Hey Arnold: The teenage Years

Would that be okay?

Robert Simmons was a child prone to anxiety. Nail biting, fidgeting with things around him, and some minor OCD like behavers plagued him as a young boy, but, as an adult, he had grown into a happy and confident man. He took pride in who he was and tried his best to help his students see who they were. There were two students in Robert's life that at stuck out to him the most. The first was a kid with an oddly shaped head, but a heart bigger and wiser than most adults Robert knew. A boy who would always put others first. The second was a mean looking girl in pigtails who's poems proved what Robert had always believed, there is a light inside of everyone. Something in their souls that showed, deep down, we all want the same things- to be accepted, understood, and loved. Hearing that these two kids, two kids who had meant so much to him, had ended up together...well that filled him with so much joy.

"Robert? You okay in there, hun?" Louis tapped on the bathroom door.

"Oh! Uh...yeah! Just a second!" Robert hurried to finish drying off then finally came out to get dressed. Leaning over to give his husband a kiss as he finish up some work at the computer in their room.

Louis flinched, "Um, no sir. You are dripping wet."

Moving in again, Robert insisted, "Oh, come on! Just a little peck! On your head at least?" He joked, knowing how much pride his husband took in getting the gentle brush waves in his hair just right.

Louis pushed his face away. "Finish drying up and get dressed. Then you can get all the kisses you want." Robert laughed and obeyed. "But do not touch my hair!"

 Already at the restaurant, Helga and Arnold talked over a bowel of breadsticks. "So, what do you know about this guy?"

Arnold shrugged. "Nothing really. Just saw Mr. Simmons' wedding band."

"Mr. Simmons is great and all, but I don't know how we'll make it through a whole dinner with two guys full of sunshine and rainbows."

Just then the couple appeared at the entrance. Arnold waved over to their old teacher. Both kids stood to shake the adults' hands. "It's great getting to meet you, Louis."

"The pleasure is all mine! I've heard a lot of great things about you kids. So, tell me...what's Robert like as a teacher? Just as corny and hippie dippy as at home I bet."

Helga let out a loud snort, "Does he know any other way to be? The guy used to always make us do cheesy stuff like 'feeling cycles' and 'share what you admire about the person across from you!'" She pulled apart another breadstick, giving half to her boyfriend. "So, now you tell me, you seem to be a fashionable guy. What made you fall for this dork?"

"Helga!" Arnold whispered.

"It's okay, Arnold!" Mr. Simmons held up his hands. "I know I can come off a bit 'dorky' and I'm fine with that."

Louis shook his head then jerked a thumb over at his husband. "That's why." Helga gave him a confused look. "Listen. I grow up as a poor black kid in a pretty rough part of the city. My dad was a very traditional man and a very cold man. My mom was a drunk and, even though she was always home, it never felt like she was around. I don't believe I've ever heard either of my parents tell me they loved me. I had to go out and find my self a real family. As a young man I made a lot of wonderful friends that became just that. One night, this family took me out to a bar and there I saw this man. This crazy, Mr. Rogers looking dork in a sweater vest, wearing a big pink boa singing a song by The Supremes." Louise reach out for Mr. Simmons' hand. "I knew right away that I was going home with that gay Mr. Rogers. That night was all I needed."

Mr. Simmons face was bright red as he avoided eye contact with the kids and took a long drink of his water. "Well, I think the fish scampi sounds just delicious."

As the meals were served, Helga continued to ask intrusive questions. "So...if you two aren't 'actually' married, then why do you call each other husband?"

"Well, I'll tell you why, Helga." Robert looked over to Louis, "The moment this wonderful man agreed to marry me, that was it for us. We know we may not ever be able to legally marry, but we live our lives together. Day in and day out. So, we see ourselves as a married couple."

Arnold nodded, "That makes sense. I mean, why shouldn't you? Marriage is about becoming partners for life with a person you love and that's exactly you two have."

Just as Mr. Simmons was about to add more, Helga interrupted, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait. Did you just say that you proposed to Louise?" Both men gave Helga puzzled stares then nodded. "Wow. Who'da thunk it. Would not have pegged Mr. S as a top, but I guess he's the one doing the 'pegging' so to speak."

Arnold shot water out of his nose, being in complete disbelief of what his girlfriend had just said. Robert too, looked completely stunned, mouth hanging open as he stared at the girl who kept filling her mouth with alfredo. As if she had said nothing. Louis on the other hand, couldn't contain himself, "Jesus. I need more wine." He rested his forehead on his hand as he laughed.

At the end of the evening, after many more questions from Helga, the couples said their goodbyes. "Please, take our home number. I'm still at the same address too so feel free to call or stop by whatever you two like."

"Sure thing, Mr. Simmons."

"I already told you, Arnold. You can call me Robert now."

Arnold rubbed the back of this head, "That's going to take some getting used to."

"And, Helga. I would love it if you sent me some copies of your poetry from time to time."

"I'll think about it. As long as I get to try some of these pastries Louise bakes. Oh and, if those morons ever let you two actually get married, I expect to be your maid of honor. Or at the very least one of those other people that stand by you."

Holding his hands over his heart, Robert held back tears. "That would be just wonderful." 

The two men watched as the kids walked away. Louis placed his arms around Roberts waist. "Okay. You win."

He gave his husband a confused look. "Win what?"

"I want them. I want kids now." Robert felt overwhelmed with joy. "On one condition though."

"What's that?"

Louis pointed down the street at the kids. "I want one like her."

------

Just a block away from her house, Helga stopped Arnold. "Come here." She dragged him off into an alley placing her arms around his neck and began kissing him. 

Arnold pulled away to let out a chuckle, "What are you doing?"

"I'm not looking forward to going home. It's more fun being with you." She moved back in.

Arnold pulled back again to whisper, "I don't have to leave. I can stay with you tonight." Feeling the blood drain from his own face, Arnold quickly tried to explain, "I mean, I understand you might not want to be alone. Especially if Big Bob's in there yelling. I don't want to make you feel like you have to sit there alone listening to that. Really, what would be even better would be if you just came and slept with me."

Helga blinked a few times. "Did you just ask me to sleep with you?"

"Yes...I mean, no! You know I didn't mean it like that. I mean like sleep in the same bed...I mean," Arnold closed his eyes to collect his thoughts. "I mean...you can sleep where ever you want. I just don't want you to feel alone."

Helga let out a loud laugh. "Oh, poor Arnold." She patted his cheek. "Yeah, I knew what you meant. I just couldn't resist messin with you. You just make it way too damn easy." She then took a minute to think. "You know what? Let's go."

Stopping her, Arnold asked, "Don't you want to go grab some pjs or something?"

Not being able to help herself, Helga run a hand along the buttons of Arnold's button up. "Nah. I'll just steal this off of you. Would that be okay?"