Powerful Dreams



A black car comes down the street and pulls up the driveway of a spacious white house with blue shutters.

"My name is Arthur Herber Fonzarelli. A few years ago I finally realized what I wanted most in life. That no longer did my greaser days fulfilled me that instead I wanted to live a normal life. This life became my dream. One that would hunt all my nights."

Fonzie stepped out of the car. Wearing a dark three piece suit and carrying a briefcase. He made his way to the front door.

"I dreamed of a simple life. In this dream I lived in a peaceful country. Worked for a government that was by and for the people. A place where each and every person had equal rights no matter what gender or race they were."

He opened the door and was greeted by two little boys. Both of them dressed like the lone ranger. Overjoyed to see him they flung themselves into his waiting arms. Carrying the youngest in his strong arms and holding the other one's hand he made his way to the kitchen.

"Never changing, not even in the smallest details, the dream became part of me. Eventually it did fade away into the recess of my mind, but never completely eluding me. Now, after all these years, it has resurfaced again. But something crucially important is different this time around. Something that had been missing in all my previous dreams."

A small petite figure stood by the stove, her back facing him and the children. Putting the child down he slowly made his way to her.

Reaching out to touch her she turned around giving him a sweet welcoming smile. It was Joanie and she was looking straight into his soul with such love and respect.

She came closer to him, putting her arms around his neck. Fonzie instinctively leaned in to her and caught her lips. His arms coming around her, bringing her closer to him.

"In this dream I had love."

In the next instant all is gone and Fonzie is alone, standing between two black, child-size coffins.

"Everything that counts in life I have, but then I lose it all. In one instant everything is gone and I'm left to stand-alone.



Fonzie immediately wakes up. Sitting up right in bed he looks around the dark room with scare, wide eyes. There's a cold sweat trickling down his temples and back. A shiver runs through him as he looks to his side.

Joanie mumbles something and continues sleeping. He lies back down, turning to his side, in order to face her. Running a hand down the side of her face he tries to figure out what his dream had meant. The beginning had been the same as always, but it all had changed the minute he stepped into the kitchen and she had been there.

In all his other dreams there had been a women there, but he had never seen her face. Having finally found that women to love, Joanie must of naturally taken that place in his dream. But the ending, that's the part that unnerved him the most. What did it mean? There had been two little boys in his dream and then there were two small child-size coffins in the end. Did something happen to his kids? And why was he holding his wedding band, instead of wearing it? Was he no longer with shortcake?

He didn't know, and a small part of him didn't want to know either. All he wanted to do was forget the dream and continue leaving his life the way he had been doing. Soon, the baby would be born and he would be a proud father. Joanie only had two more months to go and he will make sure that the baby is born safe and sound, if it's the last thing he does! Beside, there shouldn't be anything to worry about, her pregnancy, so far, had been perfectly smooth. No complications of any kind, and the doctor had assured them that the child was healthy.

Fonzie closed his eyes sleep overtaking him quickly.



Chachi made his way into Arnold's. Stopping in the entrance he scanned the place for Fonzie. He needed to talk to him, it was extremely important. Today Chachi was going to take a rather large overdue step; he was going to make amends with his past. Having spent the past months in NY he had been able to do a lot of thinking. He finally realized that there no longer was a chance at a future for him and Joanie. That no matter how sad, she was Fonzie's wife and she loved him and would never be with any other man ever.

Now, he had to talk to him and her and apologize for being such a fool. Perhaps, even be aloud to play some sort of role in their lives now. Although, he knew that he wouldn't become their best friend, but he at least did want to have some contact with them. In a month he was moving out to San Francisco and only wished to make amends before his departure. Put right were once went wrong.

He spotted Fonzie by the pay phone. Taking a deep breath he walked over to him.

"Do you REALLY want to talk, or just berate me?" Fonzie asked as he motioned for them to take a seat.

Chachi nodded, "I promise I won't blow up on you again", he said in an honest voice.

Facing each other now and having the older man's undivided attention he began. "As I said before I want to talk, well, more like apologize. I've been doing a lot of thinking since our last encounter in NY and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those hurtful things, you didn't deserve such harsh treatment." Chachi looked at him, not seeing any objection he kept on going. "I want you and Joanie to know that I'm very sorry for my behavior toward the two of you. I hope that you could forgive me. I'm leaving in a month to go live in San Francisco and I don't want to leave with out clearing the air. No matter what you're still my family and I still do love you both."

Fonzie didn't know what to say. It took a big man to admit half of the things Chachi just said. He had truly grown this past two years. Who was he not to forgive him? Fonzie thought. But as for Joanie it was her decision and hers only.

"Well, I forgive you Chachi. I never hated you, ever! As far as I'm concern it's all forgotten. But Joanie forgiveness, I can't give that to you, only she can", he said. Chachi nodded fully understanding. "Why don't you come over for dinner tomorrow and we can all talk" Fonzie offered, Chachi accepted and a feeling of peace flowed between them.

Both felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders. Family was family and nothing should come between it. Life was too short to spend it holding grudges and Fonzie knew that Joanie felt the same way. She would be very please by Chachi changed in attitude.
TO BE CONTINUED