It had been a very rainy weekend in the city of New York.
Though despite the weatherman on TV saying that it would clear up by Sunday, that day proved to be just as horrible as Saturday.
To top if all off, the kids of the Jackson-McKinney-Drummond household had purposely gotten their homework done the day before, so they could enjoy the next day, as they all had plans.
Willis was going to meet up with a few of his old buddies from Harlem to play basketball, Kimberly and some of her girlfriends had planned on going ice skating, Arnold was suppose to meet his pals Dudley and Jason at the video arcade, and Sam had planned see Peter Pan with his friend Terry.
However, with the downpour, everyone's plans for the day got canceled, causing the entire household of kids to be bored.
It was at the suggestion of their parents Phillip who had to write out notes for his meeting the next day, and Maggie, who had to complete a series of designs for launching her new work-out wear that the kids do some reading.
And that's what they did, but not books though.
Kimberly was glancing through an issue of Fabulously Fashion magazine, Willis was skimming at the latest issue of car and driver magazine, Arnold was eyeing an article called "How To Get Rich Without Even Trying" in his new copy of Money and Finance monthly and Sam was reading the closest think to a book, a comic book that is.
While she was reading, something caught Kimberly's eye.
"Hey guys, I think I found the perfect gift to get Dad and Maggie for their anniversary," she said.
"What is it?" asked Willis.
Kimberly pointed to an item in her magazine and answered, "This."
Her adopted and step brothers looked at the item on the page and Sam asked, "You want to get them a sliver platter that says Happy Birthday Grandma, Love the kids?"
Kimberly laughed and said, "No Sam, that's just an example.
We get them the platter and have it say 'Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad, Love Kimberly, Willis, Arnold, and Sam."
"Hey that's a great idea sis," said Willis.
"How much is that gonna cost us?" asked Arnold.
"Well, the platter is 35 dollars and the lettering is one dollar," Kimberly answered.
"Well, that settles it.
Willis, you and Kimberly can pay for the platter, and Sam and I will cover the lettering," said Arnold.
He then took his wallet out of his pocket, and removed a dollar bill from the inside.
Arnold handed the dollar to Willis and said, "Here's my share."
"Gee Arnold, I don't have a dollar, all I have is two quarters, three dimes, three nickels and five pennies," said Sam.
Arnold simply shook his head.
As much as he loved his step-brother, sometimes Sam just didn't get it as he indeed had a dollar in change.
"Arnold, I still think the doctor dropped you on the day you were born," said Willis.
"Whatcha talkin 'bout Willis?" asked Arnold.
"What I meant was that it's a dollar per letter," Kimberly added.
Willis made his way to the living room desk, took out a sheet of paper, wrote down what they had planned on putting on the platter, counted the words, calculated the lettering times, the amount for the words, and handed the slip of paper to Arnold, who responded with widen eyes.
"Uh, on second thought, why don't Sam and I pay for the platter and you two can pay for the lettering," said Arnold.
"Sorry Arnold, but you already called paying for the lettering," said Willis.
"Why don't we just then buy a paper plate and put our handprints on it?"
"Come on Arnold, we want to get something special for Dad and Maggie," said Kimberly.
"And after what they've been through, I think they really deserve it," added Willis.
Indeed it had been a rough couple of months for Phillip and Maggie, as well as the kids.
Between Sam's abduction and rescue, plus Kimberly's eating disorder, it effected everyone.
"OK OK, we'll get them the gift.
We just have to come up with the money," said Arnold.
That night after dinner, as they hung out in their room, Sam was sprinkling food into the bowl of his pet goldfish Montgomery after giving some to his step-brother's own fish Abarham, as Arnold sat on his bed, thinking of how he was going to come up with money for him and Sam to pay for the gift.
"I just don't know how we're going to get the money," said Arnold.
"Why don't we ask mama or Mr. D?" Sam suggested.
"We can't ask them for money to buy their present?"
"How about we host a telethon?"
"Tried that once?"
"How did it go?"
"Sadly, the "Money To Get A Bike For Arnold" failed before it even had a chance to get off the ground."
Just then a thought came to Arnold.
"Say Sam, didn't your grandparents give you money for your birthday?" he asked his step-brother.
"Sorry Arnold, but I already spent it all," Sam replied.
"On what?"
"Well, I got some baseball cards, a few comic books, a new soccer ball, a baseball bat, and a scuba diver and treasure chest for Montgomery's tank.
I was going to get him a bathtub, but since his bowl is like a tub, I didn't bother."
Another thought then came to Arnold.
"Sam that's it," he said.
"What is it?" asked Sam.
"I know how we're going to get the money for the present.
"We'll start a pet washing business."
"A fish washing business?"
"No bologna brain, a dog washing business."
"Gee I don't know Arnold, that sounds like a lot of hard work."
A fish is one thing but dogs."
"Sam, all we have to do is just give the dogs a bath, brush their furs and return them to their owners.
And not only will we earn money to but dad and Maggie their present, we could afford to buy anything we want."
"Really Arnold?"
"Yeah, I can buy a car, a boat, a jacuzzi, I can buy a car, pulling a boat with a jacuzzi.
And Sam, think of all the comic books and baseball cards you can get.
You can even by a mansion for your fish.
And we'll split the money 50/50.
What to you say partner?"
Sam answered, "You've got it partner."
The two step-brothers shook hands in agreement.