I Never Promised You a Pepsi Tree, Part 7
By Missy

Shirley's eyes filled with tears, "How can you say that to me?" She managed.

"Why? It's the damned truth. You held out on me for years!"

"I wouldn't be...I still..." She sputtered. Fear filled her as Carmine approached.

"You're a slut!" He screamed, "A filthy.." One smooth, pale hand appeared between them.

Richie Cunningham's eyes had darkened, "I think you're scaring the lady."

"You wanna make something out of this, kid?" Carmine laughed nastily, "You wanna get your ass beaten?"

"I want you to leave Shirley alone."

"Why?"

"Because she's telling the truth!" Richie's words held a sharp authority that startled even Carmine.

"How do you know?"

"I.."

"That's none of your concern Carmine," Snapped Shirley, "We're through."

He softened, "Shirl, I didn't mean to.."

"Yes, you did mean to." She glared, "Goodbye, Carmine. We're through."

She watched him leave, her eyes glazed with tears. She didn't realize that Richie's embrace had enveloped her, until her knees buckled, landing them against a tree.

"Aww, Shirley...it will be fine, you'll see. I'll take you to Arnold's, my treat, OK?"

She nodded, willing to do anything to erase the horrific pain that Carmine had wreaked upon her.

***

"You heard me. Let go of her."

"Ey, you want a knuckle sandwich?"

"That's it!" Laverne pried herself from Fonzie's grip, "Fonz, if you don't marry me in one week, I'm heading to California. ALONE."

"Mrs. C's gonna be really disappointed." He frowned, "OK, I can do it." He glared at Lenny, "The wedding's back on." He snapped his fingers, "Rehearsal dinner. Four O'clock tomorrow. Be there." He shoved past Lenny and slammed through the door.

Laverne glared after him, before throwing herself on the couch. "Save it, Len; I can't tell ya anything else about what happened."

"Well, that ain't why I came back." He found himself on the couch again, sitting beside her. "I heard you yelling." He stared at her, his directness almost unbearable, "You don't love Fonzie, do you?"

She shrugged off his words, "I'm gonna go into the bedroom and get dressed. It's almost five now; The Pizza Bowl's bound to be open for breakfast."

Her avoidance was confirmation enough for Lenny.

***

Carmine felt like the lowest scum in the history of the universe. He kicked a can absently as he walked back to Knapp Street.

Why had he blown up at Shirley? The shy, conservative miss matched perfectly with the shrinking, fearful girl he met.

Why couldn't he believe her? Believe that it was a rape, not a seduction?

Believe that she was the pregnant one, not Laverne?

Because their deceit had thickened the air between them, leaving him lost as to what was right, what was good, what made sense.

"Hey," A voice came from behind him, "Looks like you need a friend." A jeweled, gloved hand patted his shoulder.

And he and Rosie Greenbaum continued down the street, walking on through the darkness of Milwaukee. Destination undetermined.






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