Chapter 5

Sitting in the back seat of a cab, with both of my parents, riding through the city felt so surreal. A few things have changed since I've been gone, but it still had the very same vibe as when I left. I wonder if my parents feel the same way, even though they've been away much much longer. I couldn't wait to see everyone, especially my grandparents. I have missed them a lot since I've been gone, life just isn't the same without them. I had to stop myself from laughing out loud, thinking about Grandma and how crazy she is, the excitement must be getting to me. I asked my parents if Grandma was going senile a while back, they told me she's always been kooky. I think that's why Grandpa calls her Pookie, because it rhymes.

When we pulled up to the boarding house, I was so antsy to get out, I contemplated climbing over my mom. I decided against it considering I'm 6'2" and 170 lbs now and I might not fit. Finally, it was my turn to get out of the cab and I grabbed my suitcase out of the trunk with my Dad. The three of us crowded onto the stoop and my mom opened the door. It was dark inside, despite being early afternoon time.

"Hello?" my Dad called out...no response. We then walked over to the living room to set down our luggage, suddenly the lights came on and everyone yelled "SURPRISE". Everyone was there, all the same boarders, Grandma and Grandpa, they all came up to greet us and hug us. Some of the boarders have never met my parents, like and Ernie, but I could tell they were still very happy to see my parents. It felt so great to be back home, I could smell the familiar aroma the boarding house had and hearing Grandpa's voice was so soothing to my ears. I loved this place and I loved the city, my city. The rest of the afternoon went by quickly, my parents and I told stories to everyone. We had pizza for an early dinner, my grandparents wanted to treat us to something american. It was so delicious, I had forgotten how great it really is. I now longer will take anything for granted, considering I've been hunting and scavanging for food for the past few years. I wanted to do so many things now that I was home. I couldn't wait to listen to my records, take a hot shower and walk around the city.

Once everything winded down, I decided to go for a walk. The city air was so much more stuffy than what I had gotten used to, but I loved it more than any other air. It was the air I breathed for the first ten years of my life, so it has nostalgic value to it. I didn't know which direction to start walking in, but I want to see Helga eventually, I'm not ready yet though. First thing I walked by was 's flower shop, maybe I should get flowers for Helga, I thought. No on second thought, I shouldn't, I don't want her to get the wrong idea, I don't like her like her, right? Then, I remembered when Gerald and I used to work there, I really missed my best friend, maybe I should go see him first. So I switched my direction and headed the way to his brownstone. It wasn't a long walk, but I did take my time enjoying all my memories of this neighborhood, I love Hillwood.

When I got to Gerald's door, I was so thrilled to see him, I could feel myself jumping out of my own skin. I rang the doorbell and waited. Finally, the door was opened and there was a much older Timberly standing inside. She just stared at me with her mouth agape, she was in shock. Then she shouted "Gerald!" at the top of her lungs.

"Hi Timberly! It's nice to see you again" I said to her, trying to break our silence.

"Arnold? Is that really you? I can't believe it"

"Yep, it's me." I said awkwardly. "You must be about ten now?" I was attempting to make conversation, I wonder why she is acting so strange.

"Yeah, good guess. How old are you? 14 like Gerald?" She sounded nervous when she spoke for some reason.

"Actually, I'm 15. I just turned 15 recently, my birthday was in September." Where is Gerald, I thought. As if Timberly read my mind she yelled for him again.

"I'm coming Timberly, calm down. What's going - Oh hey man!" Gerald was now in the doorway, he seemed so happy to see me, as was I to see him. He was about my height, his hair was still pretty tall and his voice was really deep. He came in for our handshake, then he kind of half hugged me.

"What's up man? I didn't think I'd see you this early, but I'm glad you came by."

"Yeah, I was just taking a walk and decided to head here first. I really miss the neighborhood Gerald" I told him.

"Did you see Helga yet?" Why does he always have to mention Helga?

"No, not yet. I don't know when I want to go see her, I was thinking tonight, but now I'm not so sure" Crap, now he's going to ask why I thought.

"Why not? Are you getting nervous?" He said with a small grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye. I was right, he did ask and he also figured out why.

"Yeah, to be honest, I am a little nervous. I don't know why I'm nervous though." That was the truth.

"Maybe you like her? Pheobe used to make me nervous, I mean sometimes, you know on occassions" Gerald said, trying to sound cool.

"I don't like Helga, Gerald. I must be nervous for another reason, because that's not it" I wasn't mad, just confused why he thinks that.

"Well, why else would you be nervous? She's not a bully anymore, if that's why you're scared"

"I'm not scared and I guess I'm not that nervous, I don't know" I said back to him.

"Well, she might already know you came back today because Phoebe might have told her." Gerald said, not looking at me directly.

"You know I wanted it to be a surprise! Now she's expecting to see me, I feel more nervous now than before" I said.

"Yeah man, I'm sorry, you know how girls are. I've got a great plan though, I'll go over to Helga's and tell her you'll be back in a few days. That way you won't be under pressure." That really is a great plan, that way if I don't go immediately, she won't be waiting.

"That will work Great Gerald. I like your thinking and thank you. I think I'm going to go walk around more, did you want to hang?" I asked him.

"Nah, that's alright. I gotta get to Helga's and I have to study with Phoebe, we have friday study nights. I'll definitely see you soon enough though, later dude"

"Bye, Gerald" We went into the handshake once more and I turned around and departed his stoop. Well now I have all night to walk around and if I decide to surprise Helga, I can do that whenever. I thought about heading to the arcade and then to Tina park, so off I went.