Cherry Schnapps
Chapter 1
It was the summer of 1958, and Wilhelm Schwartz, who'd been living in America since the age of eight, was at the beach sipping cherry soda with Danny Zuko. A girl he'd never met before was with him.
"Bill, this is Sandy Olsson. We're dating so ah… don't try anything."
She kissed Danny on the cheek and smiled.
"What about you? Still goin' with that chick?"
Wilhelm chuckled. "I'm Wilhelm Schwartz," he said to Sandy.
Sandy smiled again. "Pleased to meet you," she said. "I'm from Australia… you?"
"Düsseldorf," said Wilhelm proudly. "Proud of it as well. It's great to be an American but I'm proud of my heritage. We moved here when I was eight."
"Bill and I have been friends since third grade," said Danny.
"Ja," said Wilhelm, "Zuko here is a real heartbreaker."
Sandy giggled. "As long as he doesn't break my heart."
"Come on Sandy… I'd never! Bill, don't sidetrack us, come on!"
Wilhelm shrugged. "Unfortunately, we're kaput," he said ruefully.
"Woah… Bill that's a tough break! What happened?"
"She broke up with me after angrily saying she refused to compete with my car."
"Oh that Imperial Crown you're working on?"
Wilhelm chuckled. "Patty would love it now! Black with red leather seats and a new engine. It handles like a race car! Nice smooth handling, stops and turns on a dime, you have got to see this car!"
"Patty Simcox does not like competition for her, ah… affections."
"Another Fraulein I can understand," said Wilhelm, "but who gets jealous of a bloody car, for God's sake?!"
"Exactly!" Drawled Danny.
"You loved it more than me!"
Patty Simcox had appeared right behind Wilhelm.
"Who's your friend Danny?"
"His girlfriend Sandy," said Wilhelm. "And Patty… it's a car."
"So?!" She said indignantly.
"So? It's a car. I can't marry my car."
Patty huffed. "You might as well!"
"Well to its credit," said Wilhelm casually, "at least my car hasn't broken my heart."
"Oh!" Patty cried, smacking Wilhelm in the back of his head. "Oh I hope it blows up with you in it!" She stormed off.
"Tough luck Bill," said Danny with a shrug. "But seriously, you and that car…"
"Zip it," Wilhelm muttered with a scoff. He sipped his soda as the gears in his head started turning. He was back on the market. But did any other girls like him? He could think of one… He smiled in thought, deciding to introduce himself to her soon.