I was up early the following day. I was the first one to arrive at the Cunninghams' house to have a good chance to say good – bye to the girls. Richie and Lori Beth ended up sleeping at Howard and Marion's for the night. Al came to meet us at the airport.
Potsie missed out on taking the girls to the airport. He told me later this afternoon he slept in and forgot about the time. Sometimes he sleeps in, but it depends on what day it is and if he's doing anything with us on that certain day. He likes to sleep in until 10:15, so that was probably why he missed out on going with us to the airport.
"That's okay, Potsie. We will make up for it next time. I do have an idea," I spoke up.
"What's that?" Fonzie asked, joining us for the conversation.
"Last night when I was back home and in bed, I thought it would be a good idea to exchange addresses and phone numbers with the girls," I answered.
"That's cool! Let's do it," said Fonzie.
He always used that word, so we've been hearing it for several years now.
"Let's wait until everyone comes over to join us and you can share your idea," Fonzie said.
Chachi wasn't with us when I brought it up. He was probably waiting to meet us at the airport to have one last good – bye to the girls.
Once Chachi and everyone else joined us, I repeated my idea. They all liked it.
"I especially liked Mallory. We both have something in common," Richie said.
"What's that?" asked Joanie.
"We're both writers. I like journalism, and she wants to be a children's author and illustrator when she gets older," Richie answered.
"They were all fun," said Al, "but it would be nice to keep in touch."
"Remember you hung out in the kitchen with Claudia?" Chachi asked.
"Yes, I do," Al answered.
"Maybe you two can do that again next time we see them if we get their addresses and numbers," I said.
"How did you come up with that one, Ralph?" asked Jenny, who just joined us.
She did show interest in the conversation we were having. I'm happy everyone is liking my idea. While we were still at the airport, I watched Dawn heading my way. I didn't mind that. She was a friendly young woman.
"Hi, Ralph," she said.
"Hi, Dawn. We're disappointed you and your friends are leaving," I replied.
"I know. To us it feels like we just arrived," she agreed.
"I know it does. I just came up with an idea and my friends like it. Why don't you get your other friends so I won't have to repeat my idea to both you and your friends?" I asked.
"Sure. I'll go get them. Whatever your idea is, it better be good," she told me as she disappeared again.
About less than five minutes later, Dawn rejoined us with her friends, including Kayla and Kaylee.
"Dawn said you had an idea you wanted to share," Kristy said.
"I do. My friends like it. The idea is maybe we can exchange phone numbers and addresses to keep in touch," I told them.
"That's a good idea, Ralph. Glad you thought of it," Claudia said.
"So did I. Somehow it came to mind while we're still together," I told Claudia.
"We were talking about that not too long ago, but not the phone number and address bit," Jessi said.
"What were you thinking about?" Joanie asked.
"We thought how much fun it would be if we saw each other again sometime, but it would be your turn to come out and visit us," Jessi answered.
My friends and I liked the idea. Before they left to find their seats, all of us gave one another our addresses and phone numbers. This should be fun, I told myself as I gave them my phone number and address. We gave each other one last hug before they headed off. Marion was the one who held all of the contacts the girls and Logan had given us.
"I'll be sure to put the contact information somewhere that we will remember in the future," Marion told us.
"Good idea, Marion. If we did lose them, we'll be sorry," Howard agreed and the rest of the us nodded.
When we left the airport, I did tell my friends I didn't mind driving some of them home.
"Thanks, Ralph. Next time you can. We bought our cars, but Joanie and I drove together," Chachi said.
"Thanks for letting me know," I said to him.
When I arrived back at my house, I still was smiling. This sure was a fun two weeks.