Disclaimer: Craig Bartlett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.
28. My sweet XII
– Hillwood's Police station —
The Shortmans and Helga were waiting for Phil, finally they had enough money to pay his bail. The old man smiled totally happily, at last he was free.
- Dad! I'm so glad that you return with us! I missed you so much!
- Oh yes, and that's why you left me here for 10 days! Huh?
- Sorry dad. - Stella added, while Miles was rubbing his arm, after the slight push that his father gave him. - But it was a little hard for us to got some money.
- It's ok darling, you know that you always do your best.
- But dad, I...
- Anyway, does anyone know anything about Pookie?
- No grandpa, she is still missing.
- One less problem. Come on and let me taste this wonderful jacuzzi of Arnold's rich second girlfriend. I'm tired.
- Hey old man! What do you mean about "second girlfriend"?
Helga frowned and looked at him with annoyance.
- Oh relax, little lady, you know you're my favorite, even if you don't have a penny anymore.
- Grandpa! You are finally free!
- Oskar! - All those present shouted in surprise. Besides Grandma, after they lost the house, Oskar had disappeared, until, well, that day.
- Oh no... I warn you, parasite, if you want to live, stay away.
- I just wanted... to apologize... and give you the money that Mr. Kafka gave me for your things.
- Well useless, give it to me and go. - The older Shortman extended his hand hoping to receive the mutiny, but to his surprise, it was still empty. - And my money?
- Well, I wanted to give it to you, but I thought I had to make up for what I did to you...
- Mr. Kokoshka, please tell me you didn't bet it.
- To be honest, yes... and I... lost it...
- You're a dead man! - The old man launched himself against the foreigner and when he was about to hit him, an officer took him by the arms.
- I'm sorry Mr. Shortman, but you were warned, no more violence. Back to his cell. - The stocky officer dragged him with him.
- No, not again! I want my jacuzzi! - His screams were heard moving away slowly.
- Dad, we have to pay again, I think there is still money.
- Wait football head, let's leave it for a while... I think he needs a little more time to not think so much about money. - The blonde smiled slyly while her boyfriend smiled.
– Hillwood's street –
A quiet street witnessed the young couple, holding hands and enjoying their secret time together, laughing at the latest events in their lives. Even though they had been dating for 6 months, the girl with the pink bow sometimes felt like she would wake up from that beautiful dream.
- Well Arnoldo, this is the last line. I've to go to "my house".
- Yes I know but it's so unfair, we barely had some time to talk...
- Yep, but you have to come back to Rhonda's department, lately she is always there and can see me and suspect, which by the way... is starting to annoy me.
- Helga G. Pataki, are you a jealous girl?
- Oh yes football head, totally, and very dangerous by the way. It is absolutely not in your best interest for you and your little friend to bother the beast.
- More than beast, you are like a little lioness, I prefer to see you like this.
- Oh shut up Arnoldo! You know I don't like to blush. - Her red cheeks emphasized her point.
- I'm sorry, but it's true... so... are you really leaving now?
- Oh yes, if not Bob becomes unbearable.
- It 's just... I'm going to miss you a lot...
- Oh yeah?... I know! Close your eyes, I'll give you something to remember me by.
The boy's heart skipped a beat and he closed his eyes immediately, lifting his lips, waiting for his girl. A few seconds passed and nothing... until a voice brought him back to reality.
- Well, well gentleman, I think that your lips can fall if you keep them that way for a longer time.
He widened his green eyes, ready to die of shame.
- Yes... Mrs. Viksten! Hello... - Was what the blonde managed to say in front of his girlfriend's grandmother, who laughed cruelly at him.
- Relax boy, I was also young and I'm afraid to tell you that they deceived you.
- Yes, that seems... Are you going to the Patakis? - He tried to change the subject. How he hated that Helga always knew how to make him look bad!
- I'm afraid so, but whatever it takes to see my granddaughter, you know, I have a lot of work to do with her.
- Job? oh... yes I imagine. See you later, I have to go home.
- A pleasure, young gentleman!
The lady went back on her way and went to her son-in-law's place. Arnold looked at her from a distance, wondering if she would succeed in her mission.
— Big Bob's Beepers–
Helga's dreamy and playful smile had not yet faded from her face, when her father appeared in front of her.
- Where were you? I need help. Olga is not here, Miriam is missing and I need help.
- Relax Bob, first, Olga is in a teachers course in Boston, so you won't see her for a while.
- Damn, I wanted her food.
- And Miriam is at work.
- Miriam working? Since when? where?
- In the hospital, since December.
- What a waste of time! She should stop being a janitor and work like me.
- And then she will really waste time. - The girl took a bowl of cereal and for the first time, she found some milk in the fridge.
- What did you say young lady?
- Nothing father.
- I'm here... I bring good news...
- Until you show up here Miriam! Where the hell were you?
- That's what I came to tell you... I finished paying my debt to society in the hospital!
- Cool mom.
- Excellent Miriam, then you can come and help here.
- Actually, not Bob. - She walked to the table and sat next to her daughter, putting her bag on her lap. Her husband turned annoyed at her words.
- What do you mean with "no"?
- It really is good news... I was hired at the hospital as a receptionist!
- Great mom! Finally another real job around here.
- I know, little girl, and the best thing is that the pay is good... I could... we could rent something...
- And spend the money on rent? Never!
- B, it's time for the girls to have a house to live in and a bed to rest in. I want my furniture, my kitchen... don't you?
- Of course yes, but with your employment record you won't be able to keep the rent and we will have to spend money on a move later. In addition, what is going to come in, we can use it to invest in new models of locators or advertising and...
- Forget it Bob, my money is not going to be invested in your business.
Helga and Bob were stunned by Miriam's determined response. Her daughter had never seen her contradict her father. She even dropped the spoon in surprise.
- What did you say, Miriam?
- What you heard, I will not invest my salary in your business.
- Now it's MY business? Now that it has problems, but when it fed you and your daughters...
- It was still YOUR business Bob... and it's OUR daughters, not just mine.
- Well, I never saw you do anything for them.
- And you're right, that was the first of many of my mistakes, but not anymore, many things are going to change around here.
- I don't know who is filling your head with nonsense, Miriam, but I won't allow it... I'm the father of the family!
- If you are the father of the family, then start changing everything that is wrong around here... allow yourself to have help.
- I don't need your help Miriam, what can you help me with?
- At least I'm trying, at least I'm aware of my mistakes, but you... you're still submerged in them and in your ego.
Miriam got up and went to the back of the store.
- Hey Miriam, come back here! I haven't given you permission for anything yet!
Bob walked away claiming things while the girl sighed annoyed.
- Another birthday that went down the toilet...
Not that she really expected anything, not even the fact that her parents would remember, but this discussion was the cherry on top of this year.
...
Helga closed her blue eyes and remembered the first birthday party in her life. Was Arnold's party at Urban Tots. Phil and Gertie decided to celebrate his party in his classroom with all his friends. He received a lot of presents and ate delicious food and candies.
But the thing that most surprised the girl, was when everyone sang Happy B-day song, his grandparents held him in their arms and said to him.
- Happy birthday Shortman! We love you so much!
- Yeah Kimba! we're so lucky to have you in our lives! Now children, everyone to the tree. It 's time to play!
- You're lucky because you are like me and not like that crazy old goat.
The then four-year-old girl looked captivated at the love that the elderly had for Arnold and wondered then, if she had grandparents, what would they be like? Would they be so cool?
Then, the Shortmans lined them up for a photograph, which had become their greatest treasure over time.
Another birthday experience was Phoebe's birthday. The Heyerdahl had their own traditions and Helga always formed part of it. The celebration started with a slumber party and some pizza. In the morning, Mrs Heyerdahl prepares Phoebe's favorite cake, the exotic Matcha Mille Crepe Cake.
The first time Helga saw it, she thought it was made of frogs, but once she tasted some of the cake, she realized her friend's good taste.
Going back in time, her own only party she could remember was when she turned six, they were going on a trip, Bob got sick and Miriam lost them while driving, spending the rest of the day on a road, which, until now, she has not been able to locate.
- I just want to be away from here. - The young woman sighed tiredly.
- Is there any intelligent life in this dump?
- Grandma!
Helga ran, spilling the bowl that she had been holding in her hands seconds ago and surrounded her grandmother's waist. Unintentionally, tears rolled down her cheek.
- I wanted to see you so much...
- Helga, honey, is everything alright?
- Yes, yes... I'm sorry... I'm a little emotional.
- Don't worry, whatever it is... Gerry is here for you.
- Thank you, I... I missed you a lot. What are you doing here?
- I came to celebrate the most important day of the year?
- The most important?... wait, you...
- Do you think I wouldn't remember my favorite girl's birthday? Come on, I'll take you to a whole day you won't forget...
- Mother? Hello...
- Oh, hello Miriam. - Her expression immediately clouded over. - I've come to take Helga, I'll return her in two days.
- Take her? But...
- Please Miriam, you don't want me here and someone wants to free me for two days, cooperate!
- I... okay, I'll take care of Bob... be careful daughter.
- Finally something good! Let's go grandma! Did you bring the limo?
- And it's waiting for you, come on!
Miriam saw sadly how her daughter went smiling, taking the hand of her mother. In these seconds, she noticed how grown up Helga was, each day that happened, she looked more and more like a young lady. Her little girl was no longer here. Her new cell phone rang, revealing Dan's name on the screen. - Wow, how does he always know when I need him.? - Said in her mind.
- Hello Dan? Yes, everything's fine... no, I couldn't give her my present yet... she'll be out... No, no, I'm fine, the important thing is that she's ok... hey... have you had dinner yet? I have some time and... see you there in ten minutes.
— Viksten's limo -
And the large limo was there again, just for her. Helga felt like a princess. She would never say it in high, but she loves the details that Gerry put in each visit, for example, the new tv and fridge are color pink, her favorite color and the milkshake machine has her favorite flavors.
- Thanks for coming... I was calling you so much, I need your help with a very important job.
- What's happened? Is it about the Young Shortman? I saw you two in that street... eh...
- Well, it is not about him, but is about his grandpa.
- About the old Phil Shortman?
- Yep, a guy called Timothy Kafka stole Sunset Arms. He claims to be her half brother, but I don't believe anything in him. Started some research, but so far nothing.
- Oh don't worry, for an ex- war nurse it's just a piece of cake. I've some... contacts, so don't worry.
- Thank you Gerry... this is very important to me...
- I know honey, but don't worry... now... it's your time!
- My time? for what?
The blonde took a sip of her chocolate milkshake, when the door opened, revealing a luxurious vacation complex with the sign: "Happy Birthday Helga!" at the entrance. The girl only managed to almost choke on her drink.
- Happy birthday Helga! - Arnold, his family, Phoebe and Gerald appeared with an enormous cake behind them.
- What it's all that?
- It's my little surprise... and my way to apologize... darling, I pushed you aside, I didn't even give myself the chance to meet you and, what's worse, I left you alone with those jerks, but, the worst part was for me, I Iost the opportunity to see you growing up, to enjoy trips, your graduations, talking about old stories and...
- Grandma... please, don't worry... You're here now, and that's important... I haven't celebrated my birthday for so long and now... Criminy! I just met you for a few months and you remember my b-day and...
- Helga, I know that you hate cheesy things, but today... I just want to say thank you, you're my sis, you always listen to me and protect me... and when my mom leaves us...
- Pheebs... you don't have to...
- I've to, you make me feel fine again... thank you...
- Oh Phoebe! I hate crying!
Both girls hugged each other and began to cry and laugh at their mutual reaction.
- Congratulations friend.
- Thank you!
- Hey girl! Happy Birthday. - Gerald put his hand on her shoulder. - For years I thought you were unpleasant and annoying, but now I know that you really are... - Those present laughed along with him. - But I've also had the opportunity to see that Arnold and Phoebe were right and you're great.
- Thank you brush head! you're not that bad either.
- Miles and I always wanted a girl, to pamper her and help us with Arnold. - Stella hugged her.
- It wasn't the kind of company we expected, but you are special, and you know that without your help we wouldn't even be here. We love you little one.
- Even more than Arnold sometimes...
- Grandpa!
- Well, it's time for the party to begin, there have already been many tears, let's go.
- The old woman gave the signal with her hands and the waiters began to fill the balcony table with a wide variety of food. They all began to walk, leaving the bride and groom behind.
- Well, your grandmother showed off, huh?
- Yes, when she wants to do it... I mean, hell, when she organized all this? Why spend so much on me?
- Because she loves you... and wants to prove it, Hel, it's time for you to accept it, we love you and we want to prove it to you, you deserve it.
Arnold gave her the sweetest smile he could, unfortunately, Helga didn't have much time to enjoy it, since she fainted when she heard the word love.
– Vacation complex's - Helga's room-
The long curtains moved with the wind. Helga looked at herself in the mirror, enjoying the softness of the pink satin pajamas.
She looked at her new photo album and saw the photos of the party. Everybody dancing, eating her favorite food, the grandpa Phill humiliating everybody in limbo... everybody singing in front of the cake to her.
She brushed her hair a bit and placed a hand on her chest, she felt the locket that hung on it and smiled as she opened it and looked at a photo of her and Arnold together.
"Never forget the purity of your heart of gold, and how much I love you"
Your Football Head.
- The best birthday in the world.
She happily jumped into her bed and began writing totally inspired poetry.
THE END
Happy b-day to Francesca Marie Smith and Helga! This episode is dedicated to you!
As you know, the fandom said that March 26th is Helga's birthday's too.
Helga deserves the best for her, so I tried to show how her life is better slowly, but mainly, how the people you are leaving in your life are supporting that change.
As a piece of advice, if you want to be able to guess what's going on, pay attention to the small details... I'll see you later!
