A/N Thanks everyone for the patience here's chapter 3.
Helga tapped her feet on the ground anxiously, as she checked the time on her phone.
"Phoebe should be here any moment now.", she thought.
Helga had the urge to light up a cigarette as she waited for her friend outside the restaurant. "Better to hold off", she reasoned. "Not in the mood for a lecture." she focused her attention on the various groups of people talking in front of the restaurant. "It must be nice to have so many friends.", she thought. A lonely feeling overcame her, but before she could address it she felt a faint tap on her shoulder.
Helga swung around abruptly, thinking it was Phoebe. Instead Staring back at her was a tall brunette woman with short hair, wearing a designer dress. "Oh my gosh! Helga is that you?", The woman asked. Helga recognized who it was immediately. She narrowed her eyes, giving her a nasty look. "Keep it moving Rhonda", Helga snapped. " I would kick your ass, but I'm meeting a friend." Rhonda backed up a few steps, a surprised expression formed on her face. "Jeezus Helga, what is your problem?". Helga gritted her teeth in anger. "You know what you did you slut! Now leave!" People started to take notice around them, Rhonda grew increasingly embarrassed, "Get over it Helga, that was years ago." Rhonda shouted as she walked away."
Helga didn't respond, she just looked on in disgust as Rhonda walked out of sight. "Of all the people to run into, it had to be that bitch", she thought. I moved all the way across the country to get away from people like her. Screw it, she thought. I'm having a cigarette. She reached into her purse, fumbling around for her pack.
She turned around, and saw a petite woman walking towards the restaurant. Recognizing it was Phoebe, she quickly shoved her pack back in her purse. She then rushed over towards her direction. Phoebe took notice of Helga approaching her, and started to smile. "Phoebe!" Helga yelled out in delight, as she wrapped her friend into a hug. "Helga it's so great to see you", Phoebe let out while hugging Helga back. They broke their embrace and Helga stood back analyzing her friends appearance."Did you change something up Pheebs you look great." Phoebe blushed " Thanks Helga, and yes I got contacts." Helga looked at her eyes, noticing the lack of eyewear. " I don't think I've ever seen you without glasses Pheebs. You look amazing." "Thanks", Phoebe responded still blushing. "But look at you. I've never seen you so tan." "Yea Pheebs L.A. has been good for my pale skin", Helga responded chuckling. Helga grabbed Phoebe's arm, and started walking with her to the entrance of Giovanni's.
"This place is great Pheebs, your gonna love it." She said as they entered the restaurant. They were seated immediately in the back of the restaurant. Phoebe decided to ask about something she had been waiting to hear about since their last phone call. "So how did last night with Jeremy go? Did you break up with him?",Phoebe asked. Helga peaked over the menu, and looked at Phoebe. "Actually Pheebs I cancelled our plans last night." Phoebe continued to pry. " Did you change your mind?", she asked. " Kind of.", Helga said, looking unsure. "I mean I need some time to think." The waitress approached the table interrupting their conversation. "What would you ladies like to drink", she asked. Helga made eye contact with the waitress. "What do you say Pheebs a bottle of red", Phoebe shook her head immediately. "No, no not a bottle. I have a conference in the morning." Helga looked back at the waitress. "Ok we'll each have a glass to start off with." She told her while rolling her eyes.
The night continued on as the two old friend's caught up on what had been happening, since they last saw each other. After they squared away the check Helga and Phoebe headed for the exit still deep in conversation. Helga went out first, holding the door open for Phoebe. They stepped out onto the sidewalk in front of Giovanni's. "I still can't believe you're getting married.", Helga said shivering, as it was a chilly night.
"Yea it's really amazing Helga." Phoebe announced beaming. "Gerald is so good to me. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else. " Helga smiled at her friend. "Oh yes Tall hair boy, a regular prince charming." Helga said laughing. Phoebe gave her a look. "What did I say about calling my fiance that?" She asked half seriously. "It doesn't even apply anymore." Helga laughed even harder. "Ok, ok Pheebs I promise from here on I will only call him Gerald." Helga formed a mischievous grin. Wanting to change the subject Phoebe decided to bring up Jeremy again. "So do you think you will be bringing Jeremy to the wedding", Phoebe asked. Helga thought about it for a moment. It would be good to have someone with her, with the possibility of running into Arnold. "You know what, if everything goes smoothly, maybe I will. It's time for me to move on with my life." "Wow Helga that's a very mature way to look at things," Phoebe replied. "Thanks, and you will be proud of me too. I finally got rid of the locket last night."
Right when Helga said that Phoebe's cab pulled up. "This is me." Phoebe exclaimed, as she pulled Helga into a hug. "It was great seeing you Pheebs." Helga returned. Phoebe opened the cab door. She looked back at Helga who was standing on the curb. "That's Great. I'm proud of you." Phoebe closed the door to the cab. She smiled at Helga and waved as the cab took off.
Arnold opened his eye's to an irritatingly bright light. He sat up halfway on the bed and looked to his side. " Oh yeah", he said to himself, as he looked at the woman lying beside him. "What a night." Arnold got up off the bed, and started scanning the floor for his clothes.
Rushing he threw on his pants, and shirt, wanting to slip out of her apartment before she woke up. Arnold suddenly felt an enormous sense of regret. The same feeling he felt that night while they were having sex. His face formed into a serious expression, as he focused his gaze on the pretty girl, sleeping in the bed in front of him. He felt like a total dirt bag.
"Snap out of it",
he thought, looking away from her.
"It's not like she was looking for anything more than meaningless sex."
Arnold slipped on his shoes and turned the knob of her bedroom door. He opened it halfway , and then suddenly paused. He looked back into the bedroom, focusing on nothing in particular. He then leaned his head on the door, and exhaled. "Why do I have to always be a good guy he thought" Arnold pulled himself away from the door, and quietly snuck to the end table, beside the bed. He reached into his jeans pocket, and took out a pen. Grabbing a napkin off the table he scribbled a short note, leaving his name, and number. He threw the napkin down on the end table and swiftly exited the apartment.
He spotted his truck parked right out front of her building on the street.
"Jeez I can't believe I drove last night.", Arnold thought. "In fact when did I even get my truck, I'm pretty sure I walked to the bar." "Ok I'm getting bad." He said to himself.
He looked around recognizing the neighborhood he had grown up in. "That's odd", he thought. He was only a couple blocks from the old boarding house.
He decided he would drive by it on his way home. Arnold got in his truck and pulled out onto the street. He drove up slowly to the building he had grown up in., Parking on the corner. It had been 5 years since Arnold had moved out, but it felt much longer to him. His grandfather had sold the boarding house 4 years ago after the death of his grandmother. "What a shame"' he thought.
The place was completely renovated making it unrecognizable. He sat in his truck for a few minutes reminiscing about all the time he had spent there. Arnold decided he needed to go visit his grandpa at the nursing home. It had been a few weeks since his last visit, and Arnold was craving for some advice from him.
"I'll go home, grab a shower and go see him", he decided. He started up his truck and drove off.
Arnold pulled into the parking lot of the Hillwood nursing home. He walked in through the sliding glass doors and headed for the front desk. He spotted his grandpa's nurse sitting behind the desk.
"Linda", Arnold announced, greeting the nurse with a smile. "Arnold, hello nice to see you." Linda replied returning Arnold's smile. "Your grandfather had quite a time this morning", she said chuckling. Arnold tilted his head, and gave her a funny look. "Oh yea? What did he get himself into this time", he asked. "Well let me tell ya, someone donated a new chinese checkers set recently, and your grandfather was having a good time playing. He kept telling all of us to call him Steely Phil." She said chuckling. Arnold laughed as well. " Yes Grandpa loved playing chinese checkers." Arnold then remembered the time he helped his Grandpa overcome his fear of the game, and watched him go on to win the city championship. "You can go on up", Linda told him. Her voice pulled Arnold back into the present. "Ok cool", he said back. "I'll call up to his floor, and tell them you are on your way. He will be so happy to see you",
"Thanks Linda", Arnold replied. He walked over to the elevator anxious to see him. Arnold entered his grandpa's room. It was a small room with a single bed, a t.v., and a bathroom in the corner. Phil was sitting up on the bed awaiting Arnold's arrival.
"Hey Shortman!," Phil shouted, as he saw Arnold enter the room. Arnold walked over to his Grandpa, and they greeted each other with a hug.
"I heard you had quite the time today grandpa." Arnold exclaimed as he took a seat on the side of the bed. "Oh yes shortman." Phil replied. "These old bats in here thought they could take on Steely Phil in chinese checkers." He started to laugh.
Arnold felt good seeing his grandpa happy. Phil leaned forward to get a closer look at Arnold. He noticed his thick beard, and messy hair.
"Your looking like you just spent a month in the mountains Arnold. Is that a new look, or did they put some kind of funny ration on razor blades. " Arnold let out an embarrassed laugh. "I've been meaning to shave", he said while stroking his facial hair with his hand.
Phil kept his sight on Arnold, noticing he looked uneasy. "So what brings your here unannounced?." Phil asked. "Usually you call ahead before a visit." Arnold looked at his grandpa with shame in his eyes, knowing the reason for his visit was selfish. "Actually grandpa I came here to see if you can give me advice on something I've been struggling with." Phil nodded, giving Arnold a warm understanding look. "Well you came to the right place Shortman. What's your problem?" Arnold was embarrassed, but knew he needed to talk about it. " Well um it has to do with a girl." He said, in a shaky voice. "Oh girl trouble", Phil chuckled. "Old Phil knows a thing or two about that. So who's the special lady Shortman?" "It's Helga grandpa." Replied Arnold. "You mean the girl who used to pick on you in grade school?" Phil asked." You know the ugly one with the one eyebrow. What trouble is she causing you now?" Arnold rolled his eyes at his grandfather. " Yes her but no, you know I dated her a few years ago, and she is far from ugly now." " Relax Shortman", Phil said in a funny tone. "I remember just yanking your chain. This old bats not senile yet." "So you still pineing for her is that it Arnold?" "No it's not really like that."Arnold replied, not really sure himself if he still did." It's well the thing is I'm going to see her at Gerald's wedding next month. And I don't know if I'm ready for that." Phil looked at his grandson feeling sorry for him. "Well tell me the story Shortman." "What?" Arnold asked confused.
Phil reached out and placed his hand on Arnold's shoulder. "I know you really care for her.", Phil said looking Arnold in the eyes. "And know there's a story there that you haven't told." Arnold nodded his head. "Maybe it will do us both some good if you tell me the story Shortman." Phil looked at his grandson with hopeful eyes. Arnold thought about telling his grandpa the story. He had never felt comfortable enough to tell anyone, not even Gerald the full story. "C'mon Arnold I'm just an old man, waiting for death. I could use a story." Phil pleaded, interrupting Arnold's thought process. Arnold rubbed his eyebrow, focusing his gaze on the floor. " Maybe you're right grandpa. I'll tell you the story."