It's About Us

True Intentions

Arnold stayed up in his room the rest of the day. Stella couldn't help her son even if she wanted too. She just stayed in the kitchen trying to figure how to approach the conversation with him. It just never seemed like a good enough excuse to see him.

Miles entered and looked sad at his wife. "Still hasn't come down?"

"No and I'm starting to worry." Stella paced.

"He's finally coming to terms with his feelings, nothing we can do." Miles reassured her.

"I can't believe my little boy went from trying so hard to remain a child to realizing he's in love with a girl he's lost. I just want to help them both." Stella sat down at the small table in the kitchen.

"I know you do, but there is only so much we can do and only when they ask for it." Miles reached for his wife's hand to comfort her.

At that moment Arnold walked into the kitchen. "Hey, do we have any ice packs? My face hurts."

"I think we might have some frozen peas." Miles released his wife's hand to help his son.

Stella watched her son. She couldn't believe he would go so far for Helga without figuring out why. Helga is a wonderful woman that Stella hoped would become her daughter-in-law, but it will never happen if they don't reconcile.

"I'll be back." Stella left the kitchen, heading for the door.

"Where are you going, dear?" Like Miles didn't know.

"Out, be back soon!" Stella yelled as she scurried out the door.

At that time Helga's doorbell rang. She had gotten ready a while ago and just waited around the house, reading. She saw no reason to leave. When she got the door open, Chad was standing there with a huge grin.

"Hello, beautiful. Ready for the movies?" Chad asked.

"Ready as I'll every be." Helga grabbed her purse and step out to lock up. It was after she had stepped outside that she finally saw the bruise that donned his cheek. "Geez, What the hell happened?"

"Oh, this thing?" Chad motioned to his shiner. "Your Ex jumped me."

"WHAT?" Helga shouted with disbelief.

Chad was shocked at how surprised she was. "Yeah, he tried some sappy move to talk me to leave you alone and when I refused, he jumped me."

"That doesn't sound like him. The talking, yes, but he's nonviolent." Helga was visually worried.

"I don't know what to tell you, he hit me. I have proof." Chad motioned to his bruise again.

"It just doesn't sound like my Arnold." Helga thought that maybe she should call Arnold.

"When did he become your Arnold again?" Chad got a little upset.

"Old habit. What did you say to him to provoke him like that?" Helga was not showing Chad the attention he was hoping.

"Why did I have to say something to provoke him?" Chad was now mad.

"Arnold's a lover not a fighter." Helga said like everyone should know.

"Yet, he's never loved you." Chad reminded her.

That hit home. "I think that maybe I should call him and make sure he's okay. Can we go see a movie another night?"

"This is BULLSHIT!" Chad screamed. "He hit me and your more worried about him than me?"

"I can see you are fine. He's not use to fighting." Helga went to unlock her door.