CHAPTER 2: FRANKLIN AND EUDORA SHARE THE NEWS

"Engaged?!" said an excited Pat.

"When did this happen?" asked Charlie.

"Valentine's Day," said Eudora. "Franklin proposed to me with a full orchestra playing in the park."

"How romantic!" cooed Sally.

"Let me see the ring!" said a happy Mary. And Eudora showed off her engagement ring to everyone.

"Wow, you went all out, Frank," said Linus.

"Nothing but the best for my lady," said Franklin.

Everyone was at The Bronze Beagle for a private get-together Shermy was having for his friends. He had a catering service bring in some food for brunch. All were enjoying the news about Franklin and Eudora's pending nuptials. Even Schroeder was happy for his friend, despite not having a romantic bone in his body.

"I'm happy for you, Franklin," said Schroeder.

"Thanks, man," beamed Franklin. "Oh and between us, thanks for not saying anything about it."

"Of course," Schroeder replied. "When you showed me the ring before, I knew to keep quiet about it until you two said something." Linus walked up to the two men. He looked serious all of the sudden.

"Hey guys," he greeted. "Schroeder, can I talk to you in private for a minute?"

"Sure, Linus," said Schroeder. "Excuse me, Franklin."

"No problem," said Franklin. And Schroeder and Linus went somewhere in the back so they could talk in private.

"What the hell was all that with Lucy at the grocery store the other day, man?!" asked Linus. "It was just a coincidence she was there when you were. Do you really think she's stalking you?!"

"Did she put you up to this?" asked Schroeder.

"No," said Linus. "In fact, she went back to HWCP to visit Violet, so she's not even in town right now. I'm asking you for myself. Now I'm telling you, for all of our sakes. Let this go! Lucy's moved on. In fact, she's dating someone else right now."

"Who would ever go out with a convicted felon like her?" laughed Schroeder.

"A bartender named Derrick, for one. He knows about her past and he doesn't care! So you won't have to worry about her coming to see you. Look, Schroeder, I know you harbor a shit-ton of animosity towards my sister, and I don't blame you. But she's changed. She's honoring your stupid restraining order. What more do you want?!"

"I want her to go back to prison for the rest of her life! And not just to visit her felonious friend Violet! Forever!"

"Well, unless she commits murder, that's not going to happen. Schroeder, what's wrong with you?"

"I JUST HATE YOUR SISTER!" And Schroeder stormed out of the bar from the back door. Shermy came back where Linus was.

"What happened?" he asked.

"I just told Schroeder to give up this vendetta he has against Lucy," sighed Linus. "He's gone off the deep end, dude."

Outside, Schroeder got in his car and sped off. His anger towards Lucy was building again. HE got why Linus was defending her, as it was his sister, but it didn't change what Schroeder "knew" and that was Lucy was out to ruin him once and for all, but he wasn't going to let that happen.

"Lucy," he growled as he sped down the road, "you will not get your clutches in me! I will kill you before that happens!"

NEXT CHAPTER: GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER