Chapter 7
Sometimes love just isn't enough
Remembering the past always made him angry. It reminded him of the times he'd understood Helga, well at least when he thought he did, considering the current status of their marriage. He didn't know who was at fault here. Maybe Helga wasn't meant to be his wife just his girlfriend, for they'd sure had a great time when they still had that relationship. Or maybe it was his fault. Arnold shook his head. No it didn't matter whose fault it was. What really mattered really was that they are on the verge of a divorce.
He closed his eyes as if to vanish those dismal thoughts. A small smile wove through his lips as he opened his eyes again. Well, there were times when they had special moments, like when he proposed to her. The time and the setting weren't exactly what he'd planned but when he noticed her anxiety he had to soothe her.
He'd been as nervous as her. Arnold understood that this Helga wasn't the same girl he had known as a child. She wouldn't laugh or beat him up when he proposed, but it was still in the back of his mind. It was the deep love that he felt for her that gave him the courage to propose to her then. Besides, he'd already faced her parents and grandmother and that was no easy feat.
Arnold shook his again but this time it was with amusement. 'No easy feat indeed…'
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Arnold looked outside the airplane window trying to see anything besides clouds, clouds and more clouds. He'd been sitting there for two hours but he still couldn't see anything visible outside the window other than clouds.
He clenched his jaw. 'It's going to be over in no time. I'll just knock on the door and ask if I could talk to them for a minute. If I'm lucky, they won't slam the door in my face, and they'll listen to me and agree to my proposal. Yeah, that's simple enough. But he knew it wasn't that simple. Miriam might be a little difficult to talk to but as for her father… He cringed inwardly.
'I was just a boy then and Mr. Pataki…' he held his face in his hand 'I can't even call him by his first name.'
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Seattle…" a cheerful male voice greeted.
When the passengers heard that announcement most of them cheered except for the young man by the window who was burying his face on his hands and groaning.
He looked at the familiar door and continued to do so for over a minute. Arnold was clenching and unclenching his hands, all the while muttering self-encouraging words. Taking a deep breath he knocked.
Silence.
Then a booming voice shouted, "Miriam!"
"Coming!" a female voice exclaimed.
Moments later the door opened and Arnold saw a middle-aged woman with her blonde hair pinned up in a messy bun. Instead of looking at him blearily, Miriam gazed down at him with a stern look set firmly on her face.
"Hello, Mrs. Pataki. My name is Arnold. I'm one of Helga's friends."
The stern look left her and was replaced by a smile. "Oh yes!" Miriam looked at him apologetically. " I'm sorry if I was a bit rude there but you seem familiar to me awhile ago."
She smiled at him and opened the door even further. "You're welcome to come in, Arnold, but I'm sorry to tell you that Helga's no longer living here. She and her sister left for Canada."
Arnold smiled and shook his head at her. "I know, Mrs. Pataki…"
She cut in. "Please call me Miriam."
He nodded. "Miriam. I know they're there. I just came from Ottawa myself." Arnold paused and looked straight in her eyes. "The reason I'm here is because I have something important to tell you."
Miriam looked at him for a second or two then she nodded and asked him to enter. As she was closing the door she said in a serious tone, "I'll tell B." And then she left.
As he watched her stride inside the living room Arnold had a sinking feeling that she knew the reason why he was here. And judging from her actions the outcome of the meeting wouldn't be good because if he couldn't even convince Miriam how was he to handle Big Bob?
Miriam peeked in. "Come in, Arnold." He followed her.
Arnold walked into the room and noticed the living room slightly changed. It had acquired a more feminine taste. But one thing that hadn't change was Big Bob's position. He was in his favorite seat but he was facing him instead of the T.V. Arnold gulped because Big Bob was glaring at him.
"What do YOU want?"
Before, he had been sure of what to tell Helga's parents to convince them why he was asking for her hand, but now under the baleful scrutiny both of them he forgot what he was about to say.
"Well?"
It was wrong thing to do but he did it anyway. Arnold took a swift look at them, noting their taunt stances and hard looks. He didn't have to be a genius to see that they weren't satisfied about letting him join their family.
Family.
This family ignored her.
This family (if they were fit to be called family) denied her of the love she needed, the love that is the basis of a person's personality.
It was because of them his love suffered all those years.
It was because of them that he hadn't fallen in love with her sooner, since she was always pushing away whenever he got close to her.
Arnold looked at the couple again. This time he was seeing them differently. He was seeing them with anger.
"Are you just going to stare at us?"
"No." His voice became cool and nonchalant. "I just came down to tell you that Helga and I are getting married."
Arnold looked at their stunned reactions for a second. They were probably surprised at his sudden change of attitude and the way he broke the news. But he didn't care for what was going on inside their heads so he began to go out of the house. He had just closed the door and was on the second step when the door opened and gruff voice said, "Hey kid! I want to talk to you!"
Arnold stopped and gave him a sidelong glance then kept on moving.
He heard Big Bob groaning. "Fine!" His voice became softer. " Could I talk to you for a sec, Arnold?"
THAT stopped him. In all the years he'd been around Big Bob he had never once heard him speak his name…his real name. The effect was even greater than hearing him speak in a low tone of voice.
Arnold turned around but kept his face passive. "I'm sorry, Bob, but I have a plane to catch."
Big Bob's anger flared up. "If you're such in a hurry then why make all the trouble of coming all the way here if you're just telling us the news? HUH?!"
Arnold gave him a devious smile that would have made Helga proud. "Just for the fun of it." He looked at Big Bob and smiled even further. "Believe me. It was."
He saw Big Bob clench his fists and then suddenly his temper was gone. "Please, Arnold?"
Arnold would have ignored him and resumed walking but something in Bob's demeanor and voice stopped him. He looked at him for a second and then nodded. "Whatever." Bob opened the door even further and let him in.
Arnold was seated in a one-seater while Bob and Miriam were on the couch. This time the television was turned off and silence ruled.
A frown was dominant in his features as he looked at the couple. He was still angry with them and he knew that no matter how sorry they were it would never be the same. Helga was deeply hurt by their negligence. She had never known real love-any kind of love-when she was young.
His frown suddenly lost some of its aggravation as he began to think even more. No matter how angry he was at Helga's parents it wouldn't serve any real purpose. It was already in the past and he couldn't do anything to change it. Maybe instead of just informing them of their upcoming marriage he could also use it as basis for reconciliation.
He was jolted out of his reverie by Big Bob. "So you and Helga are getting hitched,"
Before he was able to answer Miriam took one of her husband's hands and gave a squeeze. Bob looked at her briefly before saying, "Okay. So you two are getting married?"
Arnold nodded.
"How's Helga?"
He was quite surprised at that question but he answered it anyway. "She's fine."
"You must have remembered how we treated our daughter. You're right. We're jerks." Bob looked down at the floor and continued. "I expected too much from her, you know? In my own conceited way I thought that all my children should be smart and talented." His voice became soft. "I guess I pushed her too hard."
"We both did, B," Miriam added.
Bob scoffed. "But I was worse. I didn't stop when I pushed her too hard. I had to remind her that she wasn't what I wanted her to be. Even though there were times I connected with that kid I still expected her to be like her sister."
He looked at Arnold. "It sounds a bit off but I just wanted to be a great father. My own father was a great man who loved all of his kids. He always told us that to be a great father you have to teach your children how to live in this world. We have to teach them stuff that would ensure them a great life. In my twisted way I thought that they had to be genius and when Olga was born it verified what I believed."
Bob jutted his jaw forward and looked past Arnold. Miriam still kept her hold on her husband's hands as she apologetically looked at Arnold. "I'm not a strong person, Arnold. I wasn't that way when I was small, I had a backbone then but…" she paused and briefly looked at Bob. "But ever since I got married I lost my courage. Well, my will. But it wasn't B's fault really. We just rushed into marriage and never knew what it really meant. Life never became easy for us but when Olga was born things changed. We were both proud of her and wanted her to be the best." Pride shone in her face. "Olga made us proud with all her accomplishments even at an early age."
Her face became even brighter. "And then Helga was born. We showered her with the same attention and, even though you might not believe this, loved her." That same glow dimmed a little. "But Helga just wasn't showing any special talents. In our desperate attempt we even read to her Shakespeare. Every night, when I would tuck her in I would read to her a portion of Shakespeare but she was just silent."
Miriam's eyes were a bit teary. "We know we are just giving you excuses but…" She paused and shook her head. Instead she continued, "We are sorry, Arnold."
He looked at the couple. Arnold didn't know what to say or do. True, it really sounds futile to apologize when it was in the past. But they shouldn't apologize to him. He was angry with them but he was angry for Helga. But…
Understanding dawned on him. Of course! They knew their mistakes and were sorry for doing it. And one thing he knew from living with adults most of his life was that they had pride. This pride always seemed to be the hardest to overcome. Now, looking at the two people, he knew they were having a rough time admitting to him their shortcomings because… His heart soared. They accepted him! Both were telling him what probably even their daughters didn't know. He was being informed of what he would face by attaching himself to this family.
He shook his head and gently smiled at them. "Don't worry, mom and dad. It's okay."
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Arnold cautiously looked at the house. He knew Helga was going to arrive late today since her clerkship made her work a mountain load of paper works. But still, there was a chance that she might come home early.
"She isn't here yet so you don't need to stretch your neck out like that," a voice said from among the vegetables.
Arnold looked to his right and saw Lizi sitting on a low stool doing some digging. He opened the gate and went inside to her. "You shouldn't be gardening, Lizi."
Lizi rolled her eyes at him. "Please, Arnold. I am not like some grandmothers who knit and do whatever else they do." He couldn't help but chuckle at her.
"Well, I can always do that tomorrow. It is getting rather late. What time is it?"
He looked at his watch. "4:29."
"It is late. Why don't you wait on the balcony while I freshen up." Lizi began to stand up while holding her spade. But she had only stood up only an inch when she stopped and made a face. "Umm, could you give me a hand, Arnold?"
Arnold stifled his laughter as he helped Lizi up.
The flowers swayed in the breeze, and he could smell their sweet fragrance when the breeze changed its direction. Lizi and Helga did a wonderful job maintaining the garden.
"They aren't going to walk towards you no matter how hard you stare at them."
Arnold spun around to see Lizi just settling down to a chair next to him. A pitcher of lemonade and two glasses were also on the table. He filled both glasses with lemonade and offered one glass to Lizi. She drank hers while looking at him.
"So what did they say?" she asked when she finished drinking.
He scrunched his eyebrows at first and then understood what she meant. "I should stop being amazed by now but I'm not." He stopped and smiled at her. "Well, you could tell it went great. I even slept at the house."
A sly smile appeared briefly on her lips. "My, my. Finally, Bob and Miriam realized what was wrong."
"You didn't approve of their marriage?"
"At that time no. They were madly in love with each other yes, but sometimes love just isn't enough. They learned that the hard way."
Sometimes love just isn't enough. Now that he thought of it, was he also making a bad decision by wanting Helga to marry him?
No. They weren't just crazy for each other. Both of them knew what the other's weaknesses were. Both of them knew their worst characteristics and accepted them. They wouldn't end up like Bob and Miriam.
"So, what's you're next step?" Lizi suddenly asked.
Arnold looked at her and simply replied, "Ask for your permission to take her hand."
For the very first time, Lizi looked at him in shock and was speechless. Then a big grin appeared on her face. "You're a bold young man, Arnold."
He smiled at her. After hearing that same phrase over and over, now it felt like it really suited him.
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~Present
"Arnold! Arnold!"
Arnold started out of his reverie and looked at the source of the noise. It was the door and it looked like Gerald wanted to talk to him. He sighed deeply and climbed out of the bed to open the door.
Gerald, who was wearing light blue pajamas, greeted him. From the looks of his pristine pajamas, Gerald had yet to go to bed. "Is anything the matter, Gerald?" Arnold whispered.
Gerald looked at his outfit for a moment. "I was just in the kitchen drinking some tea." He shook his head and looked at Arnold in the eyes. "I was-still am--worried about you, Arnold."
"Look, Gerald. I appreciate your concern but the problem is between me and Helga."
Anger sparked in Gerald's eyes. "Between you and Helga? We're best friends. We've been through nearly twenty-six years of mischief and escapades. You will not shut me out now."
Arnold looked at him for a few seconds and sighed. "Can we talk someplace else? We don't want to wake anybody."
Gerald nodded. "Let's go to the kitchen."
Arnold glanced at the dark green leaf floating on the light green water. It slowly swirled around the water, following no directions just aimlessly floating.
"The water is already boiled, you know," Gerald quipped. He was seated in front of Arnold, also holding a steaming cup of tea.
Arnold began to chuckle, which turned into a deep-throated laugh. His best friend just looked at him strangely. "It wasn't that funny, Arnold."
Arnold tried to control his laughter while looking at Gerald's confused face. When he was able to contain his laughter, Arnold smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. You just reminded me of someone."
Gerald quirked his eyebrows. "Who?"
"Lizi, Helga's grandmother."
"I am not like her!"
Arnold nodded. "Okay, okay."
"The possibility of that being true is nil."
"Right."
"That's just impossible."
"Gerald, I get the idea!" He paused. "Tell me, why don't you want to be like Lizi?"
"I don't want to be like any relation to Helga G. Pataki."
Arnold grinned at him. "You happen to forget that I was married to her once."
Gerald's face turned serious. "You are still legally married to her right?"
The teasing light in Arnold's eyes died. He turned to look at the kitchen. "Yeah."
"Would you like to tell me everything or must I ask you all the questions?"
Arnold sighed again. "Okay, Gerald. I was standing in front of the college, trying to grasp the beauty of the building when a feminine voice curtly said--"
"After talking to her parents and her grandmother, I proposed to her."
Arnold stopped and took a sip from his tea while Gerald refilled his cup. They now had a steaming pot of tea in front of them. "You know, Gerald, once you get past your eleventh cup this stuff starts to taste really good!"
Gerald chuckled. "Look at us. A couple of married guys getting drunk with tea at 12:38 am."
Arnold also laughed. "Don't tell anyone about this, understand?"
"Understood." After his chuckles died out he asked, "So what happened next? Did you have a fight right away?"
Arnold shook his head. "No. Helga and I had a blissful married life." He looked down. "The first three years anyway. And Helga was the perfect wife and mother." Arnold hid a smile as he continued. "I have to admit that I was a little surprise at they way she handled Katey. She was sweet, gentle but when times need be, also strict."
Gerald grinned. "Speaking of Katey, how were you when you found out Helga was pregnant?"
Arnold groaned and buried his face in his hands.
"That bad huh?"
"Worse," came the muffled voice.
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~About four years ago
It was the most uneventful week of his life. Sure, he did his usual rounds and helped a number of people but nothing exciting happened. He was being selfish but after experiencing the same monotone routine he was begging for anything to cease this humdrum. Anything.
Arnold opened the kitchen door to a silent house. "I'm home!" No response.
"Helga? Lizi?"
He heard footsteps in the hallway and approached the sound. It was Lizi.
"Shh!" was all Lizi said.
Arnold became confused but Lizi didn't explain. Instead she left him to go someplace. He followed her to her destination, which turned out to be the living room.
It was the beginning of winter but it wasn't that cold yet but right now the living room fireplace was lit. He looked around in search of his wife and found her lying on the sofa, sound as sleep. She looked very tired.
Tired? Arnold began to worry as he quickly went to Helga but Lizi stopped him. "What's wrong with her?" he whispered.
Lizi shook her head. "Let her rest, Arnold. She had a tiring day."
"But Helga's never that tired."
At his words Helga began to stir. She opened her eyes and groggily gazed at them. All the while his grandmother-in-law clucked her tongue and muttered to herself, "If he's like this right now imagine what he would be when he hears the news."
"Those words should have clued me in but they didn't." Arnold groaned softly. "I can't believe I was that dense!"
"You're still that dense, my man," Gerald teased.
"Gerald!"
He chuckled. "Go on with the story, Arnold."
Helga sat up and smiled at Arnold. "Hey."
Arnold slowly approached and kneeled in front of her. "Hi."
She stretched. "What's the matter, Arnoldo? You look kind of distressed."
"I'm worried about you."
"Me?"
"Well, it's not every day that I find you sleeping on the couch at 3:30 in the afternoon."
"Oh that. Well, Arnold, I have something to tell you."
She looked so anxious that Arnold believed that she was severely sick. No…He clasped both her hands and held them tight.
Helga was looking at everything but him. "Arnold, you see…" She paused and drew a deep breath. Helga then looked at his face and said, "The reason I was so tired was because I'm two months pregnant."
Pregnant. Arnold's senses dulled and it seemed too hard to breathe anymore. He could feel his hands sweating and his heart beat speeding up. "H-how did it happen?"
He heard Helga laugh. "Beloved, you're a doctor. Surely you know that when we…"
Arnold felt his face heat up. "I know, Helga. It's just that I'm shocked."
"That's an understatement."
"Helga!"
She laughed again and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Just teasing you. Gosh, Arnold, if I didn't know better I swear you weren't expecting to have any kids."
Silence.
Helga released her hold on him only to see her husband's body fall to the carpet.
Helga then heard a monotone voice say, "Oh dear, he fainted."
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~Present
Gerald was laughing so hard that he was pounding the table. Arnold just contented himself to silently plotting various 'accidents' to his best friend.
"I'm sorry, Arnold, but…but that was the most…" Gerald couldn't continue anymore since another laughing fit overcame him.
"Oh gee and to think I wanted to tell you some more," he replied sarcastically.
Gerald bit his lip as he tried to put on a serious face. "G-go on."
Arnold rolled his eyes but he continued.
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~ About 7 months later
Arnold was reading a medicinal magazine in the living room. While he was sitting upright on the couch he was listening to some jazz music. Every once in a while he would glance at the room at the far end of the hallway.
It was already two weeks later than the scheduled date and he was getting to be more worried every day. It was ironic that Helga was taking this far calmer than he was. Arnold couldn't understand how could she do that.
Arnold recalled the times when they thought Helga was going to deliver the baby. He ran around the house packing Helga's stuff even though she already had some things packed. Then he would hang around his wife not knowing what to do next. It was only through Helga herself that he was able to get her in the car and drive her to the hospital (She even had to yell the directions to him!).
He dropped the magazine he was holding and sighed. What was even worse was that not only did he do it once he did it three times. Pathetic.
However that wouldn't happen again. When his wife was ready he would calmly take her and her bag to the car and to the hospital. Yup, that is what he was going to do.
"It's time, Arnold!" Helga shouted from their room.
Time?!
Arnold bolted to their room and began opening their drawers and closets, looking for other stuff Helga might need. He threw the ones he though she would need on the bed and then grabbed a duffel bag. When everything was in the duffel bag he then grabbed the other bag and ran to the car. He came puffing and huffing back and slowly led Helga to the car. Arnold was able to move the car only a couple of meters when he went out and opened the gate. After leaving the garage he stepped out again to close it. He went inside the car and stared out front.
"You go straight out of the alley and then turn right. You turn right again at the intersection…" Helga slowly stated.
There were times when he though that Time enjoyed torturing him. He remembered when he was young he would repeatedly look at the clock hoping it would ring to signal the beginning of spring break or the end of another year.
Now it seemed that Time was immensely enjoying itself at torturing him. His wife was already twenty hours in labor. Why was it taking so long? He hoped, no he prayed that no harm would come to both Helga and their child.
The door opened and an exhausted female doctor stepped out. She grinned at him as he quickly walked in front of her with an agitated look on his face. "Let me guess, first child?"
Arnold nodded.
She smiled at him. "Helga and your baby are both fine. Don't worry about why she gave birth a little bit late it happens to some family. There were no complications before, during and after the procedure. Everything's hunky-dory."
He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Is it a boy or a girl?"
"Oh, I'm sorry." She smiled and held out a hand. "Congratulations, Arnold, you have a healthy baby girl."
Arnold accepted her hand and gave her a shaky smile. "A-a girl?"
"Yup!" The doctor put an arm on his back and led him inside. "Let's go inside and meet them."
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~Present
"So you didn't faint?"
Arnold narrowed his eyes. "Must you remind me every time?"
He grinned. "You didn't answer my question."
Arnold groaned. "I did. AfterIwentinsidetheroomandsawHelgaandKatey."
"What?"
"After I went inside the room and saw Helga and Katey," Arnold muttered.
His best friend smirked at him. "Now was that too hard?"
Arnold rolled his eyes.
"Well, it sounds to me that you guys had a great marriage. I mean, if Helga was able to put up with you through all that she must really love you man."
"It's not that simple, Gerald." Arnold shook his head as if to clear his thoughts and then looked back at his best friend's face. "Did you marry Phoebe just because you loved her?"
Gerald seemed a bit surprised by his question. "W-well, love was the main reason." A pause. "Her looks and body were also factors," Gerald added while wiggling his eyebrows.
"It's a serious question, Gerald."
"Okay, okay. Just lightening up the mood. I fell in love with her because she's dependable, sweet, loving, patient, and will listen to everything you say no matter how long it will take. She has a good head, scratch that, she has a great head on her shoulders and knows what to say and when to say it. I might be making her perfect but she's not. She's still shy and she doesn't go to parties without me or another one of her friends. But the thing I admire about her the most is her strong spirit. Phoebe will love and defend the things that she cherishes. And when someone hurts does loves well…" Gerald trailed off.
Arnold smiled at his best friend, happy that at least one of them was having a great life. "That's wonderful, G. I know the both of you will grow old together."
"Why did you ask me that question, Arnold?"
"I do love Helga. Heck, I am deeply in love with her." Arnold looked down. "But you see, even though I love her I can't trust her. Not anymore. And a marriage without trust is doomed to failure."
Silence.
Arnold looked up to see Gerald looking at him with pity and sadness in his eyes. "D-did she cheat on you?" he softly asked.
"No!" Arnold quickly replied but then he faltered, "I don't know. She's been keeping secrets from me."
Gerald smiled with relief but he still felt sad at him. "Everyone is entitled to keep secrets from others. Even husbands and wives."
"I know. It started with that but it grew worse."
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~Past
The sun was shining and a gentle breeze blew so Arnold decided to study outside on the balcony. He was just getting comfortably seated when Helga burst in holding their one-year old Katey.
"Could you hold, Katey for a sec., beloved? I'm expecting Tish to call."
Arnold was a bit reluctant but he accepted Katey. As soon as Katey was in her father's arms she began to try and reach his hair. He lifted her up and she grabbed a handful of his hair. "I think she likes my hair or maybe she knows that it's the same color as hers."
"Probably." Helga positioned herself at the right side of Arnold and Katey. She smiled at the picture the two made all the while leaning on the railing.
Arnold took a quick glance at his wife and smiled. He was somehow reminded of events when they were young. "Hon, do you remember when we were just kids?" He noted her reaction and saw her put her hands behind her back. Helga must feel awkward when he reminded her of those days.
"Umm, yeah."
Katey released her hold on his hair and settled on his hold. Arnold continued watching her at edge of his eyes. "Did it ever cross your head that we would get married in the future?"
He heard her gave an offhand laugh. "Don't flatter yourself, football head. I hated you then."
Arnold knew she was lying in the way she was reacting. "Really?" He kept his voice cool and aloof.
"Yes." She had put firmness in her answer.
A frown marred his features. Why was she so adamant in lying for her previous feelings for him? It really didn't matter to him if she liked him only a little bit but here she was denying she didn't have any feelings for him other than hate.
He was about to ask her why she was lying when the phone suddenly rang.
"It's Tish," Helga suddenly said and sped off to the phone.
Arnold looked worriedly at her and then turned to look at Katey. "I hope it's nothing big Kat-Kat."
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~Present
"It's not that big," Gerald remarked.
Arnold shook his head. "No, that was just the first time I knew she was hiding something from me. About three years later I noticed that she was acting weird. Helga was on the phone even more than usual but that lasted only for some weeks."
"And then she arrives home at later hours. Now, I know that her job consumes a lot of time but she arrives home near midnight almost everyday. She's ignoring both her husband and her daughter."
"Did you ever tell her that you were aware of her nightly…uh…escapades?"
Arnold's face turned grim. "I did when I caught her just coming home."
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~A few months earlier
Arnold was seething mad. He planned to surprise his family by treating them to a family dinner but when he came home he found only Lizi and Katey. He asked Lizi if she knew where Helga was. She didn't.
"Maybe she's caught up in her work," Lizi hypothesized.
Arnold knew that that wasn't true because Helga told him two days ago that her senior partners gave her a light case. Today was the final court appearance and she expected to come home in the afternoon. Even though he had this knowledge he answered Lizi with, "That's probably it." And then left to wait for her in the balcony since her car was in the garage.
His wife had been acting like she was hiding something from him. Arnold noticed that she was sometimes fidgety. Then one time Lizi told him that Helga had been arriving late for four consecutive days when he was on the late shift.
And now at 6:34 pm Helga wasn't home yet.
Arnold closed his eyes. There must be some plausible explanation why she hadn't come home yet. Yes, there must explanations why Helga was becoming secretive to him. She was can keep secrets from him. It wasn't required for a wife to tell her husband everything.
Oh, but he was getting even more angry with her.
Two hours passed and Helga still hadn't come home. Arnold sat, with his face hard, on one of the chairs looking ahead. At his back, Lizi was peering worriedly though the window. The weather was cold but he made no move to get a jacket or sweater instead he just sat there waiting for Helga.
Suddenly he heard the sound of someone walking and turned his head to face
the front gate. Arnold could see a figure walking towards the house. He noticed
that the figure seemed to be dragging its feet. This only made him even more
angry.
Behind him, Lizi quickly left her post to go to her great-grandchild.
When he could see Helga's features he stood up and began to go down the steps. "Where have you been?" he asked her roughly.
Arnold saw her look at him in shock and guilt. She really was guilty! He found her silence even more infuriating. "I said, where have you been?!"
Helga looked away from him. She was probably thinking of an excuse! The nerve of her! "Tell me!"
Somehow Helga pulled herself together and was now also looking at him with fury. "Would you think before you yell any further?! Our daughter is fast asleep right now."
She was right, darn her. He had to stop yelling at her but it wouldn't his anger towards her. Arnold contented himself at just glaring murderously at her. As if they were arguing she glared at him back with the same intensity. Then as if he wasn't worth her time she continued her trek inside the house and left him. Arnold wouldn't give her the satisfaction and followed her inside.
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~Present
Arnold looked at Gerald, who had been silent during the telling of the story and still remained so. Arnold wanted him to say something but he remained silent.
Finally, "Did you two talk about what happened?"
"I tried to talk to her but she wouldn't tell me what she was doing."
"Even if it means the end of your marriage? Even though Katey would be affected?"
Arnold nodded.
"Then what happened?"
"I suggested we get a divorce."
Gerald made a low sucking sound. "What did she say?"
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~A few months earlier
"So it has come to this then?"
Arnold looked at her seriously. Helga held an impassive look. "You're being unusually quiet about this, Helga. This is a big step."
She shrugged. "I know. It was inevitable. It is the only reasonable solution."
He hid his clenched fists. Why was she acting as if they were just talking something mundane? Was she that heartless?
No, she wasn't. Arnold noticed that Helga was grieving about something. Could it be she was regretting her actions now? "What is it?"
He heard her sigh. "What about Katey?"
Katey. She was only worried about their daughter and not their crumbling marriage. Arnold felt a little relief. Maybe she wasn't completely heartless after all. At least she still loved Katey.
But her question did bring a good question. If they separated what would happen to Katey? He knew how deeply it would hurt her if she knew that her parents just didn't love each other anymore and that they lived in two different places. He knew how hard it was to live without his parents. At least now he knew they didn't deeply love each other but what about Katey?
Helga broke his soliloquy. "We can't do this. No, Katey would be... we couldn't." Arnold noticed that her voice became tired.
He didn't know how to answer her question but he had to make her realize the truth.
"But it'll only hurt Katey in the future," he heard her say.
"But it'll also hurt Katey if we did."
What could they do? Maybe…"Maybe we could give it a trial basis. If Katey adjusts umm...well to the idea we could do it."
"If you could...can you...?" She was grateful but she became hesitant.
He nodded. "Katey can go with you."
Helga smiled at him for a second but then her smile slowly faded, as she seemed to realize something. "We have to tell her everything."
Arnold nodded.
"Then it's settled."
It felt like their marriage really ended with those words. Arnold looked at his wife of four years and felt a small pang of sadness. They did have some good times.
^^^^*^^^^*^^^^
~Present
"And we settled on separating for two months to see how Katey would adjust to us living apart. Helga and I didn't tell each other where we were headed. I assumed she would stay at home with Lizi but I guess wrong," Arnold concluded.
Gerald looked at him for a minute and then said, "I apologize, Arnold. I thought that if I listened to the whole story I could find a solution to your problem but I didn't."
Arnold smiled at him. "Don't worry, G. You already did help me."
His best friend brightened. "So you and Helga are getting back together?"
Arnold shook his head. "No. You lessened the weight of the problem by listening to me. Besides, I don't think Helga and I will ever get back together."
Gerald gaped at him. "No way, man! What happened to the optimist friend of mine? Why are you giving up already?"
"If there's one thing I know about Helga it's that she can be stubborn or overly loyal. And if she won't tell me what she was hiding then how can we make our marriage work again."
Gerald shook his head and laid a hand on Arnold's shoulder. "If you don't believe it yourself then I will believe for you. You and Helga will get back together."
Arnold just gave him a small smile.
"So, do you want to do something tomorrow?"
"Don't you have a job?"
"I have some free time."
"Well, okay. Where are we going?'
"Oh, somewhere were you haven't been."
Arnold nodded. "Sure, if we wake up early that is."
Gerald looked at the clock and grinned. It was already 2:47 am.
End of Part one.
Thanks to all who read and reviewed. See you all on the next chapter!!