(A/N: Here is the long awaited chapter 14! I ended up using a few idea's I had for later in the fanfic because... well I just felt like it. Hopefully this chapter doesn't seem rushed, as i wrote most of it in one day as to get a chapter out as soon as possible. Anyway, Enjoy and don't forget to write a review and let me know how I'm doing!)

Sunday. It was finally Sunday. Helga rolled around in the darkness of her room and contemplated the meaning of what that day meant. It meant a few things: The beginning of the week, The day before school started back up again, A day of relaxation, A day of worship- for some even if not for her, A day where many businesses are closed in order to spend some time with their family. Sunday was just one of those days that people looked forward to. Shutting her eyes tightly, the young girl meditated on all of those things as she felt the anger inside her starting to boil up. Sunday is the only day of the freaking week that I ever get some peace and quiet in this place…! She thought before her eyes burst open. Peering to the right of her, she looked down at the yellow light that had been emanating from the lit hallway next to her. It was so early and yet there was such a commotion going on that it had woke her up from her blissful slumber and threw her into a fit of agitation.

With her brain still full of the lingering dust of her dreams, she forced herself up and out of her warm bed, threw on whatever clothes her hands touched first and swung open her bedroom door. The noise only got louder and she continued towards it. What was the noise? It was voices, lots of voices. The Beeper Emporium sounded like if it was a middle school cafeteria with the random assortment of sounds that were jumbled together in one large inaudible mess. Unable to process any of the information being sent to her brain, Helga continued on her path until she reached the showroom.

Standing back with a bit of awe and confusion, she took in the sight before her. There in her family's "living room", which was once the main showcasing area for the store, was a crowd of people from all different ages, sexes and backgrounds. They darted back and forth, oohing and awing at all the different models on display while Bob bounced between the lots. It only took a moment for his eyes to fall on his sleepy daughter.

"Helga!" He yelled in a voice that the young girl hadn't heard in what seemed like ages. Breaking away from the cluster, he charged in her direction. His face mimicked that of the once happy man he used to be as he placed his large doughy hands on her shoulders. "Look at this place!" He spoke in admiration as he turned his head to look back at his customers. "You did it, girl!"

"I… did what?" Helga responded, looking at the same view he was and still trying to make heads or tails of it all.

"You and your little friend's plan worked!" He said, turning back to his dumbfounded daughter again. His eyes gleamed in the sort of way a pirate's would when stumbling on a large treasure. "Look at all these people!"

Finally grasping the sight and the man's words, Helga's eyes began to widen as she took it all in. "It worked?" She questioned to both herself and her father. She could see a few people beckoning her father over and she felt him pat her on the shoulder before removing his hands.

"I gotta get back to them but come out here and help me, will ya?" He asked before rushing back over to the needy customers.

Helga stood there and watched as her father became engrossed in his work. She had heard his request but found herself unable to move for a moment. Looking around, she noticed her mom was showing a few girls some of the newer styles that had come in shortly before they went out of business. Even Miriam is helping… She thought as she scratched her bed head into an even more unruly style.

Thinking back to the night before, Helga remembered editing the photos of the model and spending all night making sure everything looked flawless before sending them to Rhonda. Rhonda must have posted the pictures already… Criminy, that didn't take long. Her thoughts continued as she watched her father cash out a couple before shaking their hands and leading them out the door.

Everything was almost a little too much to take in and the blonde girl could feel her head spinning. It was as if opportunities were just opening doors around her left and right with the possibility of her family becoming normal again- at least back to whatever normal was for them. Feeling the lead in her legs begin to ease up, Helga walked towards the scene and did her best to become part of her family business.

Eight hours seemed to fly by as if it were only one, and Helga found herself sitting on the sofa as she watched her father count the registers till.

"Miriam, how many boxes do we still have left?" He asked, as he wrote down some numbers on a piece of receipt paper.

Wearily, the weathered woman stood up from her seat and began to look through the empty boxes of beepers now tossed around on the floor. One by one, she broke down each empty box and compiled them into a stack before heading to the full boxes left over. "About… four, I think." She responded as she struggled to pick one up to place it on top of another.

"Four, huh…" Bob thought out loud; biting the top of his pen with a look of distress.

"I think there are a few more of the older boxes down in the basement." Helga chimed in, knowing her words would only add to her father's concern.

"Yeah, I was afraid of that." Bob responded to his youngest before ripping up his paper and beginning his math again.

"Look on the bright side, B!" Miriam said from behind the stacked boxes, "We've sold more today than we have in the past 6 months."

Knowing his wife was right brought a little light into the man's reality, however it didn't change their current situation. In order for them to pull up from debt and break even in profit, they would need to sell their remaining boxes and even then some! Turning to Helga, Bob stiffened his stance. "Got anymore tricks up your sleeve, young lady?" He asked plainly; hiding the little hope he had left deep within.

Helga turned her head and raised her eyebrow. "Since when do you care about my ideas?" She asked, genuinely surprised to hear his words.

Her words stung him and the older man frowned. "Oh come on, Helga." He said as he made his way to her lax form on the sofa. "Give your old man a break, will ya? You're a Pataki! You got a good head on your shoulders, just like your sister Olga! Time to use your noggin."

The girl scoffed and rolled her eyes at his words. Was he trying to compliment her by comparing her to her sister? Or was he just trying to say that all Pataki's were smart including himself? Either way, it was nice to get a little recognition from the big blowhard. Helga could see the desperation in her father's face and gave a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately Bob, there are no more tricks up these sleeves." She explained, "And the idea that just got all those people practically eating out of your hands wasn't even mine at all, it was Arnold's."

The truth made the man's eyes go wide. "Alfred?" He repeated, "Your friend from school with the weird shaped head?"

Helga nodded and straightened her body. "That's right, Arnold. It was all his brilliant idea that he came up with for our school project and instead of just writing it down on paper, he made it a reality for us." She admitted with the love for the boy filling her heart. She knew her dad wasn't going to be pleased knowing that the idea wasn't all hers but she also didn't want to lie about it either. "So if there's anyone you want to talk to about ideas, it's him."

Bob stood up and crossed his arms. "Yeah you can just take that idea out to the backyard and shoot it." He said with a snort. "You won't find me going to some orphan kid and asking him for help."

"He's not an orphan, Bob. You've even met his parents... and you weren't complaining when he was wracking you in tons of money." Helga said ironically, causing her father to look at her with discouragement.

"Yeah well I also wasn't the one who asked him for help. We Pataki's can fend for ourselves just fine!" Bob explained, his voice increasing with his usual tone of authority.

Helga let out a loud laugh. "That's rich!" She said as she stood up and pointed her small index finger at the man. "We can fend for ourselves? Just what have you been doing about our problem since we got into this mess, huh?" She then pointed towards where the kitchen was in the distance. "Have you even seen our food supply?! I haven't had a decent meal here in weeks and we're fending for ourselves? What are we? A pack of wolves and your our leader?" She then let out another loud laugh. "It that was the case, you would have been kicked out of the pack ages ago! Oh wait-" But before she could continue her rant, the large man raised his hand in anger and caused her to stop.

"Don't you say another word, Missy!" He threatened.

"Or what?" She asked, completely unphased by his intimidation tactics. "You're completely blinded by your own arrogance, Bob and it's about time you wake up and smell the rot between your ears! I'm starving and the only reason we've made some money is because of help from someone else who actually cared about how I've been living!"

"Starving?! What do you mean? I've been giving your mother about 200 big ones for food every other week!" He said, turning to his wife who was casually walking towards the kitchen with an empty glass.

Helga waved her arms in the air. "Well that's a surprise because our food supply is practically nil. If you don't believe me, why not have a look for yourself."

Bob did as suggested and charged passed her and his wife and stopped in the kitchen. There, he opened up each cupboard as well as the refrigerator and freezer. "What the hell, Miriam?! Where is all the food?!"

"W-what are you talking about, B?" Miriam replied softly as she placed her hand on his back as soon as she reached him in an attempt to calm him down. "We've just eaten it all. Don't you remember? You wanted Chinese take-out the last few days."

"Or maybe Miriam has been spending it in other ways…" Helga stated as she pointed to the sink where a blender was waiting to be washed.

Completely ignoring Helga's statement, he turned to his wife. "You mean to tell me that a few days worth of Kung pow Chicken has us broke for the week in food? Just how high have they raised their prices?!"

Miriam shrugged and gave her husband a weak smile. "Relax honey!" She coaxed, "We're not broke for the week, remember? We just made a whole bunch of money!" She then ushered the large man out of the kitchen and into his beat up recliner. "Now why don't you just sit down and watch your shows, huh? You've worked hard for today and could use a break. Whatcha say?"

Helga watched as her mother successfully lulled the man's temper and avoided incrimination. Things will never change, will they? She thought as she crossed her arms and watched them from a distance. What's the use of arguing with Big Bob anyhow? In the end, I'll never be right in his eyes. Just when will he wake up and see just what's going on? She's using all of the little funds we get from the left over contracts on herself and satisfying him with cheap take out!

Depression began to fill her small body and Helga decided to escort herself out of the emporium for a little fresh air. It wasn't like her to just give up a fight, however a fight with her father was honestly more effort than it was worth sometimes. For a brief moment, Helga thought back to the moment right before Olga jumped back on a plane to Alaska:

"If anything goes wrong, baby sister, I don't want you to hesitate to contact me!" The older sibling said as she hugged the younger one tightly. She waited until her parents were at a far enough distance to continue, "I know just how stubborn and difficult daddy can be…" She said with a frown as she let go of Helga and placed both of her hands on the young girls cheeks; peering into her bright blue eyes. "But don't let him get to you! You're amazing, Helga and one day he'll see it!"

"Right," Helga scoffed back at the optimistic young adult. "And one day fish will swim out of my ears."

Olga looked at her younger sister with sadness in her eyes. "I mean it Helga…" She said sincerely. "What you did for your little friend back there was something not even I could do. I may have a lot of awards and metals to show for my success but…" Her voice trailed off as she remembered everything Helga had sacrificed in San Lorenzo. "But nothing I have done in my lifetime will amount to what you did for that boy and his family!"

Feeling her hard heart soften up at her sisters words, Helga avoided the older sister's gaze. "You're changing lives in your own way, Olga. Don't give me all this credit for no reason."

Chuckling at the young girl's modesty, Olga took her into her arms one last time before she had to leave. "Always remember, baby sister that only you can be you, and who you are is the most important thing in the world! Don't forget that ever ever ever! Okay?" She said, tears forming in her eyes. "And just know that if you ever need me, I'm just a letter away."

Helga had considered writing to Olga a few times since she had left but always tossed the idea out of her mind as her stubbornness rivaled that of her father's. Maybe I should write to her… It couldn't hurt, could it? I've written to her in the past. She thought as she looked around her surroundings. It was starting to get dark outside and Helga began to realize she had wasted her entire Sunday working for her father. The thought made the girl's brow wrinkle.

"Stupid Bob and his stupid Beepers ruining my perfectly good day off from school!" Helga yelled as she kicked an empty soda can across the parking lot. She thought back to Bob's attempt at a complement and it only fueled the fire burning inside her heart. "He was almost proud of me… until I told him the truth. So what if it was Arnold's idea that got a bunch of geeks and floosies to buy our crappy beepers? At least we sold some, that's all that should matter. Not like I need his stupid approval anyway…"

She could feel her heart sink lower and lower at the thought of her own words. She knew she didn't actually need his approval but the thought that he was actually about to offer it at the thought of it being all her idea to advertise beepers in such a way... It actually meant a lot. Her family needed a lot of help and it wasn't just financially either. Helga looked up at the parting clouds that slowly moved through the sky and thought of some of the wonderful things that Arnold had told her to cheer herself up. He believed in her abilities as well as Olga. Phoebe never once doubted her either so why was it so hard for her own father to believe in her? Her mother was of no help either, the way she currently was. It was so easy for her to just dodge the bullet that Helga had deliberately shot straight at her in hopes of her at least taking responsibility for her own actions. Why did Bob let her manipulate him like that? A man like him was not easily controlled, especially by some half attempted ploy such as the one Miriam pulled. Did he purposely let her do that or was he really that blind?

Taking in a deep breath, Helga let out a low growl before heading back on inside. It was time to get some answers to many of her age old questions. Knowing her command center was the safest place for her to be, as well as the quietest, she quickly headed on down there after grabbing a notebook and pen along the way. After entering the dusty electrical hub, she plopped the notebook down and stared at it. Am I really going to do this? She wondered. Knowing these actions were probably the best chance of helping her figuring out her family, she flipped the notebook open and began to write.

After a few painfully long hours of writing, scribbling things out and rewriting, Helga had finished her project: A letter to Olga. Satisfied with its contents, she ripped the papers out of the notebook and placed them neatly in a small envelope already addressed to her older sister.

"I'll just place these in a mailbox on the way to school." She said to herself before licking the adhesive and closing the letter shut. Wondering how long it would take for her sister to respond, or if she would even respond at all, Helga leaned back in her computer chair and relaxed herself. A moment later, her relaxation was interrupted by a small "Bleep" from her computer screen. With much interest, Helga leaned forward and used her mouse to click the notification on her desktop.

"I have an email?" She questioned out loud with a hint of skepticism. "Who in blazes would be emailing me, of all people?"

After her simple question, a answer awaited her immediately upon loading the application which held their school's student bulletin board. In front of her read a familiar name she hadn't suspected would ever email her again. "GoldenHero."

"Criminy…" She whispered out with a hint of irritation, "What could he want?"

Opening the email, Helga began to read its contents:

"To Helgoth
From: GoldenHero
Subject: If a silent soul could speak,

I hope this message meets you well, although I'm consumed with the gnawing intuition of naught. Still do I drift amongst the endless sea of my love for you, bobbing away at each time you are near. This will never change; I fear but fret not as I am content with my one-sided feelings. Your existence in this misguided and false world in which we live will always be the reason I can make it another day more. I'm sure you understand my sentiment even if those feelings are not for me, nor will they ever be even if I wish. You have finally obtained your one true love, how is that going? You'd expect watching your brief hinted shows of affection towards one another would pain me like many thorns through the heart, however it is untrue. All I wish for is your happiness and that is what I get to see whenever you're with him. Day after day, silently I am graced with your increasing happiness and for this I am blessed. Have you replaced the picture inside your locket with one untended to by myself? Undoubtedly you have noticed my stalking has become less and less. It is for your own benefit rather than mine own. After all that has been said and done, I feel now more than ever you need your privacy so until the day I feel I am needed again, I will conceal my presence. Do tell me of any request you wish of me, in the meantime as I would love nothing more than to aid you with anything I have. Remember that you are the oxygen I need to live. Anything you need, there I'll be.

Always and forever your love servant,

-GoldenHero"

Helga scratched her head violently for a second with a mix of feelings that overwhelmed her. It had been ages since he had shot her a message, so why now? Knowing the only way to get an answer to her questions, Helga slowly hesitated before pressing reply.

"To: GoldenHero
From: Helgoth
Subject: Re-If a silent soul could speak,

Thanks for the thought… I think? Why exactly are you telling me this? Are you saying you're happy that I'm finally together with Arnold and that's why you haven't been your usual heavy breathing annoying self around me? I appreciate the privacy you've been giving me lately but why do you think I need something from you? What's the purpose of this message?"

Sinking back into her seat, it only took a moment for another "bleep" to ping into her ears, notifying her of her recipients' quick response. With a little anxiety, she clicked on her new message.

"To: Helgoth
From: GoldenHero
Subject: The answer's to your questions,

Thank you for your patience and response. Indeed I am saying that I am stepping away from your spotlight in hopes of you achieving even further happiness without my shadow looming over you. My ever persistence in the past was due to hoping that if you ever needed me, I could assist in any way I could. I was fortunate to be of use once, and I'm requesting the opportunity to be of use once more. I know of your troubles at home. I know of the heavy heart you carry that is chained to the cell of your family. How may I be of service to you? As always, your secrets are safe with me."

"How… does he know about my family?" Helga gasped in shock. Looking around nervously as if to find a secret camera recording her life, Helga began to think about her own stalkerish habits when concerning Arnold and how much she knew about his life; it wasn't too far out into left field to think that Brainy had just as much info on her own. Swallowing the little saliva that dwelled within her now dry mouth, Helga clicked reply.

"To: GoldenHero
From: Helgoth
Subject: I want all the answers,

Alright bucko, if you want to help me then I'll let you. First of all, how much do you know about my life? Secondly, why now of all times are you asking me if I need your help? You've never asked before and frankly this is all pretty weird to me. Lastly, if you know oh so much about me then you'd know that I have trouble talking to pretty much ANYONE about this subject, why on earth do you think I'd confide in you?!"

Helga could feel her head begin to spin a little as the timing for all of this was just too perfect. It was as if Brainy could hear her thoughts, or if he had been watching her outside the emporium just a little while ago… but even then, she hadn't said much out loud so… how?

A few moments had past and she could hear her parents walking around above her head. She could hear them discussing dinner- or rather, the lack thereof, and what to do about it. Although the voices above her were just murmurs, she could make out a few words. Something about them "going to the store" and "the girl's right" along with "making it up". Helga could feel her pulse quickening with the hopes of her father actually listening to her for once and accompanying Miriam with grocery shopping to ensure there actually be food in the fridge for once. A late dinner was better than none, after all.

Feeling her stomach beginning to agree with her, Helga was then interrupted again with the familiar notification sound and a "new" symbol. Quickly, she clicked her new email.

"To: Helgoth
From: GoldenHero
Subject: As you wish,

The very fact that you're communicating with me in such a manner brings tears of joy to my eyes. Thank you for this. To answer your first question: Your life is more important to me then mine own, therefore everything that lives within that realm is important to me. I know as much as I can. How much is that? I can't say I know how to answer that. It is best to assume I know as much as you do. To answer your second question: You're right. I have never once asked in the past if you needed help and for that I am ashamed. As you know, I am cowardly even if I mean well. Please forgive my past transgression and let us move forward with a more tangible relationship. One that, even if the depth doesn't quell my hearts needs, will allow me to breathe freely knowing I was helping the one I love move forward. I apologize if you feel any negative from my outreach. Lastly, I am aware of your difficulty of opening up to anyone and aware that my attempts might be in vain, however this will not dissuade me from pursuing. I have been in love with you just as long as you've been in love with him. You know that your secrets have always been safe with me nor would I ever do anything to make you think less of me than you already probably do. If it helps, pretend I am not here, for I am not if you will it. I am but a speck of salt in the sea; a broken branch in the brush; a molecule in life itself."

Concentrating on his words, Helga breathed slowly in and out. It was almost unfathomable to think that someone could care for her in the way he did. Would Arnold one day feel the same as Brainy did for her? She could only dream but she knew, with time maybe her dream could come true. She had already gotten farther than she could ever imagine with him… so maybe. Brainy's last words did concern her, however. Why does he think I think so little of him? She wondered as she reread his words. Yes, she had decked him more times than she had ever even spoken to him. Yes, she completely ignored his existence for at least 90% of her life… but it wasn't exactly on purpose. Brainy was like he had explained himself: a spec on the wall; a bug on a branch; something that was just there with no actual attention needed. He just existed.

"To: GoldenHero
From: Helgoth
Subject: Fine…

I don't think THAT little of you, so don't think that. I'm sorry if anything I've done has ever made you feel that way. I admit I do know how you feel in that respect, though. I myself always feared that he thought low of me as well. If anyone knows that my actions don't always speak for me, it should be you. After all, you have been interrupting my most personal moments since we were in preschool…"

With a little moment of self contemplation, Helga took in a deep breath and continued on with her email to her silent classmate. Inside the email, she explained in full details the issues she had been facing with her family.

"Oh and one last thing…" She continued to write, "If you ever breathe a nasally breath of this to anyone, and I mean ANYONE! I don't care if it's your pet guinea pig, I will personally put an end to your life, do you understand me? … but feel free to tell me what you think, as well."

Nervously, the girl hit send and turned off the monitor to her computer. Of course she wanted to read whatever his thoughts were on the personal subject; however her nerves just wouldn't allow it at that time. She had already done enough gutsy things for today and could use some time to relax to herself. Looking over on her desk, she noticed her CD player was sitting there ready for her with her headphones already attached. Inside the machine was her favorite death metal band, The Dark Tormented, which she had listened to the night she had edited those pictures to give to Rhonda. Gingerly she applied the soft but slightly ripped pair of headphones to her ears and pressed play.

"Ahhh~ That's better…" she said to herself as she engulfed her whole being into the screaming words of some angsty teenage boy.

"Boop Beep" Went the sound of another computer in the distance. Sitting with a high amount of anticipation and inhaler in hand, Brainy took his boney arm to his mouse to click his new message. Breathing heavily, he read each word and clutched his heart. Before him was a well written, lengthy, novel type of message which oozed every bit of anger and passion that he had ever seen the light of his life emit. It almost seemed impossible, no maybe it was just unreal. He had noticed a change in the girl's personality ever since their adventures in the jungle, but this much growth in such a short period of time?

Feeling as though all the blood has rushed out of his body, Brainy quickly got out of his folding chair and to his bed where he collapsed. Taking a large inhale of his medicine, the boy let out a happy and longing sigh. She trusted him. It was almost too much for him to take!

Upon regaining his composure, the boy brought himself back to his glaring computer screen and reread her words. "but feel free to tell me what you think as well" were her last words. Nodding, Brainy brought all of the images she painted into his mind and began to draw conclusions. Her home life was no walk in the park, which he knew already but as he feared, things had gotten much worse. Even with the pick-up in sales, it seemed her father had learned nothing. Brainy shook his head in sadness and placed his fingers back on his keyboard. How to put his thoughts into words? This task was always the hardest to accomplish. Pouring words from the depth of his soul always seemed to flow like a raging river when it came to the topic of his idol; however this topic wasn't as easy or poetic. It dealt with the full frontal pain and suffering of someone he held so dear… What could he say? It wasn't fair that a brilliant being such as herself had to live this tragically. It was if her life was written by some playwright in the 1500s. Cast aside by her family, forever in the shadows of her older sibling who could do no wrong, forever her soul tortured by holding so deeply the one thing that made her life worth living… by one small act of innocent kindness…

Brainy could feel his windpipes begin to swell and he broke from his visions to shake his inhaler before puffing it again. Suddenly, as if the medicine supercharged his brain, Brainy got an idea. Quickly, he began to type:

"To: Helgoth
From: GoldenHero
Subject: Unorthodox question,

Is the computer you are speaking with me in that of your family's business? Please respond back at your earliest convenience.

As to your final request of me: I feel as though reaching out to your older sister in regards to your mother's health issue was a smart choice. As she is older than you, undoubtedly she has seen more than you have when it comes to the cause and possible aid to her recovery. As far as my thoughts go… It would seem that your mother's intolerable drinking habits stem from her feelings of worthlessness. Your father has a constant need to be an alpha male, therefore belittling the rest of your family, thus giving her a sense that her presence is unneeded. How I have come to such a conclusion is due to your few fond memories of her you have explained: Your road trip with her to see distant relatives and your father's injury which caused her to take hold of the business. In both instances, she was given the opportunity to be of use or become significant in your lives. My suggestion: Reach out to her in a tender, loving way that shows her you care about her feelings, rather than forcing her to confront the issue in an aggressive manner. As far as my thoughts on your father go… I agree with your assessment of him. It would seem that his superiority complex probably stems from his own upbringings. There is little you can do about this, however as it would seem trying to reason with the man could only do you harm. I couldn't dare bring myself to the thought of him hurting you further, my dearest. Do be careful in whatever path you take. You are only one person, after all. As magnificent as you are Helga, you simply cannot take on the whole world… at least not by yourself.
Remember, if there is anything I can do to help you, I am only but an email away… unless you decide to request of me in person, of course.
Lastly, I believe it would do YOU a great of good to let your beloved see your demons as well. I am fortunate enough to be able to look into your window, even if I'm the least deserving, but only he can quell your aching heart. Reach out to him and find the well of happiness you deserve."

The stand up fan in Brainy's room rotated around and let a soft breeze surround him, tussling the little spikes of hair on his head and giving him the sudden realization of a cold strand down his cheek. Bringing up a hand, he touched it. Her story had moved him more than he thought. Giving a small meek smile, the boy wiped the second tear that was about to emerge from his eye and hit "send". The feeling was liberating to be able to help Helga in such a way, even if it meant never being able to hold her himself.

The rest of the night for Helga resumed being pretty alright, as her father had ordered the family pizza as a somewhat faux apology to his daughter for his earlier outburst. Not much was said around the pizza box as the fragmented family ate in silence; aside from the babbling voice coming from the television nearby.

Not eating much of the feast herself, Miriam look back and forth between the two other easily hostile members and thought of something to break the ice.

"S-so Helga… What's it like for you in 5th grade?" She asked with an awkward smile.

"You're about 13 months too late for that question, Miriam" Helga responded without looking up at her mother and reaching for the pizza box. "Pass the pizza."

Bob let out a grunt and slid the box over with his meaty hand, his eyes still fixated on the television in front of him. "What do you mean 'too late'? You're only 10 Olga."

Helga rolled her eyes at his false statement as well as the misuse of a name and simply reached into the box and pulled out the last remaining slice. "I'm 12, Bob and my name is Helga. You said my name right earlier today, I guess it was asking too much for you to get it right twice in the same day, huh?"

"Yeah, Yeah whatever." The grumpy man replied, still fixated on his animated screen.

Rushing to make up for the mistake, Miriam cleared her throat and continued to look at her daughter. "So… You're in 6th grade then… right?" She asked hopefully. "Time sure does fly…"

"Of course it does when you're not paying attention to it." The girl scoffed back before repositioning her legs for a more comfortable sitting experience.

Miriam could feel herself becoming uneasy and frowned. Thinking back to the goal of a pleasant topic, she thought back to an earlier time. "I remember when your sister turned 12. Boy that was a big time for her…" She smiled and turned to her husband, "Right, B?"

Unfortunately the recipient of her question was too engrossed in his television program to hear her question and began to laugh loud at a bunch of men falling off a wagon and into a puddle of mud. "Criminy! These guys just never learn!" He spoke to himself between chuckles.

Turning back to her daughter who looked just as uninterested in their conversation as her father, Miriam chose to not give up hope and continue the topic. "Don't you wanna know what happened, Helga?" She asked innocently.

Giving a loud groan of annoyance, Helga turned her head to the aging woman. "To be perfectly honest, no I don't but if it will make you happy… Go ahead." Her response mimicked the look on her face.

The fight to keep a simple conversation going was beginning to tire out the woman, as she sighed but continued on with her endeavor. "Okay… Well your sister always had boys flocking to her, even when she was younger but when she was 12 she finally decided on her first boyfriend. I think his name was… James? No, maybe Joe?" Miriam explained, now questioning her own memory. "Oh well, It doesn't matter I guess. Anyway I remember when she went out on her first little date! Oh it was just the cutest little thing!" As she continued to think back to simpler times in their family's life, Miriam's eyes began to light up as well as the weight on her chest lift a little. "She wanted to look perfect so we went out and got her a little blue dress and barrettes to put in her hair. They were so cute."

"Riveting…" Helga replied, completely uninterested in her mother's story.

Noticing that she was losing her audience, Miriam thought back to something else that might interest the young girl. "I-interesting things happened to me too, when I was your age." She blurted out, hoping to at least get a look from her daughter.

"Oh ya?" Helga asked, still focused more on what little she could see of the T.V her father was looking at.

"Yeah!" Miriam replied, with a hint of enthusiasm. "Actually, I think I might have been 11 but I believe that was the year I blossomed into womanhood. That's pretty important, right?"

Bob had heard the last bit of the woman's sentence and gave her a side eye. "You better not be talking about what I think you are…" He said in a warning voice. "And if you are, you better take that sort of talk away from me."

Miriam frowned and looked up at her husband. "Oh come on, B. It's a normal thing for girls to talk about…" She pleaded, not wanting to separate their little gathering just because of his childishness.

"Key word here is girls." Bob explained in annoyance as he turned up his television, giving more of a hint that he wanted to not be a part of their talk.

Raising an eyebrow to her father's attitude, Helga was starting to become interested and Miriam had caught on. "Come on, honey. How about we go to your room, huh?" The woman asked with warmth before struggling to get up. Once she made it on her own two thin legs, she reached her hand out to her youngest daughter.

Taking it with interest, Helga rose to her feet and followed her mother into her closet of a bedroom. After Miriam had closed the door, Helga found it more comfortable to sit on her bed and waited for the older woman to join her. Once they were both seated, Miriam brought forth a delightful motherly face and continued her topic. First, she explained her first encounter with the natural occurrence in womanhood, along with all of the mishaps that joined. Next, once Helga had had a few laughs at the woman's misfortune, they continued with some of the situations that Olga had to face as well, knowing it would only bring further smiles to her young child's face.

"Wow, I can't believe that actually happened!" Helga shouted through her laughs. "And in the middle of school? The poor soul probably didn't come out of her bedroom for weeks!"

"Yes," Miriam smiled back, even though it pained her to think of her eldest daughters own sufferings, "It did devastate her quite a bit..." A thought then popped into her head, which she mulled over for a few seconds before deciding it was okay. "You… haven't gotten it yet, have you… Helga?" The woman asked meekly.

Silence filled the room and Helga raised her eyebrow. "No. Why, should I have?"

"No, no!" She spoke in a rushed tone before placing her hands gently on Helga's. "Every woman gets it at a different time… some younger than you, some older. In fact, I don't think my mother got it until she was about 15 years old." She explained, hoping to ease the girl's worries and not add to her insecurities. Seeing that Helga's expression toned itself down a little, Miriam felt successful. "You'll get it when you're ready."

"How do you know when you're ready, though? Are their signs or symptoms?" The young woman asked with a mix of genuine interest and foreboding.

Miriam frowned and hummed as she pondered the question a moment. "That's… another thing that varies from woman to woman, honey. Some show signs beforehand… and some, like your sister, it just happens suddenly when you'd least expect it."

Their talk had given Helga a lot to think about and soon it was time for her to wash up in the little utility shower that they had, and get into bed. Tomorrow was a school day and no one knew what awaited them in the morning…