added chuckling a bit.
Helga's face flushed bright red with anger, "How dare you!" she said, "He's done nothing to you and you're insulting him? He is a guest in your home! How dare you!"
Arnold stood, "Maybe I should go…" he said, taking her hand.
"We both should. I knew it was a bad idea to come here." She said gathering her things and following Arnold out the door.
They walk down the sidewalk but stopped suddenly when Helga burst into tears, "I'm so sorry!" she said sobbing.
"Hey it's okay." He said wrapping his arm around her, "Don't cry."
"He was just so nasty to you!" she cried.
He pulled her into a hug and let her cry on his shoulder. "It's okay." He whispered stroking her hair.
When she finally stopped shaking enough to walk again, Arnold kept his arm around her waist.
"Can I buy you lunch?" she asked, her voice still shaking.
"I couldn't ask you to do that." Arnold said shaking his head.
"It's the least I could after what happened." She replied, "Please?"
"I've got a better idea: why don't we get a hotdog from that vendor down there and eat in the park. Then later tonight, you come over to my house and I'll cook dinner for both of us."
"You still want to hang out with me?" Helga asked surprised.
"Of course." Arnold answered, "You're amazing. I really like you."
"I like you too." She smiled and kissed his cheek, "I'm really sorry about my dad."
"Don't worry about him." Arnold said, "It's all right. Now let's just spend a pleasant afternoon together. Then after we watch the sunset, you and I can go eat dinner."
"When did you plan all this?"
"Just now. Come on, I'm starved." He wrapped his fingers around hers and they walked over to the hotdog vendor. A few minutes later found them sitting on a park bench, eating their hotdogs and enjoying each other's company. "So do you wanna be married some day?" he asked taking a big bite from his food.
"It would be nice. All the guys I've dated were such stiffs. Or they were just interested in my company and wanted my money. I'm still looking for Mr. Right. What about you?"
"After I broke up with Beth, I thought all women were the devil. That is until I met you."
"Thanks." She bit hungrily into her hotdog, "Sorry." She said her mouth full.
"See, you know how to have fun. Beth never ate like that." Arnold laughed, "I really like that about you."
She swallowed, "I love hotdogs. The last guy I dated hated them and acted like they're diseased or something. I mean he wouldn't even touch one. I'm just a normal girl who wants to have a good time with a guy that knows how to make me laugh."
Arnold simply smiled took another bite, "So how do you feel about kids?"
Helga stopped chewing, "I haven't really thought about it. I guess with the right man, kids will be okay."
Long after they had finished their lunch, Helga and Arnold were still sitting on the bench. They had been there for hours. Helga rested her head against his chest and Arnold kept his arm wrapped around her.
"This is nice." She said looking up at him.
"What the sunset?"
"Yeah and watching here with you."
Arnold smiled. He stroked her arm with his hand. "Can I kiss you?" he asked suddenly.
"What?"
"The last time I kinda caught you by surprise. I wanted to make sure you were ready this time." He explained, "So can I kiss you?"
She giggled and put her arms around his neck, "Does this answer your question?" she asked before firmly planting her lips against his.
