Arnold's parents (and grandparents) were concerned about Helga not getting breakfast at home. Stella was more than willing to make an extra plate of pancakes, and even suggested buying cereal for Helga's entire family.

"Do you know what her favorite cereal is?" Stella asked Arnold during dinner on Thursday night.

"I'm not sure," Arnold said. "You'll have to ask her tomorrow."

"Does she have any siblings?" Miles asked.

"Yeah, a big sister. She graduated college back in, um...June?" Arnold remembered hearing Helga complain about it, saying that Olga "forced" her to attend the commencement. He didn't understand why Helga wouldn't want to see her sister get a degree.

"Well," Miles said, "does the sister live with the family?"

"I don't know, actually." Am I a bad boyfriend for not knowing this stuff?

"Doesn't Helga talk about her sister?" Stella asked.

"Not much," Arnold said. "Helga kind of...resents her, I guess, because their parents pay more attention to Olga."

"Her father is a blowhard," Phil said suddenly. After a brief silence, he added, "I met him a few times."

"I'm sure Helga would agree with you," Arnold said, "but please don't say that while she's here."

Helga's pancakes sat for almost fifteen minutes before she arrived. Mr. Potts was using the microwave, so Stella couldn't reheat them.

"That's OK," Helga said. "Cold pancakes don't bother me."

I guess she can't be picky when she's used to eating nothing, Arnold thought. His own pancakes were long gone, eaten while they were still warm.

"You look kind of tired, Helga," Miles said. "Did you get enough sleep last night?"

"Less than eight hours, but that's normal for me."

"Did you go to bed late?" Stella asked.

"Nah, I just couldn't sleep." Helga took a sip of her milk.

"Do you have a mattress?" Arnold asked.

"No, I sleep on a sofa. It's pretty comfortable, though."

"It must be hard living in store," Stella said. "Do you have any hobbies?"

A huge grin appeared on Helga's face. "Yeah, I write poems and play baseball. And I do ballet during the colder months."

"That's nice," Stella said. "Do you perform at recitals?"

"Well, I used to, before my sister went to college. But my mom fell asleep at one when I was eight and I got embarrassed, so I stopped going."

Stella frowned. "You stopped going to recitals, or you stopped taking ballet?"

"I stopped going to recitals, but I still go to practice. Recitals are in June anyway, and I'd rather play baseball then."

"A ballerina and a baseball player?" Miles seemed impressed.

"I play other sports, too, but baseball is my favorite." Helga looked at Arnold. "Are we playing this Sunday?"

"Um...probably. Unless Gerald plans to take Phoebe on another lunch date."

"Since when do we need Gerald? We can beat Harold without him."

Arnold didn't respond. He never played baseball without Gerald before, and he wondered if it would feel weird.

"I would love to watch you kids play baseball," Miles said.

Arnold smiled. He definitely wanted to play in front of his dad. "What about you, Mom? Can you watch us on Sunday?"

"Of course I will, sweetie," Stella said. "But I hope you take safety precautions."

"Don't worry, Mrs. Shortman," Helga said. "We've been playing baseball for years, and neither of us were ever hospitalized during a game."

"Where do you play?" Miles asked. "The park?"

"No, we have a vacant lot," Arnold said.

"He's really good, by the way," Helga said. "He's the best baseball player in our class."

Arnold smiled. "Thanks, Helga."

Then Abner ran into the kitchen. "Oink oink!"

"Grandma already fed you, Abner," Arnold said. "And I'm on a date right now, so I can't play with you."

Helga finished eating a few minutes later. "Thanks for the meal, Mrs. Shortman."

"You're welcome." Stella picked up Helga's plate. "And you're welcome to come back tomorrow."

Helga hesitated before responding. "Isn't it hard to make food for nine people?"

"My grandma used to do it," Arnold said. "We used to have six boarders."

His grandmother nodded. "There's always enough food for Eleanor Roosevelt."

Helga laughed. "Then I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

After saying goodbye to his family, Arnold walked over to the front door. Helga followed him, and Arnold opened the door for her.

"You look really happy," Arnold said.

"I feel really happy," Helga said, stepping outside into the late summer air. "I haven't felt this happy in a long time."

It was sunny, but not too hot. Helga held Arnold's hand as they walked to school.

A/N: So Arnold and Helga get a happy ending...for now. I might eventually write a sequel, but I'm currently planning a fic set before TJM.

Thanks again to everyone who reviewed!