My Daddy "The Fonz"

Chapter 13/Part 2: Love is in the Air at Arnold's

Fonzie's POV:

Pristine Christine. I can't believe it's finally happening. That queen chose me, the only chick in town with the balls to keep me guessing. I thought I'd never get my chance with her. Nothing could ruin this moment.

Except her. Henny. The Henny who was so bossy I couldn't breathe.

We was sitting all nice in my favorite, most-tucked-away spot at Arnold's, right? Chris had gotten all sweet on me and let me kiss her. We even cut a bit of a rug before we dove into our burger and fries. Well, guess what? On Sunday of all days, everyone had to be at Arnold's. Richie included.

Now, Richie knows not to bother me when I'm on a date, so does everyone else I know, 'cept for Mr.
C and one other person—the bossiest person I've met—Henny. Or according to Bobby, "Aunt Henny."

Henny was 'sposed to be off to college to be a nurse. Why is she here, once again messing the shit up that I'm working to build? It's supremely annoying how as soon as something good starts happening, something else happens to knock it all away.

Chris gives Henny a polite smile. "Well, hello," she says, shaking Henny's hand. And then she gives me a wide-eyed look of surprise. Both women do, like I'm cheating on them both or something.

I hop out of my chair. "What the—Hen—hey, thought you was at school far away from here?"

Man, those freckles and that cute button nose still do me in. Why? Curse her womanly spell!

She leans her elbow against my shoulder. "Well, I was top of my class, well advanced, so they let me graduate early. Decided to come back and check what's changed." She ogles me up and down. "Seems you haven't changed a bit." Her eyes then flit back to Chris. "Who's your lady friend?"

For a split second there, I almost forgot Christine was present. "Oh, that's my—Christine. Bobby's principal. Remember Bobby?"

Henny pauses in thought and hums. "Yes, of course I remember Bobby. How's he doing? You take my advice and keep him in school?"

My whole face blushes red. "Of course. He's been doing great in school."

Chris pipes up. "Adequate is more the word I'd use." Chris's lips purse tight as she studies us. Oh no.

I take a step back from Hen. "Hey look, me and Hen are just friends, okay?"

Chris's face turns stiff. "And I'm just Bobby's principal. Apparently."

Both women stare at me, and I'm fighting against myself to not race on out of there. Instead, I whistle my friend Rich over. He comes running. He knows that when I whistle, something is an emergency.

"What's the emergency, Fonz?" Richie asks.

I wave my hands low so he knows to talk quieter. "No real emerg, but how would you like to take Henny there on a date? She's that old friend of mine Bobby likes. She's back in town—and well, y'know..." I show him with my eyes my dilemma. I think he takes the hint.

"Sure thing, Fonz." Rich smiles wide as he greets Henny. Thank God for Rich. Love that dude to death. Though I wouldn't admit that out loud.

Henny seems pleasant about the exchange. Who knows? Maybe they'll hit it off and have little mini Richies and Hennys. Sort of a scary thought.

I breathe a sigh of relief as I see Chris's shoulders relax. I approach her and let her take my hand. My eyes match hers so she knows I'm still very much interested. Hopefully I hadn't blown it. "Hey, Chris, why don't we—y'know, pick a song you like?"

She smiles at me in a small way and agrees. Good. Not a wasted day. She smiles bigger, with her teeth, when she notices how enthused I am. As we march our way to the jukebox, Henny leads Richie, beating us to it.