Arnold's piggy bank didn't have enough money. It had $17.50 in it, and it would've had less if he hadn't been saving lunch money. He needed ten more dollars to afford the cheaper safety rails, and since he didn't get an allowance, he had no way of earning it.

I told Sid's dad I would buy the rails tomorrow, Arnold thought as he lay in bed. He had just gotten home from school, and this was the only thing on his mind.

He sat up, then flopped onto his back again. What's the point? Convincing Mom won't convince Grandpa.

Apparently Arnold hadn't closed his door all the way, because Abner managed to get into the room. He jumped onto Arnold's bed, squealing happily.

Arnold gave him some half-hearted pets. "I love you, Abner," Arnold said. "I'm glad you're not leaving me."

As he continued to pet his pig, Arnold managed a genuine smile. It didn't last long, though.

"It's too bad Grandpa thinks you're annoying. You should really stop stealing his bacon."

Abner grunted.

"Oh, c'mon!" Arnold said. "You shouldn't even eat that! It's your relatives!" Arnold himself rarely ate ham, since it looked more like Abner than bacon or pork sausages. He insisted that his ham sandwiches swim in unhealthy amounts of mayo.

Suddenly worried that someone might hear him, Arnold stopped talking to Abner. Why am I talking to Abner, anyway? It's probably my grandparents' last weekend at home. I should spend the whole weekend with them.

Helga would be disappointed, of course, but it wasn't like they couldn't play baseball on Sunday. His grandparents could watch them from the bleachers.

Wait a minute...Dino Land! Arnold jumped to his feet so fast that Abner got a little bit startled. If I take Grandma and Grandpa to Dino Land, Helga can join us, 'cause she got a free pass from that modeling job! Then no one will be disappointed!

"Forget it, Arnold," Phil said during dinner. "I'm not riding a roller coaster with Pookie."

"You don't have to ride the Tyranno Scare-Us," Arnold said. "They have rides that are less dangerous."

"I know that," Phil said, "but Dino Land's always crowded on Saturdays. Plus it smells like old soil."

Normally Arnold would chuckle at that statement, but tonight he was too disappointed. "Then where do you wanna go tomorrow?"

"Well I want to see the baseball game, but you know we can't afford tickets," Phil said. "Plus they're sold out now. Your dad needs a job."

"You want Dad to work and run the boarding house?" Arnold didn't think his father could do both.

"Well I can run the boarding house," Stella said. "I can't work, Arnold needs me. And there aren't a lot of jobs close by for someone with a PhD in medical anthropology."

"Don't look at me," Miles said. "You know my PhD is in archaeology. If I get a job, I'll probably have to travel outside of Hillwood."

Arnold suddenly lost his appetite. "Can I be excused?" he asked his mother, even though his spaghetti and meatballs weren't finished.

Stella glanced at his plate, but didn't comment on it. "Yes, sweetie."

Arnold went up to his bedroom and closed the door. He was torn on whether or not to lock it.

Grandma and Grandpa are moving out, he thought. And if Dad decides to get a job, he'll probably have to travel a lot. Then I'll just have Mom and Abner.

The thought made him feel painfully lonely.