Disclaimer: I do not own Hey Arnold or it's characters.

Chapter 20,

Dear Diary,

Arnold and Gerald have been waiting outside of the boarding house every morning, waiting for Harvey because they wanted their telescope so badly. Well, today, it finally showed up. On one hand, it's kinda cute to see them being so excited over something, but they also look kinda pathetic sitting on the steps waiting for the mailman...

oh well, at least it's over. And I know for sure- because guess what I'm listening to right now? Gerald screaming at the people to turn off their lights, so they could stargaze. I hope Phoebe heard that; she's find it adorable, even though it's a tad loud and disruptive.

It's no surprise that they can't see the stars out there with all that light pollution around them. I mean the last time I was really able to look up at the stars, was when Bob took Phoebe and I camping and serendipitously parked right next to Arnold's campsite... man that was nice, actually. I loved sitting beside Arnold, next to the campfire, roasting marshmallows and singing... and I vaguely remember stargazing too. Phoebe and Arnold's grandfather took turns telling us different star stories... I think the most common star stories are of Greek origin. Don't get me wrong, I think there's star stories from every civilization out there, but people really seem to like the Greek ones, I suppose...

You know, I think I should go to the library tomorrow and get a book on astrology or star stories or something. Arnold being so interested in seeing Sally's Comet is getting me interested in the stars again.

Dear Diary,

Arnold and Gerald discovered that, in order to see the stars, the whole city would have to be pitch black. So they decided to get the news out to convince people to turnout their lights. As I left the library, I saw them hard at work.

They put on these star costumes and I swear Gerald was yelling at bystanders as if he were a preacher trying to convince others to redeem their would... you know, except for the fact that he was talking about seeing Sally's Comet tonight.

I kinda felt bad for them. I saw them when I was coming for them. They were standing outside Mr. Green's butcher shop, just trying to get people interested in the comet, and it seemed like everyone blew him off- Even that weirdo Monkeyman.

I mean, I get if he thinks he's too busy fighting crime to be interested in a Comet, but dude, shouldn't he at least feign interest and take a flyer, out of pity or something? I mean isn't his whole mission to help kids in need? To protect them from the rough streets and people who would want to hurt them, or something?

Oh, wait, what am I saying, he didn't help Arnold when he got mugged, or when we all got stuck in the subway, and what about Eugene? I know for a fact that kid is in trouble all the time, and has Monkeyman ever once saved Eugene? I know I'm being a little harsh on the man, but still...

ok, the incident with Arnold- fine, he can't be everywhere at once. But the subway thing was on the news, and crowds of people showed up to the station l. Did he really not notice anything, or was he not smart enough or brave enough to find a way around the police, like Arnold's grandmother did. And as for Eugene, I mean, I guess a hero can't spend all of his time looking after one victim, because others would need him too- but Eugene has been hurt so many time, and he's never talked about being saved by Monkeyman... ugh, whatever.

A part of me wanted to go over and take a flyer so I could be somewhat supportive, even though I would have lied and said it sounds boring, but Phoebe might get a kick out of it... but I'm not sure how convincing that would sound with an astrology book in my hands.

Normally I would have risked it, but ever since Arnold and I talked about Olga, I've been trying to be extra careful around him. After all, he was the only person to notice I wasn't happy with Olga coming home, and how happy I was that she was upset and stuff... I-I just didn't want him to know that I was interested in seeing the comet just like he was. I don't know what he would say- positive or negative, and I don't think I'm prepared for it, regardless of what he said.

Anyways I came home, and I talked to dad about maybe turning off our lights so we could watch the comet, and he said that no one- especially a dirty snowball in the sky, was gonna order him around and make him turn off his lights. I told him turning off the lights can help make the electric bill cheaper, and he said trusting anyone with Miriam to go shopping would make the food bill cheaper, but he still lets her do it.

As cheap as he was, I thought it would be easy to get him to turn off the lights, but I'm also surprised. It almost sounds like he's letting her waste money because he loves her, or something? It's probably as close as I've ever seen him actually defending mom... so I left him alone. I'm gonna go over to Phoebe's to see the comet, if we can.

Dear Diary,

Phoebe's dad set up the telescope, a radio, and some folding chairs up in the roof for all of us to hang out before the comet showed up. I have conflicting feelings about spending time with a Phoebe's parents. They are so much different then mine, and part of me can't stand it, but another part of me wishes that my folks acted like that.

We were listening to that Nocturnal Ned show and he was talking about Hawk Mountain being full, and playing a bunch of music, and guess what we heard? Gerald doing a commercial on the show! Heh! And guess what? He must have tricked Nocturnal Ned, because Ned used his nerdy voice by accident!!! HA! Hahhhh...

Well, soon enough, 8:16 came and you'll never guess what happened. Within ten seconds, all the lights in town switched off, and I swear you didn't even need a telescope to see Sally's comet. The stars were so incredibly bright, and to be able to see Sally's Comet really was nice. I bet Arnold thought it was amazing. And even though I didn't get to share this experience with Arnold, so think I'll remember this for the rest of my life...

And who knows, maybe we'll get to see the comet together next time it comes around. I guess that's kinda mushy since that's a 70-year wait, but still. If I'm lucky Arnold and I will be together for the rest of our lives. It's worth the wait.

Arnold thought about reading some more, but he wanted to read some on the bus ride to school, so he thought he would save some for that. Arnold dragged his butt downstairs. His parents were talking in the living room about Mrs. Pataki, and so Arnold decided to leave them alone and go into the kitchen.

"Hold it, sailor. How do you expect to swim without your skivvies?" Arnold's grandmother asked and Arnold smiled:

"Morning grandma. How are you doing?" Arnold asked and she laughed heartily.

"Grand, Skipper. Mitzi's coming over to dock with us for a bit. She's so excited to see your parents." Grandma said and Arnold smiled.

"Really? That sounds fun. It must have been so long since she's seen mom and dad." Arnold said and Grandma shrugged.

"Well, she tends to be busy with work and such." She said.

"Is that why she stayed away for so long?" Arnold asked. He wasn't really sure where this question came from. Perhaps it was just because he's been reading so much of Helga's diary.

"Well, Skipper, that's hard today. Sometimes it's difficult to see family you're fighting with, even when you want to see the kids. Not only that, it's not always easy to introduce yourself to someone whom you should have met years ago." She said and Arnold's eyes widened at this response.

"That's rather observant Grandma." Arnold said and she slapped her hand down on the table.

"Either that, or our lives are a television show and the writers decided to suddenly introduce an estranged sister because they wanted you to solve some family drama." Grandma said and Arnold rolled his eyes.

"Grandma, be serious." Arnold said and she laughed like a madwoman.

"Sorry Skipper, that was just a joke." She said and Arnold bit his lip.

"Hey, uh... grandma?" Arnold asked and she smiled at him.

"Yes, Arnold?" She said and Arnold rubbed the back of his neck.

"Grandma, I've been thinking... maybe, when Helga wakes up... she could... um... stay here." Arnold said nervously and she paused.

"I'm guessing you're not talking about a visit." Grandma said and Arnold shook his head.

"I'm not." Arnold said and she put her hands loosely on her hips.

"Well, Skipper, sometimes when life gives you lemons, you got to make lemon candy." She said, reaching into the kitchen and then handing Arnold a hamburger for breakfast.

"Is that a yes or a no?" Arnold asked, desperately wanting a straight answer.

"You see, Arnold, when you make lemonade, you take the lemons, squeeze the juice and dilute it with water and maybe sugar to make it tolerable. But when you make lemon candies, you take lemons and turn them into something you can really enjoy. What I'm saying, is that Helga is a lemon. Her parents turn her into bitter lemonade and she is tolerated by them. But if that lemon comes over here, I think she would enjoy it, and become sweet." She said and Arnold smiled.

"Really?" He asked and she put a hand on his shoulder.

"If Helga needs a home, she'll always have a room here at the Sunset Arms." She said and Arnold hugged her.

"Thank you grandma." He said and she hugged him back.

"No problem, Skipper. And if Phil the Hill has a problem with it, then he'll have to answer to Ol' Glory and The Revolution." She said, pulling away and showing Arnold her fists. They laughed together and Arnold ate his burger.