I can't believe it. I just CAN'T BELIEVE IT! Arnold Shortman was staying in San Lorenzo and leaving Hillwood? Leaving his friends? His boarding house, the boarders, the treehouse, the softball field? Leaving…..me? I stared in shock as our longtime childhood friends encircled my love God in their arms. They were clearly still feeling the high from finding their lost classmates and discovering that those same classmates found Arnold's lost parents. They couldn't wait to board the plane and let everyone know back home what had happened. It was a miracle in their eyes- and mine up until an hour ago when Arnold announced that he would be staying in San Lorenzo to help his parents establish a new city for the Green Eyes.

I couldn't take it. I started walking away from the tarmac to get some non-miracle filled air. My thoughts were clouded and my sadness was overcoming my anger. We were so close to something. FINALLY, and now he was leaving? That's it? I kicked at the dirt cursing San Lorenzo and it's perfect miracle filled atmosphere. I was still staring helplessly at the ground when I saw his shadow. He placed his perfect hand on my shoulder and turned me to look at him.

"Helga, about what happened back in there in the jungle yesterday…" I put my hand over his mouth before he could say the words that would break the last of me.
"Heat of the moment right Football head?" I chuckled and shifted back and forth on my feet. "I'm really glad we found your parents, Arnold…..really. You deserve it more than anyone here. Heck, more than anyone I've met. I'd be lyin' if I said I'm not gonna miss some part of your non-stop positivity."

"Helga, I don't want us to go backwards; we both know it wasn't the heat of the moment. I just can't guarantee or promise you anything. You deserve more than that. So much more. You say you're going to miss me, but you don't know how much more I'll miss you. You're the main reason we even found my parents. The reason I'm no longer an orphan. The-"

"Stop it. You don't owe me anything." I started rubbing the back of my neck and kicking at the dirt. "I don't want you to feel like ya owe me or something. How about we look at my helping you out as an apology for all the crap I put you through all of our lives. Okay?"

"Helga tha-"

"Okay Football head?"

"Can I write you?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't think you'll have time."

"I'll make time."

I was about to answer, but I heard the voices calling him over. I looked over Arnold's shoulder, seeing his parents waving him down. My head turned to the left to watch the rest of my 4th grade class standing on the tarmac, some of which were starting to board.

"I'm coming! Just a sec!" Arnold looked at me with such a broken expression that it took my breath away. "Thank you Helga. Thank you for loving me before I knew I loved you too."

I stared at him for a good five seconds in shock, then cleared my throat, gave him an awkward hug that reminded me of my Aunt Trish's bony bear hugs, and started walking backwards toward the tarmac. "Well, I hope San Lorenzo works out for ya. Thanks for the adventure heh heh." I turned my body back towards the tarmac and fast walked my way to the line of kids who weren't currently experiencing a nervous breakdown.

Ten Years Later

"Judy! I'm taking my break, I'll be back in 30!" Throwing on my jacket and swinging open the front door, I barely heard Judy's muffled "okay" as I walked out onto Boston's cold, wintery streets. I loved walking on cold, snowy days when the sun is out. It reminds me a lot of Hillwood and the childhood snowball fights the neighborhood would hold on the weekends. My team always won, of course, but it was still a good time for everyone all around. Even my parents started joining in after Miriam joined AA and Bob finally let my fresh-out-of-business-school sister, Ooooolga become a partner of Pataki Gadgets (Formally known as Big Bob's Beepers) and handle half of the business, giving Big Bob way more free time.

Dragging myself out of my past, I looked up to find that I had already arrived at the local Pizza Pub. Man I loved this place. I could already smell the fresh baked bread and melting cheddar cheese. I waited until the couple that was in front of me went in and took a deep inhale as I pulled open the heavy door and walked in.

"ohhhhhhh, that's the good stuff!" I shouted as I breathed out the luscious garlic after smell.

"That's what she said, Pataki!"

"You're not wrong, Johanssen. That's what your mama yelled last night! Twice!"

"Oh hush up and eat your freakin' deep dish," Gerald chuckled as he slid the still smoking pepperoni with anchovies across the nearest booth.

I took my usual spot in the booth next to the bar. The pub was packed today. Friday lunch was usually like this, but it made me smile knowing that Gerald managed to hold my spot each week for a few minutes while I ate lunch and caught up with him. Gerald started working at Pizza Pub our freshman year at Northeastern University. I was so jealous until I managed to nail down my dream temp job down the street coordinating dance schedules and teaching ballet.

"So, what's up Pataki? Still working the Ballet studio life?"

"Well considering it's been a mere seven days since I've last talked to you last, I would have to tell you Doi! Gerald just rolled his eyes and smiled. "Oh! But I don't know if Pheebs has told you yet or not, but I actually managed to ACE my finals, thankyouverymuch!"

"Wow congratulations Pataki! Although you are getting a degree in English Literature, so how hard can it really be to ace a few of those tests?" He teased.

I threw my napkins at him and opened my mouth wide, giving him an excellent view of my partially chewed slice. I snapped it shut before he could spray ketchup at me. "Oh please, I know most of you Pre-Law majors pay the freshman to write a few of your papers each term," I joked.

"Hey! I object! My amazing C average is proof that I, Gerald Martin Johanssen,have worked hard for my credits. Besides, everyone knows that Cs, do in fact, get degrees. Why would I waste such precious money on that?"

"I don't know, maybe so you could spend even more time making out with my best friend?"

"That's not a bad idea actually—oh don't give me that look! You know I'm joking. Besides, even if I did try that, we all know that either you, Pheebs, or my parents would destroy me. And I'm not sure even my ego could take that," he winked.

I rolled my eyes and proceeded to catch up with Gerald on the local gossip. After my deep dish was simply a dish, I started to clean up my mess and head for the trashcan.

Gerald stood up behind me and started rubbing the back of his neck. "Hey umm, before you go there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

I stopped mid stride and turned around. "What? What is it? Is Pheebs okay? Ugh! I knew all that studying would kill her one day! Where is she? I nee-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa Pataki. Phoebe is fine and I do mean fine," he said as he wiggled his eyebrows. "I just think you should know that Arnold's grandpa slipped and fell down the front stoop while clearing snow last night. He's not doing so well and I know you're pretty close with his grandparents, especially once Arnold left. I just thought you'd want to know in case you wanted to head to Hillwood this weekend. Pheebs and I have to drop off some things at her parents' house for the wedding anyway, so I figured now would be a great time to go…"

It was true. I loved those old timers. They were practically my family, but there was a good chance Arnold would be there. I hadn't spoken to him since the day he came home and I didn't want to deal with that right now.

Gerald noticed my discomfort, "look I know Arnold's homecoming didn't go exactly how everyone pictured it would, but you need to be an adult and set those issues aside. Grandpa might as well be the entire neighborhood's grandpa and I KNOW you have a really deep connection with you. I just want you to think about it."

I sighed and nodded. "You're right, of course you're right," I laughed. "I don't need to think about it, I'll go. Just text me where we'll meet up and when, okay?"

Gerald smiled, "of course, Helga. Now get out of here and go have fun teaching people to twirl or whatever."

I rolled my eyes, "that's not how I would put it, but alrighty then. Catch ya later!"

Gerald waved me out of the pub. The cold whipped my face making me feel claustrophobic and the sun shined so bright it was giving me a headache. I hated that he could still change my entire attitude just by someone simply saying his name. Ugh! I hated Arnold Shortman. And I DO mean HATE. Not the ten-year-old Helga hate which actually meant love. I truly hate Arnold Shortman now. But there was nothing that would keep me from seeing his ailing grandpa. I would go back to Hillwood, but I would NOT speak to Arnold Shortman.