Sorry, for the delay. I wanted to do some more tweaking with this chapter. Pour vous, mes amies.

DISCLAIMER: Hey Arnold! and the Peanuts gang are not mine.

Chapter Fourteen

True love

Sunday; 3:07 am

"Arnold? I need you to come to the hockey rink. Now."

Arnold tiptoed as he walked down the stairs. It was hard convincing Katey to stay with Tish but Stinky sounded adamant. It was a good thing Tish didn't need any explanations and that she was able to calm Katey down.

'What would the emergency be? Okay, so he was a doctor but Stinky could have called the local paramedics. They have the equipment.'

"I'll leave the doors open. Just come directly to the rink itself. The rink, okay?"

It sounded like it was life or death. Arnold couldn't really tell from his tone.

'He's a good lawyer. Kind of like keeping a poker face but this time it's for the voice.'

Like Helga.

Arnold momentarily paused before rushing towards his grandpa's old car. 'They are both lawyers of course. But then lately she was becoming more sad and anxious. As if she was cracking…'

He opened the door and started the car. No, it was probably his imagination. His wife was a strong woman. Stronger than anybody that he knew.

Arnold moved out of the car port and drove away.

"Mr. Arnold?"

A hefty middle-aged man with a slight beard under his lips greeted him as Arnold opened what looked like the back door. He was momentarily confused as to how he knew him but quickly decided to leave it for more important matters. Where was Stinky?
Arnold nodded. "Do you know where Stinky is?" He was about to describe him when the older man nodded.

"Mr. Petersen is by the rink." He looked at him with a very evident worry in his eyes. "Please go to him immediately."

It puzzled Arnold why the man spoke as if he was the one who was older. Arnold mentally shook his head and nodded to the man. "Thank you. I will."

The bearded man walked ahead and Arnold followed him. He opened the doors and held it open for him. Arnold muttered his thanks and stepped into the next room. The next room turned out to be the hockey stadium itself. The lights were all on but there weren't a lot of people inside. In fact, there was only one person present other than himself: Stinky.

Stinky was sitting in one of the chairs near the gate of the rink with a blanket around him. Arnold walked as fast as he could as he scrutinized his childhood friend. Did he experience an accident and needed his help?

As soon as he was only a few feet away from him Arnold stopped. All thoughts of his medical training could not force him to move as he gazed at Stinky.

And his wife in his arms.

It was weird, really, that in this moment he had a flashback when they where in fourth grade and Stinky told me that him that had a crush on Helga.

He also recalled that he looked like a gorilla when he cried.

Arnold wanted to scream at them. They were already caught red-handed. There would be no denying it now but then he saw how she sagged. And how she was wasn't moving. He also noticed how Stinky was holding her like she was a precious burden.

Yes. Arnold finally realized now that he was the jerk in this relationship. Not everything was black or white. Helga may have come to somebody else but she chose him to be married and if he hadn't discovered he thought that she would have chosen to stay with him.

Besides, she still loves him. Not as much as Arnold loves her but he should be content that she does. And now he knows why she would have another relationship: 'I must be suffocating her. I loved her too much. Or rather I was possessive of her.'

Love.

Of course. I've forgotten what it really meant.

Not just being with that person.

But also doing things for them.

And trusting her. Helga might be waiting for the right time to tell him. She's one of the honest people he knew.

There was only one conclusion for this: He was a moron.

An A-grade, first class moron.

"What happened?"

Stinky looked at Arnold with wary eyes. So he was waiting for him to react. "She…" He paused as if weighing his words.

'No. He's not fabricating a lie. He's not fabricating a lie. He's just a little scared.'

Stinky looked at him straight in the eyes. "I was worried about her when she suddenly came to me in the reunion asking for the usage of the rink. I found her lying on the rink unconscious. The only thing I found out is that she might have a broken ankle."

This time he called himself all the curse words that he never wanted to say out loud. Arnold quickly went over to Stinky and removed the blanket. He checked his wife's entire body with hands as steady as if she was just any other patient but deep inside he was anxiously waiting for what he would find.

It was kind of weird. It was like he separated into two different persons: one an impassive doctor and another as a loved one looking in and watching.

Arnold gently put back the blanket over her. "She's okay. I don't think she got hypothermia." When he finally stood up he glared at Stinky, "Call the paramedics right now!"

The angry words didn't faze Stinky. "I told George to call them as soon after you called."

"Dam—Darn it, Stinky! Why didn't you call them sooner?"

"You were the first thing that came into my mind when I saw her. Besides, I just arrived when I called you." He paused. "It's probably because you were the closest one that you were able to arrive at first."

Both could hear the approaching siren. "Come on, Arnold. I have to talk to the paramedics." He lifted Helga at an angle and let Arnold replace his hold. Stinky then left towards where he thought that the paramedics would be.

And as for Arnold he just held Helga in his arms, hoping that she wasn't in any danger.

So, you've done and gotten yourself killed.

Wonderful, Helga. And just when you decided to live your own life.

What bitter irony!

…

And I sound so… so... English!

…

I wonder what a person does when they die. Do I just float aimlessly in space?
Is there even space?

Am I floating?

Wait a minute. I am dead, right?

I remember being in extreme pain and Patrick and limping… no… sliding myself out of the rink. Then…

Huh.

Oh. I slipped and hit my head.

Can one die by hitting their head on the ice?

…

I'm sorry, Katey. Mama won't be with you anymore.

Well, Arnold would be happy. Not that he would be that morbid as to be happy for my death. I know he would be sad when I am gone but then he would find his true love. He wasn't happy with me.

Actually, we weren't happy together.

I hope Katey would love her new mother.

Was I still putting Arnold in a pedestal like before?

I know he has affection for me. He will be sad but in the long run he will be happy again. Much more happy than he was with me.

We did have a wonderful life. Four glorious years, plus our university days. We were great friends.

Was I aware of his faults then?

Of course! How could I forget? He was so… so dense I wanted to strangle him while telling him of my feelings. A regular blockhead!

Hmm, does this mean that Lucy Van Pelt has feelings for Charlie Brown?

Back to the matter at hand, he was also too naïve! And too sweet for his own good!

What about Peppermint Patty?

FOCUS. Okay, well, Charlie I mean, Arnold was too good to be true. No, that isn't true. There was that instance after Logan tried to kiss me. If he was a truly good person he wouldn't have alienated him. He was his friend and I know Arnold valued his friends. If he was truly good Arnold would have made the three of us talk, discuss our feelings. So, he let his macho feelings in control for once. Never mind that that made me a little giddy.

Sue me for not being a goody-two-shoes.

Sue me… hee hee.

Arnold the Barbarian.

I laughed at the image of him in a loin cloth.

…

Whew! It's getting warm in here.
Am I in the Hell? No, I'm still in Nothingness.

Did I love him? Did I truly love Arnold?

Yes, there was physical attraction. And he was the only one who was kind to me during my harsh childhood. I guess, I kind of thought that that kindness was love. I wanted somebody to love me. I grasped the love he offered and made it into my lifeline. Even though the love he offered was those of friendship.

He must have felt what I had and then began to think that he loved me.

Of course.

…

So, that means we never really loved each other.

Great.

Poor Katey.

Chelsea would be crushed to know that this childhood love isn't real.

Mom and Dad would be sad when they find out that their daughter failed in where they succeeded.

Olga wouldn't believe it though. She would say that we just needed some time and that we truly loved each other.

Hmph! Always the hopeless romantic.

"What do you mean?"

Well, she always was the hopeless romantic. I remember when she got married Olga actually wanted to have this 17th century wedding.

"No."

I'm serious. It really happened.

"Is she okay?"

Now that you mentioned it, I wanted her to get some CAT scan.

"Yes. She just looks worse." A pause. "She did hit her head on the chair before hitting the ice."

What's happening?

Somebody is coming. Somebody warm is touching my face.

"I'm here, honey."

Dad…no… Arnold?

"I just heard! Is Helga okay?"

Arnold's moving. Probably to face the Patrick.

"I know I shouldn't have left her. I knew she was already injured. I should have checked."

The unflappable Patrick can actually be nervous. What a discovery.

"What?"

Why is he angry? It wasn't Patrick's fault. It was my decision not to let him know. Don't be such an idiot, Arnold. He's guilty enough as it is.

"She was… well, I saw her… Oh damn."

Stupid! Don't you dare tell him?

"What was she doing? And was she doing it with you?"

…

"Now, Arnold, lay off your friend."

"That reminds me. How come Helga knew that you owned the stadium? What was she doing in an ice-skating rink? Damn it, what was she doing in that…"

"Just shut it, Arnold. Somebody here needs to rest."

"Helga!"

"You're awake!"

"I'm so sorry!"

She slowly opened my eyes and then quickly closed it again. "It's too bright."

Helga felt Stinky move from her bedside to close the blinds.

"Thanks." Her voice croaked. Somebody moved and offered something to her face.

"Drink."

She opened her mouth and Arnold tipped the glass. Helga began talking but her voice was still raspy. She tried again. "Where am I?"

"You're in a hospital," Stinky answered.

She opened her eyes again and saw Stinky in the chair to the right of the bed she was lying in. Arnold was standing to her left and Patrick was in front of her wringing his hands.

'I pity Alicia when she gives birth. Patrick's such a worry-wart.'

Helga smiled at my visitors. "So what's new?"

Stinky chuckled.

'Arnold and Patrick looked like they wanted to throttle me'.

"New? What's new? You hit your head on the ice, that's what," Patrick answered along with wild gestures.

She chuckled at his actions which served to make him and Arnold even angrier. "I know that much what with the pain in my head." She faced the only sane male in the room. "Care to explain how I got here?"

Stinky nodded all the while chuckling. "Okay. George was doing his usual early morning clean-up when he found you lying on the ice. It was a good thing that only a small part of your head was laying on the ice." The lightness in his eyes dimmed. "You have been unconscious on the rink for eight hours, Helga."

She became quiet. Helga knew what he didn't say. 'I could have died.'

But when she was floating in Nothingness she had accepted that fact. In fact, she had accepted a lot of facts. She shook her head and groaned at the onslaught of pain.

"Helga!"

"Jeez, what a couple of mother hens you two are. As you can see I am made of sterner stuff. Have you ever known Helga Pataki to quail to anything?" She gave them both a teasing grin.

That seemed to infuriate the two. She waved them both away. "You two are the worst visitors in the world. Get out and don't come back until you're sane again."

'Honestly'.

Tackling unwanted guests was a hard task for her so she briefly closed her eyes. When she opened them again she found Stinky still beside her. "How long was I out?"

Stinky briefly looked at the clock that was near the television. "Around 35 minutes."

"Darn. I thought I just closed my eyes for a second." She gave a sound of disgust and lied down on the bed again. "So how come I am not surrounded by a bevy of admirers?"

"It's good to have you back again, Helga."
The throbbing in her head increased so she closed her eyes again. She remembered that Stinky said something and just waved her hands. "Don't go soft on me, Stinko. I told you I'm fine."

"What I'm referring to was your emotional aspect." He paused. "As your husband would say, your soul."

Helga quickly opened her eyes. "What?"

She saw him grin at her and leaned back on the chair he was sitting. "You're being your old brusque self, Helga G. Pataki." He looked around and continued never gazing at her face. "Ever since you came from Canada you seemed…" Again he paused as he looked at her intently. "Mmm… shadowed. Like, you were a plant growing in the shade."

'He's close!'

Helga snorted. "Look, just because I ask you favors don't mean that you could go act like my psychiatrist."

Stinky just looked at her with no emotions apparent on his long face.

Maybe it was because she was still aching from the accident and the drugs that were fed to her, whatever the reason she closed her eyes and slumped on her bed. "Darn you, Stinky. When did you become so perceptive?"

Stinky grinned at her. "I had to, Miss Helga. Comes with the job," he replied with his usual drawl.

So he knows.

It's too much. I have to stop hiding from people.

Tiring.

"Oh, my baby! My baby! My baby!"

"Speak to me, baby sister. Tell me you're all right!"

"This is all your fault, Patrick! You should have taken good care of her."

Helga groaned. Was she really that bad when she was younger for Fate to punish her this way? So there were some physical damages…

Okay, there were probably some mental ones too but this! This punishment was too severe.

"She's in pain! My little girl's in pain."

'Of all the…' "Pipe down!" As usual her voice was hoarse.

'Just take me now…'

Somebody clamped her entire body in an iron grip. It was a relief that somebody wasn't treating like she was dying but then again…

"Phoebe, I think oxygen would be good for her." Helga heard that voice as if from far away.

Helga winced as she was dropped to her bed. "That doesn't mean you can treat me like a hot metal. That hurt."

"I apologize, Helga."

She slowly opened her eyes and gazed at her visitors. Her mom, dad and Olga were on the left side of her bed Phoebe and Gerald were on her right side while Alicia, Patrick, Chelsea and Logan filled the space between the two sides. Her dad seemed to be a little pale but otherwise okay. 'I guess, his back's okay.'

She looked at all of them again. All looked at her as if she was at death's door.

The door opened and Stinky and Simmons entered. Stinky was the only one who was smiling while Mr. Simmons looked like he was going to faint.

"Oh my word, Helga! I just heard the news. Are you alright?" He went to her right side and quickly displaced Phoebe out of the way as he took one of her hands.

Helga groaned. "Look, Simmons, I'm okay. I just slipped on the ice."

"And laid there for ten hours!" Alicia quipped.

"Eight hours," Helga glared at her.

Alicia sniffed but closed her mouth.

"As you can see, I'm fine." Helga continued. "What about the reunion? Why are you guys here?"

"Make up your mind, Helga. I thought awhile ago you were asking for a bevy of admirers and now that they're here you want them gone," Stinky said.

"Well, I didn't know that they were going to be fussing over me. Honestly, all of you are worse than Patrick and Arnold."

"Patrick is guilty and Arnold is just being his normal worry-wart self," Chelsea answered.

Helga rolled her eyes. She then gestured at herself. "As you can see I am okay. Why don't you guys just leave me alone and go have some fun at the reunion?"

All looked at her as if a puppy that was just kicked by its beloved master. Helga groaned, took her pillow and buried her face in it. A muffled groan can be heard.

Bob grinned at the sight and slowly ushered his family out the door. "It looks like Helga will be just fine." When his family was gone he then grabbed Logan and Patrick and shoved them none too gently out the door. Alicia, Chelsea, Stinky and Mr. Simmons followed. The two guys' yelps could be heard as the door closed.

By then Helga had finished the airing of her frustrations and looked at the remaining visitors. Phoebe went to her side again and began twisting the edge of her blanket.

"We are pretty worried about you, Helga."

Helga gave her a small smile. "I know." She sighed. "It's just that…"

Phoebe nodded. "You aren't used to people, I know." She reached out as if to touch her arm but then stopped. Phoebe then sat down on the chair and looked around. "I-I just want you to know that I'm here when you need someone to listen."

"I know, Phoebs."

Phoebe finally looked at her. Helga had her eyes closed but she was still awake. The blonde looked so worn-out.

"I finally figured out was wrong with me." She paused as she gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Stupid me had to think Arnold as a god. Pretty stupid of me, huh?" Helga opened her eyes and released a bitter chuckle. "Idiot."

Phoebe finally got the courage to grab her best friend's hand. "No. No. No," she whispered.

Helga's laughter changed to tears. "Moron. Dunderhead. Dummy. Dim bulb. Obtuse. Dense. Slow."

Phoebe knew that Helga's insults weren't aimed at her. "Stop that."

"It's the truth."

"What's the truth?" a new voice asked.

Both girls turned to the new person. Helga grimaced. She then began sitting up to get out of bed.

Dr. Leticia Bliss smiled at the two females while carrying a bouquet of flowers, all colored yellow. "Hello, Phoebe, Helga."

Helga groaned and lied down on the bed. "Throw her out, Phoebe."

Phoebe looked quite aghast at the idea. "W-what?"

Dr. Bliss chuckled. "It's quite alright, Phoebe. I'm used to this behavior."

Phoebe looked at the two in incomprehension. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

The blonde closed her eyes but pointed at the newly arrived visitor. "She was my shrink for the last three years in grade school."

Phoebe knew that Helga kept some things from her but this… "I knew you were seeing her in fourth grade but not…" She couldn't help but sound a little hurt.

Leticia looked at her. "Those were trying years for Helga. She had to learn how to deal with her problems on her own."

"Isn't there something called patient confidentiality?" Helga sarcastically reminded.

Leticia just grinned. "I am not telling her anything."

Helga scowled. "No, you were just hinting." Dr. Bliss grinned again.

Helga frowned and said nothing. Dr. Bliss took that as a cue to come in and place the bouquet on the vase she was also holding. She placed the flowers on the desk near Helga and then sat down to her left.

"So what's the truth?"

Helga glared at her. "You're like a kid picking at a scab."

"It's my profession." Dr. Bliss shrugged. "So?"

Helga gave an exasperated sound. "Why are you here?"

"I am one of the MC's in the reunion. When Mr. Simmons told me that you had an accident I came to visit you." She crossed her legs and leaned back on the chair. "I'm listening."

Helga looked at Phoebe. Phoebe just mutely looked between Helga and Dr. Bliss. The blonde sighed and let her legs sag against the bent bed. She looked at some corner in her room. When she spoke her words belied her posture— very tired. "Those three years we talked… actually I talked while we discussed my family. How I could cope with them and the like. Then when you thought I was ready you included them."

She turned and finally faced Dr. Bliss. "You were a great help, I already told you that."

Dr. Bliss smiled and nodded.

Helga fiddled with her fingers. "You helped me face my underlying problem. Why did I become a bully? Why was I so adamant in pushing others away? How come I was so messed up as a child?"

"You were not messed up, Helga!" Phoebe suddenly interjected.

Helga looked up. She had forgotten Phoebe was there. She gave her best friend a watery smile. "We were all messed up, Phoebs. I was the most obvious."

Phoebe shook her head. "No. You were the best friend I could ever have."

The blonde scoffed. "Liar! Tell me that you liked it whenever I bossed you around. The times I bullied you into doing something that you didn't like to do." She looked deep into her eyes.

Phoebe quailed from that look. "I-I…"

Helga gave rueful smile. "See." She reached over and gave a squeeze in one of Phoebe's hands. "You can tell me, you know."

Phoebe looked at Helga for a second and nodded. "You're right." She took one of Helga's hands. "But there were times that you were there for me. You are my best friend." She said the last part with emphasis.

Helga flushed. "Yeah. Ditto for me." She shook her head. "Jeez, Dr. Bliss. You're doing it to me again. Every time you ask a question I find myself answering more than your question. What I meant was that all we discussed was about my family that we kind of overlooked one of the problems."

Understanding dawned on Phoebe so she focused her attention to the psychologist. Dr. Bliss, as usual, did not show any emotions.

"Arnold," Helga continued.

The older woman nodded. "You're grade school crush." Her stoic expression finally gave way to confusion as she watched the two younger females look at her. "What?"

The two just looked at her. "What does Arnold…? Oh." She faced Helga. "You mean…" Dr. Bliss grinned. "You married the Arnold?"

Helga couldn't help but smile back. "Yeah." The smile then vanished. "And we're divorcing too."

"What?"

Helga then began telling Dr. Bliss what happened while Phoebe listened. She had heard this before but this second time gave her a detachment. This gave her the opportunity to think about her best friend's problem. What she desperately wanted was to solve this so they could live happily ever after but like all problem-solving she had to be objective about this. Not all problems end happily.

A small frown appeared on her lips. But not this ending.

Arnold and Helga. It was what she wanted ever since they were young.

But then again, not everything one wants is good for them.

Phoebe looked at Helga who was still talking. But Arnold was good for Helga. He truly was. They were meant to be together.

Dr. Bliss looked very thoughtful at the end of Helga's monologue. She then nodded to Helga and asked again. "So what was the truth that you found out awhile ago?"

The blonde gave a resigned sigh. "How do you do it?" Helga looked at her and answered listlessly, "I realized that I don't really love Arnold." Her voice became resolute, "I looked back when we were kids and I realized that I was holding onto the love that he offered me because I was yearning for the love of my parents, my family. I never realized that what he offered me was the love of friendship. I grew it all out of proportion."

Her voice became listless again, "And as for Arnold, well, he doesn't really love me back. I know him, Letty. He's just loves me because I 'love' him. He never truly loved me. As a friend, yes, but not as a lover, the other half. He will find her someday but I now realize it's not me."

She straightened. "So our divorce will be a good thing. It will be hard on Katey but I think she, I, we all can pull through this." Helga looked at Dr. Bliss.

Dr. Bliss nodded. "You did have some wonderful revelations." She smiled, reached out and clasped one of her hands. "I am ecstatic for you, Helga."

Her words startled Helga for a second before a slow smile appeared on her face. "Yeah. Now I actually feel light."

"Congratulations!"

"NO!"

Dr. Bliss and Helga looked at Phoebe in surprise. The Asian looked at the both of them in dismay.

"No?" Helga asked.

Phoebe opened her mouth and started to say something but couldn't. Only incoherent sounds came out. She grunted, stood up and stalked out of the room.

Helga looked at her departure. "What?"

The older woman just patted one of Helga's hands. "She just needs to be alone. Phoebe had a very rough day."

"Oh."

"Mama?"

Helga opened one eye then the other. She just had to wish for visitors. It seemed to her that the visitor information was handing out numbers on who could visit her. Okay, next person is number 587. Number 587, you're up.

"What is it, Katey?"

Her daughter's eyebrows crinkled. "My aunties and uncles told me that you were sick. You don't look sick." She looked closer. "You look tired, Mama, not sick."

Helga chuckled. "Is that so, Dr. Katey?" Katey nodded. Helga sat up.

"Helga, no."

She turned her head and saw Arnold. "I'm fine, Arnoldo."

"Yet I still worry."

Helga laughed. "You're such a nag." She lifted Katey and placed her beside her. "So who did you terrorize while I was away?"

Katey then began to tell her mom what happened to her, punctuating some words with gestures and facial expressions. Like always, Helga watched her and felt some of the weariness vanish.

When Katey was done talking she faced Arnold. She was confused when she noticed that he was watching her intently. 'Okay, what did I do wrong?' Helga raised an eyebrow.

"You're different, Helga."

Panic. Her eyes widened as she tried to figure out what was new to her. Did somebody make a mistake and did some operation on her? Did something else happen to her while she was unconscious? What?

"You look refreshed."

"Refreshed?" She cocked her head. "I haven't taken a bath since yesterday and I know I have been poked and prodded since…" She took a brief glance at Katey. "Since my accident. I don't think I can be refreshed."

He shook his head. "Not physically. Emotionally."

"Oh." Helga stroked her daughter's hair. Katey was already channel surfing her TV. She looked back at Arnold. "I guess, it's because I realized something. It's kind of an epiphany."

"What is it?"

Helga shook her head. "Not now." She pushed a button to straighten her bed a little while holding Katey in one arm. "I had a busy day you know, football head."

"Of course. I'm sorry. Let's go, Katey." Arnold stepped forward.

Katey pouted but let her dad carry her down. "See you later, mama!"

Helga smiled and waved. 'Now how to bar my door?'

9: 12 pm

Arnold looked at his wife. She had a very peaceful look. Kind of like their first year of marriage when he woke up early just to watch her face. He knew he was privileged for that sight because no one, excepting her family and Katey, ever got to see this side of Helga; the side when all protective pretenses are dropped and she is at her most vulnerable.

Here she was right now at the hospital, defenseless. But this time she radiated calmness and strength. A vast difference since he first knew her. Before it seemed fitting since for the two of them were kind of like yin and yang. He was the cool one and she was the fiery one. But now… She changed.

"How deep do you know, Helga?"

'Do I really know my wife?'

'Of course I do.'

'I know her quirks and mannerisms. I know what makes her laugh, cry and ang—'

'No, I don't. I only truly knew her when she lived in Canada. Not before that. She was a mystery to me when we were young.'

He closed his eyes and bowed his head. He was doing it all wrong. He should have calmly asked her what was wrong. He knew that when his wife was confronted without a cool head she would fight back. It was a defense mechanism that she could never break through though it happened only rarely. She seemed happy and content. She was happy and content, if only for a little while.

Then why was she comfortable now? What happened?

Oh. He knew.

It must have been a burden to her to keep her affair a secret. Now that it was out in the open she can relax.

But what about Katey? How do you tell your own daughter that your mom has a boyfriend? It was bad enough telling her that they were separating. How…?

Arnold looked straight ahead. They will get through this. They will.

"And the best actor in the leading role goes to Arnold."

He looked at the sound of the voice and found a very wide awake Helga. She was smirking at him but despite her bedridden appearance she looked like an angel. "You're awake."

Helga chuckled. "Pretty obvious, don't you think?" She sat up a little as she pressed the button for the bed to bend at an angle. "What's wrong, Arnold?" She looked at the clock and her eyes widened. "It's 9:00 in the evening! You know you can't let Katey stay late."

"She's not here. Katey's with Tish."

She relaxed. "So, why aren't you in bed? You may not be four years old but you still need your rest."

He gave her a small smile. "You get hospitalized this one time and you become a doctor." Helga chuckled. Arnold continued. "I talked to the nurse and she let me stay here for as long as I want." He grinned at her. "Husband privileges." As soon as he said those words, he regretted them.

Helga winced. She quickly recovered and asked, "I know I'm not dying…" She looked at him for confirmation. Arnold nodded. "So you must want to talk to me. I—" She faltered. Helga began again but couldn't say it.

It still hurt Arnold. He already knew what she was saying but hearing it is kind of an avowal. "Tell me what you can," he said softly.

She looked at him. He noticed that her blue eyes were shimmering, not because of tears. It was because whatever she was going to say to him was very important to her. "My epiphany." Helga continued. "I realized while I was unconscious that I never loved you at all."

Arnold shot out of his chair and really looked at Helga. "WHAT?"

She reached out both hands to him as if to placate. "I love you as a best friend, you idiot. Those four years weren't spent on me hating you. Besides, you don't truly love me. Not enough as a wife, a lifelong partner, your soul mate."

'Is she on medication?' Arnold recalled his talk with the doctor. No, any effect the drugs would have already worn off. 'She couldn't have meant what she said.'

"Sit down. I'm about to tell you something long and…" Her unruffled look was replaced by a slight uneasiness. "Unusual. You might think it creepy but I was young back then and had troubles."

He pulled the seat back beside her. 'What is she saying?'

And then Helga began her tale.

The next chapter is the one I am having problems with. So I don't know when I would post it. I have already went through several drafts but none seems right. I apologize ahead for the delay.

Thanks for reading!