Monday morning—

Howard ate breakfast after Joanie had left for school.

"Now, Howard," Marion sat down then continued, "don't kill your boss, okay? I know you are still upset but please just leave if he really gets to you."

"Okay Marion, I'll try." Howard got up, gave Marion a kiss then left for work.

Marion thought to herself, I know he will be home before lunch.

At the hardware store 9am—

Howard arrived at work to a clean store and the employees welcomed him back. A few minutes later Harry came by and both went to talk in Howard's office.

Howard sat down in his chair as Harry remained standing and held a bag.

"What did you want to talk about?" Howard felt nervous.

"I was a selfish rat."

"Oh?" Howard acted surprised.

"Joanie or Richie didn't tell you?"

"Of course Joanie told me! Why didn't you ask me what my plans were when I told you I had made plans?" Howard yelled while the employees and some customers could hear what was being said. One employee put her ear to the door to listen and give information.

"I was a selfish rat."

"Yes, you were. You know what my daughter did? She had a friend take her to the dance and she didn't even let her mother meet him. Luckily he's a college kid and nothing happened to her either."

"Your SON broke this." Harry took out the broken trophy that was in the bag.

"Who really cares? You ruined Joanie's and my night for your selfishness. How is your father? At that convention all I heard was how is Harry's father? Did he die? That is all the questions I got about you!" Howard bit his tongue since he didn't want to show disrespect towards his boss' father. Howard was very upset Richie would do what he did.

Howard paced trying to keep himself calm as he had his hands in his pockets.

"My father is doing okay, he has his days. When I got home, I got quite a few calls about him and I didn't realize everyone thought he died or was in really bad shape. Condolences were given to me because they thought my father had died." Harry said then continued, "Karen was really happy that she and I won the trophy, Howard." Harry knew Howard wasn't listening but he wanted to make things right, for her.

"What about me and Joanie? I'm out of town and she sees you lollygagging with your daughter when I could have been dancing with her, too! If you weren't my boss, I'd punch you in the nose! Get out of my office and my store!" Harry left the broken trophy behind as the employee walked back to the store and Harry left.

Howard sat in his chair, took a deep breath, and looked at the trophy that was in 6 pieces.

At the Cunninghams after school—

Joanie was doing her homework in the living room, Marion was running an errand, Howard still at work, and Richie was at college. The doorbell rang and Joanie went to get it.

"Hi." Joanie was surprised at who was at the door then continued. "My dad is still at work." Joanie let him in and they sat on the chairs.

"I know. I'm sorry for ruining your evening with your father on Friday. I should have asked him what plans he had made when he told me."

"Why did you make him go?"

"I was selfish and I should have made sure the person who I want to go to the convention had no plans."

"I don't think I can forgive you, yet." Joanie looked at him, put her hand on her cheek then continued, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do I have a crummy brother or are my friends making up that he broke Karen's trophy?"

"Well, other than being protective, you do have a crummy brother."

"Great," Joanie blew out an annoyed sigh.

"I wanted to come by and talk to you. I already talked to your dad." Harry and Joanie stood up.

"Thanks for coming by," Joanie said as Harry went to the door and left. Joanie continued, "I got such a crummy brother."

A few minutes later Deena came over and they went upstairs in Joanie's room to talk.

"So, did your brother really break Karen's trophy?"

"Yeah. I hope the trophy can be fixed."

A few hours after dinner—

Harry and Karen arrived at the house after Howard called him, and they gathered at the table. Richie came home a few minutes later and ran upstairs.

"Richard!"

"I'll be right there, Dad. I ate something my stomach didn't agree with."

"Dad, do I have to be here?" Karen whined.

"Yes. It's the right thing to do; I apologized to Howard and Joanie today."

"When did you apologize to Joanie? I haven't talked to Richard so he doesn't know that he's in big trouble," Howard said.

"I came by a few hours ago and she was home. I didn't think you were going to get the trophy fixed so fast."

"Okay, I'm better." Richard came downstairs while Howard went to his desk, opened it, and got the trophy out.

"That's good. Now, I think someone deserves an apology for the trophy that was busted."

"Well, Dad, Joanie didn't do it. I did."

"I know that and Fonzie was able to fix the trophy with a glue that he had at his shop." Howard put the trophy on the table.

"I'm sorry I busted your trophy. I shouldn't have done that."

"That's nice," Marion said.

"It looks so new. Thank you. Apology accepted." Harry and Karen left and Richie sat at the table.

"Richard, you should not have done that, I don't care how upset you and Joanie were. I'm taking away your car for two weeks."

"Okay, Dad." Richie gave him the car keys then went upstairs.

"I'm so glad this is over, Howard. I'm very proud of you not coming home before lunch."

"Thank you, sweetheart."

A few days later—

Joanie was at home when Deena came over and they talked while Howard, Marion, and Richie were out of the house.

"So what did you find out?"

"You won't believe this but-."

"What?" Joanie asked nervously.