The next few days at the Pataki household were filled with an unspoken tension, or at least that's what Helga and Olga felt. Bob and Miriam seemed oblivious. That was probably because Bob had no doubts as to the rightness of his actions. Helga was to stay in her room and not come out until her suspension from school was lifted.

For a while, this became the accepted status quo, but the fault line erupted into an earthquake when Helga picked up the phone.

"Helga? How are you, is everything OK?" Phoebe's voice sounded through the receiver.

"Eh? I'm fine Pheebs. How's the tub of lard?"

"He came back yesterday, wearing a protective mask around his nose. He looks pretty stupid." Phoebe giggled.

"That's nothing new." Helga replied with a smirk.

Both girls laughed.

"Anyway Pheebs what's going on with..."

"Hey hey hey hey hey!" Big Bob growled and stomped over toward Helga. "I told you no phone calls and no visitors!" He grabbed the phone and slammed it down on the cradle. "Get back to your room missy!"

"But dad! Can you just let me ex..."

"I don't want to hear it little lady! Get back upstairs!"

Helga frowned and marched back upstairs with a growl.

Olga brought food up to Helga's room. She spotted her brooding on her bed.

"Why won't he just let me explain?!" Helga growled as Olga set down the tray for her.

"Daddy's stubborn. You know that baby sister." Olga sighed as she watched Helga eat.

Helga swallowed. "And of course Miriam couldn't care less. I haven't heard a single word from her on my behalf these past few days."

Olga put her head in her hands and sighed as Helga took a few more bites.

"Olga...why don't you do anything...?" Helga trailed, almost afraid to ask.

Olga perked her head up. "Huh? I have been protecting you Helga."

Helga sighed. There was still unsettled tension between her and Olga after all.

"I mean, why don't you explain to Bob what happened? He'll listen to you, won't he?"

"I very much doubt that, baby sister..." Olga trailed. "It really doesn't make sense to try."

"Ol...ga..." Helga growled, somewhat annoyed, which caused Olga to backtrack. She sighed. "How long are you going to be afraid of him?"

Olga put her head in her hands again, not saying anything for a while and just eying her and shrinking back. Helga knew that she touched on a sensitive subject for her sister. She was afraid to even answer. Helga sighed.

"I'm sorry, Olga."

"It's alright Helga." She reassured. "Everything will be OK, I just know it!"

Helga sighed again.

"I'll try to help you, any way I can Helga."

"That smells great Olga!" Bob complimented later that night. "What are we eating today?!"

"It's Indian food tonight daddy!" Olga answered.

"Smells spicy. It'll be great!"

"Daddy..."

"What is it Olga?"

"Well...I don't mean to intrude but, maybe Helga can sit with us tonight..."

"Huh? The girl?"

Olga meekly nodded. She looked over to see Miriam sitting down at the counter with a blank expression on her face, looking toward the two of them.

"Eh...alright Olga. If you want her down there."

"Helga! Dinner!" Olga called.

A few moments later, Helga made her way quietly down the stairs, pigtails flopping. She silently moved into the dining room, avoiding her father as best she could. Olga brought the food into the dining room and quietly, the Patakis began to eat.

Helga tried to make as small movements as she could. It was quite ironic to her that during a rare time she was noticed by her father, it was in a way she'd prefer to avoid. She even instinctively tried to minimize her chewing noises.

"Daddy, did you know that I might have a job at the Philharmonic waiting for me?" Olga smiled, trying to break the silence.

"Oh really honey?" Miriam finally asked in a reserved voice with a smile.

"What's this 'might' business?" Bob asked.

"Well I've been talking with them. They're looking for another pianist. And they were impressed with my abilities."

"Then what's the problem dear?" Miriam continued to smile.

"Well, I'm not quite sure of..." Olga sighed as she caught Helga's eye. Both knew why she wasn't sure.

"Not quite sure of what?" Bob asked.

"...I'm not quite sure if they've made a decision yet." Olga giggled lightly.

"Oh they will honey!" Miriam gushed.

"Yeah, that's my girl!" Bob grinned excitedly. "Why can't you be more like Olga?!" Bob asked to Helga, who froze, and then frowned.

"Maybe because I'm not Olga, and I don't want to be Olga!" Helga growled with a ferocity that surprised everyone, even Bob. Olga and Miriam gasped.

Olga's heart raced. She realized her diversion tactic had backfired.

"So you just want to go around costing me money and blabbing everything that goes on in this house to the thought police is that it?!" Bob growled.

"Oh B..." Miriam trailed, but said nothing more.

Helga snorted and looked away.

"Are you mocking me, missy?" Bob growled. "You cost me money and then you mock me? Well, Olga was wrong about letting you come down here. Get back up in your room!"

"Fine!" Helga growled as Olga and Miriam again gasped.

As Helga marched back towards the stairs, she exchanged a glance with Olga, who tried not to show any emotion towards her and play the part of the perfect daughter as usual. Well, Helga was getting sick of that charade, now that she knew it really was one.

She returned to her room and stayed there.

"Baby sister..." Olga trailed as Helga sat quietly on the couch the next morning. It was Saturday now. Bob was at work and Miriam was sleeping.

"I know you were trying to help, but even then all he does is compare me to you and then I get punished!"

Olga twiddled her fingers nervously.

"Why can't you actually defend me...?" Helga stopped. She saw Olga was beginning to cry, and the revelation that this was a very sensitive subject for her sister again dawned on her.

Olga could think of nothing to say, and hugged Helga instead. Helga silently returned the embrace, still confused, but happy at least for this. The hug was interrupted a few moments later by a slight tap on the window. Both girls turned to see a young man outside with a somewhat cocky smirk on his face.

"I'm glad to see the two of you are getting along better!" His somewhat taunting voice, though muffled, could still be heard through the window.

"LOUIS!" Both girls shouted at once and rushed to the door.

He laughed when Olga rushed into his arms and kissed him repeatedly, and Helga grabbed his leg with a smile.