Chapter 87: 87 Back Home

The next two days passed by in a flash and without incident. Thanks to Janet's experience in buying the best meals, Arnold's diet improved significantly. He had a bit more energy and moved a little better, and he even started to vary his orders at the cafeteria, to the overweight woman behind the counter's surprise. Chicken was fine to have most times; but, he now knew that he needed other essential foods. Since he couldn't cook fish on his own, he ate it for lunch when it was available.

On Saturday, Arnold packed his backpack with a change of clothes and a few other things, then he left his dorm room at a quarter to five in the morning to catch the bus. He expected the hallway to be completely empty, and instead he was met with all the faces he usually saw when going to work.

“Make sure you have some fun while back home.” Emily said from her doorway.

“Yeah, tell your girlfriend she's a lucky girl.” A girl two doors down said.

“I can't believe we're all up this early to say goodbye to him.” Janet said a little loudly, and nearly everyone laughed.

“You're up, too.” Her roommate said and nudged her with an elbow.

“I didn't want to be the only one who didn't do it.” Janet said and this time everyone laughed.

“Thank you.” Arnold said and they all looked at him. He went to each of them and gently took their hands and gave it a little shake as he made his way to the elevator. “I'll be back Sunday night.” He said when he reached it, then to their surprise, he dashed to the stairwell and disappeared from sight.

“He did not just run down the stairs!” One of them exclaimed. “Is he crazy? We're four floors up!”

Her roommate laughed. “Where else is he going to get exercise this early in the morning?” She asked, not realizing that Arnold could go up and down the stairs faster than the elevator could travel the same distance.

*

Doris sat at her desk and waited. It was the first time she had been at work this early in the morning because she wanted to make sure she was here when Arnold left. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him come out of the stairwell and not the elevator.

“Arnold!” Doris said and waved. Even this early in the morning, she had dressed in a blouse and skirt that showed off her curvy figure, her short black hair was done up with a few waves and framed her face perfectly. She had put in quite the effort just for him to have a good look at her before he left.

Arnold walked over to her desk, went around it, and looked down at her partially unbuttoned blouse that showed off a lot of her cleavage. He didn't hesitate as he bent over and gave her a hug and buried his face into her chest. Doris laughed and hugged his head to make sure he felt as much of her dark warmth as possible, then she let him go.

“Goodbye, and I'll see you Sunday night.” Doris said.

Arnold moved his head up and looked into her eyes, then he gave her a goodbye kiss for several seconds. Doris couldn't help enjoying it and her heart beat faster at the passionate kiss, then he broke it and stood up.

“Goodbye.” Arnold said and walked over to the front door, then he ran out of sight.

Doris took several deep breaths and waved a hand in front of her face. Goodness gracious. She thought. That boy can kiss.

*

Arnold made it to the bus stop just in time and he only had to wait for it to come to a stop. He climbed on and showed the bus pass that Doris had told him to buy. Since he would be travelling every weekend, it was the smart thing to do, and he would save a lot of money in comparison to buying passage every time.

The bus drove for two hours to where he could get on the local line, then he transferred to the right bus to take him where he needed to go. He stepped off the bus and walked over two streets. About halfway down it was his destination and he saw someone as they stood out at the end of the driveway. He walked right up to them and stopped.

“Arnold.” Kelly said and the longing in her eyes was undeniable as she took him into a hug.

“Kelly.” Arnold said and hugged her back.

“I love you.” Kelly said in a whisper and gave him a kiss, then another, then she started to make out with him right there.

“Ahem.” Annie fake coughed as she walked over.

Kelly sighed when she had to stop kissing him and she reluctantly let him go.

“You're giving your poor father a heart attack.” Annie said to her and took her son into a hug. “Good morning, Arnold.”

“Good morning.” Arnold said and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

“Let's get inside.” Annie said and waved at the front door. “I'm sure Kenneth has made a tactical retreat already.”

Kelly let out a laugh. “I told Dad I was going to kiss Arnold.”

“He can't handle you being all grabby and needy, I think.” Annie grinned.

Kelly took Arnold's hand. “I missed him a lot, so I had to give him a proper kiss as soon as I saw him.”

“Was that a proper kiss?” Arnold asked.

“Not really. We were interrupted.” Kelly whispered. “I wasn't going to stop for a while.”

Arnold looked at her and she blushed.

“Make sure to thank Katheryn for letting you stay here on the couch.” Annie whispered just before they reached the front door and Arnold nodded.

The front door opened and Katheryn stood there all alone. Kenneth really had disappeared and both Annie and Kelly held back their laughs.

“Hello, Arnold.” Katheryn said.

“Hello.” Arnold said and let Kelly's hand go and took her mother into a hug for a moment, then he leaned back slightly. “Thank you for letting me stay here.” He said and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

Katheryn's mouth made that little 'o' of surprise as he let her go and she stared at him with wide eyes.

“We have breakfast ready.” Kelly quickly said and took Arnold's hand again, then led him by her mother and through the house to the kitchen.

“That might have been my fault.” Annie said. “I told him to thank you.”

“But... I thought...”

“Maybe he did make the mom connection?” Annie asked. “I'll ask him.”

Katheryn stood there for a moment as Annie walked towards the kitchen, then she had to know herself and followed.

“Arnold, why did you kiss Kelly's mother?” Annie asked, without any preamble or beating around the bush, which surprised Katheryn.

“Doris said she's Kelly's mom and I should give her the same respect I give you.” Arnold said as he sat down where Kelly had told him to. “She also said that it would be insulting to be affectionate towards Kelly and then to ignore her mother.”

Kelly, Annie and Katheryn couldn't really refute that and Kelly put a plate of food in front of him.

“Arnold...” Annie started to clarify when it would be appropriate to kiss his girlfriend's mother.

“I know. No kissing in front of Kelly's dad because it embarrasses him.” Arnold said as Kelly put plates of food at the other place settings. “He needs to accept that you're beautiful women and you attract attention.”

All three of them caught their breath and looked at him.

“Arnold? What... how did you come to that conclusion?” Annie asked, a little shocked at the statement.

“The professor loaned me several books and periodicals.” Arnold said and didn't start eating, because no one else had sat down yet. “They were full of interesting facts and figures, some of which were biological processes and the inherent desire for mating species to adorn themselves to get attention.”

“Oh, my god.” Annie whispered.

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“Annie, what is it?” Katheryn asked, a bit relieved. “That was actually a very good explanation.”

“I didn't think... I couldn't foresee this as...” Annie shook her head and looked at her son. “Arnold, besides masturbating, have you had sex in the last two weeks?”

“No.” Arnold said. “I'm only allowed to have sex with Kelly, and only if she asks.”

Annie let out a relieved sigh and sat down. “Okay, okay.”

“Annie?” Katheryn put a hand on her shoulder.

“After hearing that mating species thing, I was worried he would make the assumption that all the girls in the dorm were making themselves pretty for him.” Annie said.

“They aren't.” Arnold said and the three of them looked at him. “They look that way even when I'm not around, because it's them getting ready to get attention from everyone and not for me alone.”

“Did they get your attention?” Kelly asked as her mother sat down.

“No.” Arnold said. “One of them did tell me to tell you that you're a lucky girl.”

Kelly smiled and took his hand. “I really am.”

“What else did they say?” Annie asked before she could stop herself, because that was not a question she should be asking in front of company.

“They said to make sure I had some fun while back home.” Arnold said.

Annie almost laughed in relief. “We can definitely make sure of that. We're heading over to check on the progress of the house today.”

“It's almost done!” Kelly said excitedly.

Kenneth came into the kitchen and saw everyone had sat down. He didn't say anything and sat at the head of the table. His wife and Annie sat on one side, and his daughter and her boyfriend sat on the other side. He didn't say anything and started to eat, then everyone else did, too. The silence wasn't strained and there wasn't really any tension in the air, because there was no real problems for anyone.

Even Kenneth had to admit that knowing Arnold was waiting for Kelly to ask for sex, was a relief he never knew he needed until the subject had come up. He knew she was responsible and wouldn't rush into anything, so he knew he had a lot of time to come to grips with the fact that his daughter had a man in her life.

Everyone else at the table didn't have the same moral quandary about sex, since they had accepted the fact that Kelly and Arnold would have sex at some point, which mean the pressure that would have normally exerted on them was almost nonexistent. They finished the meal and Arnold gathered up the dishes before anyone could stop him. He took them to the kitchen and rinsed them off in the sink, then came back and sat down.

“That was a great meal, Honey.” Kenneth said.

“Wow, thank you.” Annie said with a huge smile. “I'm not your Honey, though.”

“Wha-huh?” Kenneth looked at Annie with shock on his face.

“Katheryn let me make breakfast by myself because Arnold was arriving today.” Annie said.

“But... but...” Kenneth looked at his wife, who looked like she was holding her laughter in. “I... I'm so sorry!” He blurted out loudly. “Please forgive me! Please!”

“I guess I can let it go this time.” Annie said and then laughed at his pained expression. “I think we better go before he explodes from embarrassment.”

“Good idea.” Kelly said and she, Arnold, and Annie left the dining room. “I can't believe my dad called you Honey.” She said to Annie as they went out through the front door. “The poor guy!”

Annie snorted and then laughed. “I bet he's a blubbering mess in your mom's arms right now.”

Kelly laughed, too. The three of them got in Annie's car and they drove over to the house. They could see the remnants of the large fumigation tent that used to be there and Annie parked on the side of the street.

“It looks so much better already.” Kelly said as they stepped out of the car.

“The insurance agent said that the value of the house is going to go up, now that they've replaced the windows and the siding.”

“You mean your taxes are going to go up and your insurance premiums are going to double next year.” Kelly corrected.

“That's what I said.” Annie chuckled. “The foreman said he would be inside.”

The three of them went to the front door and went inside.

“Wow.” Kelly said when she saw the completely redone interior. “It looks like a brand new house!”

“It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do, isn't it?” A man asked as he came out of the kitchen.

“It is.” Annie said. “I'm going to miss the way it was, though.”

The man nodded. “It's difficult to let some things go after having them for so long.”

Annie's hand found Arnold's hand and gave it a squeeze. “Can you give us a quick tour and let us know what's left to do?”

“Sure.” He said and waved at the kitchen. “Step into my office.”

Annie chuckled and they went in and saw there wasn't much left to do at all, which was a relief.

“She'll be all yours again on Tuesday.” The foreman said. “The delivery truck with the replacement furniture won't be here until Monday and we'll have everything put in place by the end of the day.”

Annie nodded. “Thank you for everything you've done.”

“Hey, it's no sweat off our noses to complete a job and leave it as close as possible to the way it was.” He said and shrugged. “I bet you can't wait to get back in here after so long.”

Annie let out a sigh. “I just hope it can start feeling like home again with no one but me here.”

Kelly looked at her in surprise. “Annie...”

“I hope you'll come to visit...”

“What do you mean, visit? I'll be living here.” Kelly said and Annie turned her head to look at her. “After being home for two weeks, I doubt I'll be able to sneak off and get away from my parents.”

“But...” Annie looked at Arnold.

“I know.” Kelly said. “We're both worried about him and even with Doris there to help look after him occasionally, he's still going to be alone. He sent me here to be with you, though. He knows how important you are, and so do I.”

Annie took in a quick breath and did her best to stop her tears from forming, then Kelly stepped close and took her into a hug and she couldn't stop the tears anymore. Her arm reached out and pulled Arnold in, then the three of them stood there and held each other while she cried.

The foreman stood there, a little awkwardly because of the scene in front of him, until he realized that he was actually glad that he was witnessing such a nice family moment and a smile formed on his lips.

*

Officer Hallman made another drive past the Strickland house, almost as an afterthought because it had become a part of his daily routine the last two weeks to divert his patrol route to drive down that street. He didn't know how much safer the people living on that street felt with having him do that, though. His regular appearance gave them the impression that he was diligently watching for crimes, when all he was really doing was watching for one person.

The police car passed the Strickland house and there was no reaction until the car almost reached the other end of the street. The brake lights came on and the car stopped and idled there for nearly a full minute, then it drove away at the speed limit, took the corner and the next, then it completed the loop and drove very slowly by the house again.

She's really there. Officer Hallman thought, then decided that today was not the day to go in and check on her. The workers were still there and he doubted there would be any kind of privacy to talk with her. He fought his need to see her again and drove off to continue his patrol.

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