Disclaimer: Craig Bartlett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.
35. Gerry is on the house
— Big Bob's Beepers- back of the store —
Was a stormy morning of the last days of April, the strong winds beat the old windows of the Big Bob's beepers store. A big leak was driving her crazy, trying to think of anything else, without any result, nothing could get worse for Helga, except her best friend trying to show his point to her.
- See Helga! See, Jamie O is taking her hands.
- Come on Geraldo, they are just talking about his admission exam.
She sank further into the chair, trying to look more at her cell phone. While the brunette looked even more closely at the older brothers in the kitchen.
- Oh Jamie O, you're so brilliant! Look, you don't need my help anymore.
- Oh no Olga, If I'm doing great it's because of you… thank you… Now that we are almost finished studying time… I'm asking if we could…
- Olga, honey, please help me with this… - Bob noticed the romantic and uncomfortable atmosphere in the room, a fact that doesn't go unnoticed for Helga and Gerald either. - Why are you still here?
- I was studying with Olga, Mr Bob, Mr Pataki, but I finished… your daughter is excellent… and excellent teacher I mean. - His voice sounded totally nervous.
- Criminy Gerald… you were right…
- I told you! What will we do now? - Gerald was totally shocked, as his friend.
- Well… We need a plan…
- Hello everybody! I'm here and I need help! -
Suddenly and without anyone expecting it, Helga's grandma was at the door of the business.
- Mom, what are you doing here? - Miriam left her "room" completely scared. Whenever she shared a room with her mother, she managed to break her down.
- Miriam, don't be stunned and help me, Olga here I have another one for you... Helga, dear, come and give me a hug.
- I'm sorry Gerald, but I already have another situation here. - Helga ran into her grandma's arms.
- But...
- Gerry what are you doing here!
- I can't come to see my granddaughter for no reason?
- You can't. What are you doing here ma'am? - Big Bob joined the conversation, almost as stunned as his wife.
- Always so kind Robert. I have news for you, the government took everything from me, so from now on I will live with you.
- What? - All the Pataki said in unison.
- Jamie O, I think it's time to go... they have a family matter here. - His younger brother whispered.
- Demons! You're right, I'll have to invite Olga later.
- Or never, let's go! Bye Helga, see you at school tomorrow! - The Johanssen brothers rushed out leaving the family to the drama.
- Mom, we can't accommodate you... there's barely room here for us.
- Will you leave your old and widowed mother on the street?
- That's right, so out! - Bob took the suitcases and was about to take them out when Miriam got in the way.
- Forget it B, I can't leave her, she's my mother.
- But Miriam!
- Daddy, mom is right, we are family and she needs us.
- Or if? And where is she going to sleep? - The man with the unibrow asked defiantly.
...
- I can't believe that she will stay in our bed with the girl and we will sleep at Helga's!
- It was necessary, she was left with nothing.
The couple tried to fit into the small space without much success.
- What about her millionaire friends?
- You know very well how it is when there are money problems... friends disappear.
- Yes indeed...
Bob remembered the lesson of the last few years, none of his friends in his good times were with him now, when they came to receive him, they were always excuses to help him.
- Calm down B, you'll see that you won't even notice her.
- I hope so for the good of all.
— Big Bob's Beepers- back of the store- Miriam and Bob's room —
Both in nightgowns, grandmother and granddaughter shared a bed. The girl was shocked, listening to her grandmother's eviction story, while looking at the moon and the recently clear sky through the window.
- Those bastards took everything!
- But don't worry darling, I'll be fine, nothing can stop Geraldine Viksten! Besides, the great thing is that we will be together.
- Yes, that's great... but not in this dump... you don't deserve it.
- Neither do you, little lady, neither do you. You know, there's a whole world out there.
- Maybe Gerry, but for that you need money. Which we don't have.
- I think so. - The old woman laughed a little and noticed a little pink book on the floor, she picked it up and began to leaf through it. - Heavens! This is incredible!
- Give it to me! - Due to inertia, Helga tore it from her delicate hands and hid it in the neckline of her nightgown.
- Needless to say, it was yours, right?
- Well... yes... but it's just nonsense, forget it.
- Well, to be nonsense, they were quite good and professional, for my taste.
- Really?
- Of course, and I am a great connoisseur of art, a couple of years ago I was rector at the College of Fine Arts in the city of York in the United Kingdom.
- I know that school, it is one of the best internationally, for real artists. You can't compare my writing to professional stuff like that.
- Maybe, but you're not very far dear, with a little instruction... well, you'd be the best, and I'm not saying that because I'm your grandmother. - She winked at her and got ready to sleep.
Helga's mind was flooded with the old woman's words. For the first time, he began to think about his future...
- I? studying there... a great writer...
She closed her eyes and allowed herself to dream.
The blonde looked herself older, with a pretty pink dress and a headband in her hair, to her surprise, she looked quite pretty and with an enviable and slim figure, walking through the streets of York, with her coffee in one hand and her laptop in the other.
She looked at herself sitting, enjoying the breeze and the cool autumn weather, getting inspired to write a new literary work...
Suddenly the scene of her dream changed, this time she was in one of the halls of the prestigious university, taking class with her favorite living poet, Esther Britts, enjoying, learning... until a bucket of ice water brought her back. to the damp morning in Hillwood.
- Oh sorry baby sister! - Olga screamed to her angry sis. - I'm just trying to move the cube of water, you know, last night the storm was heavy and…
- JUST DISSAPEAR OLGA!
- Good morning darling! Please, don't commit murder so early in the morning.
- Hi granny… yes, just because I need to take a shower… and try to find something to eat.
While the blonde entered the shower, her grandmother rummaged through her things and found the little pink book she was looking for.
- Bingo! - She sounded victorious and headed for the kitchen. - At least this time if there is food and it looks decent . - She thought to herself. - Where are you going, Miriam?
- Good morning mother, I am a receptionist in a hospital.
- So you work, Olga too and Robert plays the businessman here? Interesting, not to say pathetic.
- Listen old lady! I will not tolerate you! If you're going to stay in my store, you're going to have to respect me!
- Respect you? But you don't respect yourself Robert, if you did, you would have sold this crap and had a real job.
She took his cup and went back to her room. While Bob would drop back into his seat and look around annoyed.
– Hillwood Street -
The next hour, after the awkward family breakfast, Miriam got in the car and drove to PS 118, giving her daughters an unusual ride and Grandma Gerry who joined them.
- So… this is your car Miriam… It hardly starts and the suspension seems to…
- I know it, mother, but I'm saving money to buy a new car… I know what I'm doing.
The woman sighed in annoyance and looked ahead as her destiny began to appear in front of them.
-Ready girls, I'll see you later...
- Goodbye Miriam. - Helga went down and Gerry noticed that she had neither money nor lunch in her hand.
- My dear, before you go, you forgot this.
- 50 dollars... thanks... see you! - The girl with the unibrow closed the door and each Pataki girl went their way.
- Mother, if you are short of money, you should not give so much to Helga.
- Sure! And that the poor girl dies of hunger as it has done until now... of course! Better drive Miriam.
- Where to? I go to work.
- Well right there... let's go.
- But... it's just that I...
- Stop babbling, and let's go. I have things to check there.
- Damn... if mom comes... how can I go to my AA meeting? - Miriam thought worried to herself. Despite having been there for months, it was still a secret from her family, this due to the ups and downs she has had in her treatment... but above all there was Dan... would she be ready to talk about him with others? ... Suzie had exaggerated things a bit, they're just friends but... until now only Helga knew about him.
- Careful woman you almost crashed! - Her mother yelled at her, making her come back to reality.
- Sorry, I'll be more careful. - He said almost murmuring and fixing his eyes on the road.
Helga watched them go, somewhat amused, but worried at the same time.
- Of all the people in the world... Why Gerry! She deserves to rest these last years, she has worked hard, she fought for the country... she deserves to rest...
- Did you hear me Helga? - Arnold's voice, who appeared next to her, took her out of her thoughts. - What do you think?
- I'm sorry football head, I didn't hear anything... you'll tell me later, let's go!
- Cool...
Without Helga noticing, Arnold had gathered the courage to ask her to be his public girlfriend... but of course, it would be a battle for later. The boy sighed annoyed and took out a small polaroid that had both of them enjoying ice cream.
- It will be later... it's worth waiting for.
– Drymon Medical Clinic –
When Miriam arrived at the reception, everybody greeted her, like each morning, but everyone noticed how uncomfortable the woman was.
- Hi Miriam! Everything is ok?... The old lady is… disturbing you? - Suzie whispered to Miriam once she sat behind the counter and picked up her planner, ready to start the day.
- Actually Suzie, this is my mother, Geraldine Viksten, mother she is my best friend, nurse Suzie.
- Poor woman, you should reevaluate your friendships girl. Anyway, Miriam, I'll sit here and wait for who I'm looking for.
The old woman left the blonde with her hand outstretched and sat down at the reception.
- Loving mother, huh?
- Oh Su, you have no idea.
Miriam adjusted her glasses and began to answer her phone. She turned a little to the right and discovered a huge bouquet of sunflowers with a small note on it.
"Cheer up and have a beautiful day, as beautiful as you" D.
Miriam smiled and continued her work, not noticing that the last event was recorded by her mother. A couple of minutes later, another nurse ushered her in with the doctor she was looking for. Through the most luxurious office in the clinic, the old woman walked, finding her old friend.
- Eric Drymond! Nice to see you again. - She shook her hand gently.
-Gerry Viksten! You're still as beautiful as when we fought together at the front, how can I help you?
- Well, look, I'm doing some research on my son-in-law and his family and I found out that you hired my daughter as a receptionist... How long has she been working here?
- A few months, don't tell me I did wrong, she's very good at what she does, but if it bothers you...
- No, no problem... Would you say it's at least 4 months old?
- 5 to be exact.
- And how much does she earn monthly?
- Around 5K$, why?
- Because if she has that salary... I don't understand the reason for the conditions in which she lives... especially my granddaughter, who is the one who worries me.
- Several colleagues have also told me, at least she could rent in the low district if she wanted, but I don't understand, maybe she is saving for a house... if it's not indiscretion... What are you planning? I know that look of yours...
- If I play my cards right and have all the evidence that I need... I could get custody of my granddaughter, so I went to live with them, but don't say anything, they think I've lost my money.
- Are you terrible Gerry, coffee?
- No thanks... and maybe I am, but it's about time someone puts control here. But now that I think about it... I think I understand why she continues like this. - Said the old woman thinking about what she witnessed minutes before.
– PS 118 - Men's restroom -
- Ok Helga, sometimes, the time to be a man arrives, and you have to face the truth, and my truth is… I'm in love with you, yes I know that maybe is awkward for you and maybe you can't believe in my words… but… it's true… so… I want to make our relationship public, want it you or not… ok?
Arnold looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror and felt pathetic.
- Why is everything with Helga G. Pataki is so confusing! - He sighed exhausted.
- Listen Helga, if you want to continue dating me, will it be public, take it or leave it?... who am I kidding... obviously she will leave me... Dr. was wrong, being honest is the most difficult thing in the world.
- What do you think Arnie? - Asked his best friend coming out of the bathroom, ready to wash his hands.
- That I won't be able to tell Helga... she'll kill me or worse, she'll leave me...
- What does that have to do with anything? Why would she leave you for disenchant Jamie O on Olga?
- What were you talking about?
- Forget it, my main man! We go to the cafeteria, the girls are waiting for us.
They both walked towards their girls, who were already eating at the table. The boys were getting ready to say what each one wanted to say, until they noticed Helga's substantial lunch, something very unusual for her.
- And all that food Helga? - Asked her boyfriend, sitting next to her.
- Gerry gave me 50$ and here they are!
- That he wasn't bankrupt?
- I told her the same thing, babe!
- Well, I don't know guys, it just happened, but I appreciate it, I was starving, breakfast with her was uncomfortable and...
- Helga, dear, speaking of awkwardness... I wanted to tell you something.
- You? What are you talking about Arnie, I want to talk about our older siblings!
- But I want to talk about our relationship...
- What? -
- Yes Helga, it's time for us to talk, I...
- No, look! Gerry's with Wartz, I'll be right back.
The girl flew out of her seat leaving her boyfriend with half a confession in his mouth.
-Granny! What are you doing here?
- Oh Miss Pataki, I was telling your grandmother that we are grateful for her donations every month and we are glad to have you visit PS 118.
- Do you donate? Here?
- She's been doing it for a few months, but I'll let you talk to yourself.
- Gerry... you didn't lose a penny, did you?
- Darling, I think it's time for us to talk, let's go to the garden.
The girl with the pink bow followed her grandmother and they took a seat on one of the newly placed benches, much more comfortable than the previous ones.
- My dear, indeed, I have not lost my fortune... It was a lie that I told you to stay in your dad's store.
- Why? What do you gain with that?
- Helga, sweetheart... You are an incredible person! I regret every year that I didn't spend time by your side and... I want to make up for my mistake.
- How? I don't understand.
- I want to have your custody, I want to take care of you and give you the life you deserve.
- What you what?
- Yes honey, I came to have proof of your parents' negligence, and one day was enough! I can give you a great house, a great education, clothes, and sports! A scholarship to the York College of Fine Arts, you can start the following year there until your college… they are enchanted with your talent! I sent them pictures of your work... What do you say, my little girl? This is your great opportunity!
The lady's blue eyes looked at her full of hope, Helga was confused, she couldn't understand how the solution to her problems was in front of her.
THE END
Now Helga has the big opportunity to finally change her life, she has a lot to win but a lot to lost... if you were her, what would you do?
