Chapter 3: Girl Boy Talk
"Okay, Joanie, in twenty minutes we'll take out the rollers and then see how we can style those curls. Lie back on the pillows and relax. I'm gonna clean up the top part of your eyebrows."
Joanie smiled and did as she was told. Sadie hovered over her and wiped a cotton swab with alcohol to numb the area. She began to pluck. For every hair pulled, Joanie winced, but she decided if she wanted to look glamorous for her date with Jimmy tonight, the pain was worth it. It was fun to have Sadie stay over.
Within a day, Sadie took Joanie under her wing, just as Fonzie did with Richie. She taught her make-up tricks and dished a little more about boys than Joanie assumed her mother ever would.
As Sadie worked, Joanie kept up the conversation. She was curious about this mystery woman and did it for Richie. He promised her two extra dollars if she dug up all the information she could.
"Sadie, what's it like living on your own in New York? It sounds fabulous, you probably have so much freedom to do what you want, no curfews or people sending you to your room. No one to punish you. It must be the life!"
Sadie smiled wanly. None of it was as glamorous as Joanie imagined and punishments far exceeded getting sent to her room. "Well Joanie, to be honest, it's pretty hard. I've been on my own since I was fourteen. That's your age isn't it?"
"Yeah. Isn't that kinda young?"
"I...well, my father died when I was a kid, and my mother..." Sadie tried to figure out a way to put her mother's notorious chosen profession lightly. "She uhh, let's just say she didn't have time to raise me. I learned to be independent fast and home wasn't pleasant so I left. Believe me, I wish I had a family like yours. It sort of was when my dad was around, but things just fell apart. Mom got depressed, took to the bottle and I felt like I was just a big burden on her. She didn't need me, she had lots of friends to keep her company."
Joanie frowned. "Wow. I can't imagine things getting so bad. But you know, sometimes mothers do need their daughters, they just don't tell them, because they don't want to look weak."
"Wise words, I didn't believe that until a few years later."
"How did you find a new place to live?"
"I bummed around. I mean...okay look..." Sadie finished up Joanie's first eyebrow and sat glumly on the edge of the bed. "I'll give your skin a five-minute rest, it probably stings."
Joanie touched her brow. "Yeah a little, thanks."
Sadie itched to have a cigarette, but was trying to kick the habit. She wouldn't dare light up in the Cunningham house anyway. She set down the tweezers and clutched Joanie's pillow to her chest.
She rarely opened up to anyone this way, but Joanie was so innocent and sweet, and she hoped anything she told Joanie would keep her that way if she ever decided to sway from her cushy life. Sadie imagined that Fonzie felt the same way about Richie, he told the truth and never glamorized his upbringing...or lack of it.
"At your age I had no direction. I met this group of girls that used to hang out in the neighborhood. I always admired them from afar, they were gang girls."
Joanie's eyes widened like saucers and she leaned forward. "What do you mean? They had their own gang? That's very cool!"
"They were the girlfriends of gang members, but they banded together to form their own clique."
"That's even cooler."
Sadie had to laugh. "That's what I thought for a while. They called themselves, The Red Hots. "
"Sounds spiffy...and dangerous."
"Oh they thought they were the cream of the coffee, ya know? A real bunch of saucy chicks. They smoked, cussed, got into fights and...well, they did a lot. So anyway, after a few initiations, they let me join."
Joanie wasn't that naive, but she was ever curious. "What kind of initiations?"
"It wasn't child's play, Joanie. They wanted me to pick pocket and pick locks and uh, a few other things with the gang guys. I was fifteen. They liked my style, and that I knew how to cook good and do their hair and makeup. I moved in with them, there were six of us in a two bedroom apartment."
"That doesn't sound very comfortable."
"No, but we made do. I was the smallest so I slept on a fold up cot in the living room. I still went to school, but for a long time they had me doing all the housework and grocery shopping and stuff. It ticked me off because I was the only one pitching in while they went out every night and partied. I don't think I ever had much fun."
Joanie sighed. "That doesn't seem fair. I know why they did that, because you were the youngest. I know how it is. They treated you like a baby."
"Exactly. So, that went on for a year, but I was too blind to realize they were just using me. I hit sixteen, dropped out of school and I thought I would get a full-fledged initiation and things would be different. I was wrong. So, one night I just up and left them, I missed my mother, even though we didn't always get along."
Sadie slowly released the pillow and wiped her eyes. Joanie scooted over and put an arm around her shoulder.
"Hey, are you okay? I'm sorry I brought up bad memories."
"'S'ok. When I went back to my mother I found out she was really sick. She had a kidney failure and there was very little money to pay for the hospital bills. As soon as I got home I went right back to being a slave. I got a job as a waitress and I wound up taking care of her until she died two years later. Those stupid Red Hots never even bothered to help or look for me, they probably found some other sucker."
Joanie was angry for Sadie. "What a bunch of dweebs!"
"You said it. They were the biggest bunch of losers I ever met, well, until a few years later."
Sadie led Joanie back to her position on the pillows so she could finish her eyebrows.
"Wow, Sadie, I'm really sorry that happened to you. What did you do after your mother died?"
"I moved to another part of the city, it was called 'Hell's Kitchen.' It was an exciting neighborhood, but a pretty bad place, a lot of fighting and gangs and mobsters."
"That sounds scary! What did you do?"
"Well you think I would've learned my lesson, but I didn't. I got involved with some Irish gang leader. They were big time out there, and I stayed with them for the last few years. They were bad Joanie, really bad."
Sadie decided to not to say more and she patted Joanie's arm. "We're all finished. You look gorgeous, kiddo!"
Joanie went straight to the mirror to admire them. Sadie had plucked them in clean, perky arches. Sadie rubbed a little aloe on her skin to soothe the redness.
"So, how do ya like em?"
"I think they're terrific! I look very mature, don't I?" Joanie posed.
"Absolutely. Did you get your dress picked out?"
Joanie rushed to her closet and pulled out a pale blue dress with off-shoulder sleeves and a sheer wrap. "What do you think?"
"I think you're gonna knock Jimmy's socks off!" Sadie grinned.
Joanie dug further and pulled out another dress, it was a deep cherry red with a sailor inspired collar and plunging neckline. Fourteen pale pink buttons, seven on each side, ran down to the full and just above knee-length, skirt. She placed it over Sadie's arm.
"I bought this dress on sale a few months ago with my allowance but my mother never lets me wear it, she said it's too grown up for me. I never got around to adjusting it. I think it would look perfect on you, red is your color. I want you to have it."
Sadie held the dress up to her and did a spin before Joanie's full-length mirror. She loved it.
"Are you sure? This is beautiful!"
"Yeah, I'm sure. You've been so cool with me this weekend. Mom was right, you're like a big sister and sisters share clothes and stuff."
Sadie dropped the dress and hugged Joanie. Now she understood why Fonzie felt endeared to the Cunninghams. She playfully tapped Joanie's rollers.
"I think we're about ready with these."
"Are you going to Arnold's tonight? You have to come. Everyone will be there, Potsie, Richie and Ralph are performing and I don't think Fonzie will take no for an answer anyway."
Sadie began to remove the rollers and shrugged. "He never really asked me out. And sometimes he needs to hear that word, Joanie."
"Wow! I never met a girl who could stand up to the Fonz."
"I'm not trying to stand up to him, Joanie. Fonzie's been terrific. It's...it's complicated."
Sadie went to Arnold's the first night from the hospital. The diner was packed with loud teenagers and she felt very out of place at first. It was no wonder Fonzie retreated to his 'office' bathroom. She found the concept hysterical.
Sadie hoped to keep a low profile while she recuperated. Her wound healed up faster than she thought and she had to get out on the road again, before her stalker realized she stayed in Milwaukee.
"Why is it complicated, Sadie? He likes you." Joanie interrupted her thoughts.
Sadie shrugged. "Joanie, I think Fonzie has more girls than he can handle."
Joanie stubbornly shook her head. "Don't let him hear you say that. And this week is kinda slow, Fonzie hasn't been on a date since he...oops!" She held her mouth. "Uhh, never mind, I really don't know, Fonzie does whatever he wants."
Sadie raised a brow and tapped the hairbrush on her lip. "Joanie, what are you hiding? It's okay, I won't squeal to Fonzie."
Joanie paced around the room and wrung her hands. "Well, it's not like anyone tells me anything around here, but I overheard Richie and Potsie talking. Fonzie hasn't been seen on Inspiration Point for days and when he's at Arnolds he doesn't even look at the girls, he just plays pinball and hangs out in his office."
Sadie's heart fluttered and she struggled to hide a smile as Joanie continued. She kept sizing the dress up against her body. One more teenybopper night of charred burgers and greasy fries wouldn't hurt.
"That's totally not Fonzie. I don't think that he isdating, and I think it's because he met you! He has it bad for you, but he's not saying it."
Sadie sank onto the bed and smirked. "Are you sure you're only thirteen?"
"Fourteen next month. I know boys, and I know Fonzie even better. "
"I heard Fonzie can be a flirt, but I didn't expect him to change his whole routine for me. You really think I should go out?"
Joanie plopped next to her and grinned mischievously. "Trust me, right now Fonz is probably dying. I think you need to knock Fonzie out of his boots tonight!"
Sadie rose up excited. "You know what, Joan, you're absolutely right! I really, really like him. Let's get ourselves dolled up for a hot night on the town!"
"Now you're talking!"
Sadie suddenly looked at the ceiling bewildered, for the last half hour she'd heard a steady stream of foot taps and an occasional slam.
"Hey, Joanie, what's up with all that noise?"
~Oo~
Sitting at his table, Fonzie tried mightily to keep focus on shining his boots. His legs shook like crazy and he kept tapping his foot banging it down to keep them still, but nothing helped the mental and physical uproar he was in.
It seemed impossible, but the Fonz had not been seen with a girl for three days. Tonight was the big test– Saturday dance night at Arnolds, Elvis' King Creole at the drive-in, and a twinkling sky over Inspiration Point with zero percent chance of rain.
Fonzie tossed down his rags in a fit and rubbed the two-days beard growth on his chin. He licked his lips; he might as well been in a desert they felt so dry. He needed to vent fast. Fonzie leaped up and poked his head out the doorway. His hearing never failed; it was Richie's car puttering up the driveway.
"Yo, Cunningham, step into my humble abode!"
"Hi Fonz, I'm sorry, but I gotta get ready for a date and I have to be at Arnold's early to rehearse with..."
"Cunningham, it's a matter of life or death here!" Fonzie blurted out. Richie was up the stairway in five seconds and Fonzie yanked him inside by the collar and set him down in the chair. "Park it for a minute, will you?"
"Okay...I'm parked, but the meter's running, Fonz, I really gotta..."
Fonzie laughed abruptly. "Heh heh, the meter's running, the meter's running...that's a good one!" Fonzie shook him. "I'm about to die and you're making cornier jokes than Ralph Malph!"
"Die? What do you mean? What happened?"
"Richaard, I can't take it, I'm about to go NUTSO!"
Richie steadied his friend in the chair. He never saw Fonzie look so out disheveled. "Nutso is not a good thing, Fonz. We need you sane."
Fonzie yanked at his hair and then kicked a chair. He walked around frantic. His behavior stunned Richie.
"Haven't you noticed anything different about me lately, Cunningham?"
Richie avoided bringing up the girl situation, but he knew that was exactly what was killing Fonzie.
"Uh...you're trying to grow a beard!"
"WRONG. But I wouldn't look too bad in one." He peeked in his mirror and stroked his chin.
"Okay, there's a...a plague going around town and it's affected every girl in Milwaukee! No kissing for a week! I think I heard that yesterday."
Fonzie grabbed Richie's shoulders dramatically. "If only that were the truth! Then I can live with myself."
"Okay, Fonz, I give, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong is I haven't been around one woman in three days! NOT ONE! I barely even look at them anymore. My spot at Inspiration point is growing weeds! My booth at Arnold's is being overrun by nerds!"
"Uhh, that's usually the booth Potsie, Ralph and I sit at..."
"I rest my case." Fonzie remarked distressed.
Richie was about to refute him, but let it slide. "Fonz, I know what's been going on, but why? Why haven't you dated?"
Fonzie rushed to the door. He peeked out and pulled down the blinds. "Why do you think, Cunningham? It's her, it's Sadie!"
"Sadie's not letting you date?"
"No! I'm not letting myself date because me and her haven't...mffmppphhhhuhhmpphh..."
Richie shook his head. "Fonz, what are you mumbling?"
Fonzie tossed a hand up. "You know what I mean! She and I, we haven't...shhhhmfffphhhhhh..."
Richie enjoyed this. He slapped his knee and laughed. "Oh! I get it! I get it! You haven't..." He covered his mouth with his hand and blurted out a bunch of nonsense words. Fonzie looked like he wanted to strangle him.
"Richie, you've been hanging out with Pots and Malph too long! Don't you understand? Me and Sadie, we haven't found our thrill on Blueberry Hill! Jeesh! Ya think some people would get the point! Who am I kidding, I'm talking to a child ovah here."
Richie folded his arms and let out a slight chuckle. Fonzie straightened up. It was the Cunningham 'Huh huh huh' that was normally followed by a lecture and encouragement to do the right thing.
"Fonz, I'm not a child, but I don't understand something. You're obviously head over heels for her, why don't you just ask her out? Maybe she's waiting for you to make the first move like most girls do. You always make the first move."
Fonzie picked up his chair backwards and plunked down. "I know, I know. but Sadie is not your average chick. She is immune, Rich. Get this, the other day I snapped my fingers to test her, ya know? Five other chicks come running and she's still playing pinball without a care in the world."
"Maybe she didn't hear it?"
The Fonz stared gravely at him. "Three of those girls were from the other side of the parking lot."
Richie lowered his head to hide his amazement. "Oh, okay, well, maybe she just doesn't understand. She's not from around here, not everyone knows about you, Fonzie."
"But no chick can withstand the powers of my persuasion."
Richie smiled at him. "Then maybe you met your match. Seriously, have you tried talking to her about it? Instead of just snapping in her face?"
"Talk, talk, talk! That's all we do! I got no more vocabulary left! I need to carry a dictionary around we talk so much!"
"I thought you said you liked talking to her."
"Yeah, but a man has needs, Cunningham! Our lips were designed for other things besides forming words." Fonzie stared into space for a minute then punched his palm. "I know what it is! I know exactly what the problem is!"
"What? What!"
"I...I think I love her. I'm in love with her and I respect her and I really get this feeling she's holding back for a reason, Rich."
Richie nodded enthusiastically. "Okay, now we're getting somewhere. You're right! It's not you, it's her. I'm telling you now, Fonz, she's hiding something about that accident. But don't worry, I'm gonna get the scoop on it."
Fonzie put on his boots. "What, you got Joanie 'Watson' Cunningham working for you now?"
"How'd you know?"
"Aayy, I'm the Fonz, I make it my business to know all."
Richie paced Fonzie's room. "I figured that if given a chance, Sadie would open up to another female. I didn't think she would with my mom. Don't get me wrong, my mom is wonderful but...she doesn't get things right away, you know? She's kinda spacey sometimes."
"I will not answer that, Richard. Nobody will ever accuse me of talking bad about Mrs. C." Fonzie zipped his lips.
"Okay, okay, forget I said it...anyway, I just thought Sadie might reveal things to Joanie and we can learn more about her. "
Fonzie stood up and went to his bathroom. "Keep talking Richie, I'm gonna shave."
"Feeling better, Fonz?"
"Naturally, I knew I wasn't the one with the problem. Woah!"
"Fonzie, here's an idea, it's a little off the cuff, but it bugged me since that first night."
"Shoot."
"What if Sadie knew the guy who ran her off the road? What if that guy was really out to hurt her? Maybe it was a jealous boyfriend or something. Maybe he's a stalker!"
Fonzie dropped his razor and wiped his face with a warm towel. "Cunningham, this is why you're gonna go far in life. You got brains in that head of yours. So, you're sayin' that little Sadie is afraid to commit to another guy because this freak show might still be out there?"
"That's exactly it, Fonz."
Fonzie vigorously combed his hair into a perfect pompadour. "It makes sense, Rich, it really does. But I can't be sure unless she tells me the truth herself."
"Then you have to get it out of her Fonz. You know what I think?"
"What do you think?"
"You have to lay down the law. You have march into my house and snap your heart out until she comes down, then take her in your arms and..."
"Richard, I don't need a textbook explanation for this. I can pull a Rhett Butler."
"That's right! You're gonna make her go out with you tonight, and then when the timing is right, you're gonna force her to tell you everything that's bothering her."
"Yes I am!"
"Good!" Richie wagged his fists around. "And if she still refuses, you pick up a grapefruit like James Cagney and shove it in her face!"
"Cunningham, I want her to confide in me, not make her a fruit salad."
"Oh, sure! Well, you know what to do, Fonz. She'll talk, or else!"
Fonzie tossed on his newly pressed leather jacket. Richie was about to storm out and Fonzie grabbed his arm. "Cunningham, woah, woah, hold your fire. I can't do that."
"What? I don't believe it. You're the Fonz, you can do anything! Now you need to march down there and tell her who's boss!"
Fonzie shook his head. "Richie, Richie, you gotta understand something about women. They're confusing and they frustrate the heck out of us guys, but they're fragile and sensitive. If Sadie's been involved with a rotten lowlife like that, imagine how he treated her? Why do you think she's on the run? Cause I know she is."
Richie glanced down thoughtfully. "Ohh, right."
"Now whaddya think she's gonna do if I go storming in, shake her up, and yell all over the place? She'll hate me, she'll be afraid of me. I don't want that. I want her to..."
"To love you." Richard finished.
"Exactamundo, Richard. I want her to love me." Fonzie patted Richie's cheek. "The Fonz knows how to play it soft and gentle, ya dig?"
"Yeah, I dig."
"Good. Let's go downstairs."
~Oo~
Richard and Fonzie went into the Cunningham house at the same moment Howard came home from work and Joanie's date arrived.
"I didn't realize we were having a parade." Howard noted as he hung up his coat. "Hi Rich, hi Fonz, hi...strange boy with a bouquet?"
The young man sheepishly hung his head and straightened his red bow-tie. "I'm Jimmy Thompson, Mr. Cunningham, Joanie's date for tonight."
"Oh...sure, sure. Okay, just so you know she has a ten o'clock curfew and she's not allowed to go to Inspiration Point under any circumstances."
Jimmy looked about to faint from nervousness and he sat down on the sofa. "No, sir, Mr. Cunningham, I have a ten o'clock curfew too and my pop would kill me if he knew I took a nice girl like Joanie up there."
Richie laughed. Fonzie put an arm over Jimmy's neck and pulled his head closer to him. "Forget Pop, Jimmy, I will kill you." He said through a smile.
Fonzie let him go and Jimmy staggered toward the door. Howard sighed and went into the kitchen to greet Marion as she set up his dinner. A few minutes later Joanie pranced downstairs and everyone stood. She looked adorable.
"Joanie! Wow, I almost don't recognize you! You look great." Richie said sincerely.
Joanie's hair was piled in a bun and her curls spilled out all over; she wore blue eye shadow to match her dress, hints of mascara and pink lipstick. Her skin was dusted with a touch of glitter. Fonzie clapped his hands.
"Aaayyy, shortcake, I don't see you for a few hours and you grow up even more before my eyes! Jimmy, you are one lucky boy tonight!"
Jimmy gulped and smiled wide at Joanie. "Gee, Joanie, you do look swell! I love your dress."
"Thank you, Jimmy. Thanks, Fonz and Rich!" She giggled.
Joanie went to get her coat and Howard and Marion came out.
"Marion, where did our daughter go? When did Audrey Hepburn get here?" Howard smiled.
"Oh, dad! Thanks."
"Joanie you look marvelous. Did Sadie help you with all this?" Marion asked as she set the table.
Joanie looked upstairs with a twinkle in her eye. "Oh, yeah, she sure did. Sadie, you coming down?"
Fonzie looked up and he suddenly felt his legs wobble like pure Jell-O. He hopped into Howard's easy chair and clutched a fist over his chest. Sadie came down casually, but all Fonzie could see were her rounded hips swaying left to right in a perfectly fitted red dress. He averted his gaze to her face, she was dolled up with black eyeliner and red lipstick and her hair waved around her flush cheeks.
"Hello, Fonzie, are you ready to go to Arnold's? I heard it's gonna be a hot time tonight."
Richie's jaw dropped. "Yowza! Yowza..."
Fonzie snapped and Richie shut his mouth. Forget Arnold's. Fonzie was ready to go to the moon with her. She did all this preparation just for him. He came to his feet and approached the stairs. He led her down the rest of the way.
"Sadie Rose, I thought you'd never ask!" Fonzie quipped.
"A girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do. I'm glad I caught you before anyone else." She winked.
Sadie kissed his cheek and Fonzie backed up with a loud WOAH! Everyone laughed. Fonzie slid his arm around her waist and they headed for the door.
"Ladies and gents, I will see you all later! But don't wait up."
"Fonz, I'll drive you to Arnolds, you're not taking her on the bike looking like that are you?" Richard asked.
"What are you talking about, Rich? I always dress like this...kidding, kidding. No way, I got class. I'm taking the tow truck. Let's go, Sadie Rose." Fonzie sniffed her hair and sighed pleasurably. She smelled of sweet rosewater perfume.
Sadie waved at the family as Fonzie dragged her out the door.
