I am melting! It is freaking hot right now. 34 Celsius / 93.2 Fahrenheit, I am not made for hot weather.
This chapter is kind of filled with family time with the Pataki's and the Boardinghouse. I tried to put some humor in it, I hope I did well.
And thank you once again for the reviews. I am glad so far I can entertain you guys.
It was Saturday morning and Helga woke up slowly, rolling on her left side and facing the wall.
Helga yawned and opened her eyes. It still fell unreal to wake up without Arnold next to her. His sweet whispers while he stroke her hair, the small kisses on her head.
She sat up and stretched herself. She needed to get up. Her plan for today was, finding a job. She didn't want Arnold doing all the hard work.
But first thing first: shower! She missed her shower at home since the ones at camp didn't give out a lot of water.
Rinsing her hair, taking care of her body with shaving, scrubbing and washing. She need to look neat while hunting for a job.
When she was done, she rolled her hair in a towel and another towel around her body as she leaves the bathroom.
Bob was walking around, yawning and scratching his hair as Helga passed him by: '' Morning Bob.'' she said.
'' Morning. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, what's that?'' asked Bob, noticing a red dot underneath her collarbone.
Helga covered herself. '' Nothing important.'' she said and went quickly into her room.
How embarrassing. For starters, she need to learn to take clothing to the bathroom and from all people, it was Bob who noticed the hickey.
Then she heard Bob shouting behind her door. '' Miriam! Someone need the talk!''
'' Criminy! Not that talk…'' whimpered Helga as she put her underwear and bra on.
As she picked out black jeans of her closet, Miriam knocked and came in. Helga sat down on her bed, her arms crossed.
'' I know about the flowers and the bees..'' said Helga as Miriam sat down next to her.
Miriam saw the hickey at her collarbone and she noticed a light red spot on her back.
'' I know you do, Helga. I am not going to give you that speech. I was just wondering how you are since Arnold is back. '' said Miriam and for the first time, Helga felt her mom's love.
'' I am incredible happy, mom. Arnold is a real gentle person. He want to protect me.'' said Helga and Miriam smiled a bit.
'' At camp, what did you do with your friends and Arnold?'' asked Miriam as she stroke softly Helga's hair which made Helga relax.
'' We played baseball, we hiked. We took a dip in the lake. Melting marshmallows at the campfire. Arnold and I danced, we kissed….'' said Helga softly and then realizing Miriam was sitting next to her and blushed fiercely.
'' Helga…''
'' I am still a virgin, mom. Arnold didn't do anything. ''
'' I don't see you two like that. Arnold is a respectful man.'' said Miriam.
Helga didn't say anything and just took her necklace with the pendant she had from Arnold in her hand and put it around her neck.
She was glad that Miriam thought Arnold was a respectful man.
Bob was something else. He could be a pain in the ass.
'' Mom, I will be careful. I promise.'' said Helga and Miriam smiled.
'' I know. I tell Bob not to worry.'' said Miriam as she stood up.
'' Thanks mom. Today I'm going out. I will be back around dinner.'' said Helga as she stood up as well and put a pink shirt on.
'' Alright. See you tonight.'' said Miriam as she left Helga's room.
'' Bye mom!'' said Helga when she put on her pink ribbon on her hair.
'' Time to find a job!''
As time goes by, Arnold finished his job. He was working at Zoological Garden. That way he could learn about animals too.
He had taken a shower at his work place and was now walking towards Big Bob's Digital Palace. This was going to be difficult.
He entered the shop that was just got closed but the door was still open since Bob was helping the last customer.
Arnold was looking around and saw beautiful TV. Not too big and not small. But he was not going to buy it.
He was saving up for something else and he had almost finished it paying off.
'' Something caught your eye?'' heard Arnold suddenly and saw Bob standing behind him.
'' Mr. Pataki. Yea, I saw this TV. The images look really clear.''
'' I know right? 8K OLED screen. 42 inch. Anyway, let's go to my office.'' said Bob and Arnold followed him.
Bob's office was a bit dusty with a pc and paperwork. On the wall were hanging some newspaper articles and a few certificates of Olga and Helga.
Bob sat down in his chair and Arnold took a chair at his desk and sat down.
'' Boy, explain yourself.'' said Bob while he was looking at Arnold. '' I saw something this morning… I wasn't really happy about it.''
Arnold felt uneasy, he need to show he was very serious about Helga.
'' Mr. Pataki. Helga is more than a girlfriend. She… she is even more than a soul mate. I wish a life together with Helga. When I leave, I want to give Helga a kiss. When I get home, I want to greet Helga with a kiss. When I go to sleep, I wish to see Helga and when I wake up, I wish to see Helga.''
'' And how do you want to support her? You both are still in school.'' said Bob with a grumpy voice..
'' I worked in San Lorenzo while studying. I renovated my room so in the future, Helga can move in with me. I save up to make sure we can both make our dreams come true.'' said Arnold.
'' And how much did you saved up by now? 3000 dollar? 4000 dollar?'' scoffed Bob. He was sure this guy couldn't make Helga happy.
If that boy wanted support Helga, he needed more than the amount he said.
'' I saved up around the 12.000 dollar. Actually a bit more but that money is for something else that I am paying off.'' said Arnold without thinking and Bob scowled.
'' Already in a debt?'' he asked with a hint of anger in his voice.
'' For a good reason! Me and my mouth…'' said Arnold as he face palmed himself.
'' What? Why do you have a debt already at such age?'' asked Bob while he crossed his arms. One wrong answer and Helga could forget this twerp.
Arnold his courage ebbs away. What now? How could he explain this?
'' Mr. Pataki, did you ever went to the jewelry store around the corner?'' asked Arnold.
'' Yea. I bought there my watch 2 weeks ago and a set new earrings for Miriam. Why?'' asked Bob.
'' Have you also seen a ring with a blue diamond and a pink diamond?'' asked Arnold carefully.
'' Yes, I did. Helga did as well. That she had loved the ring but that the price was very high. She told me it was already for 2 years in the store.
That someone bought it and was paying it off every month. If you ask me, that must be a hell of a price if someone pays it… hang on.. '' said Bob slowly and was looking now at Arnold with soft flushed cheeks.
'' Did you actually…?'' asked Bob and Arnold nodded.
'' Yes. I have 7 month's left until the payment is done.'' said Arnold and Bob stared at him in disbelief.
'' I can't believe it. How do you even know about the ring?'' asked Bob.
'' Phoebe told Gerald and Gerald told me. I called the store, explained everything and so I am paying every month an amount of money.'' explained Arnold.
''Are you…Do you want to ask her to marry you?'' asked Bob.
Arnold closed his eyes and sighs deep before he opens them and then Bob saw not the little boy anymore but a man, a man that was willing to fight for his women like Bob did in the early years for his Miriam. He still would.
He wasn't the best father for Helga but he saw how his oldest daughter was dating men like they were for sale at a local supermarket.
Yet Helga was dating this guy for more like 5 or 6 years. And not only that, he was planning already forward, how bold was this kid.
'' I, Arnold Philip Shortman, ask Bob Pataki the hand of Helga Geraldine Pataki when the time has come to do so. I will treasure her, care for her, love her in good and bad times until death do us part.'' said Arnold with some fierceness but it was the truth, Arnold couldn't imagine a life without Helga.
Bob was shocked at first but after that, he sighs. '' A few conditions: One, Both will finish school. Two, no proposal in those 4 years unless there is an extraordinary exception. Three, don't get her pregnant either. Capiche? '' stated Bob.
'' Deal! I make sure that Helga and I finish school.'' said Arnold as he stood up and held up his hand.
Bob grinned and took Arnold's hand in his and shake. '' Deal!''
'' Thank you, Bob. I need to go now. Promised to be home around dinner.'' said Arnold as he walked to the door.
'' Your welcome. And hey, hey, hey, hey. Those spots I saw this morning. I don't care what you 2 are doing but I don't want to see or hear anything, got it?'' asked Bob.
'' You're right. Bye!'' said Arnold quickly and closed the door.
Bob leaned back in his chair. He needed to talk with Miriam tonight.
Helga had been looking all day and had found a job at the library. It was not much that she would earn but it would help her and Arnold in the future and she had everything she needed for the next 4 year to become a writer.
'' I am home!'' said Helga and walked into the living room. She saw Bob in his chair and Miriam and Olga were sitting on the sofa.
It was pizza day. It seems they were waiting for the delivery guy.
Miriam stood up to get some napkins as the doorbell rings. Few minutes later she came back with napkins and pizza boxes.
Bob always had the BBQ pizza, Olga went for the vegetarian one, Miriam had chosen a pizza with olives and extra mozzarella and Helga had a meat pizza.
While everyone was opening their box and start on their slice, Bob was switching channels on the TV when he hit the program '' My Dream dress '', a program were women find their wedding dress.
'' Bob, are you alright?'' asked Miriam amazed when she saw what her husband was watching.
'' You girls like watching this, right?'' stated Bob.
The three were looking at each other but didn't complain.
It was Olga that started quickly when she saw a mermaid dress with a sweet neckline and a lot glitter and glamour.
'' You really have an expensive taste, Olga dear.'' said Miriam while she was chewing her pizza.
'' I can't help it but that dress is also beautiful.'' said Olga when she saw a dress with a split.
Bob rolled his eyes, even in dresses, Olga was changing quickly to an one or other. Then he eyed his youngest, who was watching but didn't react at all.
'' Aren't you interested?'' he asked and Helga look up. '' I would when the time is right, doi! It is pointless since school comes first, isn't?'' she said and Bob was amazed once again. Those two were really made for each other.
They kept watching until a dress came on screen and Helga made a sound. Bob was looking at Helga again and back to the TV.
It was a simple chiffon dress with flutter sleeves, The empire waist with pleating at the chest creates an elegant silhouette, while a flattering V neck just showed a hint of a cleavage.
Helga wanted something like that, one day. The price was not that bad either. She didn't need glamour and glimmer.
'' Such a simple dress…'' stated Olga. '' I wouldn't wear it.'' Helga rolled her eyes.
'' I don't need all the sparkles. Arnold marries me, not the dress.'' said Helga as she took a bite of her pizza.
'' Did he asked you?'' asked Olga with sparkling eyes, her hands putting together.
'' Criminy! Olga! That you have thrown away your education doesn't mean I will.'' sneered Helga.
'' Girls, behave.'' said Miriam. '' Bob, it was thoughtful but it seems the girls are getting hyped.''
'' Yea, yea, you're right Miriam.'' he said as he changed channels again.
When it was late in the evening and the girls were upstairs, Miriam was cleaning up the kitchen. Bob came in and sat down.
'' Miriam, can we talk for a moment?''
'' Sure, Bob. What is it?'' said Miriam as she joined her husband.
'' Arnold came in today for our talk.'' said Bob.
'' Ooh? How did that go?''
'' Well, about that. It seems they are very serious, he is at least.''
'' I think Helga and Arnold will be fine. I see it happen that Helga will marry first.'' said Miriam.
'' About that, Miriam… it seems that Arnold is already preparing in some way.''
'' What do you mean, preparing?''
'' He is paying off an engagement ring.''
'' He is doing what Bob?!'' said Miriam loud in shock.
'' My thoughts exactly. He told me he is doing that already for 2 years.''
'' Two years? When he was 16?'' asked Miriam baffled.
'' Yea, he heard from Gerald that Phoebe told him that Helga saw a ring in the jewelry store around the corner of my store. That it was expensive. He made contact with the owner and since then he is paying it off.''
'' A marriage in college? Aren't they going to fast?''
'' I had the same thoughts so I put on some conditions and he totally agreed with me. And when I heard from Helga tonight that she didn't want to get married until after college, I am sure that those two will survive.'' said Bob.
'' I believe in them too. It seems like they are preparing for the future together.'' said Miriam as she placed her hand on Bob's.
'' Miriam, I think it is time to save up money for Helga's wedding dress.''
Miriam her eyes went wide and then she smiled and hugged him. '' Ooh Bob…''
It was Sunday morning and Arnold was standing on his roof. The roof was a ramp, it was that dirty! Where did he need to start? Suddenly Arnold had an idea.
His grandpa had a water tank that you could carry on your back. He just needed to ask where it was.
Arnold went down and as he passes by the bathroom, the door of the bathroom went open and his grandpa came out.
'' Good morning Shortman, don't go in there for a while. '' said his Grandpa Philip.
'' Good morning Grandpa, I won't. Grandpa, do you still have that water tank that you can carry on your back?''
'' Hhmm let me think. I believe it is in the basement. What are going to do with it?''
'' I am going to clean the roof, Grandpa. But it is so dirty so I thought, if I fill the tank first with cleaning agent and then wash it off with water, it will be faster.'' explained Arnold while they walking to the kitchen.
Everyone was present as Stella and Gertie were placing breakfast on the table.
They greeted each other as they sat down and the breakfast was filled on their plates..
'' I have some where a cleaning agent that removes the dirt quite well since there is like so much percent of bleach in it.'' said Philips.
'' What are you going to clean, Kimba?'' asked Gertie while she placed some bacon on her plate.
'' The roof…'' said Arnold. Stella and Miles were looking at their son and when Arnold notice, his cheeks flushed a little bit.
'' Ooh, you need to degreased it first before cleaning. Best cleaning agent for that is dish soap.'' said Gertie.
'' Alright Grandma, I will do that first then.'' said Arnold as he finished his breakfast.
'' Alright Shortman, let's find that water tank and clean that roof.'' said Philip and both left the table.
'' I never seen Arnold so eager to clean the roof. In the past, he hated it.'' said Mr. Hyunh.
'' Maybe he missed cleaning it.'' said Ernie.
'' Small boys are growing up. He is taking responsibility.'' said Stella.
"He better do it safely…" Miles muttered. Stella was grinning, Miles had trouble to see Arnold growing up. He rather still had innocent Arnold with him but like Stella said, small boys indeed grow up.
'' Do it safely? Philip is with him, what can go wrong?'' said Ernie. '' Maybe he need to put some rubbers on but safer than that is impossible.''
Stella burst out laughing and Miles was face palming self a few times from embarrassment.
This conversation was totally on a different level.
'' What did I miss? Did I make a joke or something?'' asked Ernie to Mr. Hyunh, who was confused as well.
Suddenly Arnold appears in the opening of the kitchen with the tank on his back. '' Look what we found!''
Philip passes from behind with some bottles in his hands and shouted: '' Come on, Shortman, let's get wet I tell ya!''
'' Coming Grandpa!'' as Arnold ran away.
Miles who just stood there totally embarrassed and defeated, eyeing his wife, who was holding her stomach from laughing while tears fell from her cheeks.
She had the biggest fun ever. '' Stop laughing...'' he mumbled.
'' Who is that handsome young man?'' asked Gertie.
'' Don't you start as well, mom!''
I love Philip and Gertie, they are such amazing grandparents in their own way.
This was a build up chapter for the story. We are getting closer to, yes indeed, Rhonda's graduation party.
So get your suits and dresses ready!