Chapter 14: Back To Normal
Helga's House
After being released from Olga's suffocating hug, Arnold couldn't help but notice something on the counter.
Unfortunately, Miriam appeared to be passed out on top of it.
If it was what he thought it was, it could be just the thing he needed to bring Helga's memory of him back to her.
"Hey Olga. What's that your mom's sleeping on?"
After letting go of Arnold, Olga walked into the kitchen to see her mother was indeed covering something up. "Hmmm… I'm not sure? Mommy, could you please wake up?"
Olga's soft words weren't enough to budge Miriam. At that same moment however, Helga came marching down the stairs.
She rolled her eyes when seeing Olga's 'Goody two shoes' attempt to politely wake their mother. It wasn't until she made it all the way down the steps, she noticed Arnold was still there.
"Arnold? I thought you left?"
"Sorry Helga. We were just trying to figure out what it is your mom's laying on top of." he blushed.
Helga smirked at his polite attitude and said "For crying out loud, just push her over!"
After lifting up her mom's head, only to watch it smack the counter, Helga found her mother had been using her locket as a pillow.
"Huh? Oh I'm up." Miriam insisted, while tilting her glasses.
"I'm so sorry mommy! We weren't trying to wake you!" Olga insisted.
"Pttss… yeah, and I wasn't trying to hurt her." the annoyed girl smirked.
Just as she was handing Arnold what he said he wanted to see, Helga looked down to find it was her most prized possession.
Thinking back to her moment in the hospital, Helga snapped at her sister "Where did you get this?!"
"You fell and hit your head on the bed when you tried picking it up from the table. I brought it home with us." Olga explained to her furious sibling.
A scowl remained on her face as Helga replied "And you thought the best place for it would be sitting here, where any freak could pass out on top of it?!"
Arnold couldn't help but butt in with his optimistic attitude as he added "At least she was nice enough to bring it home for you."
Helga was about to continue her ranting, when she turned to look at Arnold.
Who does this guy think he is? Butting into my business? Telling me not to go off on my sister?
Mr. Goody Two Shoes. He's just as annoying as she is! And yet…
Looking down at her locket, her feelings about him changed
I love him! His patient attitude with everyone in their time of need. His ability to look past such repetitive negativity. His willingness to help those in need of his tender loving care; expecting nothing in return. Oh my darling…
"I'm so sorry I forgot to show it to you baby sister!" Olga cried out, interrupting Helga's private thoughts.
Gritting her teeth in annoyance, Helga yanked Arnold upstairs, away from her unbearable family.
Helga's Room
"So, you remember me now?" Arnold asked hopefully.
Rolling her eyes at the question, she smirked "DOI! I wouldn't carry your picture around just for the heck of it!"
"I was a little surprised your poetry books and other personal items didn't bring back your memory of me?" the nervous boy felt the need to admit.
Helga blushed at Arnold's curiosity, as she began to rub the back of her neck. Looking down at the floor she explained "Well, if what Pheebs said about all that repetitive crap is true, this is definitely what I give more attention to than anything."
Later That Evening
The Boarding House
Sitting in the kitchen with Phil, Arnold listened to his elder say "So, your girlfriend's got her memory back, huh shortman?"
Arnold smiled at the good news as he nodded his head and replied "Yep! Everything worked out grandpa."
"Ahhh rats! I was hoping she could come over here and give it to Pookie. I'm sick of these watermelon dinners and raspberry desserts."
A perplexed look formed on the now relieved boy's face as he said "I don't think it's contagious grandpa."
"Well, we'll never know now, will we?!" Phil snapped as his grandson sighed at his attempt to mess with his grandmother.
While Phil could give useful advice every now and then when a problem was brought up, that didn't mean the old man didn't have a few crazy thoughts to go along with them.
Helga's Closet
Sitting in her closet, looking at her Arnold shrine, Helga began pouring out her emotions…
Oh Arnold, my beloved. If there was ever anything in this world that could inspire me, it would be you.
Your uncanny ability to believe behind every bad mask lies a good heart.
The amazing characteristics you possess which allow you to see the light at the end of life's dark tunnel.
The bravery you show each time a problem comes along in life, be it yours or another person's.
The dedication to fulfill a wanted task, no matter how meaningless it may seem to another person.
How could there ever be anyone who couldn't…
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"What?!" Helga scowled, having been interrupted from her paper.
"Would you like to join us for dinner, baby sister? I made you a special salad!" Olga said excitedly.
Although she was alone in the closet, Helga covered her face in embarrassment and said in a sarcastic tone "Gee sounds great Olga, but I'm doing homework here."
After hearing her annoying sibling leave the room, Helga said to herself "Next time I'll tell football head to make it a 'sound proof' lock."
Downstairs
Bob had already started digging into his meal by the time Olga came downstairs. When he saw her returning, he asked "So where's the girl? I'm not paying that hospital bill to find out she's sitting upstairs eating candy!"
Olga took her place at the dinner table with her parents as she explained "No daddy, she's doing homework. Although, I am sad she didn't want the special salad I made for her."
"Homework, huh?" Bob acknowledged, never caring to take an interest in Helga's life.
"I'll just wrap up her salad and put it in the fridge. She can take it for lunch, now that she's well enough to go back to school!" the excited girl thought out loud.
"Good. Now things can go back to normal." the business man said, as if he had been the one taking care of her the entire time.
"Well, she still has to make it a year before having the tube removed..."
Before finishing her explanation, Bob interrupted and explained "Mother May I!"
He then turned his head to see Helga coming down the stairs.
"Get over here Missy!"
A frown formed on Helga's face as she crossed her arms and asked "Yeah? What is it?"
"Look, you doing this for a whole year means paying for another hospital visit. If we don't want to make things worse, you better watch your appetite. Got it?" Bob warned her.
Not feeling threatened by his warning, Helga stormed out of the room saying "I got it dad."
