Disclaimer: Craig Bartlett is the creator and he and Nickelodeon have the rights of the show.
33. Big siblings ambiguity
Dear bro:
How are things going? I've to say that your little sister was very complicated, she always tried to participate in my dates with Phoebe or when I spent some time with Arnold, she's always around me… except for Timberly, everything is great.
Oh, we tried that burger's restaurant that you told me about in your last time, you didn't do it justice, it's cheese burger is amazing! Maybe the next time that you visit me, when, you know, dad and mom talk to you again, we can go together.
Well… I've to go to Arnold's place. We and the girls are talking about the prom… please, write soon.
The young Johanssen closed his computer, sighing sadly.
- Maybe today is the day… he must be busy.
The brunette checked his tall hair in the mirror, and deciding that he looked amazing, he left his house, walking through his new favorite path. He knocked on the door and he received a smile as a welcome.
- Hello young, Phoebe is almost ready, would you like to come in?
- Thank you Mr Heyerdahl! - He went into his girl's house, following her dad to the living room. After 6 months of Reba's departure from home, Phoebe and his dad decided to remodel their house a little, to bring a new different air to them.
- Everything is ok at school? - Mr Heyerdahl sat down, offering the boy to do the same.
- Yes, my grades are better now, Phoebe is an excellent tutor.
- Yes she is amazing. And your family? What about your brother? He is still in Greece, right?
- I think so, I mean, yes, he is working at that Hotel with his girlfriend… but…
- I'm ready! - Phoebe joined the room.
- Wow princess, you look amazing!
- Thanks dad. We'll come back for dinner. It's my turn today.
- Don't worry daughter, I can do it today. Have fun!
The young couple left the house and they headed towards the cinema.
- So, how do I look? - The girl with Asian features posed a little for her boy, jokingly.
- Perfect… as always.
- Gerald? Is everything ok? You look worried.
- To be honest… is Jamie O… I still have no response from him. Neither my letters nor my emails and calls, less.
- Oh I see… Do you think that he is in trouble?
- I don't know, when he left the country last January, he always responded all my messages, we were closer than when we were little, but, I've almost 4 weeks without answers. I don't know what I can do? I don't know anyone there.
- What about his girlfriend?
- I don't have her number…
- I'm sorry Gerald, if you want it, we can come back and…
- Oh no, sorry babe, don't worry, I really want to go to the cinema, I need some relaxation…
- Ok, but if you need some help, you know that I'm here for you.
- Luckily for me… yes, I know it. - They smiled at each other, held hands and walked to their destination.
After leaving his girl at home, young Gerald decided to walk to enjoy the reddish Hillwood skies, worried with thoughts of his older brother.
As Helga always said, life could be quite ironic when it wanted to, a couple of years ago, he would have been delighted that Jamie O had disappeared from earth and now... all he wanted was to hear his voice again. .
About to get home, he saw a couple of brothers chasing each other on their bikes.
- It seems like it was so recently...
He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the melancholia of his memories. When a loud noise in his house caught his attention.
- I warned you! Remember?
That was the unmistakable voice of his father.
Worried about what might be happening, Gerald hurriedly ran and entered his living room. To his surprise, the cause of his mortification was being prosecuted by his parents.
- Jamie O… you're ok! - He ran to his brother's arms and started crying, feeling relieved for the first time in weeks.
- Not now Gerald, we are talking with this… young.
- Martin, enough, he is not " a young" is OUR son… and he needs you.
- Oh no, of course not, I told him, when he came to face me and challenged me, if he left the college and this house, he was no longer my son.
- Maybe for you… but he is MY SON and this is my house too, and if he needs it, he will come back here.
- But…
- I said MY LAST WORD! - The woman screamed as loud as a lioness.
Her husband and children looked at her in astonishment, determined not to say anything else, for their own safety.
- I'll go upload your things son, everything will be fine. - His mother caressed her eldest son's shoulder as she picked up some suitcases from the entrance.
Martin sighed annoyed and went to his room.
- Jamie O... when did you come back? Why?... You didn't answer me and I was worried... Where is Charly?
- I don't know... and I'm not interested... We're not together anymore.
- What happened? Gerald could see the bitterness and disappointment in his brother's brown eyes.
- It doesn't matter... Let's just say that dad was right all along and that's it.
Without saying another word, the young man went to his old room, leaving behind his hurt brother.
When he left with his girlfriend, Jamie O looked totally excited and eager to work, what he saw now had nothing to do with that boy.
Night came quickly, covering the city with mist, some distant lightning was seen in the sky, announcing a possible nearby storm.
Jamie O was breathing hard, a bunch of bottles lay around him in bed.
He took his cell phone and looked at a photo of the culprit of his sadness.
- I will find you... and you will pay for everything...
The boy got up as he could and took his keys and the bottle that still had some liquor inside.
Without attracting the attention of his family who were having dinner, he took his car keys and drove off.
- Mom, when can I say hi to Jamie? - The little girl ate the mashed potatoes from her spoon and looked at her mother.
- Soon daughter, maybe tomorrow. Today he felt something sick
- But not to go to the store to buy who knows what.
- Don't start Martin. - His wife interrupted him. - Only he knows what happened.
- And it was his fault, I gave him a roof, food, education, the certainty of a future, and he rejected everything. He has what he deserves.
- I will not allow you to speak ill of my son! - The African-American woman got up hitting the table and headed for the stairs.
- Dad, I think we should support Jamie O more...
- Enough Gerald, I don't want to talk more about...
- Martin! Jamie O left!- His wife screamed in terror, before her husband went up the stairs the phone rang. - Yes I'm Martin Johanssen. WHAT? I'm coming. Janet come here! Now!
– Drymon Medical Clinic –
Sitting on his bed, the brunette young man looked at his blows and felt the pain of his bruised neck. From a distance, he listened to the police officer talking to his parents.
- Do you feel better? - Nurse Suzie came in to check on the patient.
- The best I can be, I suppose.
- You're a Johanssen, right? I lived in Sunset Arms with Arnold's family, I know your little brother. I'm glad you're well.
- Don't bother ma'am, but I want to be alone.
- Jamie O, be nice to the nurse, she's just taking care of you. We already talked to the police. - His mother sighed exhausted.
- And although I didn't want to, we paid the bail, but you will have to cover a community service of 150 hours of work.
- I won't do anything and you can't make me!
- Enough young man! - His father stood really firm in front of him. - You wanted to be a man, well welcome to adulthood, adulthood means doing what you want and knowing that there are consequences, you wanted to drive drunk, you crashed and now you will pay the school and me what you made us lose. One way or the other.
His father left the room totally upset and without anyone but his wife noticing, tears fell from his eyes.
- I wish I could ease your pain, son, like when you fell off your bike as a child… - His dad thought, sadly.
– PS 118 – Hall
All the students were talking about the latest news, how the elder brother of Gerald crashed his car in the second grade classroom, and how now he will be working there.
- Everybody is talking and watching me… it's uncomfortable! - Gerald closed his locker, totally angry.
- Don't worry Gerald, you know that they will forget everything in a few days. - His best friend tried to help, but each student that walked around there pointed at him and muttered. - Well maybe next week.
- Good try Arnie, but I know that no.
The bell rang and the students walked to their class.
Jamie O dropped to the floor, annoyed by the medical collar that prevented him from moving.
- Stupid school! Stupid community service! It's no use!
- Those are not words for a young man who should come to serve.
- Hey who do you think you are…!
Jamie O got up to face the person who was scolding him, until he found the young and beautiful teacher Pataki who was looking at him angrily and offended by how he had answered her. The young man was left without an answer for a few moments and crossed his arms annoyed, averting his gaze.
- Wow, if it's the destroyer of newly remodeled schools. Nice to see you again Mr. Johanssen.
- Director Wartz, you look better without hair.
- You are not in a joking position, young man, you will be repairing the entire classroom and supporting whatever is needed. You, Miss Pataki, will be teaching in the auditorium for now, thanks to this criminal young man.
- I think that's enough Mr. Wartz. - She tried to whisper, but still the words reached the young Johanssen. - He must have been through enough bad already.
- As you say, let's go. - The principal escorted the class and the teacher, but Jamie O couldn't stop looking at her. For some reason, her voice and eyes seemed tremendously familiar.
- You heard the director, let's start rebuilding. - Ernie Potts was the one destined to direct the work and he did not plan to be anything tame with the boy.
…
His first 35 hours of service were a pain in the ass. Ernie had been as strict as he'd promised, and Principal Wartz brought him around. Jamie O swore that if he heard his name one more time... he'd rip his own ears off.
- Damn fat man! The next time I see him!...
- That way you won't get out of here soon. - Olga's soft voice appeared in front of him.
- I'm sorry, but you can't be in the repair zone.
- I know, I'm sorry, but one of my boys can't find his notebook and this is the only place we haven't searched, it won't take me more than a minute.
The teacher slipped through the rubble and went to the only piece of furniture that had remained intact. - I knew it! Here it was!
Olga was about to leave when her heel caught in a crack, almost causing her to fall. Jamie O tossed the material in his hands and held her around the waist, looking straight into her eyes.
- I'm... sorry, you were right, it was dangerous.
- I... I remember you!
- What are you talking about?
The brunette's mind traveled to his first day of elementary school, the worst of all. Back then he wore braces and was a total mess. He remembered how a 7th grade girl who was visiting for an assembly stood up to some bullies over him, and defended him.
- That girl from the award who defended me... was you...
- Oh I remember you! You were so little then! - Olga smiled sweetly and got back up, freeing herself from the boy's arms, who did not come out of his daze. Playfully, she pinched his cheek, making him blush instantly.
- You're much older now!
- Do not do it! - He yelled rudely.
- Oh sorry, I didn't mean to bother you, I better go...
- Don't wait Miss Pataki, I'm sorry... it's just that...
- You've been having a hard time lately, haven't you?
- Yes... more than that.
- I imagine, a few months ago, my mom also had an accident and... it was like hitting her lowest point.
- You can bet it's mine too.
- Well, there's 15 minutes left until lunch ends, if you want to talk to me, go ahead.
They both took a seat on the floor. She took out her sandwich and offered him half.
- Thank you! It's just that... I... had a plan... I met a girl, we got along amazingly... I saw her as the mother of my children, my partner... she was my best friend, I... I would have done anything for her. I even stood up to my family for her.
- And what happened?
- Well, we decided to drop out of school and travel to Greece together, and the first few months were paradise... until I discovered her with the hotel manager.
- I see... And you had to return exhausted to your parents' house, defeated and ashamed, like a complete failure.
- You're making fun of me? - The boy got up annoyed, but she told him to sit down.
- No, no, I'm sorry, it's just that I lived it myself recently... I wanted to leave teaching to be a broadway actress.
- What?
- Yes, yes, it sounds pathetic, I know... I gave it all up and tried... I even compromised my family, who depended on me financially... and no matter how hard I tried, even though I stood firm to my parents, I failed...
- Wow... we're a failure.
- It seems so, right?
They both laughed a little together and sighed.
- Of which I'm sure. - The blonde girl continued. - Failure is part of life and we must live it to learn from it... maybe things didn't turn out the way we wanted, but... at least we tried, that's a lot, isn't it?
- I guess so... I don't know how to go on without her now.
- It will cost you at first, but see that now you can think about yourself, about what you want and that you are free. It was what cheered me up when my fiancé left me at my wedding.
- What a lady, everything has happened to you and... you don't look so old.
- Neither you, and look that you also have your own journey.
They both smiled at each other until the bell brought them back to the present.
- I have to go to the last period, but... cheer up, everything will be better, you're not alone.
- Thank you... Olga, for being the only person who didn't judge me.
- That's what we losers are for. - The young teacher smiled at him and went to her room.
Jamie O looked ahead at the salon to be rebuilt, optimistic and with a new focus.
- She will have the best classroom, the classroom she deserves. - And he got down to work, even though he had a couple more minutes of rest.
– Johanssen's kitchen - 2 months later —
Mr. Johanssen was about to finish reading his newspaper, when an official signed and approved ballot appeared in front of him and his wife.
- I have complied, father... My service is complete.
- It was the least you could do. - The man responded dryly.
- We are proud son. Well done.
- I... - He sighed to steel himself. - I know that I disappointed you, that I hurt you and worried you... I'm very sorry, but... I had to try, I had to know what I was capable of. And now I know. But I also know now what I want and I... I'm going back to college, but here at Hillwood... I'll prepare to be a great teacher.
- Really son? - His mother was stupefied. - I thought you hated children.
- Being back home made me realize how vital they are, and how much it helps to have the right help at the right time... like I had you. - And my special girl. - He thought to himself.
- I'll make you proud.
Without letting them say more, he went up the stairs and sighed smiling at the photo of the blonde that now posed on his nightstand. He took his sweatshirt and went to his siblings - Guys, let's go for ice cream, it's my treat!
- Sure!- Gerald entered his room and looked curiously at the photo of his friend's older sister. - Oh no... - He managed to say, looking at his brother and that stupid look he had seen before.
THE END
And now Jamie O have fallen in Olga's charming... poor Gerald, he will need the help of Betsy and her 5 friends to make him come back his mind...