The Only Beanie - Book 4 (Riverdale Season 4/5)

Dog Day Afternoon

"Here it is," Aminity said as she found Jughead's room and opened the door, the others coming in behind her.

"Well, we are certainly not in Riverdale High anymore," Jughead said with a smile as he took in the large room. "Welcome to the Dead Poets Society."

"Not a bad coop, boy," FP said as he set the boxes he was carrying down. Betty looked around the room, seeming a little uneasy. "Okay, kid, let's go find the vending machine, huh?" FP said, leading Aminity out of the room and leaving Jughead and Betty alone. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she sighed. "I'm just gonna miss him."

"We all will. But he's not going to be far and we can visit whenever."

"I know, it's just not going to be the same."

"I know, but we'll figure it out." She nodded, giving him a small smile.

***

"I'm looking at around forty grand to pay for the renovations the gym would need," Archie sighed as they sat in the student lounge and he talked about his plans for making the gym a community center.

"I hate to say it again, but I could just lend you the money," Veronica tried.

"No, Ronnie. I don't want to take any more handouts. I want to work for it. I just need to figure out what the work could be."

"We could host a charity concert," Kevin offered.

"You could reach out to local business and try to get donations," Aminity thought.

"You could have a bake sale," Betty shrugged.

"You'd have to sell a lot of cupcakes," Munroe chuckled.

"Now, hold on. I think B's on to something. Not a bake sale, per se, but... Looking at your four strapping young men, there's another classic way to earn money."

***

Most of the football players, and the Serpents Aminity had recruited, stood outside of Pop's, many without shirts, as they held a car wash.

"Great work, Reginald," Veronica told him, interrupting his and Aminity's conversation. "Every suburban housewife in the country is spreading the word about our sissy fundraiser."

"What can I say? I have a deep fanbase."

"Yes, you do."

"I... I don't want to know," Aminity shook her head before going off to help with either washing cars or restocking supplies and helping guests. They all eventually went inside, Veronica dropping the stack of money they earned onto one of the tables.

"What's the haul, Ronnie?" Archie asked.

"A little over four."

"Grand? That's great!"

"Hundred, Archie. I think I overestimated the financial pull of your pectorals."'

"But hey, it's four hundred dollars in the right direction. It's somewhere to start," Aminity tried to encourage him.

"Exactly. We're just getting started. Maybe we can do a Magic Mike night at La Bonne Nuit." Aminity raised her eyebrows as the guys looked away. "Or... Dare I say, you boys go the full Monty."

"We can brainstorm some other ideas," Aminity butted in as the guys scoffed. "We'll figure it out.

"We always do," Veronica nodded.

***

"Thank you for showing up and helping today," Aminity told Sweet Pea, taking his soapy clothes and putting them into the washing machine as he sat on the couch in sweatpants and a loose t-shirt.

"Not a problem. I'm glad to help you, especially if you're fighting for the good of the Southside." She sighed, coming and sitting next to him. "Hey, we're gonna get that center up and running."

"I know. I just wish there was more I could do."

"You're doing your best. That's all you can do." She nodded. "Even Hot Dog thinks so," he smiled as the small dog hopped onto the couch, snuggling between them. Aminity smiled, running a hand through Hot Dog's hair and settling in as Sweet Pea turned on a movie.

***

Aminity groaned as she heard the doorbell ring, getting up and going downstairs with Hot Dog at her heels.

"What time is it?" she asked as she saw Betty and Jughead sitting on the couch.

"Too late for visitors," Jughead said as she stood, going to the door and opening it as the girls watched from the hallway. The porch was empty except for a bag. Jughead picked it up, reaching inside to pull out a video tape.