HAPPY DAYS: CLASS OF 2004 (updated)

[FonzFan]

Chapter 1
Coming Home to the Past

Clouds flew past outside the small window of the airplane, which flew high above over the state of Wisconsin. Danny, now age 43, looked out over the land were he grew up. He was making his way home for a funeral, this time it was a friend who had died in a car accident a week ago. But always coming home made him think of his own father and mother, Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli and Katherine Ann Cunningham, the second oldest child of Howard and Marion, who had died when he was just 18 years old, not even of high school.
As he got closer and closer to Milwaukee, he began to have flashbacks of the speech he gave at his parents’ funeral. He remembered hearing the words over and over again through his head…

my parents were born here in Milwaukee, both in 1930, on the same day of the same month. My father’s parents abandoned him at the age of six, so he was left to live with his Grandma Nussbaum. A few years later, he would create the gang called The Falcons, which is how he met my mother. My mother’s life was very different, however. Even though she grew up in a loving family, she never felt like she could do enough to please her parents. Her brother, Chuck, ran away at the age of 10, with the same thoughts running through his mind…

These words echoed through Danny’s mind as the plane landed at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. At this time the flashbacks started to occur more often, getting faster and faster as the seconds on the clock ticked by. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them back up, he wasn’t in the airport; he was in a school hallway. He walked up the hallway towards the front doors. As he got closer he realized where he in fact was, it was the old Milwaukee Grade and Middle School.
How did I get here? Danny wondered as he paced the hallway. But as Danny looked harder he noticed the date on the school’s calendar.
“1940?” Danny’s words stumbled out of his mouth. As he stood there a minute to think about what was happening, he realized that he was reenacting the life of his father and mother, something that he always wanted to do. But why and how could this be?
Danny turned around just as the bells rang to switch classes. He noticed two girls coming out of Mr. Millston’s classroom that looked somewhat familiar to him. As they got closer he saw that one of the girls was his mother and the other girl was a friend of hers by the name of Faron Wright. Katie and Faron had been the best of friends since Danny could remember. He listened closely to their conversation as they walked past.
“I hate biology class,” Katie said angrily, “he gave us way too much homework for the weekend.”
“Oh I know,” Faron stated sharply, “Mr. Millston just drives me up the wall.” Faron looked at Katie oddly, as Katie fiddled with her lock, trying to get it open.
“The homework isn’t what is bothering you though, is it,” Faron asked her. Katie hesitated as she started to put her books in her locker.
“Faron, I don’t want to talk about it alright,” Katie said sharply.
“I know you are thinking about running away again,” Faron added quickly, “I just don’t understand why you want to?”
Katie looked at Faron sternly and said, “Faron, if you lived in my house, with my parents, with my little brother and sister who get all the attention, then you’d understand.”
Faron backed off and started to walk away, but suddenly turned back and said, “Well, I still don’t think it is a good idea.”
Katie looked back at her, stating, “And why is tat, it’s my life isn’t it.” All of a sudden the bell rang to get back to class. The kids in the hallway were rushing to get into the classrooms.
Faron started to walk away and yelled back to Katie, “Fine, you can do whatever you want, but don’t say I didn’t try and stop you.”
Katie looked back at Faron with anger. She signed and slammed her locker shut as hard as she could. The hallway was now empty as Katie took off to class down the opposite way, toward Mrs. Hathes’ room. Danny was now along in the hallway once again. He slowly walked out through the front doors and out into the school year. There he sat beneath a large oak tree. An hour later, the bell rang to get out of school for the day. As the kids piled out of the school, Danny caught a glimpse of his mother getting on her bicycle along with her older brother, Chuck, the uncle that he never got to meet. He watched them ride off down toward Arnold’s. He remembered that Chuck and Katie always went down there after school to have a shake before Katie had to get home. He hurried to catch up with them, and followed them into Arnold’s. There Chuck and Katie sat down at a booth, ordered some malts, and began to talk.
“So,” Chuck passed, “what’s new at, you know, home?” Katie was silent, not knowing what to say, for she was still thinking about the argument she had with Faron earlier.
“Still thinking about leaving?” Chuck asked.
“Yeah, I guess,” Katie said quietly.
“Well, are you going to?” Chuck asked her again, “they won’t even know you’re gone. Well come on, I got to get you home. It’s almost 3:30pm. And please think about it.” Katie sighed, got out of the booth and followed Chuck to the door. Danny stood around looking at the place, seeing how much different it was then, than the Arnold’s he knew now. He headed outside and started walking in the direction of the Cunningham house, where he found Katie just getting in the house.
Katie walked in the front door to find her mother, Marion, vacuuming the floor; her little brother, Richie, eating a snack; and her little sister, Joanie, taking a nap.
“Hi,” Katie yelled to her mother over the loud vacuum, but Marion couldn’t hear her.
So she yelled louder, “Hi Mom!” But still no response. Katie sighed and walked up the stairs to her room. There, she threw her books on her bed and sat down by the window to think.
Maybe Chuck’s right; maybe they won’t know I’m gone. Katie looked at her backpack and realized she forgot to ask her mother about Emily’s birthday party tomorrow night. She took the card out of her backpack and took off down the stairs to find Marion still vacuuming.
“Mom!?!” Katie said.
“Oh, dear, when did you get home?” Marion said astonished.
“Awhile ago, anyway, mom can I go to Emily’s party tomorrow night?” Katie blurted out as she could, while she followed Marion, who was picking up Richie’s mess around the living room.
Without even thinking, Marion said “yes” and went about her business. A little shocked, Katie went back upstairs to call Emily to tell her she was coming. Danny was in the living room. He couldn’t understand why no one could see him. Was he dreaming? Was he dead? He had no idea.
The next night, Katie was all packed and ready to go. She came downstairs to find her parents, brother, and sister sitting at the dinner table.
“Well, I’ll be back tomorrow morning,” Katie said to them as she headed for the door.
Howard looked up oddly at her and said, “What do you mean I’ll see you tomorrow? Where are you going?”
Katie looked at him puzzled, “I’m going to Emily’s party, remember?” Katie asked.
“Katherine Ann Cunningham, what night is this?” her father asked her.
“It’s Saturday,” Katie said jokingly, but she knew it wasn’t funny when her father began to glare at her.
“It is bowling night with the Lodge, you knew that. You have to stay home and baby-sit Richie and Joanie,” Howard stated.
“But mom said…” Katie began to say, but her father stopped her short.
“You are staying here, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Do you here me,” Howard said sharply, as he walked out the door, with Marion following him closely.
I can’t believe this! How could they do this to me? Katie asked herself. “But I know exactly what I’m going to do.” Katie ran over to the phone and called Chuck.
“Chuck, it’s Katie,” she said quickly, “come get me in a half an hour. I’m running away, tonight.”

[FonzFan]

Chapter 2
The First Meeting

Katie waited patiently for Chuck’s response to her dramatic and sudden decision. She waited for him to say he would be right there, but instead she heard him say something she couldn’t believe.
“You’re joshing me right. Katie you’re too chicken to run away from home,” Chuck laughed over the phone. Katie was flabbergasted! She almost began to cry, but as quick as she could, she answered him right back.
“Fine, we’ll see whose chicken,” she shouted back to her brother just before slamming the phone on him. As quick as she could, Katie ran up the stairs to her room, threw open her bag and piled in more clothes. Richie stood in the doorway staring up at his big sister. Katie noticed him standing there and she knew she couldn’t leave Joanie and him there alone. She ran into the hallway, picked up the phone, and dialed Faron’s number. Faron was home, luckily.
“Hey Faron, it’s Katie, could you come over and watch Richie and Joanie for a couple hours?” Katie asked.
“Why?” Faron asked.
“I’m running away tonight,” Katie blurted out.
“No way, I’m not taking part with your plan to run away from home. Besides I have to watch my little sister tonight,” Faron stated while shocking Katie. She swore that Faron was invited to Emily’s part. Feeling a little hurt, Katie begged Faron to come over and watch them, and to bring her little sister along. After a while, Faron gave in and said she would come. The next thing Katie knew, the doorbell rang. She ran to the door to answer it.
“Hi Faron, come on in,” Katie said.
“Ok, I’m here, now what am I going to tell your parents when they come home?” Faron asked with a smirk on her face.
“Just tell them, huh…tell them we ran out of milk, so I went to the store to get some,” Katie whipped up as quickly as she could.
“Do you think that they’ll believe that?” Faron questioned her again.
“I hope so, anyway, thank you so much for doing this for me, Faron, I owe you one,” Katie said praising her. With that Katie was out the door with her two bags full of items from her room.
Faron sat down on the couch. Her little sister was already sitting on the floor by Richie, who was listening to the radio. Joanie was sitting in Howard’s big armchair, fast asleep.
I can’t believe she actually went through with it. Faron sat on the couch thinking about what Katie had said before she left.
“Oh, my gosh, the milk,” Faron said as she jumped off the couch and ran into the kitchen. She had remembered what she was supposed to tell Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham when they got home. She opened up the refrigerator door and grabbed the milk, then poured it down the drain. Now all she had to do was sit back and wait for the Cunninghams’ to come home.
* * *
Katie was on her bike and down the street in no time, heading straight towards Arnold’s Drive-In. The night was cool and calm, a typical Milwaukee fall night. Danny ran as fast as he could to keep up with Katie, as she pulled into the parking lot and went inside Arnold’s.
As Danny entered the parking lot, he noticed something was different. He looked up and saw the sign didn’t read Arnold’s, but Arthur’s. Danny always thought the name was Arnold’s; he had no idea that it was something else earlier on. He ran inside to find Katie sitting at the regular booth that he remembered, but once again something was very different. He looked around and noticed that the cappuccino machine wasn’t there and that the bandstand was in a different spot. Then he realized that it was the old Arnold’s, the original one before the fire in 1960.
Danny then looked around for Arnold, a short Japanese man that owned the Drive-In, but he didn’t see him. Instead he saw a tall man with dark black hair, by the name of Artie, who Katie was talking to.
“Artie, I need a job,” Katie said.
“You’re too young for a job, you should be enjoying your life right now, not wasting it,” Artie commented.
“But Artie please, at least let me work for a while so I can get something to eat,” Katie begged.
“Alright, you can work till close, but not any longer,” Artie stated to Katie.
Before long it was midnight, closing time for Arthur’s (a.k.a. Arnold’s). Artie had Katie take out the trash. She went out into the alleyway, and shut the door behind her. After throwing the trash into the dumpster, she turned around to open the door back up, but couldn’t. The door had locked behind her. Katie pounded on the door as hard as she could, but it was no use, no one could hear her.
Just then she heard voices. Katie froze, not knowing what to do. She turned around to run, but ran right into them. Three big boys, all with dark hair in ducktails, big muscles, and leather jackets with the name “Falcons” written on them, stood before her. Katie panicked, she didn’t know what to do; the three guys just stared her down like their prey. She backed up and got ready to run, but backed right into another one. He knocked Katie down to the ground and they surrounded her.
“I’ll take it from here,” a voice said to the other three. They turned around and took off down the alley. Katie looked up to see their leader. He was a little taller than she was, but about the same age; with dark hair in a ducktail, a leather jacket, blue jeans, and leather boots.
He looked up to make sure no one was around. Katie closed her eyes, thinking that he was going to kill her. But after a couple seconds of silence, she opened them back up to find him sitting on a trash can looking at her.
“What are you doing?” he asked her.
“Aren’t you going to beat me up or something?” Katie asked him, with the sound of fear in her voice. The hood sat there for a moment, a little stunned and puzzled by Katie’s question she threw at him.
“Where did you ever get an idea like that?” he asked.
“Everybody,” she stated, “they said when you get in a gang’s way, you usually pay for it.”
“What are you talking about?” said the hood, “we only do that if you belong to another gang, but by the looks of it, I don’t think you do.” Katie was relieved to find out that she wasn’t going to be hurt or killed for that matter, so she then got up off the ground.
“Let me take a stab at this,” he said, “You’re running away from home.”
“How did you know that?” Katie asked a little bewildered.
“I was like you once. I’ve been there,” he said, “but the question is, why are you running away?”
“I don’t know,” Katie said, “it’s my parents, that’s all.”
“What’s wrong with your parents?” the hood asked. Katie shrugged her shoulders.
“I think your problem is that you’re not sure you really want to run away, am I right?” he asked. Katie looked at the ground, not knowing what to say. She was afraid that he might be right, maybe she should go home. Katie could feel herself beginning to cry, as she thought about it harder.
“Let me take you home,” he said as he put his arm around her and they walked off into the darkness of the alley
* * *
As they reached the Cunningham home, the hood stopped.
“What’s wrong?” Katie asked him.
“I just remembered I had to be somewhere, soon,” he said hesitantly, “Maybe I’ll see you around sometime.” And with that he was walking back down the street towards town. Katie stood in front of the door and finally got the courage to open it. Inside her parents were sitting at the kitchen table with Faron.
“Katie, where have you been?” Marion asked, “We’ve been worried sick.” She looked at her mother and father, who came running towards her with open arms, and then she looked at Faron.
Without even thinking about it, she said, “I couldn’t find any milk; the store was closed by the time I got there.”
At the moment, the whole house started shaking to Danny. Everyone was getting blurry. His eyes shut and he found himself, in what it would be like, 15 years later in the Cunningham house.

[FonzFan]

Chapter 3
15 Years Until We Meet Again

“Hi, I’m home!” Richie shouted as he walked through the front door. Howard was sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper, while Marion was making supper. Joanie was talking on the phone, as usual. Richie walked into the kitchen and joined his father at the table, when all of a sudden the back door burst open and in stepped The Fonz.
“Hey Mrs. C,” he said while giving Marion a kiss on the cheek, “I found one of your letters in my pile of mail again.”
“That’s the third time this week!” Howard complained, “I’ll have to have a talk with the post office again!” Fonzie handed the letter to Mr. C, so he could open it. Howard sat there and looked at the small white envelope, which was stamped with a New York address.
“Well, who is it from Howard?” Marion asked impatiently. Howard opened the envelope and pulled out a two-page letter. The family gathered around Howard as he started to read the letter out loud.
“Dear family…” Howard read the letter beginning to end as slow as he could. Marion finally realized that the letter was from Katie and grabbed it away from Howard’s hands just after he finished reading it himself. Marion screamed with delight.
“Marion, this letter doesn’t mean that she is coming home anytime soon,” Howard told her.
“I know that Howard, but a letter from he always gives me hope that she will,” Marion said with a little disappointment in her voice.
“Wait a minute. Who’s Katie?” Fonzie asked while pouring himself a glass of milk.
“She’s our oldest daughter,” Marion told him, “you’d like her, Arthur, she’s your age, and she had blond hair, blue eyes…”
“Mrs. C, I would love to stay and chat, but I have the Aloha Pussycats waiting for me down at Arnold’s,” Fonzie said, interrupting Marion. “I’ll see everyone later.” And with that Fonzie was out the door.
Danny looked around the small kitchen and could sense something was missing, but what? It wasn’t an object; it was something more important than that.
“Mom, what time are we going over to the cemetery tonight? Jenny wanted me to come over,” Joanie asked.
Danny was puzzled. Why are they going to the cemetery? Who died? Danny had no clue.
“Well, lets see,” Marion said, “We’ll probably go around 6:30pm.” The family grabbed the food and headed out to the dining room table. Marion set the meatloaf down and was just about to sit down herself when the doorbell rang.
“Well now, who could that be?” Marion said as she raced to the front door.
“If it’s a salesman Marion, tell him I’m not here!” Howard shouted to her as she started to open the door. All of a sudden Marion screamed with delight.
“Well I didn’t mean for you to scare him away Marion,” Howard stated to Marion, who was still looking out the door and speechless at that. Howard, Richie, and Joanie looked at each other and started to get up from the table, when who should walk in the door.
“Katie, what are you doing here?” Marion asked her daughter as she grabbed her knocking the suitcases from Katie’s hands. Richie ran and grabbed the luggage to get it out of the way.
“I have a week off from work so I decided to come home,” Katie told the family as they gathered around her. A man about Katie’s age, tall and dark, followed her inside with more luggage.
“Oh here,” Howard said to him as he handed him $2.00, “thank you very much.” And with that Howard shut the door on him.
“Dad, he’s no a cab driver,” Katie told him. Howard gasped, opened the door back up, grabbed the $2.00 from the young man, and shut the door again.
“Dad, let him in, that’s Rob,” Katie told them as they stood there a little confused, “my boyfriend!” Howard stood there with the state of dumbfound-ness on his face as he turned around and open the door to find Rob still standing there.
“I’m so sorry,” Howard told Rob, as he stepped into the Cunningham home.
“That’s alright, Mr. Cunningham,” Rob said while looking around the living room.
“Oh, Rob, these are my parents, and this is my brother Richie and my sister Joanie,” Katie explained to Rob, “And everyone this is Rob.”
“Hello Rob, it’s so nice to finally put a face with the name,” Marion told him.
“Have to two eaten yet?” Howard asked them, as both Katie and Rob shook their heads no, “Good, cause neither have I.” Howard stated as he hurried back to the table to eat. They finally followed Howard to the table and the family set down to dinner, all together again.
* * *
After supper, the family headed down to the cemetery. Danny followed closely as they drove into a small driveway, only big enough for one car, which led into the graveyard. The caravan of two cars stopped near a small headstone.
Everyone piled out and onto the dirt pathway. Marion had flowers in her hands, which she set down in front of the stone, and then they all held hands and said a few prayers. After about 20 minutes, everyone began to head back to the cars, all except for Katie.
“Rob, do you want to go to Arnold’s with me?” Katie asked him, but Rob shook his head no.
“I’m a little tired from the plane ride in,” he told her.
“Ok, why don’t you go home with my parents then, alright,” Katie told him. Rob kissed her and turned around, and headed to the car. Katie stood there still looking at the grave. The Cunningham’s car took off down the dirt road towards the exit of the cemetery.
“Hey, how are you?” Katie asked looking down towards the tombstone. Danny looked around wondering whom she was talking to.
“I miss you, but you know that. Anyway, Happy Birthday big brother,” Katie told the stone, just before she walked away towards the lonely car.
Danny was confused. Big brother, what does she mean by that? Danny thought as he walked over to the grave and looked at it. He was shocked to find his uncle’s name on the stone; Charles H. Cunningham: Born on August 14, 1928; Died on September 7, 1944 in a car accident. Danny stood there with a blank look on his face.
“Chuck’s dead,” Danny said to himself, but not believing it. Katie’s car started up, and headed towards the exit. Danny ran after it and followed her car downtown to Arnold’s.
* * *
Katie was already inside when Danny arrived. She walked in through the door and looked around the dance floor. Two teenage boys were sitting in a booth watching her. One had red hard and freckles, which somewhat looked like Richie, and the other had dark hair and bright white teeth.
“Wicky, wacky, woo,” the first teenage boy said, “what a beauty!”
“She’ll never go for you Ralph,” the second teen told him. The red haired teen got up from his seat and approached Katie.
“Hello my dear, you seem lost, maybe the good old Ralph Malph and my associate Potsie Webber can assist you?” he asked Katie. She looked at Ralph and rolled her eyes. Then she saw Faron sitting in the booth behind them, and walked over towards her.
“Faron!?!” Katie said shyly. Faron looked up to find her best friend staring down at her.
“Katie, is that you?” Faron asked, as Katie shook her head yes. Faron jumped up and hugged her as tight as she could.
“I’ve missed you so much, Faron,” Katie told her as they sat down in the booth. The two began talking up a storm about every little thing. Ralph had joined Potsie back in their booth.
“She hates you,” Potsie told Ralph.
“Hey, at least she looked at me,” Ralph told him, “She didn’t even notice you.”
“Fine, I bet I can get her to notice me,” Potsie said as he turned around in the booth and started to stare at Katie. After a couple of minutes, Katie finally noticed.
“Staring?” she asked him, “How’d you like your eyes closed for good?” Potsie quickly turned back around in his seat and grinned at Ralph.
“I told you I’d get her to notice me,” he said.
“You’re such a Potsie,” Ralph told him. Then the two began to argue about it.
The Fonz stepped out of his office and snapped his fingers. About five girls rushed to his side. But before choosing which one to dance with, he stopped because he noticed Potsie and Ralph arguing.
“Excuse me girls,” he told them, and walked over to their booth.
“Good evening gentlemen,” Fonzie said to them, but Potsie and Ralph kept right on talking. “I said, GOOD EVENING GENTLEMEN!” he said as loud and as forceful as he could.
The two stopped instantly and replied, “Good evening Fonz.”
“Now tell me what is the problem with…,” Fonzie stopped sensing something different.
“Why didn’t you guys tell me there is a new chick in here,” Fonzie asked them sternly.
“That’s what we were just talking about Fonz,” Potsie told him.
“Yeah, she rolled her eyes at me Fonz,” Ralph told Fonzie.
“But she talked to me,” Potsie said trying to get even with Ralph.
“Yeah, she told him that she would shut his eyes for good,” Ralph said with a laugh. Fonzie pointed to the booth behind them and both Ralph and Potsie nodded yes. Fonzie got up from the booth and made his way over to Katie and Faron.
“You, my place, 9 o’clock, be there,” Fonzie told Katie, snapping his fingers just before leaving.
“Yeah right, I don’t date hoods!” Katie snapped back at him. Fonzie stopped in his tracks.
“What’d I just hear?” he said as he began to back track to the booth where the two girls were still sitting.
“You heard me, I don’t date hoods,” Katie told him, straight out.
“Fine, but I want you to see what you’ll be missing,” Fonzie said snapping his fingers. Instantly, seven girls ran to his side.
“That’s nothing,” she said as she slid out of the booth. Katie snapped her fingers and ten guys ran to her side, including Ralph and Potsie.
“What are you two nerds doing?” Fonzie asked the two, as they lifted her on their shoulders as quickly as they put her down again.
“Nothing Fonz,” Ralph and Potsie said simultaneously, as they back away.
“Come on Katie, let’s get out of here before there’s a fight,” Faron told her friend, who was still having a staring contest with the Fonz.
“I would have won anyway,” Katie said while following Faron out the door. Fonzie was still standing there, angrier than ever.
“Girls, Inspiration Point, NOW!” he told the seven girls and then they were out the door.
* * *
Later on that evening, the Cunninghams, Rob and Fonzie were sitting in the living room watching TV and waiting for Katie to return. Marion was showing Rob pictures of Katie when she was little, and Fonzie was talking to Richie about the girl he met down at Arnold’s earlier that day. All of a sudden, Katie came blasting though the back door with Faron following right behind her, and Danny running after the both of them.
“Katie, will you calm down!” Faron told her.
“Oh, Katie’s home,” Marion said happily.
“Yeah, and it sounds like Faron the big mouth is with her,” Howard said unhappily.
“Now Howard, she’s Katie’s best friend,” Marion told him. Just then both Katie and Faron came through the kitchen door.
“You won’t believe what happen to me down at Arnold’s just…” Katie said before stopping in her tracks. “What are you trying to do, stalk me?” Katie said glaring at Fonzie.
“No, and what are you going to do about it, beat me up?” Fonzie snapped at her. Katie started to inch forward, but Rob got up and held her back. Fonzie started to do the same, but Richie stopped him.
“Now, what is going on here?” Howard said angrily.
“He wanted me to go out with him,” Katie said, “can you believe it, a hood!”
“Katie, Arthur is not a hood,” Marion told her, “he’s like one of the family to us.” Katie’s mouth dropped.
“Are you joshing me,” she asked her mother.
“No, I’m not, now you two are going to sit down and make up,” Marion stated to the both of them. Fonzie looked at Katie and she looked at him. For a moment they seemed like they were going to make up, but then all of a sudden both turned their heads the other way.
“It looks like it’s going to be a long week,” Richie said to the rest of the group.
* * *
Two days went by and the arguing continued, day in and day out. Danny couldn’t understand why they didn’t like each other. On the third day that Katie was home, Richie and Fonzie were down at Arnold’s talking.
“Fonz, this has been going on for three days now,” Richie said, “what is the real problem between you two?”
“I don’t know red,” Fonz answered, “she just makes me a little crazy that’s all.”
“A little crazy! You called slashing her tires a little crazy!” Richie told him.
“I don’t know,” Fonz said, “the way she looks at me with those big blue eyes…” Fonzie paused after noticing Richie’s expression.
“What?” he asked Richie.
“Fonz, did you just say what I thought you said?” Richie asked.
“OK, I’m gonna level with you Rich,” Fonzie said before pausing, because he didn’t know how to put it. “I think I’m falling for your sister.” Richie sat there stunned while Fonzie waited for a response.
“But what about Rob?” Richie asked, “She already has a boyfriend Fonz!”
“I can’t help it Rich,” Fonz said, “I’m really, truly falling for her…”
* * *
Later that night at supper, Katie seemed somewhat happier than she had been. There had been no arguing that night, and Rob and Katie sat closer to each other than ever before. All of a sudden, Rob stood up with his glass in his hand.
“Umm, everyone, Katie and I have an announcement to make,” Rob stated to the family and friends gathered at the table, “Katie and I,” Rob paused, “we’re getting married.”

[FonzFan]

Chapter 4
Until True Love Do Us Part

The family remained silent as they sat around the dining room table.
“Well?” Katie asked, standing up next to Rob.
“Oh my baby,” Marion said as she began to sob. The rest of the family was speechless by this sudden commitment. Richie looked over at Fonz and saw a crushed face. Joanie and Howard were the first to move.
“Congratulations big sister,” Joanie said as she stood up and gave Katie and Rob a hug. Howard rose silently and looked Rob straight in the face.
“You better take good care of her,” he said to Rob, and then shook his hand. Marion who was still sobbing stood up and ran to her daughter’s side.
“Oh, our baby’s getting married,” Marion told everyone with delight. Richie rose and gave Katie a hug, but he was still speechless. The next thing Richie knew, Fonzie was gone. He took off to go and find him with Danny close behind.
Sure enough Fonzie went straight to Arnold’s and that is where Richie found him.
“Fonz, I’m sorry,” he said, “I had no idea this was coming.”
“It’s ok Red,” Fonzie said, “It’s not your fault.”
“I’m still sorry though,” Richie replied to his hurt friend. All of a sudden Ralph and Potsie burst into Arnold’s wearing duck outfits.
“Hey Fonz, what’s shakin’?” Ralph asked.
“What are you two nerds up to now?” Fonzie asked them.
“We figured since it was the last year of high school, we thought we would try out for the Jefferson High duck’s mascot,” Potsie explained to Richie and Fonzie. Richie looked at Fonzie, who was surprisingly already looking at him.
“Red, conference time,” Fonzie told Richie.
“Right Fonz,” Richie said as he followed Fonzie to the men’s room of Arnold’s.
“I don’t get it. Did we say something wrong?” Potsie asked Ralph.
“I don’t know. I guess they just don’t have a bird’s eye view on this subject,” Ralph said jokingly, “I still got it even in a duck suit!”
“Yeah, but look at that, they also left you the bill!” Potsie laughed.
“Sit on it Potsie!” Ralph said.
* * *
Inside Fonzie’s office, Richie and Fonz discussed the fact that Katie loved Rob and no one else. But Richie knew that Fonzie still had feelings for her and he wasn’t going to be able to talk him out of those feelings. Richie and Fonzie soon left Arnold’s and went back home to the Cunningham house.
“Oh Richard, where were you?” Marion asked him, just as he walked through the door, “I had to send Katie out to find you.”
“I’ll go find her Mrs. C,” Fonzie told her. Richie took Fonzie aside for a moment.
“Fonz, are you sure you want to. I mean something might just slip out when you find her,” Richie told him quietly.
“Red, I’ll be fine,” Fonzie said, and with that he was out the door.
“I just hope he doesn’t say anything he’ll regret,” Richie said to himself as he shut the front door, and then joined the rest of the family in the living room.
* * *
Fonzie rode his motorcycle downtown and found Katie parked at a storage garage just off the main drag. He pulled up to the garage to find Katie working on something, but he couldn’t tell what it was.
“What are you doing?” Fonzie asked her about the thing covered up with a large blanket. A shocked Katie jumped at the sound of his voice. She threw the blanket back over the object and turned around.
“Oh,” she said, “It’s just you.”
“Well, it’s nice to see you too,” Fonzie said. There was a silence between the two for a moment until Fonzie thought of something to say.
“I thought you were looking for your brother?” Fonzie asked her.
“Well, I saw you two leaving Arnold’s, so I thought he would be fine,” she told him. Katie stepped out of the darkness of the garage and shut the door. She locked it good and tight so that no one could see what she was hiding inside.
“I going home,” she told Fonzie and with that Katie was in the car and down the street. Fonzie stood there shocked, he thought Katie would have been happier then that. He got on his bike and looked back at the garage’s lock.
Should I pick it? Fonz thought, But if I pick it, she’ll hat me even more.
He thought about it a little harder and decided he was going to do it, she’ll never even know.
Fonzie dismounted the motorcycle and pulled a paper clip out of his pocket. The Fonz walked over to the lock that was hanging from the door. Hesitantly, he grabbed it and started to jiggle the paper clip inside. After a few seconds, the lock broke free and Fonzie pushed the door up.
He walked into the sun-filled garage and found the covered object sitting in the corner. Fonzie looked around to make sure no one was there, while he grabbed the blanket and pulled it off. To his surprise, he found a motorcycle, one that hadn’t been used very much except for back and forth to and from the garage, which it was contained in.
Fonzie couldn’t believe it! Katie Cunningham, the ice queen, has and maybe rode a motorcycle! Fonzie thought to himself as he hopped on the bike. Fonzie could feel the power of the bike in his hands, but could it be Katie’s? He had no idea! While dismounting the bike, Fonzie noticed a metal plaque on the side of it.
“In Memorial to my big brother, Chuck Cunningham, May you always ride like the wind.” Fonzie sat there for a moment, Could it be Chuck’s bike? He thought to himself, or is that how Chuck died? Fonzie decided that he probably should get going, so he covered the bike back up and returned to the daylight where he closed and locked the garage door.
The Fonz looked around the empty parking lot with a depressed look on his face. He wished that Katie had fallen for him instead of Rob. But it was lust and not fate. Fonzie got on his motorcycle and started it up. The engine roared as he spun off down the street towards the Cunninghams’ house.
* * *
“Oh Arthur, there you are,” Marion said as Fonzie walked through the back door, “we were waiting for you to get back so we could have dessert.” Howard remained silent as he sat at the kitchen table.
“That’s ok Mrs. C, I don’t really have the stomach for it,” Fonzie said as he joined Howard at the table.
“What’s wrong?” Fonzie asked Howard, who sighed at the fact that Katie was getting married, “Are you upset that Katie’s getting married?” Fonzie asked him again.
“No Fonzie, I’m not upset that she’s getting married, but the fact that she’s marrying Rob,” Howard told him. Fonzie was puzzled for a moment, sitting there with a million thoughts running through his mind.
“I thought you liked Rob?” Fonzie asked Howard.
“There’s something about him, I just can’t figure out,” Howard said, “I asked him about his family and all he said about them that they were fine! No descriptions, no telling of work, or knowing of siblings! Nothing! These people could be murders for all we know.”
“Does Katie know his parents?” Fonzie asked the depressed Mr. C.
“I already asked her that Fonzie and she said no,” Howard told him, “but that they are coming in three days and her and Rob want to get married next week.” Howard got up from the kitchen table and followed Marion, who had been running back and forth from room to room, into the living room.
Fonzie remained seated at the table and sighed, “Why is this happening to me? The girl I love doesn’t love me back, why?”
* * *
Three days past by, and everybody was more nervous then usual. Howard had already left for the airport to pick up Rob’s parents; Marion, Katie, Joanie, and Katie’s girl friends were gone to pick out bridesmaid dresses; and Rob, Richie, Fonzie, and Katie’s other guy friends were away to try on tuxes.
Danny had followed the ladies instead today to find out Katie’s feelings on Fonzie. He waited all day to hear at least one thought about his father, but nothing. The girls of Katie’s wedding party tried on dress after dress, but Katie couldn’t seem to find the right one. She didn’t seem as happy as she was a couple of days ago. After spending hours upon hours looking for the right dress, Katie suddenly disappeared.
“Where did she go?” Marion asked a little worried about the way her daughter had been acting the last couple of days. Faron stood there with a dark navy blue dress on, as she watched Katie though the window, walking down the street. She had a feeling that she knew what was bothering Katie, but she wouldn’t be able to tell Katie’s mother about it.
* * *
Katie continued to walk slowly down the street that turned into a busy highway and then into a dirt road. She had headed right back to where her first boyfriend and herself would come and sit on clear nights and watch the stars, Inspiration Point. Katie sat down and watched the waves crashing onto the shores below her and remembered that night back in 1940 when she first met that hood, the one that convinced her to return home.
She thought about the life she could have had with him, but she knew she would never see him again. For all she knew he could be dead. Katie continued to sit there quietly, thinking about everything, what could have been.
* * *
Back at the Cunningham house, the family was waiting for Katie to return home.
“Where could she be?” Marion said sobbingly.
“She’ll be fine Marion,” Howard told his wife, trying to reassure her. Rob burst through the door, “I still can’t find her. I’ve been out there for two hours looking for her!” As angry as Rob was he didn’t even noticed his parents, brother, and sister there at the dining room table.
“Hello Robert,” his mother said looking at him with a wondering eye.
“Mother! Father! When did you get here?” Rob asked a little astonished, “Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham, these are my parents, David and Patricia Jones, and my brother, Steven and my sister, Gloria.”
“Nice to meet you all,” Marion said as she reached out her hand to shake Patricia’s, but ended up getting a rejection.
“Umm…Richie, Joanie, will you please take the Jones’ things up to their rooms,” Howard said with a worried look on his face. Richie and Joanie looked at each other and then grabbed the luggage, and carried them upstairs with the Jones’ following close behind them.
“Okay, Gloria will be sharing a room with Joanie, Steven with me, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones will be in the guest room down the hall,” Richie explained to them. He set the luggage in their proper places and then headed back downstairs with Joanie. Gloria waited until Richie was all the way downstairs.
“Mother, why can’t we stay in the hotel that we saw on the way over here?” Gloria asked her mother, who was unpacking her belongings.
“Now Gloria, the Cunninghams aren’t all that bad, it’s that hood character that came from the garage that I’m worried about,” Patricia said, “the thing that I can’t believe is that someone actually lives up there!”
“How long do we have to stay here anyway?” Steven asked his parents.
“Don’t worry. After the wedding we’ll never have to come back to this dump again. Katie will be with us for the rest of her life and live in peace and pleasure,” David told his family, “We’ll just forget this family is even here.”
* * *
Meanwhile downstairs, Rob had left again to go find Katie and Fonzie had come home from work.
“So what’s the word on the front?” Fonzie asked the Cunninghams, implying to Katie’s disappearance.
“She hasn’t come home yet. Fonzie would you please go out and help Rob find her,” Howard asked Fonzie, hoping he would say yes.
Fonzie looked at the worried faces on Mr. and Mrs. C, and said, “No problem Mr. C. I’ll find her.”
“Thank you Arthur,” Mrs. C said giving him a kiss on his check. And with that Fonzie was out the door.
* * *
Mounting his bike, Fonzie thought of as many places as he could to find Katie. All of a sudden it came to Fonzie. Maybe she’s at Inspiration Point! That is the way Faron said she was walking. He rode the motorcycle out of the driveway and headed toward the direction of Inspiration Point.
Katie was still sitting on the ground looking at the stars, when a bright headlight hit the ground. Her eyes squinted at the light, which was coming toward her and then it was gone.
“Hello?” Katie asked with caution, “Who’s there?”
“Well, fancy meeting you here!” a voice said from the darkness.
“What do you want?” Katie asked becoming more terrified. She was shaking, just a little, and then a flashback hit her. Katie saw back to the night she met the hood in the dark alley way.
Could it be him? She thought. The next thing she knew Fonzie was sitting next to her on the grass looking her straight in the eye. Katie flinched at the unexpected change from the original setting.
“What are you doing here?” Fonzie asked.
Katie sat there waiting for her next answer to come to her, “What’s it to you!” Katie told him quietly. Fonzie sat in complete silence, knowing that he wasn’t wanted, but there was something that was making him stay. Katie would have told him to get lost or something like that by now, but why hasn’t she? The two sat in silence for quite some time.
“What are you thinking?” Fonzie asked Katie, who was now looking at the stars again.
“About the guy I once knew,” she said, not even realizing it.
Katie had never told anyone about the hood before, but all of a sudden it just started to come out.
“I met him when I was 10 years old. He was a hood and he helped me to return home,” she told him. Fonzie sat there a little stunned at the fact that Katie was telling him this.
“Were you lost?” Fonzie asked.
“No,” Katie said then pausing, “I ran away.” After hearing that Fonzie focused his eyes on Katie, he couldn’t believe what he just heard. That girl that he walked home 15 years ago was Katie! But the question was, did Katie know that it was him? He just couldn’t believe it, after 15 years of searching for her, he finally found her, but now she’s getting married.
Katie continued to talk, but Fonzie was still dazed at the fact that he finally found her, but how could he tell her? He stared straight ahead putting the pieces of that night back together and wondering why she brought up this sudden memory. Was she in love with him? Or did she just never get the chance to thank him like she wanted to? Fonzie suddenly snapped out of the daze after getting smacked on the side of the head by Katie’s hand.
“Hey, were you even listening to me?” Katie asked in a stern voice. A little shocked by the sudden blow, Fonzie turned to her and started to say something, but no words came out. He was too much in disbelief that Katie was that 10 year old girl from his past.
“What?” Katie asked, now being a little annoyed with his actions. By that remark, Fonzie decided that it was a good idea not to tell Katie until later.
“I think we should get home,” Fonzie said to her. He got up and went to mount his bike, but noticed that Katie was not following him. He walked back over to her and gently put his hand on her shoulder. Katie sat for a moment feeling another flashback coming to her, but it suddenly stopped and she turned and got up to mount the bike with Fonzie.
The two took off down the dirt road and disappeared into the night. The bike cruised through the streets of Milwaukee, like it had a mind of its’ own. Fonzie reminded silent, gripping the handles in his hands, still trying to figure out how to tell Katie who he really was.
* * *
Back at the Cunningham household, everyone was waiting for Katie to return home.
“So David,” Howard began to ask, “What type of business are you in?”
David decided to reply after a long silence, “I have many degrees in all sorts of fields.”
“I see,” Howard stated a little astonished and annoyed. Then the front door opened wide and in walked Fonzie and Katie, three hours later.
“Young lady!” Marion shouted, “Where have you been?”
“Inspiration Point!” Katie replied with a little more happiness in her voice. There was an expressional of shock on the Cunningham family’s faces.
“Is that some type of Milwaukee Society Club?” Patricia asked.
“Yeah, it’s a club where everyone is allowed and the party never stops!” Fonzie said, “for some at least.” Richie got up from the couch and walked over to Fonz, who was still standing near the open door with a grin on his face.
“Fonz, could I talk to you in the kitchen, please,” Richie asked as quietly as he could.
“Sure Cunningham,” Fonzie said, and the two headed for the kitchen. Just before Fonzie left the room, he turned his head, taking one more look at Katie, and then disappeared through the kitchen door.
Katie sat down on the couch with the look of satisfaction on her face. Everyone gathered around her, still with a shocked look on their faces.
Then Joanie broke the silence, “what was it like?”
“Joanie!” Marion said, even more shocked after the comment.
“Joanie, go to your room!” Howard shouted.
“Every time, go to your room, go to your room. I never get to here the juicy details,” Joanie complained as she headed for the stairs. Howard turned and looked at Joanie who was now standing on the first step.
“I know up!” Joanie said sharply, and off she stomped up the stairs.
Howard turned back around and looked at Katie, “You better have a good explanation for all of this,” he said firmly.
“Dad, we didn’t do anything. All we did was…” Katie said, but was stopped short by Steven.
“Excuse me, but what is ‘Inspiration Point’?” he asked.
“Katherine, don’t you dare tell them,” Marion shouted.
“Oh, I’m sorry David and Patricia, but do you mind, this is kind of a family problem,” Howard asked them politely. David nodded then took his family upstairs.
“Now, what were you doing up at Inspiration…I mean why were you…oh gosh Marion help me here!” Howard said confused.
“Well, Howard, I really don’t know how to ask her either,” Marion stated to her husband.
Katie stood up from the couch, astonished at what her parents were thinking, “Didn’t you hear me the first time! We didn’t do anything!” Katie shouted, “Don’t you trust me?” Howard and Marion went silent.
Katie gasped at the fact that her parents said nothing, so she headed for the stairs, “fine then, don’t trust your own daughter.” And with that, Katie was out of sight, locking herself in her room.
Danny stood quietly in the corner of the living room, shocked at the fact that Marion and Howard didn’t try and stop her. He didn’t know what to do, but he knew that he couldn’t do much since no one could see or hear him. He felt useless! He wanted to say something, but he couldn’t.
* * *
Meanwhile back in the kitchen, Richie was pacing back and forth in front of the kitchen table and Fonzie had set himself down with a glass of milk and some cookies.
“Fonzie, please tell me that you and Katie didn’t do anything up there,” Richie pleaded with him. Fonzie remained silently seated at the table eating a cookie.
“Fonz, Katie is getting married in two days. Two days Fonz, this is not a good time to give her any different ideas,” Richie stated. Fonzie still remained silent.
“Fonzie, are you even listening to me?” Richie asked, “Alright, what’s wrong? There is obviously something bothering you.”
Fonzie looked up from his snack, “It’s Katie,” he said quietly.
“What about her?” Richie asked, as he sat down next to Fonz.
“Did she ever tell you about something that happened when she was younger, like 10 years old?” Fonzie asked Richie, who had just taken a cookie from the plate.
“No, I don’t think so. Why?” Richie asked. Fonzie paused for a moment, wondering whether he should tell Richie about his encounter with Katie years ago and what she told him up at Inspiration Point.
“Nothing, nothing, just forget it,” Fonzie told Richie.
Fonzie decided not to tell Richie on the fact that the wedding was only a couple days away.
“Fonz, you still didn’t answer my question,” Richie said, “Did you two do what I think you did up there?”
“No Red,” Fonzie said, “We didn’t do anything. All we did was talk.”
“That’s it?” Richie asked.
“That’s it,” Fonzie stated.
Richie took a sign of relief, “Boy, you had me going there for a while Fonz.” Fonzie nodded his head, but remained silent.
Richie looked at his watch, “Well, I got to go. LB’s waiting for me down at Arnold’s. Bye Fonz!” Richie said as he headed out the back door. Fonzie gave a half-hearted wave. At the time, Danny had made his way into the kitchen and sat down next to Fonzie. Fonz sat at the table alone (to what he thought), thinking to himself about what could have been if he hadn’t took Katie home, but let her stay with him.
* * *
More than 48 hours later, the big day had arrived. All the bridesmaids were getting ready in Joanie’s room; the groomsmen and Rob in Richie’s; and Katie, by herself, in her own room. Danny was sitting in the living room watching Marion, Howard, and Rob’s parents run back and forth from the back yard to the upstairs, getting things ready for the wedding.
Katie, already in her wedding dress, sat on her bed with a pad of paper and a pen, quietly and silently writing.
“Katie,” Faron’s voice yelled from outside the door, “Can I come in?” Katie panicked at the sound of Faron’s voice and quickly shoved the paper under her pillow.
“Come in!” Katie said nervously. Faron opened the door and slowly made her way into the room.
“Katie, I got a surprise for you!” she said to her friend, “Guess what it is?”
“I don’t know,” Katie said half-heartily, “What is it?”
“Go to the window and look in the driveway,” Faron told her. Katie got up off her bed. Her dress dragged across the carpet as she walked to the window. She looked down to the ground below and saw a motorcycle.
“You bought me another cycle?” Katie asked, “Faron!” Katie said at a lower tone of voice, “You know I already have one.”
“Katie that is your motorcycle,” Faron explained, “I took it to Fonzie and he cleaned it up for me. It’s my present to you!” Katie turned to look at Faron and then back at the bike in the driveway.
“Thank you,” Katie said with a sigh.
* * *
Downstairs in the kitchen, Marion; Arnold, a short Japanese man who owned Arnold’s; and along with some help from Patricia, were peeling potatoes.
“Can’t you just buy these things without the skins?” Patricia complained. Marion and Arnold looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
“Marion, dear, why didn’t you just hire a caterer,” Patricia started up again.
“Well, Arnold does know what he’s doing,” Marion said, “He owns his own restaurant; so, he knows food well.”
“Well I just hope it’s not that awful one we saw downtown. You know that drive-in thing,” Patricia complained. Arnold turned away and muttered something in Japanese. Marion turned away as well to look at Arnold, who had been slicing carrots, and now had the large carrot down to a tiny sliver.
“Well, I’m going upstairs to freshen up,” Patricia said getting up from the kitchen table and headed for the door, “I have to get this junk out from underneath my nails.” She headed out the door into the living room.
“I give you junk!” Arnold said raising the peeler in his hand. Marion snatched the peeler away and gave Arnold an evil look.
* * *
Outside in the yard, Howard and Richie had just finished setting up all the chairs.
“Dad,” Richie said, “What do we know about this Rob and his family? I mean they don’t even talk about what they do for a living, or what they do for fun. And what’s really odd, all of them have the same little tattoo on their ankles with the initials ‘JFM.’ What do you think it stand for? I bet…” Richie was stopped short when he noticed Howard was looking at him.
“I don’t know Richie,” Howard said, “All I know is that Katie is in love, at least I hope she is.”
Howard continued to move things as Richie stood there thinking to himself. I know one person that wishes she wasn’t.
* * *
Yet, there Katie remained, in her room all alone, only one hour before the wedding. She had taken the pad of paper back out and finished her writing. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
“Come in!” Katie yelled as she shoved the paper in an envelope and put it back under her pillow. The door opened slowly, and Fonzie stuck his head in.
“Fonz?” Katie said, a little shocked.
Fonzie slowly made his way into the room, “Hey, you look beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you,” Katie replied. There was a moment of silence and then Katie spoke up as she noticed a small box in Fonzie’s hand, “What’s that?” she questioned him.
“Yeah, here, it’s my wedding gift to you,” Fonzie explained as he tossed the box to Katie.
“Thanks,” she stated a little curiously. Katie sat on the bed and opened it. She pulled out a personalized license plat in the letters ‘RLTW.’ She smiled at the sit of the cycle plate because she knew that the letters stood for ‘ride like the wind.’ But then the smile disappeared.
“Is there something wrong with it?” Fonz asked.
“No, it’s just…” Katie started, “It’s just that I’m not keeping the cycle.”
“And why is this,” Fonzie asked with a sharp tone.
“That motorcycle gives me too many bad memories. First Chuck’s death and then almost my own death. All of it was because of the stupid Falcons gang,” Katie began to yell, “Do you know how bad I wanted to kill its’ members for what they did to me and my brother!” Fonzie, in the state of shock, grabbed the nearest object and began to shake it.
“Listen, you didn’t know those guys the way I did. They were my only family at the time. I didn’t know they killed you brother,” Fonzie voice grew louder and louder with every word, “And you know what! There was something really important I had to tell you today that was going to change your life, but now…” Fonzie looked up and saw Katie’s eyes a flame with outrage.
“Why, I never,” Katie shouted, “Here take your stupid plate back and get out!” Katie threw the plate at Fonzie.
“Fine, see what I care about what happens to you back in New York,” he shouted just before slamming the door. Katie stood up and ran to the window, just in time to watch Fonz stomp out the front door and start his motorcycle, then ride off. As his cycle rode out of sight, she instantly began to cry.
“Why am I crying?” she questioned herself out loud, “Do I really have feelings for him?”
Danny had heard the commotion from downstairs and came up to see what was wrong. He found Katie still crying by the window.
“What am I going to do?” she cried. Danny wanted to tell her to go to Fonzie, but he couldn’t. Suddenly she stopped crying.
“What am I doing,” she said, as almost like she had heard Danny’s thoughts in her mind.
“I can’t marry Rob. I don’t love him. I love Fonzie,” Katie stood there with the biggest smile on her face, and then she turned and headed for her pillow. She pulled out the letter that she wrote earlier and set it on her pillow. Then she ran into the bathroom, and the next thing Danny knew, she was back in the room, dressed in jeans, a white t-shirt, a leather jacket, and motorcycle boots.
From the dresser, she grabbed her keys and ran over to the window. Opening it quietly, she then climbed out onto the balcony. From there she jumped down to the ground, and ran over and started her cycle. Danny stood at the window and watched as her cycle glided down the street.
* * *
Katie guided her bike down the busy street, not really knowing where to go. She decided to drive past Arnold’s first and surprisingly, there sat Fonzie’s bike. Riding the cycle into the parking lot, Katie parked it and shut off the engine. She dismounted and walked inside to find Fonzie at his usual booth. Katie slowly walked towards him.
“Can we talk?” she asked. Fonzie remained staring at the table, saying nothing.
“Listen, I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I had no idea that you were in the Falcons at one point,” Katie said, “Actually I’m also somewhat putting myself down by saying that.”
“You know, you should really…” Fonzie said, but was stopped short after he realized just what Katie had said, “What do you mean putting yourself down?”
“Fonz,” Katie started, “I can’t hide it any longer. When I went to New York,” she said while sitting down across from Fonz, “I started hanging out with this gang, actually surprisingly enough called the Falcons. I got into fights, murder cases, everything. That’s what all my scars are from. But then I met Rob, and that’s when the trouble began. No one here knows this, but Rob’s family is a part of the Mafia in New York, and the Falcons were one of their enemies; so, I had to choose,” Katie told Fonz.
“And you choose Rob,” Fonzie said.
“I had to,” Katie continued, “Rob’s family had more power, plus security. I had to.” Fonzie sat there for a moment trying to collect his thoughts, She was a Falcon!
“Do you still love him?” he asked.
“I did, well at least I think I did,” she replied, “but the wedding is off, I don’t car what they do to me. I’m not marrying him.”
* * *
Back at the Cunningham household, all the guests were seated and the wedding party took their places.
“Joanie,” Howard said, “Will you go see if Katie’s ready.” Joanie nodded and rushed up the stairs.
“Howard!” Marion shouted as she ran into the living room, “Everyone’s ready to go!”
Marion paused when she noticed that Katie wasn’t there, “Now where’s Katie?”
“Don’t worry Marion,” Howard said, “I just sent Joanie up to get her.” He sat down in his chair and became silent.
“Marion,” he said, “Do you think she’s doing the right thing?”
“I don’t know Howard,” she said, “I don’t know.”
“Mom! Dad!” Joanie yelled as she ran down the stairs, “Katie’s gone! And I found this,” she continued as she handed Howard the envelope marked with Rob’s name on the front. Howard looked at the envelope and was about to open it when Marion stopped him short.
“Howard!?!” she said worried and shocked.
“I’ll go tell the others,” he said as he got up from his chair and headed for the kitchen door. Just then Richie came bounding in from that direction.
“What’s taking so long in here?” Richie asked, “Potsie’s running out of songs to sing, Ralph’s hands are starting to hurt from playing the piano, and Rob’s relatives are threatening to shoot them if they stop.” Richie paused when he saw the look on his family’s faces.
“Where’s Katie?” he asked at first, then continued, “She’s gone, isn’t she?” Howard lowered his head and continued his way out the door with the letter still in his hands. At the same time Danny had made his way down the stairs to find out the family’s reaction.
“Who was the last one to see Katie?” Richie asked, with other thoughts running through his mind.
“I think Fonzie went up to see her at one point,” Joanie said, “But he stormed out of here about 20 minutes ago.”
“I got to go find Fonz,” Richie said, “Joanie; do you know where he went?”
“If I knew, I would have told you before!” she said sharply.
Richie turned around, ready to smart off back to her, but thought this wasn’t the time or the place for that, “You just stay here and take care of Mom, while I go find him.” Richie grabbed his keys and ran out the door. Marion was sitting in the chair motionless.
“Why would she do this?” Marion asked no one in particular.
* * *
Howard still hadn’t made it to the backyard. He was sitting in the kitchen, looking straight ahead. Suddenly the back door flew open and Rob rushed in.
“What’s going on?” he asked, “Isn’t Katie ready yet?” Howard broke his stare and turned his head towards Rob.
“I’m sorry Rob,” Howard said, “She’s gone and she left you this.” He handed Rob the envelope. Rob joined Howard at the table and opened the letter. He began to read…
Dear Rob:
Over the past couple of days. I’ve come to realize how two different people we really are. This is hard for me to say, but I have to before one of us gets hurt. Rob, I can’t marry you. My reasons, well, first, I’m not ready for marriage and a family of my own. Second, I don’t want to be married to the Mafia, I don’t want to live a life of secrets. Finally, I’ve found someone else. He brings my past alive again. I feel alive when I’m with him. So, that’s my explanation for not being here today for the wedding. I’m sorry that I hurt you in any way. I ask for your family and your forgiveness. I’m truly sorry Rob.
Sincerely,
Katherine A. Cunningham
Rob couldn’t believe what he had just read. He sat silently at the table with Howard. Just by the look on Rob’s face, Howard knew there would be no wedding there that day.
“I’ll go tell the others,” he said to Rob. Howard got up from the chair, put his hand on Rob’s shoulder for a moment, then turned and headed out the back door. Rob started to talk to himself, unaware that Danny was in the kitchen with him.
“This is bad. My family knows that she knows too much,” he said, “They’ll want to kill her.”
* * *
Back at Arnold’s, Katie and Fonzie continued to talk about their past.
“Katie,” Fonzie said, “Remember that night when you told me about the hood from your past.”
“Yeah,” she said.
“Did you ever find him?” he asked Katie, who was just finishing her third soda.
“No,” she said, “But I kind of wish that I did.” Fonzie looked up from his shake.
“Come with me for a minute,” he told her. Katie looked at him with a wandering eye, but got up and followed Fonzie out the back door to the alley.
“Okay, you said you were on the ground right!” Fonzie asked, even though he knew the correct answer.
“Yeah, why?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he started, “Just get in the position that you were in.” Katie gave him a funny look, but did what he said. She got down on her hands and knees, and Fonzie walked around to where her face was.
He raised his foot and trusted it towards Katie, stopping only inches away from her face. She flinched at the site of his foot coming towards her and shut her eyes. Fonzie put his foot down quietly and went over to a garbage can and sat down on it. Katie began to tremble and the flashback to that night began again. But suddenly it stopped by the sound of Fonzie’s voice.
“What are you doing?” he asked her. She looked up at him with a frighten look upon her face.
“I thought you were going to beat me up there for a second,” she said a little more calmly.
“Where did you ever get an idea like that?” he asked.
“What?” she said, “Fonz you’re not making any sense.”
He smiled at her and continued, “Let me take a stab at this, you’re running away from home.” Katie stood up and stared at Fonzie. Her eyes began to tear up.
“Let me take you home,” he said. He hopped off the garbage can and went over and put his arm around her. Katie looked into Fonzie’s cool brown eyes.
“It was you?” she asked before she started to cry. Fonzie took her in his arms.
“When you told me about the night I first met you,” he said, “I thought you knew it was me.” Katie shook her head no. The two stood in the alleyway until Katie fully stopped crying.
“Fonzie,” she said, “There’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.” They looked into each other’s eyes, and then took their first real kiss. Just as they began, Richie pulled up into the parking
He saw them right away and after he parked the car, he jumped out and ran towards them. Richie stopped dead in his tracks when he saw them kissing. At the point he knew that there was no changing her mind about it. Richie slowly eased away and went back to his car.
* * *
The door opened slowly to the Cunningham home, as Richie walked in.
“Oh, Richard,” Marion said, “Did you find Katie?” Richie paused before answering, wondering if her should tell the family the truth or not.
“No, I didn’t find her or Fonzie,” Richie said for the sake of the family’s feelings.
“Listen, why don’t we all try to get some sleep,” Howard told everyone, “We’ll start looking in the morning.”
* * *
As morning broke on the city of Milwaukee, the Cunningham and Jones families all headed out to find Katie. Potsie and Ralph also joined in on the hunt early that day. At about noon the two guys made their way back to the Cunningham house.
“I don’t get it Pots,” Ralph said, “We looked everywhere!” Ralph sat down in Howard’s chair.
“Yeah,” Potsie said, “And the weird thing is, we can’t find Fonzie either.” Potsie took an apple off the table and cleaned it on his shirt. Ralph suddenly jumped up from the chair.
“Wait a minute Pots,” he said, “Fonzie and Katie disappeared about the same time.”
“Yeah, so?” Potsie said.
“So that means if we go out looking for Fonzie, we’ll find Katie too,” Ralph said. Potsie looked at Ralph with a blank stare.
“You still don’t get it, do you,” Ralph stated. Potsie shook his head no.
“Never mind Pots, just follow me,” Ralph said as he headed toward the back door. The two headed outside and up Fonzie’s steps.
“Okay Pots, we’ll check Fonzie’s apartment for clues first, and we’ll then go on from there,” Ralph told Potsie as he picked up the spare key from underneath the doormat. Ralph slid the key into the hole and turned it, and pushed the door open slowly.

[FonzFan]

Chapter 5
Heart vs. Parents

Potsie and Ralph both stood in shock in the doorway to find Fonzie and Katie together, in bed. Ralph quietly grabbed the door handle and pulled the door shut with them back on the outside. He locked the door and dropped the key. Potsie remained in a trans while Ralph looked at him and let out a half laugh-scream.
“What do we do Malph, what do we do?” Potsie yelled.
“Calm down Pots! We’ll think of something,” Ralph panicked.
“Should we tell Rich?” Potsie asked in fear.
“No,” Ralph said, “why hurt the kid. Besides, how do ya tell a guy his sister is in bed with his best friend?”
“So, we should just keep it a secret?” Potsie questioned.
“Don’t you think it would be best?” Ralph questioned him as the two stood on the porch.
All of a sudden, Richie came walking up the stairs slowly. Both Ralph and Potsie stopped talking as soon as Richie came into view.
“Are they in there?” Richie asked. Both Ralph and Potsie paused, and looked at each other wondering if they should lie or tell Richie the truth.
“Nope,” the two said simultaneously.
“You’re lying,” Richie said, “I know they’re in there. I saw them last night at Arnold’s, kissing.”
“What?” Ralph and Potsie yelled in shock.
“But I thought Katie didn’t date ‘hoods’?” Ralph said quoting Katie from the first time he saw her at Arnold’s.
“She normal doesn’t,” Richie said, “at least I don’t think so.”
“So what do we do now?” Potsie asked, “Should we tell your folks?”
“No,” Richie told him, “Let them tell my parents themselves.”
* * *
Later on that evening, the Cunningham family and Jones family gathered back at the Cunningham house.
“Did anyone have any luck finding Katie?” Howard asked the group of people gathered in his living room. Everyone shook their heads no, all except Richie. But Howard didn’t notice.
“Well, I’m sure she’ll turn up, but we’ll start looking again in the morning,” Howard stated. Then David piped up.
“Howard, this is getting ridiculous,” David stated, “if your daughter does not marry my son in 48 hours, there will be trouble.”
“Trouble?” Howard asked, “What do you mean trouble?”
David opened his mouth to continue, but was given an evil eye by Patricia. Howard looked at the couple on the couch.
“It’s just that, we should be getting back to New York as soon as possible,” Patricia stated to the Cunninghams, “David must be getting back to his work.”
“Yes, work,” Howard said, “By the way, where do you work David?”
“Where ever I’m needed,” David stated.
“I’m sorry but I can’t make my daughter’s decisions for her,” Howard told the Jones’, “And furthermore, if my daughter ran away from this marriage, it must mean that she doesn’t want to marry your son.”
“Well, I never,” David blared as he got up off the couch and stared into Howard’s face, “Patricia, Steven, Gloria – pack your bags, we’re going back to New York.”
The Jones’ got up from the couch and followed David upstairs to collect their belongings.
“David,” Patricia said, “What are we going to do with them?”
“We’ll talk about that when we get back to New York,” David said, “We’ll be safer there.”
“But Dad,” Rob stated, “The Cunninghams don’t know anything about our secret. Can’t we just leave them be?”
“The Cunningham family may know nothing,” David stated, “But Katie knows too much. We’ll be back for her.”
Three hours later, the Jones’ were gone and on their way back to New York.
* * *
About nine o’clock, the front door to the Cunningham house opened slowly, and Katie poked her head in. There was no one in the living room except for Danny, who was now happy because his parents finally got together.
“Hello,” Katie said, “Is anybody up?” No one answered so Katie opened the door and walked in.
Hearing the door close, Howard came in from the kitchen to see who was there.
“Katie,” Howard said, “Rob’s gone.” Howard walked over to his daughter and sat her down at the dining room table.
“I kinda figured he and his family would leave,” Katie said quietly.
“Why did you run out on him?” Howard asked, “Were you nervous about getting married or was it something else?” Katie waited a few minutes to collect her thoughts.
“I guess I just came to realize that I didn’t know who Rob really was and I didn’t want to marry a stranger,” Katie implied. Howard got up from the table and smiled at his daughter.
“I can’t make your decisions for you,” he said, “But I think you made the right one. On the wrong day, but you made the right decision.”
“Thanks Dad,” Katie said with a sigh.
“What’s the matter?” Howard asked his daughter.
“Well, the other reason I took off was…” Katie stopped.
“Was what?” Howard asked.
“Fonzie,” Katie said.
“What about Fonzie?” Howard asked a little more sternly.
“Well…” Katie said but was stopped short by Marion, Richie and Joanie coming down the stairs.
“Oh Katie,” Marion shouted as she came down the stairs, “Where…” Marion began but was interrupted by Howard
“Wait Marion,” he told his wife, “What about Fonzie?” Howard asked in a fully stern tone.
“Was Arthur in an accident?” Marion asked loudly.
“No,” Katie said, “Fonzie’s just fine. It’s just that…I’m in love with him.”
The whole family stopped and stared at Katie with jaws dropped. Just then Fonzie walked in through the kitchen door.
“Hey beautiful!” Fonzie said giving Katie a kiss on the cheek. Fonzie looked around at the rest of the family and saw shocked expressions on their faces.
“I see you told them about us, huh…” he said, as Howard inched toward them. Fonzie took his arm off of Katie and moved her in the line of fire.
“Well?” Katie asked the family. Finally Howard spoke up.
“What do you mean ‘well’!” Howard shouted, “You gave up a wonderful chance for a great life in New York for him!” Howard said as he pointed to Fonzie.
“Heyyy!” Fonzie stated at the insult.
“Dad, just hear me out…” Katie began to tell her father the story, but Howard stopped her.
“No, Katie you may have just made the biggest mistake of your life,” Howard stated to her. “And you,” he said to Fonzie, “if you’ve lied one finger on my daughter, you’re in big trouble.”
“Dad!” Katie shouted, “I love him, isn’t that what matters?”
“Katie, I’ll say this once,” Howard said, “on Tuesday you are going back to New York, finding Rob and marrying him. Do you understand me?”
“I don’t want to marry Rob,” Katie shouted at her father as she bolted for the door, “and another thing. I’m not going back to New York.” Katie walked out the front door and slammed it behind her.
Danny sat at the dining room table shocked at his mother’s reaction. I can’t believe she talked to Grandpa Howard like that! I can’t believe this is how Mom told them about her and Dad!
“I’ll go talk to her,” Howard said as he headed for the door, but was stopped short by Fonzie.
“No, I’ll go talk to her,” Fonzie said, “it’s my faul…it’s my faul. You know what I mean.” And with that he was out the door.
Katie was sitting silently on the porch steps, crying just a little.
“Can we talk?” he asked Katie. She nodded her head, and he sat down by her.
“Listen, maybe you should go back to New York,” he said to her. Katie looked at Fonzie astonished.
“You’re agreeing with my father!” Katie shouted at him, “And I thought you loved me! If you loved me, you’d support me!” Katie crossed her arms and looked the other way.
“Don’t you think it is best,” Fonzie said, “I mean what if they came back after you? You’d put your family at risk!”
“You mean I’d put you at risk,” Katie said, “I forgot that since you’re a Falcon they’ll come after you too. You’re betraying me, just like those morons back in New York did. Fine you want me gone, than I’ll leave.”
Katie got up and walked back inside the house. Danny was just making his way out the door and Katie came running through it.
“I hope you’re happy,” Katie shouted to the family, “I’m leaving tomorrow instead.”
Danny ran out the door to find Fonzie still sitting there. Howard walked out and sat down by Fonzie.
“I hope you’re happy Mr. C,” Fonzie said to him, “she’s going back to New York.”
“Thank you Fonzie,” Howard said, “You’ve made the right decision.”
“Yeah, I hope,” Fonzie said.
* * *
Richie walked upstairs and knocked on Katie’s door.
“Can I come in!” he yelled through the door, “It’s Richie!”
“Come in,” Katie yelled back. Richie opened the door and walked in. There sat Katie at her window, crying her eyes out.
“Are you alright?” he asked his sister.
“What does it look like,” Katie said sobbingly, “Last night he said he loved me. And now he wants me to go back to New York to marry someone I don’t love.”
“He’s just doing what’s best for you,” Richie stated.
“What’s best for me! WHAT’S BEST FOR ME!” Katie shouted, “Sending me back to a…” Katie stopped before telling Richie the awful truth about Rob and his family.
“Back to what?” Richie asked her. Katie had to think up a lie.
“Back to a loveless marriage,” Katie said hesitantly
“Oh,” Richie sighed, “But Katie, you’ve built a life for yourself in New York. You have to go back.”
“I know, I know,” Katie paused, “You’re right Rich, I have a life there. I have to go back.”
* * *
When Monday morning came, Katie was packed and ready to go. Katie moved her bags from the bedroom to the living room.
“Katie, are you ready?” Howard asked as her came down the steps.
“Yeah, I guess so,” Katie said sadly.
“We’ll leave in about an hour,” Howard told her, “So get some breakfast before you leave.”
“Ok Dad,” Katie said as she headed towards the kitchen. She walked through the kitchen door and there sat Fonzie at the kitchen table.
“Good morning,” Fonzie said to Katie.
“Morning,” Katie said sternly to Fonz. But she said no more. She got her bowl and cereal and walked back out into the dining room. Just then Richie came walking into the kitchen from the outside.
“Morning Fonz,” Richie said as he opened the refrigerator door.
“Morning Red,” Fonzie said sadly.
“You’re upset about Katie, aren’t you?” Richie asked.
“She didn’t even look at me when she came in here,” Fonzie told him
“Oh, well are you at least going to come to say goodbye this afternoon?” Richie asked him.
“We’ll see,” Fonz said, “I’ve got a lot of work to do at the garage.” Fonzie got up from the kitchen table and put his dishes in the sink.
“See ya later Rich,” Fonzie said as he headed out the back door.
“Bye Fonz,” Richie sighed as the door slammed shut.
* * *
The family drove Katie to the airport just outside of town. Katie went out to the plane’s steps as the family and Danny followed her.
“Call us when you get there,” Marion sobbingly told her as she gave Katie a hug.
“I will Mom,” Katie told her mother.
“Bye Joanie, good luck in school next week,” Katie told her little sister.
“Bye Katie,” Joanie said, “I’ll miss you!” Katie turned to Howard next.
“Bye Dad,” Katie said, “I’ll miss you!”
“Goodbye sweetheart,” Howard told his daughter, “I’ll miss you too. And be careful.”
“I will Dad,” Katie said to her father. And then she turned to Richie.
“Bye Richie,” she said to her brother, “I know you’ll do great in school. And say goodbye to Fonzie for me, please.”
“No problem sis,” Richie said, “goodbye and good luck!”
Katie turned towards the plane and walked up the steps to the cabin. There she turned towards the family and waved goodbye. But still something was missing, and she knew what it was, Fonzie.
Katie took her seat next to a window. The plane’s engine started up and the plane began to move toward the back of the first runway. Katie looked out the small window as the plane reached the end of the runway.
There next to the plane hanger across the boarding area she saw a man with a motorcycle. As she looked harder she could see it was Fonzie. Katie’s heart began to pound harder and harder. She could feel herself begin to cry.
I can’t leave! I love him too much! My place is here in Milwaukee and not with the Mafia in New York. Katie panicked while wondering what to do. Then she spoke up.
“STOP THE PLANE!” Katie shouted to the stewardess as she got up and ran down the aisle of the small plane.
“I need to get off,” she told the stewardess. The plane engine shut off and the door to the plane opened. The stewardess put the stairs down, and Katie ran down the steps as fast as she could.
When Fonz saw her, he began to run towards her, and they met in the middle of the runway. They threw their arms around one another, and Katie began to cry.
“I’m so sorry Fonz,” Katie sobbed.
“It’s alright,” Fonzie said. “I’m sorr…, I’m sorr…” Fonzie stopped to collect himself, “I’m sorry too.”
“I can’t go back to New York,” Katie stated, “I’m staying here with you forever.”
“I love you so much Katie,” Fonzie said as he held her closer.
“I love you too,” Katie said as she began cry because she realized the life she almost lost, again.
Danny began to run towards them, but he began to feel dizzy, lightheaded almost. Then the foreground began to fade, and Danny felt an overwhelming feeling of change. He closed his eyes to try and focus them, and then there was darkness.