Desperado

Chapter Twenty One

The Sweet Hereafter

"I told her I wouldn't do it. Not unless you're up there with us, Jug."

"I appreciate the righteous indignation, Betty, I do, but Jubilees aren't my thing."

"Jug, how's your dad? Did you get in to see him?"

Thank you, Archie, for asking the question I desperately wanted to know.

"Here's the latest. Mayor McCoy wants my dad to name names in exchange for a lesser sentence."

"What? Whose names?"

"The Serpents. Sheriff Keller thinks they're the ones dealing the drugs that Clifford Blossom brought into the town."

"My dad says more and more drugs are hitting the streets."

"Kevin, relax, this isn't The Wire. My dad says they're not the ones dealing."

"And meanwhile, Mayor McCoy hasn't even said the words "Clifford" or "Blossom" in public. It's all about how the Serpents are the problem, the villains. This is outrageous. I'm writing an article about this, and not just for The Blue and Gold, for The Register. This is a town story."

"You're so excited, Bets."

"Okay, as long as the article doesn't include my dad."

"No, it is going to be about your dad, Jug. It doesn't matter how many Jubilees Mayor McCoy throws. This town's changed. That needs to be acknowledged. Why are people so afraid of the truth?"

"Speaking of the truth..."

I look up seeing Roni being extra. Why is she standing?

"Archie and I wanted to tell you..."

"We've kissed a couple of times."

I almost want to laugh. Why did they have to make it seem so much of a big deal?

"It's okay Vee. I appreciate you being honest with me, but I'm with Jughead now. If you guys want to be together, I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Bee."

"Thanks, Betty."

'And this is the boring little shit town I remember from two years ago.'

+++++

I sit in the booth looking at the spot in front of me bored. Pop's was boring without the serpents nearby. I notice the door open and look toward it. A girl walks in fixing her jacket and I catch the slight embellishment on the side. Her eyes scan the diner before landing on me. Those brown eyes. I smile to her and she walks over taking the seat opposite of me.

"Katie Kat!"

I roll my eyes hearing the nickname she gave me since we were kids.

"Luna," I state and she grins.

Pop come over and I nod to him. "The usual please." He nods walking off after that.

"You've been missed."

"You were here not so long ago."

"Yeah I was but we didn't really talk that night. Who's the lucky man?"

"He's not around anymore."

"Already broke up with him let me guess the dick wasn't any good."

I laugh hearing this. "No. Not at all. It was amazing."

"Then why?"

"He's incarcerated."