My Daddy "The Fonz"

Chapter 4: I Wish to Stay Here

Bobby's POV:

When we leave the dining table–me and Richie–all I can think about is how he made me leave my yummy food sitting there. I had only eaten a couple bites because of everyone being so loud. Thankfully Richie is nice and promises to take me to Arnold's, one of his favorite food places. He says that all the kids of Milwaukee go there for fun and milkshakes.

We get there, at Arnold's, just an hour before it's supposed to close. He tells me to choose anywhere I want to sit. The place is crowded since it's still supper time, Richie tells me, and I just wish to be back where I was, enjoying my meatloaf. Oh well. This place doesn't look so bad. There's music here too, which is nice.

I decide on a booth toward the back of the restaurant, over by the bathrooms and jukebox. I try to hide my head in my arms. I don't really like lots of people at once. I'm not sure why, but I don't. After a few minutes, these two guys, one with dark, almost black hair and another with curly red hair and puffy cheeks come up to me and sit. I raise one eyebrow at them. I don't remember seeing these two ever in my life.

The dark-haired guy talks first. "Hey-a there, pal," he says with a big smile. I lean back, unsure of what to say or do. "Oh, it's okay. Don't be scared. I'm Potsie. Put 'er there." He gives me his hand, but I just shake my head. How do I know this guy won't bust my chops for something? He shrugs then pats the guy's shoulder next to him. "And this here's Ralph. We're friends of Richie's. We heard all about you from Richie just now. So, your name's Bobby then?"

I gulp. What should I say? Why do they want to know about me? No one ever cares to know about me. "Yeah, I guess." My eyes float away to all the dancing people who just finished their food. It's a way better sight than these strangers in front of me.

"Oh, guys, leave him alone. He needs to get acclimated to everything before you start suffocating him." Richie sets a chocolate milkshake down in front of me with a burger the size of my head. I almost yell at how big it is.

"Wow, gee thanks, Mr. Richie," I say. "Thanks a lot. I'm real starving."

He pats me on the head, but I don't really mind. He's not like other guys–like mommy's guys. "Just call me Richie, K? Eat up. Enjoy." He scooches me over a bit so he can sit next to me. I try to just focus on my food, but these two friends of Richie's keep staring at me like I'm an animal in a zoo.

I twist my face at them. "What are you looking at? Can't a guy eat in peace?" That's something I always hear people say, so I figured I would give it a shot. It seems to work.

"Sorry, Scout. Man, you sure are like your dad–mean," Potsie states.

Ralph nods in agreement. "Yeah, so what's your story anyway? How did Fonzie become your dad?"

I look up at Richie, not sure if it's safe to answer. Richie does this cutting motion across his neck with his finger. "Not now," I hear him grunt. "Look."

When Richie says "look," everyone at the table follows Richie's finger. Oh no. Daddy found us. I hope he doesn't make me leave. I'd like to actually finish a plate of something tonight. My tummy can't take this much longer.

"Cunningham, a word," Daddy says. He doesn't look too happy. Good thing it's not me he's mad at, not yet anyway. I'm sure it'll come though. It always does. People always find things to be mad at with me.

The next thing I know is Richie leaving his spot beside me and being dragged by Daddy into the bathroom. Yikes. Trips to the bathroom like this only mean one thing: someone's gonna pay and there's always pain.

Not knowing what to do, I stare at the two bozos in front of me. They are both just keeping their eyes on the bathroom door. They know something bad's happening too I guess, that someone's getting their tail whooped or head swirlied.