“NOOOO!” Annie screamed when the police officer tried to tell her why he was there.

Arnold was suddenly there beside her, put his arms around her, and looked at the officer with a blank face. “What happened?”

“Your father was in a car accident.” The police officer said. “He was reported to be drinking at a bar... apparently a lot... and 911 was called when he drove away and his car swerved all over the road.”

“He crashed.” Arnold said and the officer nodded.

“The car was found at the bottom of a ravine and wrapped around a tree.” The officer said and explained where the car was found by giving the street and road names to get there from the bar and also the name of the ravine. He saw the confusion on the boy's face and knew he didn't know what he was talking about.

In actuality, Arnold didn't know the names and was wondering about the electric sign in the bus. If the bus had driven me out there, would the sign have shown me the same names?

“What about my father?” Arnold asked.

The officer looked at the sobbing woman that clung to the young man and sighed. “I'm sorry. He didn't make it.”

“What didn't he make?” Arnold asked, confused.

The officer blinked his eyes for a moment. “Uh... he... he passed.”

“Passed?” Arnold looked at the officer like he was stupid. His father didn't go to school.

The officer looked at the confused young man holding the crying woman, then saw a young woman behind them. “Miss, could you...”

“I'll... I'll tell him.” Heather said. She was on the verge of tears herself and held them back by sheer force of will.

The officer let out a sigh. “I'm terribly sorry for your loss.” He said and walked away. He climbed into his squad car and drove away.

Heather walked around Arnold and his mother and shut the door. “Arnold, your father... he's dead.”

Annie let out a loud wail and gripped her son tightly.

Arnold stood there and closed his eyes. My father won't hurt my mom anymore. He thought and sighed. He felt a soft hand touch the side of his face and opened his eyes.

“I'm so sorry.” Heather said and leaned in to give him a tender kiss on the lips, then stood there and waited for a break in Annie's crying before she spoke again. “You should take your mom to her room.”

Arnold nodded and adjusted his hold on his sobbing mother, then slowly walked her up the stairs. She held on and didn't let go, even when he sat her down on her bed.

“A-Arnold... don't... don't leave.” Annie said between hiccups, sobs, and hysterical crying.

“Don't worry, mom.” Arnold said and sat beside her. “I'm not going anywhere.”

Heather stepped into the doorway and saw Arnold's mother holding onto her son as if he was the only thing she had in the world. I should go. She mouthed the words to Arnold, then she made a telephone motion towards her ear. Call me later.

Arnold nodded that he understood.

*

Heather gave him a little wave and left. She waited until she was out in the yard before she took out her cell phone and called her mother for a drive.

“So early?” Her mother asked. “What happened?”

Heather told her that the police were just there and said that Arnold's father had died in a car crash.

“Oh, that poor boy.” Her mother said, sadly. “I assume he's taking care of his mother right now?”

“He is.” Heather said. “I said I was sorry and gave him a kiss, then I didn't know what else to do.”

“That's all right.” Her mother said. “All you could really do is stand around awkwardly and wait, so leaving was a good choice.”

Heather relaxed, because she kind of felt like a coward for leaving so quickly.

“I'll be right there to pick you up.” Her mother said. “See you soon.”

“Thanks, mom.” Heather said and hung up. She turned around and looked up at the second storey window and sighed. She really didn't know what to do to comfort someone when they lost a parent. Her own father had left before she was born and she didn't have to deal with that kind of loss. She hadn't realized that she lost track of time until a car pulled up and stopped in the street. She turned to see her mother and went over to the car. Rather than get in the back like usual, she climbed into the front.

“Heather?” Her mother asked, slightly worried, then Heather hugged her. “It's okay, sweetie.”

“I don't know what to do!” Heather said and tears came to her eyes.

“There's not really anything you can do, except be there for the people you care about.” Her mother said. “Arnold was supposed to come over tonight to visit; but, with this happening, there's no way that he can.” She said. “Why don't you invite him and his mother over tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?” Heather let her mother go and looked at her with surprise. “His father just died!”

“Yes, and they are going to be mourning him in that big empty house all night.” Her mother said. “Believe me, they will jump at the chance to get out and visit us.”

“Are... are you sure?” Heather asked and wiped at her eyes. “I only just met his mother.”

“If you don't want to make the offer yourself, I'll call Arnold tomorrow afternoon before you get out of school, then I'll make a round trip and pick all three of you up.”

Heather thought about it for a minute, then nodded. “Thanks, mom.”

Her mother put the car in gear and drove down the road.

Heather was quiet for a while, then she realized where she was. “Being in the front is awkward.”

Her mother let out a laugh. “Spoiled brat!” She said. “Making me chauffeur you everywhere!”

“I learned from the best.” Heather countered, then they both laughed. It was a slightly awkward laugh, though.

*

Arnold stayed with his mother until she calmed down, then he tried to stand up and she held onto him.

“Don't... don't go.” Annie said.

“You need to eat.” Arnold said. “I'll be right back up.”

Annie reluctantly let him go and he was out of the room and downstairs before she had blinked her eyes twice. Her anxiety rose and she started to shake, then she heard the microwave started and waited desperately for it to finish and for her son to return. She didn't relax until she saw his face and then she let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding.

“It's hot.” Arnold said and handed her the plate.

Annie nodded and stirred it, then tried to eat. Her eyes teared up when the spoon touched her lips, because she realized she was never going to share a meal with the man she loved. She started crying again and dropped the spoon onto the plate and bent her head down and let the tears flow.

“Tell me what you want me to do.” Arnold said and that made her cry harder.

Annie wasn't sure if she could do it anymore. Arnold needed her almost constantly and that was a strain at the best of times. She handled Arnold well when she knew that his father was close by if she needed him. Now, with her husband gone, she had no support at all. Either physically or financially, she was bereft of any means.

Also, besides the money from Arnold's college account, which she would have to spend a lot of if she wanted to keep the bill collectors at bay, she had nothing. No job, no paycheck, and no source of income at all.

“Arnold, I... oh, god!” Annie sobbed and put the plate of food aside and covered her face with her hands. “What are we going to do now?” She asked, rhetorically.

Arnold didn't know what was wrong. He had gotten rid of his father because he had hurt his mother and took all that money and hurt her again. With him gone, all of that should have gone away. He had no idea what to do to help his mother now, except for one thing.

Arnold copied a technique he learned from some bullies and pinched her arm.

“OW!” Annie yelled and jerked her arm away.

“Do you like that?” Arnold asked and pinched her leg.

“OW!” Annie yelled again and slapped his hand. “Stop that!”

“Come on, do you like it or not?” Arnold asked and pinched her ear.

“ARNOLD!” Annie yelled at the top of her lungs and stood up. “So help me god, if you don't stop right this second...”

“Are you angry now?” Arnold asked and feigned a pinch to her arm and then reached down and pinched her belly instead.

“STOP IT, ARNOLD!” Annie hollered as she hauled her hand back and then slapped him across the face as hard as she could. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?”

“I'm making you angry, mom.” Arnold said and ignored his throbbing face as he tried to pinch her arm.

Annie blocked his effort and he tried her other arm and was blocked as well.

“Dad's gone and crying won't bring him back.” Arnold said and tried to pinch her thigh.

Annie smacked his hand so hard that his fingers tingled.

“You aren't this weak, mom.” Arnold reached for her face and she grabbed his wrist with both of her hands to stop him, and he let her. “That's better.”

Annie had never seen her son act like this and she was shocked that he would treat her this way. Suddenly, he yanked his trapped hand back and out of what she thought was the vice-like grip she had on it. Instead of hitting her like she expected, when his hand darted back in, he stopped beside her face and rested his hand against her cheek.

“I'll never hurt you mom.” Arnold said.

“Arnold, you just... do you know how much pinching hurts?” Annie asked angrily and pushed his hand away.

“I've been pinched a lot like that, so yes.” Arnold said to her surprise. “It's only temporary pain.” He said. “I did it to get your attention.”

“Well, you have it.” Annie said, anger still in her voice, even though she was already calming down.

“Dad's gone.” Arnold said. “He's not coming back.” He said and saw his mother's face lose its anger. “You need to be strong.” He said and reached out to pinch her again.

“Pinching me isn't going to make me stronger.” Annie said and batted his hand away.

“It already has.” Arnold said and lifted the hand she had smacked hard. A large welt was on the back of it and she caught her breath.

“A-Arnold, I...”

“My face should be a nice color tomorrow.” Arnold said.

Annie looked at his face and saw a similar-shaped welt there. “Arnold! I'm sorry!”

“It's okay, mom. I made you do it.” Arnold said. Tears came to his mother's eyes, so he reached out to pinch her.

“STOP!” Annie yelled and pushed his hand away. Her tears over hurting him were instantly forgotten.

“Every time you cry over this, I'll pinch you.” Arnold warned her.

“You won't be here all the time.” Annie said and surprised herself.

“I'm suspended for two weeks.” Arnold reminded her, which meant he wasn't going to be leaving the house at all during that time.

Annie closed her eyes and sighed, then opened them and stared at her son, who had a hand poised to pinch her belly. “I'm not going to cry.”

“I know you aren't, mom.” Arnold said and let a small smile appear on his face.

“Go get changed and go to bed.” Annie ordered him.

Arnold nodded and went across the hallway and took off his girlfriend clothes and put on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts, then climbed into bed. His mother had watched him the whole time and he turned in the bed to look at her. He raised a hand as if to wave, then made a pinching motion instead.

“Ugh!” Annie grunted and almost slammed her bedroom door closed. “The nerve of that kid!” She exclaimed and took off her clothes and put on a similar outfit to her son's, then climbed into bed. As she lay there, she felt all the pinches he had given her. She reached up and rubbed the spot on her arm. He knew the right spot to pinch to cause the most amount of pain with the least amount of damage. She thought. He really has been bullied like that before.

Annie's thoughts concentrated on that and she wondered when it had happened to him and who had done it. It didn't occur to her that Arnold has successfully distracted her from her overwhelming grief. She had been a slobbering and depressed mess only half an hour ago, and now she was calmly thinking about other things, mainly why he had not told her about it before.

Arnold waited until his mother was asleep before he got out of bed and crept downstairs to the living room and retrieved his backpack and the stack of photos that Heather had made for him. He went back upstairs and went back into his room and got to work. He climbed into bed and memorized all of the specimens, their parts, and their normal and scientific names. His estimate of approximately ten hours was right on the money as the tenth hour ended and morning came.

Arnold got up and went downstairs to the kitchen without getting changed first. He knew he would be tired later because he had stayed up all night, and he was okay with that. He would let Heather know when she came over that he was ready to take the biology teacher's test that he had been studying so hard for.

Arnold's mother was in the kitchen making breakfast and she didn't say anything to him. It was the first time that happened, so Arnold sat at the table and stared at her with a blank face. He had no idea why she was ignoring him and knew better than to ask her. She didn't like it when he asked questions like that.

Annie ignored his pointed stare, mainly because she didn't want to look at the mark she had left on his face, and she finished making scrambled eggs and toast. She divided them up onto three plates and brought them to the table. She set them in the right places and sat down, then she realized what she had done. Her eyes started to tear up, because she had made up a plate for her dead husband, then she felt a strong pinch on her upper arm.

“OW!” Annie yelled and jerked away from her son's hand. “ARNOLD!”

Arnold didn't respond and started eating.

“You can't keep doing that!” Annie said, angrily.

Arnold still didn't respond and kept eating. His mother sat there and glared at him as he ate. She waited for him to answer her, even though she knew he wouldn't answer unless it was a question. Without saying a word, he reached over and took the third plate and put it on his empty one and kept eating. She was surprised by this, since he never asked for more food and he never ate more than what he was given.

Arnold finished the second plate of food, picked up both plates, and took them to the sink. “I need to start looking for work.” He said as he gave the plates a quick rinse and washed his hands.

“You don't know how to properly work on a job.” Annie said.

Arnold turned to look at her as he dried his hands. “Can you show me...”

“I can't be with you all day while you're at work to make sure you're doing it right, Arnold.” Annie said, then she took in a sharp breath.

It was the first time she had said out loud what she had to do for him since he was six and started 'real' school after primary. If she hadn't been there that first day to make sure he listened and responded when asked a question, or made him leave the classroom to go outside for recess, or took him to the cafeteria at lunchtime to eat the lunch she had packed for him, he would not have done any of it on his own.

“Arnold, I...” Annie started to apologize when the telephone rang. She sighed and answered. “Hello?” She was quiet for a moment. “Excuse me?”

Arnold hung the towel on the rack by the sink and watched his mother.

“I don't think that's necessary, is it?” Annie asked and was quiet for another moment. She blinked her eyes and tried to stop the tears, then Arnold was there and made a pinching motion. She smacked his hand away and then sighed again. “All right. I'll be right there.”

Arnold stood there and waited.

“That was the police station.” Annie said, then couldn't stop the tears before they fell. “They want me to... to identify... the body.”

Arnold reached out and pinched her belly.

“ARNOLD!” Annie yelled angrily at him and slapped his hand away. She took several breaths to calm down, because feeling instant anger shocked her almost as much as her son making her that angry in the first place. “I need to go.”

“I'll get changed.” Arnold said and walked around her.

“You're not going!” Annie exclaimed. I don't want him seeing his father in... whatever state he's in.

Arnold ignored her and grabbed the keys from the counter before he went up the stairs. Since they were going out, he dressed as if he was going out for school, then came back downstairs.

“Give me my keys.” Annie said and held a hand out to him.

“I'm coming.” Arnold said and handed her the keys.

Annie didn't say anything and left the house. Arnold was right behind her after he had locked the door, then he waited on the passenger side of the car while she went to the driver's side. Instead of unlocking all of the doors with the keychain button, she used the key in the door and only unlocked hers. Arnold saw this, so he waited for her to get in and turned around.

Annie smiled because she had outsmarted him and he would have to stay home now. She started the car and backed out of the driveway, then glanced at the front door of the house... and Arnold wasn't there. She looked around for him and caught her breath as she saw him walking down the street... going in the wrong direction. She pulled the car out of the yard and drove over to him and rolled down her window.

“Go home, Arnold!” Annie said.

Arnold didn't respond and kept walking.

“You're going the wrong way.” Annie said and he stopped walking. She started to smile, because he didn't know where to go, then he turned around and jogged the other way. “Dammit!” She said loudly and pulled into a driveway, turned the car around, and drove to catch up to him. “Arnold!”

Arnold stopped jogging and slowed to a walk. He didn't know how far he had to go to find a bus stop in this direction, so he had to pace himself.

“Why, Arnold?” Annie asked. “Why do you want to go?”

“I want to see.” Arnold said, then he looked at her with longing in his eyes. “I want to see if he's really dead.”

Annie took in a sharp breath and let it out, then hit the button to unlock the car doors as she pulled the car to a stop. “Get in.”

Arnold climbed into the passenger side and Annie drove them towards the police station.