Stinky and Lila

The suit that Stinky would borrow from his Dad was noticeably to big on his slender body and on the night of prom where he slicked back his hair with cheap gel, he felt completely unworthy of Lila. He didn't understand why she hadn't chose someone else, someone who could take her places after graduation, someone who could really show her the world. Lila never showed a desire to do so now that he considered it. She took pleasure in the simple things and expressed needing nothing more.

He heard a knock at his door and he said a quiet, "Come in."

"Happy Graduation Son!" Mr. Peterson said and handed him an envelope.

"What's this Dad?" Stinky said drearily.

"Well you ain't never goin know unless you open it are ya?"

Stinky tour the envelope open and stared down at what looked like a government document. "What's this Dad?"

"It's a deed son."

"A deed? To what?"

"You said you wanted to move out to the country Stinky, you said that is all you wanted."

"Dad…you're giving me a house?"

"You and Lila are going to have a great life together son, and a great family. This is just the foundation to all that."

Stinky felt so happy but so overwhelmed at the same time. Lila deserved more than this, she deserved more then the country living. She deserved adventure. The doorbell rang.

"There's your girl! Won't she be excited? I been hearin you too talking about movin in together and I can't wait to tell her."

"No!" Stinky shouted.

Mr. Peterson looked concerned.

"I mean…no, I want to tell her." Stinky said.

Mr. Peterson smiled and walked down stiars.

Stinky looked down at the deed, put it on his bed and walked away from it.

Lila wore a short green dress with pearls and a white flower in her hair. She looked magnificent and it only made Stinky feel worse.

"Oh stinky you look oh so handsome! I do love you in that mustard color!"

Stinky kissed her on the forehead and smiled. "You look so beautiful he said to her and slipped her corsage on her wrist.

"I guess we're off." Stinky said.

They both said good-bye to their families after a few pictures. Neither could afford a cab or a limo so they decided to walk.

"I've been waiting for prom for oh so long Stinky!"

"Myself too Lila, can't wait."

They passed the Lloyd household and saw Rhonda getting in the limo with Curly, Nadine, and Sid. Stinky felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.

"I wish I could get us some better transportation Lila."

"Oh Stinky, that's oh so okay. I just as well walk."

A few blocks done they met up with Harold and Arnold who were going to the prom dateless along with Phoebe and Gerald who were frontrunners for prom queen and king. They entered the hotel where the prom was being held. Stinky had to work thirty hours each week just to buy the tickets for him and Lila. But Lila's everlasting optimism didn't let him dwell on this so long.

They danced together all night. He secretly loved the way they slow danced together.

"I can't wait to spend my life with you Stinky. I am oh so excited to live together after graduation."

"Yeah…I wanted to talk to you about that Lila. Are you sure you don't want to go to college? I mean…is this really what you want?

"Stinky, let me assure you just oh so much that all I want is you. All I want is to have a big family, with you."

Stinky smiled. He often thought about their children. He hoped that they would her eyes and her hair and her optimism.

"I want that too Lila."

"I think we'll have beautiful children. I think we will have an oh so beautiful life."

Stinky kissed her forehead. He noticed now they were the only two on the dance floor. Phoebe and Gerald were getting their picture taken with their crowns. Stinky hadn't seen Arnold since Helga came. Harold was going to smoke.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

They stood on the balcony of the apartment and breathed in the cool spring air drinking rum and cokes.

"Where do you think we should live Stinky? There is oh so many great places in Hillwood."

"Lila." Stinky said seriously.

"Is this what you really want?"

"Stinky, what ever do you mean?"

"Lila, you can do so much better than me. Do you really just want to go to the country and…"

"And have a family, yes Stinky. I'm ever so sure that's all I want.

"Lila…I just wish I could give you more."

"Oh Stinky, I'm ever so sure I know how you are feeling."

"You do?"

"Stinky, you are ever so special to me. And you are all I need. All I ever need."

Stinky smiled and kissed her on the lips.

"Maybe the family we will have…will come sooner than we thought?"

Stinky blankly stared at her.

She smiled. "I'm pregnant."

Harold came on the deck. "Stinky, code red!"

Stinky grabbed Lila's hand and they both walked through the hotel room heading toward the door. To both of their surprise, it was Rhonda. After saying hello and brief compliments they headed out the door.

"You're pregnant?" he said almost in a panic.

Lila smiled and nodded. "Are you upset?"

Stinky inhaled and that wrapped his arms around her. "We're going to have a beautiful life Lila, oh so beautiful. Ever so beautiful."