Category: S/C Romance

Summary: After a call from Carmine, Shirley has second thoughts about her and Walter.

Part one:

Shirley is sitting at home in Europe with her 1-year-old daughter sleeping in her arms. She hears the phone ring. She gets up and lays her daughter down gently on the couch. She picked up the phone:

Shirley: Hello?

Other end: Shirl?

Shirley: Who is this?

Other end: Shirl it’s me!

Shirley almost dropped the phone. She knew who it was and wished that they had not called her. She still had a guilty feeling.

Other end: Hello? You there?

Shirley: Yeah, sorry!

Other end: It’s me… Carmine! Ya remember right? That guy that you dated for like, ever!

Shirley: Carmine please!

Carmine: Sorry, I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad. Just kidin’ around. Ya know, to make both of us comfortable.

Shirley: Yeah. So why are you calling?

Carmine: Well, I haven’t talked to you in so long. Is it ok that I called? You don’t seem like you want to talk.

Shirley: No, it’s fine. It’s just been so long.

Carmine: You’re telling me. I can’t stop thinking about all the good times we had together.

Shirley: Carmine…

Carmine: Sorry.

Shirley: Well, how is everyone?

Carmine: Good. How are you?

Shirley: Well, I’m ok.

Carmine: Ok? Ok? What do you mean ok?

Shirley: Nothing, things are just busy. I mean with Natalie, and Walter, it’s like I have two children running around here.

Carmine: Natalie?

Shirley: Oh, yes. My daughter.

When Carmine heard those words, “ my daughter,” he trembled. It hit him like a ton of bricks.

Carmine: Wow. A daughter. It must be great. Congratulations.

Shirley: Yeah. She’s one years old. She’s really beautiful Carmine. I wish you could see her.

Carmine: I wish I could too Shirl. I always hoped that one of us would end up with kids.

Shirley: What do you mean?

Carmine: Oh, I just meant that all those years we always looked for the right person and never found them. I was so hopeless that all I really hoped for was that one of us ended up with kids and a family.

Shirley: Well, so how is Cowboy Bills going?

Carmine: Shirl, are avoiding talking about this subject?

Shirley: Listen Carmine, you really don’t know the guilt I feel right now. I’ve felt it ever since I left, and I picked up the phone and it was you, I almost hung up. I can’t deal with talking about us or what I did.

Carmine: Well, Shirl, you’re gonna have to sometime. I mean, I loved you. Well, I still do. In fact, I’m gonna tell you how I feel.

At that, Shirley rolled her eyes and held the phone tight ready for the humiliation she was about to hear.

Carmine: I think that you marring that doctor of yours was a big mistake and you should have married me. I think we should have ended up together. You didn’t even know Walter! You got married in a hospital. It almost seems like the first person that would pop the question you would say yes because you were afraid that you would never those words again. And you might think I’m wrong, but it’s the truth, and I know you know it! I called today to tell you this. Maybe not in this way, and I was hoping to change your mind and put some sense in that big Feeney brain of yours that I think got smaller over the years.

Shirley had tears running down her face. She knew he was right and didn’t know what to do. Carmine heard her snif and could almost feel her tears through the phone.

Carmine: Shirley, I’m sorry.

No response.

Carmine: No, ya know what… I’m not. I’m glad I said this. I want you to feel guilty. You should!

He hung up the phone frustrated. Shirley put the phone down slowly. She heard the door start to unlock. It was Walter. “ Oh no” she thought. She wondered what she was going to tell him when he walked in and asked why she was crying.

Walter: Hunny, you here? I’m home.

Shirley: Shh! Don’t wake the baby.

Walter: Sorry. So-

He saw that she had been crying and was starting to again. She couldn’t help it.

Walter: Shirl what wrong?

Shirley: Oh, nothing.

Walter: Was it a phone call you got?

She shook her head yes. He had a feeling of who it could be. He wrapped his arms around her and she started to sob more. She wrapped her arms around him too and they sat there together on the couch. Walter had a mad thought in his head. He hated that Shirley had to leave all her friends just to come over to Europe for him. He wanted to go back so she could be happy. Ever since they left she was never happy. He hated that he had this to her. He had no idea of what to do though.

Part Two:

It was Monday around 7:00 P.M. Walter had just walked in. Shirley had the table set and was ready to sit down and eat with Walter and Natalie. Walter walked in with his shirt buttoned down low and his sleeves rolled up a little below his elbows. Shirley looked up and stopped what she was doing. He walked over to her and put his arms around her waist and kissed her.

Shirley: What is this all about?

Walter: Jus trying to cheer you up. Am I not doing to well?

Shirley smiled and kissed him back. They started to kiss more and more. They began to lean back on the counter. Shirley paused and then pushed him up. She thought about Carmine.

Walter: What’s wrong?

She made up an excuse.

Shirley: Not in front of Natalie.

Walter: She’s only a year old.

Shirley: Walter-

Walter: Ok, ok.

Shirley: Good, now let’s eat.

Walter: So, tell me about this phone call you got yesterday that upset you bad.

Shirley stopped chewing and starred down at her plate. She looked up at him.

Shirley: Well-

Walter: Was it Carmine?

Shirley: Yeah.

Walter: Thought so. What did he say?

Shirley: Oh, just saying hi. I just got to thinking about the good times Laverne and I had. It was really nothing though.

Walter: Laverne? I thought this was about Carmine.

Shirley: Oh, well, yeah, he called, but when he was talking I started to think about everyone. But I’m happy here with you.

Walter: Are you really?

Shirley: Well yes.

Walter: I don’t think so. And I don’t think that you were upset about missing everyone. I think that you were upset because Carmine called and said something and you missed him.

Shirley: What are you saying?

Walter: I’m saying that I think you still love him. I mean, you might love me, but you aren’t in love with me. You’re in love with him.

Shirley: No, Walter. I am in love with you. It was just hard to talk to him. I guess it’s hard for you to understand. You weren’t there all those years and you don’t know the relationship between us. You don’t know how it was. But it’s over now and I’ve moved on.

Walter: No, I really don’t think so.

Shirley: You think that I want to be Carmine?

Walter shook his head yes.

Shirley: Walter, don’t do this. You know I want to be here with you. I’m in love with you. I really am. Haven’t I showed you that this past year? I mean, we got married in a hospital ward and you were in bandages. Not many people would do that. But I did. Because I was in love you, and I still am.

Natalie started to drift off at the table. Shirley saw the look in Walter’s eyes. She got up slowly and took Natalie to bed. When she came back Walter was standing in the way. She stopped then walked over to him looking into his eyes.

Shirley: How can I prove it to you Walter?

He just looked at her. She started to unbutton his shirt more and he put his arms around her and slipped them down her side. Then all the sudden the phone rang. They stopped. Shirley looked at Walter and she started to go answer it. Walter stopped her and he walked passed her to answer it.

Walter: Hello?

Shirley was standing there beside him.

Other end: Yeah, is this Walter?

Walter: Yes. Who is this?

Other end: This is Carmine Ragusa. May I please speak Shirley if she’s available.

Walter: Well, she can’t come to phone right now. Do you want me to tell her you called?

Carmine: Yeah that would be great. Thanks. He hung up.

Walter hung up.

Shirley: Why did you tell him I wasn’t available?

Walter: Cause you’re not right now.

He smiled at her and grabbed her gently and they kissed. They left off where they were. They staggered into the bedroom.

Part Three:

It was 1:00 A.M. Shirley and Walter were under the covers together with the sheets wrapped around them. Shirley heard the phone ring and it woke up Walter. Shirley grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around her more. She picked up the phone.

Shirley (in a groggy voice): Hello? Other end: Shirl?

Shirley closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Shirley: Hi.

Carmine: Listen, I’m know what time it is right now, but I had to talk to you. I wanted to say-

Shirley: Save it Carmine. I don’t want to listen to you tell me how sorry you are about what you said. Because you’re not. And you won’t change my mind. I’m in love with Walter. You and me are finished. So quit trying to break us up. Just don’t even call here anymore. I don’t want to speak to you anymore.

With that, she slammed the phone down. She laid back down and Walter put his arm around her and they began to start with what they were doing earlier (if ya know what I mean hehe!) They stopped for a second. Walter could feel Shirley’s tears on his face.

Walter: Shirl, what’s wrong? Why are you doing this? I mean, we’re trying to have a good time and all you can do is cry about it.

Shirley: Walter I’m sorry. It just isn’t easy for me. Maybe he’s right about what he said.

Walter: What did he say?

Shirley: He told me that I was just waiting for the first guy to pop the question and whoever it was I would say yes. He said that I hardly knew you and I shouldn’t have married you and we were wrong for each other. Also that he loves me and he says that I really don’t love you. He said that I was just afraid that I would never hear the words, “will you marry me” again so I just said yes. Maybe he’s right.

Walter: I knew it!

Shirley: What?

Walter: I knew that he had been the only thing standing between our marriage. Maybe we shouldn’t have gotten married.

Shirley: Oh, Walter.

Walter: No, ya know what? I think you should go back to Carmine and your friends. I’m not mad or anything, but I want you to be happy. And I know you’re not happy here. I think that you and Carmine make a much better couple that us. And if you decide you don’t like him anymore, that you came come tell me and we can get married again so we won’t be alone.

He smiled and Shirley laughed a small laugh.

Shirley: Well, maybe so.

Walter: We can still be friends.

Shirley: This is kinda hard to believe with you on top of me and us under the covers doing something that friends would not do.

She smiled.

Walter: Yeah. True. Well, this will be the last time.

Shirley: It’s really sad.

Walter: It is. This whole year and it was standing in front of us. We had a good time though. It was a good experience.

Shirley: Yeah.

They cuddled up together and fell asleep.

Part Four:

It was a rainy day and Shirley and Walter had gone the other day to get divorce papers. They were standing in the doorway.

Shirley: I guess this good-bye.

Walter: Yeah.

Shirley: I love you.

Walter: I love you too.

Shirley: I’ll call you. It’s been fun!

Walter: Yeah.

Shirley: I’ll come Nat soon. If time passes by and she gets older and I haven’t come to see her, tell her that I love her and that I didn’t walk out on her. Tell her that I want to see her, and I’m sorry. Walter: I’ll tell everything. But you better come see her just in case.

He smiled. Shirley stepped forward and kissed him gently on the lips.

Walter: That might be the last kiss I ever get from you.

Shirley: Maybe.

They hugged and she left with a tear running down her face.

Part Five:

It was Friday at 5:30 P.M. Shirley didn’t sleep the whole way. She got off her plane and went to a small hotel close to where she used to live with her best friend. After she layed her things down she was ready to go down to 113 ½ Laurel Vista to visit the people she knew might not accept her now.

When she arrived at the door she paused for a sec then knocked. The door opened. There stood her best friend she has known forever and ever. The one person she told all her secrets to and the one person who really understood and was like a sister. Laverne stood shocked and hugged Shirley so hard Shirley couldn’t breath. They stood in the doorway embraced in each other. They both had tears rolling down their cheeks. They pulled away.

Laverne: I can’t believe you’re hear. All those years and now, you’re really here. It’s like old times.

Shirley: yeah.

Laverne: Well, where’s Walter and Natalie?

Shirley: We got a divorce. Natalie is staying with him right now.

Laverne: Oh Shirl, I’m so sorry.

Shirley: No, no. The divorce was almost as nice as the honeymoon.

She smiled.

Laverne: What do you mean?

Shirley explained the story to Laverne.

Laverne: Wow. Well, I guess you better go get your guy now.

Shirley: Not yet. He’s probably really mad at me.

Laverne: Look, I’ll go talk to him ok?

Shirley: What are you gonna tell him?

Laverne: Just wait here. Why don’t you go down to Cowboy Bills. I’ll be there soon.

Part Five:

Laverne was in Carmine’s apartment.

Carmine: So what do you want?

Laverne: Carmine, what would do if Shirley came back?

Carmine: Why? She’s not here is she?

Laverne: Oh, no! I was just wondering.

Carmine: Well, I would try to apologize to her and make things right between us.

Laverne: yeah, well let’s go to Cowboy Bills.

Carmine: Why?

Laverne: We need to talk more.

Laverne and Carmine arrived at Cowboy Bills. Shirley was sitting at a table with her back faced toward the entrance and was talking to Mr. DeFazio, Lenny, Squiggy, and Edna. Edna stopped Carmine and saw the look on his face. He was stunned.

Shirley: Mrs. Babish? Are you ok? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

Shirley turned around to see what it was. Then there he was. The one man that came back for. The man she loved and always has. She got up from her chair and they both walked slowly towards each other.

Laverne: Well don’t just stand there!

They hugged each other, both crying.

Carmine: You think we could talk?

Shirley: Yeah. Uh guys-

Mrs. Babish: We understand! Come on guys. See y’all later!

Shirley and Carmine left the restaurant and walked back to Laverne and Shirley’s apartment. Shirley had explained the whole story to Carmine on the way to the apartment. They got inside and sat down on the couch.

Carmine: Well, about the phone calls-

Shirley: You don’t have to explain that. I know.

Carmine: I thought you would.

All the sudden, they hear a knock on the door. Shirley got up and answered it. Low and behold, it was Walter.

Shirley: Oh my god! What are you doing here?

Walter: I just came to tell ya that I am gonna move here. Nat’s with me too.

Shirley: Well I would hope so! Where will you be?

Walter: I’ll be a hotel for a while. Are you staying here?

Shirley: No, I’m at a hotel too.

It turned out that they were both staying at the same hotel.

Shirley: Look, I can’t talk right now, we’ll just talk later ok?

Walter: Ok, I understand.

He winked. Then he whispered in her ear: Go get him!

She closed the door. Carmine was sitting on the couch.

Carmine: Was that him?

Shirley: Yeah, he was real nice.

Carmine: He seems like he was. He treated good right?

Shirley: Of course. Look I don’t want to talk about him ok?

Carmine: Yeah ok. So… what are you doing tonight?

Shirley: Well, I don’t know.

Carmine: Well you better be free cause you’re gonna come over and I’m gonna make dinner.

Shirley: Really?

Carmine: Oh yeah!

Shirley: All right then!

They kissed.

Part Six:

Shirley has arrived at Carmine’s apartment. They have finished dinner. Shirley was about to get up but Carmine stopped her.

Carmine: Listen. I know I may kinda be rushing into things, but-

He got down on one knee.

Carmine: I really think that we are met for each other. We have known each other for so long and we have been in love all these years. I think that you are one of the most fun, beautiful, loving, caring person on this world, and I would be very happy if you would marry me Angelface!

Shirley: Well, I would be happy to be your wife!

Carmine and her smiled at each other and then kissed. They headed for the bedroom. That night Shirley didn’t come home to the hotel. Walter wanted to talk to her and getting mad. He figured what was going on. He was happy for Shirley.

Part Seven:

It was 7:00 A.M. and Shirley rolled over to see Carmine lying there fast asleep. She started to get up. He touched her arm. She looked back down at him.

Carmine: Where ya going?

Shirley: Nowhere.

She laid back down and they started to talk.

Carmine: For some reason this doesn’t see right.

Shirley: What do you mean?

Carmine: Well, it seems so sudden.

Shirley: Yeah.

Carmine: I guess you really do love me.

Shirley: Oh course! I always will.

It was lunchtime and Shirley went back to Laverne’s.

Laverne: Ya know, you don’t hafta knock. Why don’t you move back here?

Shirley: Really?

Laverne: Yeah! It could be like old times!

Shirley: Well ok!

Shirley told Laverne the whole story. Then it was time for Shirley to go to the hotel and get her stuff. When she got to the hotel she saw Walter standing outside the door.

Walter: Hey.

Shirley: Hey.

They hugged. She invited him in so they could talk. She told Walter about the good news. He was so happy for her. After she finished packing, she sat down next to him on the end of the bed where he was sitting.

Shirley: So…

Walter: So…

Shirley: I want you to meet everyone.

Walter: I know Shirl. They don’t seem like they want to. I mean, I’m the man that took you away from them. The man that helped birth your very first child and none of them were even there.

Shirley: Shh.

Walter: I’m sorry I did that Shirl. I really am.

Shirley: It wasn’t your fault.

They looked at each other and things started to get hot. They fell back onto the bed and they started to take each other’s clothes off.

Shirley: We can’t.

Walter: Yeah. You’re right. Sorry.

They sat there silently and then started to kiss again and got carried away. Before they knew it, it was like they were married again.

Shirley: Oh my God! DO realize what we just did?

Walter: Yeah.

Shirley: What the hell were we thinking.

Walter: I’m sorry.

Shirley: This is to out of hand! Maybe this whole thing was a mistake.

Walter: What do you mean.

Shirley: Maybe I don’t love Carmine.

Walter: Well… why would you say that.

Shirley: Look at us! We couldn’t help ourselves. Even though we knew the fact that I was getting married again and we already had this conversation. The other night, I was with Carmine and it like, we were friends. It was like how it should be with us. What has this come to.

Walter: What are we gonna do? Are you saying that you might not love Carmine?

Shirley: Yes, maybe, no… I don’t know. I mean, we slept together and…

Walter: This won’t happen again.

Shirley: We can’t just leave it at that though. Now I’m all confused.

Walter: Me too.

Fade out.

Part Eight:

Shirley had everything unpacked and back to normal at the apartment. Laverne could tell something was wrong.

Laverne: Shirl… what’s wrong?

Shirley: Nothing

Laverne: Tell me!

Shirley (becoming hysterical): Oh Laverne it was horrible. I slept with Walter last night! What am I gonna do?!

Laverne: Oh my God! You what?

Shirley: Please don’t make me say it again.

Laverne: Ok, just clam down! We’ll work this out.

Shirley: Oh, Laverne I’m so confused! I don’t know who I love! This is horrible.

Laverne: Well, look, who dose it better?

Shirley: WHAT!?

Laverne: Well, I mean, what did you get the most out of? What did you feel with Walter?

Shirley: A lot more than I got out of Carmine.

Laverne: That’s what I thought. Listen. I think there’s something you need to know about Carmine.

Shirley: What?

Laverne: Well, he’s… he’s… and alcoholic.

Shirley jerked her head up. She had to deal with her father and brother, now it was Camrine.

Shirley: SO now you tell me!

Laverne: You had to find out. I’ve been trying to find the right time.

Shirley: Ya know what, I’m gonna tell him. And I’ll make up my mind.

Shirley marched out of the apartment and down to Carmine’s. She knocked. He opened and had a funky look on his face. He was wearing an under shirt and holding a bottle.

Shirley: Carmine… what’s wrong?

Carmine: I’m sorry.

Shirley slammed the door and pushed him against the wall.

Shirley: No you’re not! Look at you! You’re pathetic! You don’t love me! If you did you wouldn’t be doing this! You’re just horrible. All the things you said to me over the phone might have been right at the time, but not anymore. Walter had treated me better over the past year than you have. He’s been wonderful. This is what you amount to. Drinking. Well let me tell you Hunny it doesn’t help! Get it together. You probably won’t remember any this, which is a shame. But I don’t want to marry you. And last night, I slept with Walter. There. That’s all I have to say you!

Carmine grabbed Shirley’s arm and slammed her against the wall.

Shirley: Ow! Lay off!

Carmine: Shut up! You slept with Walter when you knew you were gonna marry me? How low!

Shirley: Looks who’s talking.

Carmine began to hold on tighter to Shirley.

Shirley: Carmine stop! You’re hurting me!

He had had enough and he slapped her clear across the face. She screamed.

Carmine: That’s what you deserve.

Shirley: NO! It’s not! And don’t you ever touch me again. I take back everything that happened the other night.

Lenny came running in right before Carmine was going to hit Shirley again. He had heard the scream and he pulled Carmine off.

Lenny: Shirl go get help!

Shirley ran out the door and went down to call Walter. He was there is a flash. She ran him down to Carmine’s. They burst through the door. Carmine and Walter looked at each other.

Shirley: Uh, Walter this is Carmine, Carmine this is Walter.

Carmine: SO you’re the guy who started this?

Walter: No buddy, this is your own fault. You let this happen to you, and you better be sorry you ever touched Shirley.

Walter ran over to Carmine and punched him right in the jaw. Lenny, Shirley and Walter all left Carmine there. They ran down to Cowboy Bills.They told everyone what was going on. They called the police and took Carmine away to a place where he could get better and not bother anyone anymore.

Part Nine:

Walter, Laverne, Shirley, Lenny, Squiggy, Mr. DeFazio, Edna, and Rhonda were all sitting in the living room. Walter and Shirley were sitting next to each other with Walter’s arm around Shirley’s shoulder.

Laverne: Ya know guys, I think we were wrong about Walter.

Walter looked up.

Laverne: I mean, he has been so good to Shirley, and we might have thought that they rushed into things, but they really are in love. I’m happy for ya Shirl. You finally found you guy. Maybe not in a good way, but you found him.

Everyone else agreed. Natalie who was in Shirley’s arms made a sound they took as her agreeing too.

So what happens to everyone now?

Shirley and Walter move to a house 5-min. away from Laverne and everyone else. They have another child Greg.Laverne finds her Mr. Right and has a child named Bobby. They move to a house right next door to Shirley and Walter. Lenny and Squiggy continue in their Talent things. Rhonda becomes a beautician and gets married to a producer. Frank and Edna live a happy life together. Carmine has gone into rehab and is trying to get better.

They all see each other all the time. They all live happy lives.

The End