Disclaimer: Craig Bartlett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.

32. Arnold on the couch

- What am I doing? - He asked in his mind for the thousandth time. - No, I've to do it… not just for me, but for others too. - He played a little with his legs, a bit nervous, and sighed to catch his breath.

- Is Arnold Shortman here? - The secretary caught his attention.

- Yes I'm.

- It's your turn, the doctor is waiting for you.

- Oh really thank you, I was lost in my mind and… -The boy tried to justify his clumsy steps, but as he approached the counter, he discovered that the young woman wasn't even listening to him. He continued on his way, hesitating for a moment before opening the door, but the doctor's voice surprised him.

- Go ahead, with confidence.

- Hi… sorry Doctor, professor, How should I call you? - He said shamefully, before he broke the antique lamp that was in front of him. - Oh… I'm really sorry… I'm nervous and lately… I'm destroying everything around me.

- Oh don't worry gentleman, it was just an accident. It wasn't very important to me. - The lady smiled sweetly and with her hand indicated for him to take a seat, the boy obeyed and fixed his green eyes on hers. - Well, I'm Doctor Bliss and I'm here to you, we have an hour to talk about anything you want, but… I would like to start asking 2 questions, first, Why are you here? and the second one, why did you say: "Lately I'm destroying anything around me", ?

- Actually the answer to the second question answers the first one… I'm here because I feel that I have lost control of my life… I don't know what's wrong with me!

- That's quite a strong statement for someone your age. - The doctor leafed through her record and returned her attention to her patient. - You are 12, right?

- Yes, but… My life is very complicated.

- Ok, ok, let's start from the beginning, to discover when you lost control. But first, relax,is a very normal feel that.

- Really?

- Sometimes I feel it too, but don't worry, together we will find the answer. So, Arnold? …. wait a minute… Are you Arnold Shortman from PS 118?

- Yes Doctor? Is there a problem?

- Oh no, none. Let 's start. - Oh my, I'll finally meet the famous Arnold. - Tell me about your family, who lives with you?

- Heh, here starts everything… my family is… a little peculiar actually. My parents worked in the jungle when they were young, and they loved their job, they helped a lot of people there.

- Really?
- Yes! They worked building houses for poor people and taking care of their illnesses. They're awesome and… their lives changed when I was born.

- Why do you think so?

- Because the jungle was so dangerous for me, they decided to move back to Hillwood, where my dad growed up.

- That sounds reasonable to me. Sometimes when a person experiences such an adventurous life, there comes a time when they long for the peace of a normal, quiet home.

- Maybe, but their helpful self did not agree. And when a culture that needed them called they returned to San Lorenzo, however, unknown to anyone, they fell ill and... did not return.

- I see...

- So they left me in the care of my grandparents. They are like my second parents.

- How do you get along with them? - The doctor asked while she did not stop writing and was surprised, knowing the other side of the story was disturbing.

- My grandpa Phil is great! He is brave, generous and very affectionate. He is not afraid of anything. He always shared his traditions with me and his crazy stories... Sometimes I feel like I have a worse time without dad... but I never mention it, because of me.

…

– Sunset Arms - 10 years ago –

On a rainy day, a baby Arnold was sleeping comfortably in his grandma's arms. There, nothing could hurt him. Suddenly his grandpa left his bed.

He grumbled a little and went downstairs, waking up the little one.

Determined to find out what was happening, he crawled down to where the grandpa was.

- Damn! What I was missing! A leak!

The old man went down to the basement and took out an old bucket.

- One day, this place will fall on our heads.

Willing to help his grandpa, the two-year-old boy, the next morning, he looted his grandmother's bag. He smiled sweetly as he found his target.

…

- Present -

- And what were you looking for?

- A chewing gum. I found as much as I could to create a ceiling plug.

The woman began to laugh, touched by the occurrence of the little.

- And how were you going to get to the roof?

- I was very small... That's as far as my plan came... but the thing is, my grandparents had almost no boarders anymore. They had to search for more and work harder.

…

– Sunset Arms - 8 years ago –

- I'm tired of that stupid foreign that arrived yesterday! - The angry old man seated with her grandson and wife and started to put your breakfast on the plate.

- Oh don't worry my cowboy! Oskar is not so bad! You have to meet him better. - The cowgirl granny put a pile of pancakes in front of her husband and he smiled.

- Yeah, maybe you're right and I'd like to meet him better… - As the old man was about to eat, the new boarder appeared and took the plate with him.

- Excellent service! Breakfast included! - He smiled mischievously before trying his mutiny.

- How I hate that Czechoslovakian!

- Oh Phil, calm down. - Added the grandmother, even without leaving her role. - He is a jerk, but his young wife is not stupid, I don't think they will last long. He will be leaving soon.

…

- Present -

- And guess what… they live with us nowadays… Anyway… what I'm trying to say is that I met some of my friend's grandparents and they live in Florida, or are traveling around the world, or the country, and what about mine? They were working, attending people, trying to keep the house afloat and…

- And that's why you decided that as the son of your grandparents, you should take care of them, beginning by being the best child of all and not causing them any problems... am I wrong?

- I... I've never seen him like that... I just did...

- And surely you matured long before the others, you sought to take care of them, and be that someone who is there for others.

- I think so... what's the point if we don't give the best to others?

- The problem, my dear gentleman, is when you give everything to others and you don't focus on yourself. Yes, you have played with your friends, gone to school, etc, but as long as the others are fine. I don't know what the trigger is yet, but it sounds to me like a conflict with the high morality that you have imposed on yourself.

The cheeks on the football head flushed rapidly, somehow he felt exposed.

- Don't be ashamed, you are a great boy! And the fact that you are here, giving yourself a chance, speaks highly of you. If you want, we can continue. Now tell me, what about your parents? You talk about them sometimes as if they weren't there and sometimes in the present time.

- That is another difficult story to explain.

- Well, tell me, we still have 35 minutes.

- Well, to summarize, I managed to go to San Lorenzo with my friends and with their help, we cured them and now they live with us.

- That's excellent Arnold!

- Yes, yes it was. And it's been as great as I thought it would be, they're even better than I ever imagined.

- It was a huge change in family dynamics. Tell me about it. How are things?

- To be honest, the beginning was wonderful, like a fairytale. We spent a wonderful summer together, visiting the city, museums, watching photo albums, telling stories…

- But?

- But… the time goes on and we had to start with the normal daily routine, the school, friends, the life with my grandparents and the boarders. I wanted to continue with my job at home like, help my grandfather with repairs, maintenance, things like that, but my dad decided that now was his job.

- Well, you've to admit that is very fair for you and your grandpa.

- Maybe, you're right. But sometimes, I feel useless, I only dedicated my time to school.

- Arnold, you're only 12, that must be your only job. You learned many things thanks to your upbringing, but spending some time focusing on your youth is necessary, and your family knows it. I can bet that your parents felt so guilty like you, and your grandparents.

- My grandparents?

- Yes, thinking that maybe they left a lot on your shoulders. In life it is like that, with people like you who tend to demand more of themselves. What I recommend is that just as you recognize what others did for you, you also recognize how good you have been for others.

I know that instead of being a burden to your grandparents, they see you as their reason to live and stay strong.

- You know, my… best friend said the same. She's so brilliant like you.

- Thank you! But don't worry. So, you must have a very special relationship with your parents. - The woman started writing again, until her patient added more.

- Well, we usually have it, but… last weekend, we had our first argument.

- What happened? With your mom or dad?

- With both. Weeks ago, a lost brother of my grandpa reappeared and stole our house… so we lost our place to live. Fortunately, some friends of ours helped us with everything, but my parents… started acting so much…

- Overprotective?

- Oh no, more! Asphyxiants. They wanted to be with me all the time, they even left their jobs before or took me with them and they didn't leave me any time with my girl… I mean, my friends. - The boy had to bite his tongue to stop her. - The worst thing was that when I thought I would have some time for myself and regain my peace, my parents were chaperones on our school trip!

- And parents again 24-7, right?

- Yeah! And while there... I yelled at them and... got angry with them... since then we hardly spoke. I feel terrible, I had never exploded like this with anyone and lately I just feel annoyed and angry, wanting to argue, anguished.

- And since when did you start noticing it? With the move?

- No... since before... When a boy came to school, or rather... came back... A cocky English Count named Jack Jackson - Said the blonde with all the bitterness accumulated in his heart.

- What did the boy do to you? Does he treat you badly?

- Oh... that guy just came to make my life miserable... Everything started on Halloween, when we were in 5th grade. Our lives were finally normal again, after the big problem with FTI. Were months of reflection and many paradigm shifts. I started to analyze everything in my life and I started to notice a…

- A girl? Arnold, please, relax. Here you can be honest with me… everything's a secret here. I promise.

- Well.. I… ok… I'll do it because I really need to talk about this. I'm dating the most confusing and special girl that you can imagine. Helga G Pataki… but we are a secret couple, she is not ready to tell others.

- Oh, I see… you can continue.

- Thank you… I said that she is very confusing and complicated, because… we met each other at kindergarten. I remember that on our first day, she seemed sad and lonely… I tried to help her, as my grandparents taught me. And everything went well at the beginning of the day, but then, she started to be a bully to everybody, mostly with me. I never understood why… until the time that she helped us to save the neighborhood. She told me that she was in love with me… I must admit that I already suspected it and some had already hinted at it.

- I knew it! - The doctor almost jumped from her seat, but seconds later to exchanging glances with her anguished patient, she regained her composure.- Continue please.

- Well, I noticed that I didn't have an answer to her, and it was a very big deal, I needed some time to think and to be honest, she didn't seem ready either.

I mean, she didn't want to tell me yet, I pushed her. So we agreed that nothing happened. The following months I began to really look at her, to discover things that I had not seen in her... The gestures that made her special and that she tried to hide. I guess over time I fell in love with her without realizing it.

I tried to analyze her feelings and I ended up growing mine... until the count arrived on exchange, that's where my misfortune began!

I immediately noticed how he made her nervous... finally someone made Helga Pataki nervous! It broke down in front of him... they got together all the time, I went into the background! She no longer bothered me or spoke to me! She was only with him!

I was freaking out!

So, she started to play pranks on him. Mr. Simmons, our teacher and the principal already had her sentenced. Until I made up my mind...Helga and I teamed up to get rid of him...not honestly, I must admit, but by the first week of January, he was back in England...it felt so good .

- The good and honest young man doing mischief! - The psychologist laughed a little. - Love works miracles.

- I know... Everything continued perfectly, I found my parents, I felt complete and ready to be with her... But a month ago that guy came back... and she has that same reaction with him! I can't help it, it makes me angry to see it!

- Now I understand everything Arnold, it's very clear.

- Oh really?

- Yeah! You are jealous, you want to shout to him and to the world who you are, but you can't, that stresses you out and makes you susceptible, that's why you have little patience with your parents and also, you're already a teenager, it's normal to have those mood swings.

- But I don't like being that kind of person.

- I understand, but that does not make you be. You are in a difficult stage, but it is enough that you learn to control your feelings a bit... Talk honestly with your parents, set limits for them and know that if they are as good as you say they are, they will understand you and they will help you.

- Yeah... they're great.

- And about your girlfriend, I think you should tell her how you feel, it's not just about her being happy with the relationship, you should be happy too.

- But what about her and her feelings?

- Both of you will have to talk about it and come to an agreement... Think about it, young man. Well, it was a great first session. I hope you feel better.

- To be honest... Yes, I feel much better, thanks Dr. Bliss.

- You can always come back whenever you want.

The boy smiled sweetly at him and left the office, his mind ready to decide what to do now.

– Lloyd's Tower– Stella and Mile's bedroom

The couple were working their own business for a bit, sadly and quietly as they were lately, when Arnold knocked on the door.

- Are you busy? - He asked shyly.

- Arnold! Dear, come in please… - His mom put the book that was reading in the bed and put all her attention on him.

- Mom, dad… I know that I was rude on the mountain, I'm really sorry… It was only that… Lately I felt so much pressure on me, about the school, my friends, the move… I felt that we spent so much time together and I wanted a little time with my friends and Helga… I had some problems with her and I was trying to solve them. Sorry, that does not justify my behavior, I hurt you and even Eugene too.

- Oh champ! We aren't angry with you. - His dad stood up and walked next to him. - We were worried, we didn't know what was happening with you and we were just trying to help.

- But you're right Arnold, you aren't a little kid anymore, you need some space and time with your friends and Helga… We are sorry too.

- Don't worry mom… I suppose that you are learning to be parents and I'm learning how to be a son.

- Well Arnie, spoiler alert, you're a very excellent student. The three of them shared a big hug, leaving old problems behind. Now the football head boy has only a problem to solve… but how?...

– Bennington College's International piano contest - England - 2 years ago

- Olga, Olga, Olga! I'm tired of hearing her name! TIRED! - The blonde threw her high-heeled shoes to the ground and sat down at the fountain in the elegant garden. - I wish I could gouge my eyes out so I don't see so many hypocrites anymore!

- I must admit that that would be a crime. - A young man surprised her from behind.

- If you don't want me to commit a real crime, leave me alone...

- Those are not proper words for such a beautiful lady.

- The beautiful lady is about to become you a lady too.

- You are American right? I love how powerful they are. My name is Jack Jackson, I am the Count of...

- You can be the Queen herself, but I already told you... leave me alone! Or you will regret it!

- The blonde took her heels, raised her dress a little and left the garden, grumbling about the lack of peace.

- A challenge, huh? I accept it. - The boy smiled to himself. - Soon I will have her begging for my affection.

THE END

Since I was writing the first episode of reconnection, about the session of Helga, I thought how interesting it would be one session, but from Arnold's side. I and so many fans always lament that we didn't see how Arnold and even Phoebe and Gerald deal with the knowledge about Helga's feelings, I mean, we have around the first five minutes of the jungle movie, but, after waiting for it for so many years… Well, it was therapeutic for me too, writing this development!