Priceless- Sweet Pea

Epilogue

30 years later

SweetPea POV
••••

I sat at my desk glancing up at the college students who were in tears. "And that ladies and gentlemen, was the story of Shana Fogarty." I smiled sadly at them.
The bell rang and the students piled out of the room. I have been a college professor for five years now at Yale, and it's been great. Every year on the anniversary of Shanas death, I tell the freshmen her story as a way to remember her.
I am now married to Josie McCoy, and have three wonderful children.
This was the last period of the day, so I grabbed my coat and suitcase, and headed to my car which was a black Chevrolet Camaro. Shana would've loved it.
  I drove into our large suburban home, and was greeted by duke our 100 pound German Shepherd. "Hey buddy!" I patted him on the back and he followed me inside.
  I walked inside and saw my two sons Cole and Levi playing video games. "Hey dad!" They day in unison.
  "Hi boys," I smiled
  "Look who's home!" The sweet voice of my wife sang. She was walking in with Julia our 4 year old daughter.
  "Hi daddy!" She giggled and gave me a smile.
  "Hi Julia!" I said in a high pitched voice. "Josie," I smiled kissing her on the forehead.
  Josie put Julia down and the little four year old went to play with her brothers. Or at least tried. "How was work?" She asked.
  I sighed. "Well the same as every time I tell my students about Shana. Lots and lots of tears."
  "How are you?" She asked my looking me straight in the eye.
  "I'm fine, I promise." I laughed. "Are you going with me to visit Fangs?"
  "I figured I'd stay here this year. I mean the kids have a lot going on this week."
  "Okay," I sighed. "I'll be flying out tomorrow."

••••
At the airport

I gripped my suitcase handle tightly and hugged my beautiful wife. "Don't forget to call me alright?"
"Will do," we let go.
"Tell The crew I said hi will you?"
I nodded. Most of the people we had been friends with as teens were still there. Jughead, Betty, And Veronica, Reggie too. Cheryl and Toni went to live in Florida though.
Announcer: Plane to New York boarding in five minutes.
"That's my cue," I laughed. She gave me one final kiss before I boarded the plane.

••••
I had just gotten off the plane. Luckily the airport wasn't far from Riverdale, it was about an hour drive.
I had just passed the town with pep sign and was headed for the south side.
Two young south side boys were playing in the yard with two young south side girls giving me nostalgia.
I drove into Fangs' driveway and knocked on the trailer door.
He opened it. He looked exhausted. "What do you wan- SweetPea? Why are you here." He asked shocked.
"It's the anniversary of Shana's passing.. you didn't forget did you?"
"No, no, no. Come in come in." I stepped in the house. "Let me just get changed."
I nodded and waited on the couch. There was a knock at the door and I opened it seeing Betty and Jughead. "Hi guys! Fangs'll be out in a second but come on in." Betty gave me a warm smile.
"Veronica texted me this morning, saying her and Reggie couldn't make it." Betty explained.
"It's okay, I mean they've come every year for the three years we've been doing this so it's fine." I said. It was true. We had only started this three years ago.
"How's life as a professor going for ya SweetPea?" Jughead asked as his sat down on the couch across from me.
"Oh it's going great! How are the kids?" I asked smiling.
"Good! Forsythe made it on the soccer team." Jughead smiled proudly.
"That's great!"
Fangs' door opened and he walked into the room. "Oh hi Betty, Jughead." He nodded his head. I stared with pity at my old friend. You could see the bags under his eyes from lack of sleep.
"Hi bud," Jughead smiled.
"Do you know if Cheryl or Toni are coming?" Fangs asked.
And as if it were on cue, Cheryl and Toni strutted in the trailer with their heads held high. Cheryl took off her sunglasses. "Hello everyone,"
"Nice to see you guys. Come sit." Fangs said welcomely. They sat down next to me.
"Okay so how are we gonna do this?" Toni asked.
"Well first off, we'll go to Pop's and get her favorite meal." Betty chimed.
"Can't say no to food." Jughead smirked.
"Betty smiles and shook her head at him. "You're always hungry. Anyways, then we can go to her grave and pay our respects." We all nodded.
"Let's go then," fangs faked a smile.
We all started heading out.
"Hey SweetPea, can we hitch a ride with you? We kinda took a cab here." Toni asked.
"Yeah sure,"
"Shotgun!" Cheryl yelled.
Toni, playfully rolled her eyes and got in the backseat. "Nice car you got here." Toni remarked
"Thanks," I revved up the engine and we were off.

We finally made it to Pop's. I opened the back door for Toni to get out, and we followed the others inside. We were immediately greeted by pop jr who took over the place after Veronica handed it over to him. I glanced at the photo of Pop before getting into a booth with Toni, Cheryl and Fangs.

Next to us were Jughead and Betty. "So what can I get you guys Today?" Pop jr asked cheerfully.

"We'll all have Shana's favorite. A burger and fries, with a strawberry milkshake," I replied.

"Oh, so you're here for Shana's anniversary,"

"Yup," Fangs sighed.

"Alright, then it's on the house! I know how much Shana meant to my grandfather," He smiled.

"Thanks kid," Fangs replied.

He gave one last smile before walking away. As we waited for our food, we talked about our memories about Shana. Finally Pop jr came with our food. He placed it on our tables and we dug in.

After eating we headed to the cemetery. I took the roses I brought out of my car with me. We gathered around her grave and took turns paying respects.

It was my turn now. I took off my hat and placed the roses on her grave. "Hey Shana," I started, trying not to cry.

"It's been a long time since I've seen your face," I sigh. "I'm just gonna say I miss you, and life's good." I laughed as a tear fell. "It's been really good. I won't forget about you." I placed a kiss on the gravestone and stepped back for Fangs to talk.

I could see my speech had caused some people to cry.

Fangs stepped forward. "Hey Sis," he laughed, tears falling like a waterfall. "We've been through a lot, you and me. And we always went through it together. But when you.. when you died, I-I wasn't there," His voice cracked at the end.

I patted him on the back, "It wasn't your fault bud," I told him. I hated seeing my best friend like this.

"And I know that. That is why, from now on, I'm gonna change. No more drinking. I'm gonna get a job and live my life like you'd want." he patted the gravestone sadly before stepping away.

We sat there in silence until we  decided it was time to leave. That day may have opened old wounds, but it healed other wounds, and was better for all of us in the long run. Fangs Fogarty was happy.