It's About Us

So No Good-Byes

The following morning Arnold rolled out of bed. It was the first day of summer and he had a load of things planned. Baseball in the streets, video games, ice cream, and many other things he and his friends could do. Last summer before they were officially high schoolers. It was exciting.

Arnold got dressed and strolled down to the dining room. Everyone was there finishing up lunch. Looking at the clock, Arnold didn't realize he slept in so late. He felt refreshed, so he guessed it didn't matter.

"Hey Shortman! About time you joined the living." Grandpa said while finishing up his potato chips.

"Sorry Grandpa, didn't know I needed the sleep." Arnold grabs a sandwich and sits.

"It's okay just joking around with ya. Have your day planned?" Grandpa asked.

"Yeah, thought I'd round up the gang and do something like old times." Arnold finished his first sandwich and grabbed another.

"That's awesome." Grandpa collected the empty plates to move them into the kitchen.

"Where's mom and dad?" Arnold asked between bites.

"Your dad's doing the dishes, your mom left to meet up with someone earlier. She should be back any time now." Grandpa left Arnold to his thoughts.

It was weird to think that Arnold's mom just left to go somewhere to meet someone. Normally she would go shopping or stay home with Miles. She's not one to leave to a secret meeting without telling anyone. Arnold couldn't think of one person his mom would leave early in the morning to see. It was time to talk to dad. If she did tell anyone, it would be him.

"Hey dad, where's mom?" Arnold placed the plate that he was using in the sink.

"Out, she'll be back soon." Miles knew where she was but wanted Stella to tell him.

"She didn't tell you?" Arnold hoped that this could work to get his father to spill.

"Oh, she told me, but I'm not telling you." Miles smiled at his son.

"Awesome." Arnold rolled his eyes and left to go watch some t.v.

That was a waste of time. If Arnold's father didn't get upset thinking that his son thought his mother would hide something from his own husband, then nothing would get his dad to tell him. He could pester him to the point of madness. It wouldn't work. When his father didn't want to tell, he was like Fort Knox. Miles is great at keeping secrets. The only thing he had left was to wait for his mother to return and tell him, herself.

Arnold got settled on the couch and flipped the t.v. on. As he was flipping through the channels. Trying to find something to distract himself until his mother got home, the front door swung open. He heard rummaging before the door closed. He hoped it was his mother. Though it could possibly be one of the tenants of the boarding house. Getting up to see who's here, was the only way to know for sure. Before he could make it to the door, they spoke.

"I'm Home!" Stella yelled through the house.

"Mom!" Arnold rushed around the corner to greet her.

"Hey Arnold." Stella smiled while she took off her shoes.

"Where have you been?" Arnold sounded sterner then needed.

"Wow, sorry dad. Didn't mean to worry you." Stella said sarcastically at her son.

"Sorry." Arnold apologized for being too impatient.

"It's okay. I know you're just curious to where I was." Stella walked to the kitchen and gave her husband a little kiss.

"So, where were you?" Arnold was anxious.

"With Helga." Stella said, matter of fact.

Arnold couldn't believe it. There wasn't a problem with his mom hanging with Helga. Her home life is terrible, more than he ever could imagine. More than he knew about until Phoebe said something to the whole class. Which is why, Stella became like a mother to her. He would never take that away from her. However, his mom hanging out with her without him upset him.