"I have a confession to make."
"What?" The group wondered what she had to say.
"I lied about my dad. He doesn't work for the FBI, in fact he left when I was a baby," she confessed sadly.
"Whoa." The group was shocked.
"Why did you lie?" Joanie asked.
"Well, because everyone talked so much about their dads and I just felt ashamed. I'm sorry."
"Just be happy for us, and we will still be your friend," one girl said.
"Thanks," Deena said.
"Why did you tell us this now?" another girl asked.
"'Cause one of my friends was over and made a comment to my mom about my dad being in the FBI."
"I hate that when that happens," Bethany Pogo said.
After they chatted for a few minutes, they went to their homes.
A few days later—
Deena had changed her report and wrote about wanting to meet her father. She talked about how she felt when her friends would talk about their fathers and how they were loved by their fathers, and she just felt she was missing something. She found she did miss her father.
Later that night—
After they had finished dinner, Marion and Howard watched TV, Richie was on a date, and Joanie went in the kitchen. She left the kitchen and went to Fonzie's apartment and knocked.
"Fonzie?" Joanie asked then was allowed inside and saw Fonzie at the desk drinking a soda.
"Yes, shortcake."
"I wanted to ask you something," Joanie said as she sat down.
"What is it?" He looked at her.
"Did you ever get embarrassed that you had to tell your friends you didn't have a father?"
"Are you embarrassed by the Big H?" Fonzie asked as he stood.
"No, Fonz."
"I will not talk about my father and you have no right coming to my apartment and asking that."
"I'm sorry, Fonz." Joanie looked upset.
He did not look at Joanie as he got up and walked over to his bed. "Let me tell you something, I don't know what possessed you to ask me this question, don't you love your father?"
"Yes." Joanie looked shocked.
"He may be a little strange when he wears that fez hat for the lodge but he's always there, right?"
"Yes." Fonzie walked to the door.
"Now, if you have more questions about my father, I suggest you leave."
"But Fonz."
"Did you hear what I said?" Fonzie asked curtly.
Joanie got up and walked to the door, "I'm sorry, Fonz." She left. Joanie quietly went through the front door, closed the door, then ran upstairs as Howard and Marion continued watching TV.
Joanie did her homework then later that night everyone went to bed.
Next day at school—
The class got their homework back; Joanie and Deena had to redo theirs. They both chatted while they stood near the school.
"She didn't like my report because, well, because she doesn't like me!"
"She didn't like my report because she's a Republican. I have to redo my report for that main reason and she doesn't like Roosevelt. So stay away from Democrats."
"I have to go to the library and I guess we both better go."
"Who will you do?" Joanie asked.
"I think I will do Mary Todd Lincoln," Deena said.
"Yeah, I think I will do Mamie Eisenhower."
At the Cunninghams 8pm—
Marion worried about Joanie and wondered why she hadn't come home. She called all of Joanie's friends and she wasn't there.
"Howard, I'm getting worried about her, she hasn't been out this late."
"Marion, I can't drive around looking for her since my back has gone out, but maybe have Richard go find her." Howard laid on the sofa.
"I wish you didn't have a stressful day, Howard."
"I'm sorry, dear. Maybe call Richie at Arnold's?" Howard said.
"It's not like Joanie to miss dinner."
"Maybe she is out somewhere and just lost track of time. Just wish I can get up."
Marion called Richie at Arnold's. A few minutes later Richie walked in with Lori Beth.
"Oh Richard, I'm glad you're home."
"What's wrong, Mom?"
"Joanie hasn't come home yet and I want you to go out and find her," Marion said.
"Mom, I can't."