Break
By Cheshyre

Title: Break (1/1)
Fandom: LAS
Pairing: Mentions of Lenny/Laverne, Shirley/Walter
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own it. I don't make money off of it. I just use it to make other people happy. Suing me will only get you action figures.
Notes: Part of the Souvenirs Universe
Warnings: That first step is a loo loo.


Shirley sat on the couch and tried to relax, taking advantage of Davy's nap and Laverne and Lenny's preoccupation with getting him ready for tonight.

She sighed. Her muscles ached from cleaning. Or was it something else? She'd already begged off going out that night, citing her own exhaustion and Davy's recent rash of crankiness.

Part of her wanted to make the effort and go and support not just Lenny, but Lenny and Laverne as a couple.

But a bigger part of her was stretched so thin she was on the brink of tears.

Shirley needed a break.

The phone rang and almost robotically she answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hello!"

"Squiggy?"

"Yeah. That you, Shirley?"

"Yes. How're you doing, Squiggy?"

"I'm..." he cleared his throat. "I'm okay. I was just callin' to wish Lenny luck tonight. How're you doin'? How's the kid?"

"Oh, Davy's fine. He's napping right now. How're you?"

"Shirley, ya already asked me that," Squiggy said. "You okay?"

Shirley sighed.

"Squiggy, can I confide in you?" she asked tentatively.

"Sure. Your secrets are safe with me," he told her.

"I'm miserable," Shirley said, voice trembling with tears. "What with Walter and I apart and this whole thing with Laverne and Lenny, I'm going crazy! It's been nothing but one fight after another since I got here. I just...I just can't handle this right now."

"I know how ya feel, Shirley," Squiggy said quietly.

"What am I gonna do, Squiggy?" she asked desperately. "I can't take much more of this."

There was a brief silence.

"Well, if you can get here, you can stay with me," Squiggy offered.

"Squiggy! I'm a married woman!" she exclaimed.

"Not like that, woman!" Squiggy said. "Just until ya get things sorted out. You and the kid can sleep in my room and I'll take the couch. I work most the day anyway. I'd hardly be around."

Shirley considered his offer.

In truth, what did she have to lose? And, she did need a break, even if the prospect of living with Squiggy didn't strike her as much of a vacation.

With a sigh she said, "Okay."
***

As soon as Lenny had appeared, Shirley had handed him the phone. She spent the next hour trying to figure out how to tell Laverne that she was leaving.

But, in their conversation it never came up and it never came out.

Laverne left with Lenny that night not knowing Shirley would be gone when she got back.

Only seconds after their car pulled away, Shirley went about collecting her things, hastily packing suitcases and preparing Davy for the long trip ahead.

She saved the hardest task for last.

It took her nearly an hour to write Laverne a goodbye letter. After several drafts, Shirley just poured her heart out onto the page, hoping that Laverne would understand.

Son in one hand, belongings in another, Shirley set off that night for home.



To "Bright Lights and Promises"
To "From Me To You"