Disclaimer: Craig Bartlett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.


16. The Miriam's big breakdown

– Drymon Medical Clinic – Emergency area

The emergency area was full on Saturday night. Helga was sitting in a chair, a lot of people walked around her, talking, others one screaming, but she couldn't listen to anybody, her mind was lost in her own thoughts.

- I should have known that something was happening… What is different now? Why does everything get worse and worse? What can I do? Is this the price that I have to pay for Arnold's love?

- Helga, sweetie, are you ok?

- Huh? I mean… yeah Stella, thank you, you know, for spending your Saturday night here with me, at the Hospital.

- Don't worry, I told you since we had met each other, Miles and I will be here for you! You're like the daughter that we couldn't have, and you are part of us now.

- Thank you… I don't know what to say.

- You don't have to say anything, it's ok. Is not your fault, that kind of thing happens sometimes .

- Not in my family, this is routine.

- What?

- Yep, it is not the first and I swear, the last time. Well, this is the first time with a victim.

- The Doctor Smith said that the man is ok and he doesn't want to press charges.

- Whatever, the police will investigate, like always.

- Maybe… where are your dad and sister?
- In California, in a stupid audition for Olga.

- If you wanna, I can explain the situation to them.

- Thank you, but it isn't necessary.

- Don't worry, I'll come back soon. - The woman got up from her chair, leaving her coffee there, dialed the number on her cell phone and walked a few steps away from the girl.

- And this is my life! - She said with sarcasm, flopping into the chair, sometimes it was too tiring for her to be the responsible adult, but she knew it had to be.


– Drymon Medical Clinic – Room 53

The patient was in her bed, her head felt like it would explode. Her arm was completely bandaged, connecting it with the serum.

- The patient is stable, and the results show a big quantity of alcohol in her system. - A female voice said to a doctor.

- Ok, please give the results to the Police Officer and give her more medicine.

- Yes doctor.

Miriam felt the liquid entering by her veins, she closed her eyes slowly, trying to find a better place in her mind.

– Viksten Village – 40 years ago

The sunshines was entering through the big window, the pink curtains were moving because of the light summer breeze. All the fancy dolls were sitting in the bed, paying attention to the little blonde girl.

- So Geraldine, your answer it's correct! You can sit down. - She helped "her student" to sit down. - Who 's next?

- Miry, are you here honey?

- Hi mommy! I'm here, but now I'm not Miry, I'm Miss Viksten.

- Oh sure princess, I'm sorry, but your dad it's almost here…

- Daddy? Yeah! I miss him so much! Ok girls, class ended. - The girl adjusted her pink bow and went downstairs carefully, while her mother looked at her sweetly. When her parents' servants saw her, they greeted her with joy, the little girl was loved by all the employees, her pure heart had won them over from a very young age.

- Hey Miry, are you waiting for someone special?

- Yes Chef Tulio! My daddy is finally coming!

- Awesome my little lady, it's gonna be a pleasure see to Mr Viksten after of two weeks.

- Miry! Miriam! Where's my princess? - Her lovely daddy finally was at home.

- Dad! Are you here! I miss you so much! - The little girl ran to his arms.

- My princess, I'm here, dad it's with you now… and… I've got a present for you!

- A present? But it is not my birthday.

- Yes, but your mom told me about your notes and you were the best student of the class! Congratulations my love!

- A gold locket! Like my old cousin and my mom! Thank you!

- You welcome dear, if you open it, you can find a photo of us, with mommy.

- Thank you, I'll take care of it! I promise you!

– Drymon Medical Clinic – Room 53-Present

- Mrs Pataki? Mrs Pataki? Are you ok? - A warm and distant voice, getting closer and closer, snapped her out of her trance.

- What? Yes… I'm ok…

- Perfect, If you need something…

- Wait.. I know you, right?

- Yes, I'm Suzie, we met each other on a beach trip and we took some dance classes.

- Oh yes… I remember you. How have you been?

- Actually better. I'm single now and… I'm studying nursing.

- Awesome… I'm happy for you… I… I haven't nothing good to talk about.

- Oh Mrs Pataki, don't worry, and you have, your family, for example… - A call interrupted her talk. - I'm sorry, my doctor called me, but I'll come back soon.

- Yes, don't worry, I'll be here… waiting. - She smiled.

- Yes, I'll come back. - She returned her gesture and closed the door.

- My family… of course…

– Low rent district – 22 years ago

Miriam was cooking some vegetables, the last ones on the fridge, while her little baby started crying.

- I'm coming baby! Mom is coming. - She took her in her arms and gave her bottle.

- Miriam! I'm at home!

- Bob! Tell me the news!

- I talked with the bank, and they said yes!

- Awesome Bob! With credit we will buy a house! Finally!

- Actually… I bought another thing…

- Did you… what?

- I bought an amazing local! For my business.

- But B, we talked about it and…

- I know what I said Miriam, but we need more money, it's investment. Now that you won't work, we need another better source of income.

- What? But my maternity license will end in two months and Nancy told me that…

- Miriam, think of Olga, she needs you, we can't pay for a kindergarten.

- I know… but…

- Don't worry… I will have a lot of success, we'll give a lesson to your mom!

- And B…where is my locket?

- Sorry… we needed some groceries.

– Pataki's house - 12 years ago –

- I told you Miriam! My answer is no!

- Please Bob, don't be stubborn.

- Am I stubborn? Who is the one that continues the talk!

- I know that If you let me work, I'll help you to get out of your financial crisis and…

- Ok Miriam Viksten, hear me, and pretty well! - He took her wrist strongly. - I demonstrated to your stupid parents and you, that with a very hard work I started my own business, a successful one! I don't need a woman, especially you, to show me how things do. You have a role, you are the housewife, just do it and leave me alone! - He closed the door and the sad woman couldn't fight more with her tears, she started crying, her legs abandoned her and she fell to the ground, she felt humiliated, alone, lost, and for the first time no longer confused.

- I must do this for my little girl, she and I deserve better... I will. - She got up determined and wiped her tears with force. He went up the stairs and began to pack his bags. She took her few dresses, sighing with annoyance, remembering that in her parents' house, an entire room was her closet.

She went to her bathroom to clean her face, that face that had been feeling humiliated for months, the same one that had been applauded by her youthful friends, a lady full of virtues and affection, with a brilliant future and a world to travel, reduced to a single housewife, useless, less pressured, without friends, or family... Just a little girl in her care who, if she doesn't change things, could end up worse.

She knew that her husband loved her, despite the difficulties they had always had, but his complexes, his frustrations, his ambition, brought out the worst in him.

She was a witness to how much he had fought for his company, from below, until today she recognized his success, but that success turned into trips around the country, weeks without seeing each other, wholesale arguments, debts from excessive spending.

- I can't anymore, I'm not willing to tolerate it anymore.

– Drymon Medical Clinic – Room 53-Present

- Why?... Why didn't I leave when I had the choice…? - She said to herself.

- Miriam? Are you awake?

- Helga? Are you here? - She saw her youngest daughter at the door.

- Yeah, someone had to.

- Thanks young lady, and don't worry, I'm ok.

- Sorry, Can I come in? - Stella entered.

- Yes.. and you are?

- I'm Stella Shortman, I'm Arnold's mom.

- Arnold?

- It's my classmate Miriam, since kindergarten.

- Oh the blond one… right?

- Yep. She 's his mom. She helped me last night.

- Thank you so much Mrs Shortman.

- Don't worry Mrs Pataki. Are you ok?

- Well… to be honest… I feel a little dizzy, like I…

- Like you had drunk a liter of vodka? Maybe you did it.

- Helga! - Stella was surprised, the patient felt a dagger in her chest.

- Yes sorry, we don't have money!

- Are you still angry with me, right?

- Don't bother Miriam, I know that this is my life and always will be like this.

- Helga, I think that it's better than you and me going to have some breakfast at the cafeteria, ok?

- Thank you Stella, finally someones care about me. - She got up from her chair and closed the door without even saying goodbye.

- I'm sorry, maybe she's just nervous, I...

- Don't worry Mrs Shortman, I know my daughter, she was worried and angry, I understand.

- Don't worry, maybe she'll get better after eating, we'll be back in a bit.

As her visitor left the room, Miriam sighed in exhaustion and closed her eyes.

– Pataki's house - 12 years ago –

- So mommy? We are traveling for vacations?

- Not really Olga, maybe you and I will move to my mom's house. It's so beautiful and bigger than here.

- But what about my dad? Will he be alone?

- Not really, he will come and visit you whenever he wants to.

- Ok mom, if you say it, I'll pack.

- Thank you my dear and. - The ringing of the telephone interrupted their chat. - I'll come back soon. - She went downstairs and took the phone. - Hello? Oh yes, I'm Miriam Pataki, tell me… yes… what? Are you sure?... ok… thank you. - She ended the call, she felt her world collapse again and mocked her. - I'm pregnant… oh no…


– Drymon Medical Clinic – Cafeteria -Present

- A non-caffeine coffee, 2 omelets and a glass of milk, please. Thank you. - She waited in the line, and her cellphone rang. - Hello?

- Hi honey! How is everything?

- Very complicated dear, I'm afraid. It was so difficult for her. She never slept, she was so immersed in herself, in her anxiety. - The worried woman saw with dissimulation at the young girl sitting at the table, waiting for her.

- I can imagine it, it's like Arnold told us.

- No Miles, it's worse. It's like she was her mom's mom. Like an adult, dealing with everything alone, carrying all the responsibility. But, she was not the only one who suffered.

- What do you mean?

- Mrs Pataki, she looked terrible, and it's not only for being at Hospital, it's deeper than that, I can't explain to you, like her body wasn't the problem, if not it was her mind.

- Your food it's ready.

- Miles, I will call you later, bye honey, kisses to Arnold. - The doctor took her tray and sat next to the girl. - Here is your breakfast.

- Thank you… Stella?

- Yes honey?

- I'm so sorry.

- About what?

- For all that stuff, to spend all your night here, you deserve to spend time with your family, no with strangers that don't deserve you.

- Helga, I told you before, you and I are friends, like family, you helped my son for years and also, I love you, you're awesome! And about your mom…

- Huh, Miriam?

- Yes, she… I know that she never was the mom that you deserves, but sometimes, the moms make mistakes, and we hurt our babies, but it's never intentional, sometimes the damage it's there and… we don't know how to repair it. Sometimes, I torture my self thinking on my son… growing up alone, sick without his mom, his first day at school, his birthdays, you know what I mean. I don't know your mom, but if she 's your relative, a lot of kindness and good intentions are inside her heart, just give her some help to share it with you.

- I did in the past. But I understood that she will never change. She is not interested in it. You couldn't stay with Arnold because you were sick, but my mom was awake, but preferred and decided not to be.

- Oh Helga…

- Don't worry, thank you, you helped me do much! I never was with someone that really helped me in a situation like this, thank you and… Arnold is so lucky to be your son. - They shared a big hug, while the young thought that in her next session with Dr Bliss will have so much to talk about.


– Drymon Medical Clinic – Room 53

- And finally your breakfast is here! Bon appétit!

- Thank you Suzie.

- Your welcome Mrs Pataki.

- Oh please, just Miriam.

- Ok, You are the boss. You look so much better now! But I know what thing can help us!

- Help us? To what?

- To make you feel better, Suzie's special treatment. - She opened her bag and showed her some make up.

- Make up? For an old woman like me?

- Oh Please Miriam, you're young and beautiful, in a few minutes I'll demonstrate to you. Close your eyes.

Miriam closed her eyes, obeying his nurse practitioner. Little by little he began to relax as she did her thing.

- So, are you single now?

- Yes, I divorced last year, he lost me in a card game, on my birthday! which by the way he forgot. It was the straw that broke the camel's back. I wanted to go with my mother, but since I went with Oskar, well, she cut ties with me.

- Wow, I understand you.

- So I resumed my studies and here I am, making up my star patient.

- Was it difficult to do? I mean, get divorced.

- Well, it wasn't exactly a flower garden, but once I managed to leave it behind, everything improved for me. You know? It's not bad to think a little about yourself, sometimes that's the best way to help others.

-How? - He said with a thread of sadness.

- Open your eyes.

Miriam was perplexed to see a blush on her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes that she thought had faded.

- Well, bringing out your inner shine. See?

Miriam stared at herself in the mirror, for the first time in years, she was determined to change her situation.

THE END


Well you have read my favorite chapter until now, was so different to write, comparing with the previous ones, but I wanted to show how Miriam got to that point, a chapter with vibes of The Patakis... well, let me know what do you think! See you very soon!